Hot and dry summers will often lead to a disease that spreads from small bugs, through the deer population and kills dear in large quantities.
The conditions were right this summer for an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD. According to DNR Sargent, John Williamson, EHD spreads when streams and rivers get low and a dangerous bug is able to hatch it's eggs, get into the system of a deer and ultimately kills it.
Williamson indicates the conditions have been perfect for an EHD outbreak but he's heard only of limited cases.
EHD dehydrates a deer by closing up it's throat through swelling in the tongue. In search of water, deer are often found dead near waterways likes lakes and streams.
If you find a deer dead near water, you're encouraged to contact DNR authorites.
