EHD Rearing Its Ugly Head Again For North Dakota Deer Hunters

Not good news for North Dakota Deer hunters just ahead of the deer/gun opener on Friday, November 7th.

The North Dakota rifle deer hunting opener is a cherished event for so many North Dakotans. The time spent at deer camp is celebrated by so many families and friends alike.

Unfortunately, deer hunting in North Dakota has been a struggle for several years. It seems like fewer licenses are issued every year, and you just don't see that sea of "orange" in the fields of the Peace Garden State like you did 10 years ago.

Why has there been a decline in the licenses and deer in the state of North Dakota?

It's been a combination of several factors, including a series of bad winters a few years back, loss of habitat, and a terrible disease that affects mainly Whitetail Deer called EHD. The North Dakota Game and Fish says it just takes a herd a long time to rebound after an outbreak of EHD or a severe winter.

What exactly is EHD? (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease)

It's a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats that mostly plagues Whitetail deer, but other big game species can be susceptible as well. The virus is no danger to humans; however, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer that appears sick, according to the North Dakota Game and Fish.

This disease really put the hurt on the deer population south and east of Bismarck a few years back in 2021. For a look back on that outbreak, click the link below.

(SEE ALSO: EHD is really bad around Bismarck-PHOTOS)

Now, deer hunters who drew tags in 5 counties in western North Dakota are being offered refunds because of EHD.

According to the North Dakota Game & Fish, deer hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered, and any antlerless licenses, who drew a tag in 5 units 3E1, 3F1, 3F2, 4E, and 4F can get a refund and have their bonus points restored.

The Game and Fish says EHD has been mostly in Adams and Boman counties in the far southwest part of the state. State officials say once we have a couple of hard freezes, hopefully that will kill the gnats that carry the virus, and things will settle down.