Bluetongue Virus Identified in New Jersey Deer

News Item provided by OutdoorHub.com

New Jersey wildlife officials confirmed that the state’s first traces of bluetongue virus have been found on two dead deer. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the deer were discovered in Somerset and Morris County last month (September 2014) and tested positive for the disease, which is spread by bites from the midge Culicoides imicola. Experts often compare bluetongue disease to the similar epizootic hemorrhagic disease, as both share the same symptoms, affect the same species, and are not considered contagious. Bluetongue, however, has a reputation for causing affected animals to develop foot lesions. In animals like deer, elk, pronghorn, and cattle, it can be extremely painful and eventually causes death. The erratic movements caused by the foot lesions have caused bluetongue to also be known as the “dancing disease.”

“The bluetongue virus is widely distributed in the United States, but has not been previously found in deer in New Jersey,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Chanda. “Both diseases are spread to animals by the bite of a certain type of midge. Neither disease can be transmitted to people. While EHD is only found in deer populations, the bites of the midge can transmit bluetongue to certain types of livestock.”

Mortality is relatively low with bluetongue, although there is no effective treatment for affected wildlife. The incubation period can last anywhere from a week to 20 days and symptoms can involve a high fever, swelling of the lips, and respiratory problems. Since the disease is spread by midges, experts expect that the potential for disease transmission will end when the winter frost kills the insects.

Like EHD, people cannot contract bluetongue through handling infected deer or eating venison. A midge bite will also not give people the disease. However, wildlife officials still advise against touching or eating any deer that appears to be ill.

Is Shed Antler Hunting Licensing In Our Future?

© By Othmar Vohringer

The thought that we need a license to collect shed antlers seems ridiculous to many hunters. Yet if new laws in Nevada, Utah and Montana catch on with other states shed antler licensing could soon become a nationwide mandatory requirement.

Utah requires a mandatory “Antler Gathering Ethics” course and established season dates during which hunters can gather them.

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners voted to prohibit shed antler collection between January 1st and April 15th. It is not required to be licensed to go shed antler hunting. However such a step might be considered in the future.

Montana established antler colleting seasons for all their Wildlife Management Units. It’s interesting to note that Montana, Nevada and Utah claim that the increasing popularity of shed antler hunting made such regulation necessary. We have seen it before when governments sense “increased popularity” in an activity they also sense revenue that could be obtained and therefore a “need” to regulate and license.

Summit Treestands Recalls Crush Treestand Series

© By Othmar Vohringer

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Summit Treestands, LLC, announced today a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of Product:

Crush Treestand Series Models: Perch, Stoop and Ledge hang-on model treestands.

Units affected from this recall: About 2,900

Hazard: The treestand’s hanging strap assembly could dislodge from the treestand or fail to restrain or hold properly on the tree, posing a fall hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Description: The recalled treestands have the following names and item numbers:

Crush Series Perch, number 82069.

Crush Series Stoop, number 82070.

Crush Series Ledge number 82071.

The treestands include the main stand platform and seat with a green cinch strap and a tan tree stand hanging strap assembly, which consists of one nylon strap with a hook and an adjustment portion with a metal buckle and a matching nylon tab and a hook. This hanging strap assembly has the recalled item numbers printed on the safety label attached near the buckle.

The recalled products are old at: Hunting stores and in catalogs such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and others across the U.S.A. and canada from July 2012 through August 2012 for between $70 to $100.

WARNING: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled treestands and contact Summit Treestands to receive a free replacement hanging strap assembly.

Consumer Contact: Summit Treestands, LLC, toll free at (855) 373-9808, anytime or website www.summitstands.com click on the Recall icon for more information.

(Image courtesy of Summit Treestands)

Coyotes Kill More Deer Then Other Predators Do

© By Othmar Vohringer

A long-term study by the Carnivore Ecology Laboratory at Mississippi State University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan revealed that coyotes killed more adult and fawn whitetail deer than wolves, bears, bobcats or any other predator. The study group uses radio collars on adult and fawn whitetails to track their movements, choice of habitat and causes of mortality. The scientists also use GPS collars to track top predators, such as coyotes, wolves, bears and bobcats.

The study revealed that, for the third straight year, coyotes are responsible for the killing of more adult and fawn deer than other predators. In one study the coyotes have preyed on seven adult deer, wolves on three deer, bear and bobcats on one each. In that same timeframe coyotes also killed 22 fawns, bobcats 12, bears and wolves each killed four fawns. Researchers also observed one fawn deer being killed by a bald eagle.

The study is still ongoing, but the trend that coyotes, besides humans, play a major role in deer kills is increasing.

Cranbrook, B.C. to cull urban deer

© By Othmar Vohringer

In a recent report the B.C. government allows the City of Cranbrook in British Columbia to be the first city in this province to cull urban deer. The city of Cranbrook has lately been several times in the news with stories of deer attacking pets and at one point even a newspaper carrier doing his paper delivery rounds.

Chris Zettel, communication officer of the City of Cranbrook said, “People in our community want something done about that problem.”
The provincial government will issue the city a permit to trap and kill up to 25 deer. A contractor will bait deer into a covered trap and then kill them with a bolt gun, similar to those used in abattoirs across Canada. The meat will be offered to First Nations in the area. This “deer management” method is modeled after the one employed in Helena, Montana. The cull is scheduled to start this fall and if successful will become an annual event until all aggressive deer either leave the city or are killed.
This so-called “deer management program” will cost the people of Cranbrook a small fortune. How much money will be spent is not revealed at this point. However, I know from similar such programs in America that they are very expensive.

A much better choice, and one that actually makes money for the city, would be to introduce urban deer hunting. In Illinois, where I used to live for over ten years, controlling urban deer populations was the job of bowhunters. For that, the city permitted a limited number of hunters and a modest hunting license surcharge, to hunt deer in city parks and in people’s backyards by permission of the landowners.

Initial concerns of mortally shot deer running onto roads or near housing have never been recorded. Mortally wounded deer seek thick cover not open spaces like roads and peoples gardens. I killed my biggest whitetail deer buck to date on such an urban deer hunt. I would welcome if towns and cities in B.C. overrun with deer would permit regular hunters to do the job rather then pay “professional experts” big money to rid the city of the surplus deer. This would create a great new hunting opportunity for bowhunters in this province.

Large Deer Poaching Investigation In The Ozarks

© By Othmar Vohringer

As a hunter it sickens me when I read stories such as the one below.

The Conservation Department of Missouri states in a press release that conservation agents closed a two year investigation on a large-scale illegal wildlife and wildlife parts commercialization.

A total of 299 serious violations in seven counties across southern Missouri were documented and 240 items were seized at a taxidermy shop. Investigators discovered and documented that 62 percent of the wildlife brought in for mounting at a taxidermy shop was taken illegally.

The violators were all arrested, which is good news but it still leaves me with a gut wrenching feeling. I hate poachers, they are thieves that steal wildlife from law abiding hunters and give all hunters a bad reputation, and that is besides disrespecting the animals they killed.

We hunters have to be vigilante at all times. If you see poaching in progress or witness something that doesn't look right in the field or by a taxidermist, or anywhere else for that matter, don’t approach the person/s, instead phone the wildlife officers. Let them take care of it. Every U.S. State and Canadian Province has a poaching hot line commit it to your memory.

You can read the full story here.

###

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.

Whitetail Deer Eats Bird

© By Othmar Vohringer

In my many years of deer hunting I’ve seen deer eat many strange things. There was the doe that obviously liked dead fish and another time I’ve seen a fork horn buck chewing on a bone. But I’ve never seen a deer actually chasing a bird then kill it and eat it. Until now on YouTube.

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.

Are you fit to go hunting?

© By Othmar Vohringer

As an outdoor writer I am supplied with a lot of statistics from Canada and even more from America. One of the statistics I look forward to every year is the Recreational Accident Statistic.

I am pleased to see that hunting ranks as usual very low in the overall accident statistic, lower then rollerblading and even basketball. What I am not pleased about is that the number one hunter accident is still connected to treestand hunting. I would have thought that by now every hunter uses a safety harness (supplied with every treestand) when hunting from a stand or climbing in and out of one.

The next most common hunter accident is guess what? It's not firearm related. It’s heart attacks. Heart attacks not only affect the aging hunter population but more often the younger hunters aged between 30 and 40. The reason, so the statistic, is poor physical condition. What's the main cause for heart attacks during hunting? Dragging a downed deer out of the bush is number one. Second place is setting up treestands. After a hunter shoots a deer, especially a big buck, ranks on third place.

Hunting, like any sport, requires physical fitness unless you're road hunter and even then you have to load the downed animal onto your truck. (For the non Canadian. In Canada we call a hunter driving along the back roads until he spots a deer a road hunter. These hunters usually only leave the vehicle to shoot at a deer.)

To keep fit I hike a lot and as hunting season approaches I hike even more, mostly in full hunting gear, loading my backpack with stones to add weight.

What are you doing to stay in physical hunting shape? Do you hike? Lift weights? Hit the gym? Discuss it here.

This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.

BC Outdoors Hunting & Shooting Magazine

© By Othmar Vohringer

The BC Outddors, Hunting & Shooting summer edition magazine is now available on the newsstands all over British Columbia. If you want to improve your early season bowhunting success you need to read my article, “The Four Factors of Deer Movement”. In the article I outline what the four factors are and how they influence deer movement patterns. Once you understand the four factors and how they relate to each other you will be able to find stand locations that get you with predictable accuracy into deer hot spots every time.

BC Outdoors has also a new website featuring hunting blogs and a forum. I am one of the blog writers. On the blog I provide the latest British Columbia related hunting information, news, hunting strategy tips and much more. Check it out and join the conversations or ask me a question.

On the BC Outdoors Forum I go by the handle “Huntwriter” and if you’re a hunter or angler from British Columbia or interested in hunting and fishing opportunities in BC then this is the place for you to join. I look forward to welcome you to the BC Outdoors Internet campfire.


This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Read my bi-weekly newspaper column online.

Anaplasmosis – False Alarm

© By Othmar Vohringer

In my Whitetail Deer Passion blog column from April 10, “Anaplasmosis – A health risk to BC wildlife”, I reported about the disease and the measures taken by the government; testing cattle in the Nicola Valley, which was followed up by conservation officers culling 30 mule and whitetail deer in the area on March 8 to 20. The culling was done in an effort to find out if the disease has spread to ungulate wildlife.

Since then the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stated that they have mistaken a harmless organism that behaves similar to Anaplasmosis. Understandably cattle ranchers in the Nicola Valley are not too happy about the mistake. Kevin Boon from the B.C. Cattleman Association said that ranchers would seek government compensation “…for the quarantine and extraordinary work of bringing in cattle from the range for blood testing.”

The organism mistaken for Anaplasmosis bears no health risk to animals and humans. Hunters to are not too happy about the culled deer; some even call it “a waste of natural resources”. However I would not be that quick to judge. The culling of the 35 deer in the area gives scientists the opportunity to check the deer for a far more deadly disease than Anaplasmosis. In recent years Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been rampant all over North America and there are fears that CWD has entered British Columbia. The scientists will now check the organs, skin and blood of the culled deer for any signs of CWD.

While the mistake is unfortunate and costly for the Lower Nicola Valley ranchers, and upsetting for some hunters I am glad the government acted swiftly and ordered testing. What if it had been Anaplasmosis? The quick action could have prevented Anaplasmosis from rapidly spreading. This in turn would have far more dire consequences in the long run for ranchers and hunters. Take Chronic Wasting Disease as an example. When it first appeared in a captive deer herd in Michigan 15 years ago officials played it down, saying it was only an isolated case and no need to worry. Well 15 years later I wish the American authorities would have worried and acted as swiftly as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency did with Anaplasmosis suspicion in the Nicola Valley.

Today Chronic Wasting Disease is present in every region of North America with little hope of any solution other than letting it run its course. The disease has put many deer and elk farmers out of business and in many regions decimated wildlife populations to below habitat carrying capacity and there is no end in sight. I believe firmly that the authorities did the right thing in ordering tests even if it turned out to be a mistake. In my opinion it is better to make a mistake than live with the consequences of doing nothing at all.

This column has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Anaplasmosis – A Health Risk to BC’s Deer Herd?

© By Othmar Vohringer
(Originally published in the Merritt News)

Anaplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a red blood cell parasite, Anaplasma marginale, which is most often transmitted by tick bites. It affects domestic and wild ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, elk and moose) but causes symptoms mostly in cattle and sheep. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency there is no human health risk associated with this disease. A human disease, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) was renamed as human Anaplasmosis in 2003, but this disease is caused by a different microorganism.

Until recently Anaplasmosis has only been found in the United States, but has now spread to Canada and more recently here to the Nicola Valley. In 2008 routine testing of local cattle found that there was Anaplasmosis present in some cattle. Since then about 10,000 cattle have been tested in the valley of which some showed positive for the red blood cell parasite. The testing has shown that the disease is most acute, but rarely fatal, in cattle between the ages of one to two years. Whereas the mortality rate in cattle older than two years is between 29 to 45 percent while calves are rarely infected.

The Ministry of Environment has authorized a deer kill in the Nicola Valley to test for possible wildlife infection of the disease. Helen Schwantje, a wildlife veterinarian with the B.C. Ministry of Environment, said conservation officers are slated to shoot 30 deer on private land March 16-18 to determine if Anaplasmosis is resident in the ungulate wildlife population. Conservation officers of Merritt culled 30 mule and whitetail deer on private ranch land in an effort to determine if Anaplasmosis has spread to wildlife. Two members of the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club, Fran and Jim George, were present to assist with field dressing and taking test samples of all major organs, skin and blood. As of this writing the test results from the deer culling are not available yet. The meat of the culled deer had been distributed to members of the First Nations.

Anaplasmosis is transmitted through the red blood cells of infected animals. Once an animal is infected, it remains a source of the disease for life even after the animal has fully recovered. Anaplasmosis is most often spread by ticks that bite infected cattle. The disease causing microorganisms also infect and reproduce in the tick. The tick then transmits the parasite to other susceptible animals such as deer, elk and moose. The Ministry of Environment asks hunters and other outdoor users to be vigilant of ticks on pets and humans. If pets or humans have ticks they should be collected and sent for testing to the Ministry of Wildlife or taken to the local Conservation Officer station in Merritt with a description of where the ticks have been contracted.

Ticks are also carriers of several other diseases, some of which affect animal and human health, such as Lyme disease. The best protection against ticks is to avoid walking through thick vegetation and tall grass whenever possible and walk in the middle of overgrown trails and paths where the vegetation is not so high. Wear long sleeved shirts and tape up the pant legs around hiking boots. Spray your shoes and pant legs with an appropriate tick repellent. A trick I learned form an old hunter many years ago and that seems to work very well is to tie a pet tick repellent collar around my ankles, wrists and sometimes even around my neck – especially when I hunt turkeys, which involves sitting for many hours under a tree on the ground- making sure the collar does not touch any part of my skin.

After returning from the outdoors conduct a visual inspection of your clothing, followed by a naked full-body inspection. Have a partner check the backside of your body. Ticks tend to hide in joints, between toes, behind the ears, in the scalp and other body parts. Check your pets very carefully for ticks each time they enter the house, even if they just have been outside for a brief moment. Pets can bring ticks in the house, which then migrate from the pet onto you or other family members, or visitors.

This column has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors

Wisconsin Browhunter Shoots Big Ten Point Buck

© By Othmar Vohringer

I am particularly proud of this young Wisconsin bowhunters first buck kill because I had a small part to play in his success.

When Shawn contacted me he didn’t sound to happy. Like most novice hunters he failed to kill a deer and had nobody to turn to, to ask for advice. After he gave me a detailed description of his hunting area I was able to give him a few starting point. We stayed in contact during which he kept me up-to-date on what he’s observed and I recommended what to do next. About a week into the consulting he called me to tell me enthusiastically that he shot a doe.

He also had seen a large mature buck but had no way, so he thought, to get close to him. More detailed descriptions followed, which I followed up with advice and tops on what to do. A week later the phone rang very early in the morning. Shawn was on the other end. Almost out of breath and very exited he told me that he just came home just to call and let me know that he shot the giant ten point buck. In an email he sent me that afternoon he wrote; "This buck was shot because of you. Thanks so much for your advice."

I’ll not give to much away because Shawn will soon tell you all about his very special hunt in his own words here at Whitetail Deer Passion.

As a hunting strategy & hunting property evaluation consultant I am fortunate to help many hunters to improve their success but it always is a special thrill me to play a small part in a novice hunters success.

In addition to make an already good week even better, I received an email from a hunting club that booked my consulting service and it seems they are happy too. Here is an excerpt of the email sent to me by the president of hunting club.

"...This is a short note to express our gratitude and sincere thanks to you for the consultant service you provided. We implemented your recommendations and advice on hunting strategies and stand locations and are happy to report that the average hunting success of our members in this past season has increased to 67%, compared to 43% last season...
Hiring you as our hunting strategy consultant to evaluate our clubs hunting land and leases has been worth every dollar and more. The board of directors and the membership would like to extend an open invitation to you, as a show of our gratitude, to hunt on our club properties any time you wish... Once again thank you very much."

As I said earlier I feel very fortunate to be able to help other hunters. For me that is all part of our great and unique North American hunting heritage and I am proud to be part of it. If you're interested in my consulting service is available to outfitters, clubs and individual hunters owning their own hunting land. To learn more about this unique service follow this link: HUNTING STRATEGY CONSULTANT & HUNTING PROPERTY EVALUATION

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors


Tags: Hunting Strategy Consultant, Hunting Property Evaluation, Trophy Buck, Deer Hunting

Deer hunting in the news

© By Othmar Vohringer

The Missouri Conservation Commission proposed an increase of hunting and fishing permits but they quickly had to pull the plug on that plan when the news resulted in a public outcry.

Hunters, fishers and organizations alike, rallied against this proposal. Missouri Farm Bureau was among the more vocal organizations that railed against the proposed changes, which were to take effect in July 2009.
Read more here

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that this state had a very good deer hunting season all things considered. One the hunters, asked by the article writer about the 2008 season success, said that he keeps records for the last ten years and that this was one of the best years for deer hunting.
Read more here

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit

Tags: Deer Hunting in the News, News, Deer Hunting, Missouri, Wisconsin

Local Town makes Deer Hunting Legal

© By Othmar Vohringer

Good news for hunters in and near the New York town of Southold. Due to increasing problems with the growing whitetail deer population in the town it has been decided to issue deer hunting permits.

December is breeding season, so town owned land normally reserved for nature enthusiasts for the first time ever will be open to hunters Wednesdays through Saturdays.

"Too many people are getting hurt by deer on the road they need to be thinned out," said Chris Schwarting.

Deer out here don't have any natural predators. They're causing more traffic accidents than ever and the herds are devouring vegetation at an alarming rate.
"They eat all the plants," Schwarting said. "The flowers everything."

Hunting is only open to archers. The town says birth control methods are too expensive, unreliable, and bad for the environment.

The supervisor says opening up Southold to hunting will not only benefit those who live here, but in these difficult economic times benefit the less fortunate in surrounding areas.

"We're going to generate a lot of venison and we're going to donate that venison to Feed NY and others," Russell said.

Tags: New york, Southold, Deer Hunting, Economy, Venison, Deer Herd Control

Whitetail Deer News

© Othmar Vohringer

Here are what the newspapers report about whitetail deer in your community.

The Star Tribune Minneapolis

Mystery and the Minnesota Monarch

It is one of the most impressive deer to ever walk wild on the planet -- a Minnesota whitetail with stunning world-class antlers that still provoke amazement nearly 20 years after they were found.

But mystery, controversy and some confusion also surround the so-called "Minnesota Monarch.''
The 39-point "non-typical'' buck roamed north-eastern Minnesota in the late 1980s and early 1990s -- apparently unknown to most hunters. Even now, long after its death, the story is not often told.

But it wasn't just another big buck. It was something very special.

Read more


PennLive.com

Deer crashes into East Shore office

Police periodically get calls to dispel unruly people from places of business. It's rare they get summoned to put the move to a deer.

That's exactly what happened at 8 a.m. today when a wayward whitetail crashed through a double-paned window of law office at a Linglestown Road office suite in Susquehanna Twp., Dauphin County.

Township police Chief Rob Martin said officers were called to the law office of Scaringi & Scaringi at 2000 Linglestown Road, where they found the deer trapped inside and running amok. The deer, Martin said, had suffered cuts crashing through the window.

Read more


Temple Daily Telegram

Big money from big bucks

In pursuit of building the perfect beast, Central Texas ranchers are producing trophy-size whitetail deer by manipulating genetics, charting bloodlines and keeping meticulous pedigrees.

Modern whitetail breeders say it’s all about the antlers. A complicated measuring system, called Boone and Crockett, is the yardstick on which antler length, width and circumference are added to reach a point total. By carefully monitoring their deer, local breeders can score high Boone and Crockett points, which directly affects value.

Rockdale attorney and deer breeder Carroll Glaser said he recently sold a breeder buck to a Lampasas man for $42,000. Glaser said he dubbed the animal Chandelier because a ranch guest saw the buck and blurted out, “My goodness, that deer looks like it has a chandelier on its head.”

Read more

Tags: News, Minnesota Monarch, Accidents, Deer Breeders, Genetic Manipulation

Bowhunting Success Up in Missouri

News Source: News Ledger.com

Good hunting by archers contributed to the third-largest deer hunting harvest on record by the time the 2007 hunting season ended, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunters took 302,666 whitetails during the hunting season.

Although the harvest was seven percent below the previous year’s hunt, the harvest still ranked third.

Several factors made the hunting season difficult to deal with, according to the department.

Acorn production was down, which caused deer to congregate where food was available. But warm, windy weather during November and an ice storm late in the hunting season affected hunter turnout. Biologists also found more evidence deer were infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease in some areas.

Tags: Bowhunting, Missouri, Deer Harvest, News

Kentucky: Disease Outbreak Won't Affect Hunting Season

Source: Kentucky DNR

Frankfort, Ky. – No changes are anticipated this year to Kentucky’s deer seasons or zones due to the widespread outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).

Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources have documented 3,000 deer deaths this year due to an outbreak of the disease. That number is only a fraction of Kentucky’s estimated deer herd of nearly one million.

“It’s only affected a small percentage of deer, so we’re not planning to change any seasons or zones this year,” said Wildlife Division Director Karen Alexy. ”There are still plenty of deer out there, and the first hard freeze should help stop the outbreak.”

A virus transmitted by the bite of a midge (gnat) causes hemorrhagic disease. Hard freezes should stop major outbreaks because the cold kills the midges. The virus is not infectious to humans and cannot be spread from the carcass of a deer.

The disease outbreak first flared in western Kentucky before progressing to a majority of counties in the state. Residents of northern and eastern Kentucky are now reporting an increasing number of deer deaths as the disease spreads. Officials in several surrounding states report similar outbreaks.

Kentucky’s outbreak is causing concern among hunters because of the visibility of dead animals. A majority of the carcasses are being found around water, where they are easily seen. This has led to a high number of calls to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife about the outbreak and whether deer seasons or zones will be affected this year.

Tina Brunjes, big game coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, points to the number of deer taken by archers this year as evidence that the disease is not having a large enough impact to affect hunting seasons or zones. The number of deer taken by archers during September was about the same as last year, which itself was a record year for deer harvest during that month.

“Deer harvest totals to date are about the same as they’ve been for the past three years,” she said. “If this disease was eliminating entire deer herds, then bow hunters wouldn’t be so successful.”

Kentucky has so many deer that it is not necessary to avoid harvesting does, especially in Zone 1 and Zone 2 counties, where the deer concentrations range up to 63 animals per square mile.

Department officials will reevaluate herd numbers once the outbreak ceases. This year’s drought and spotty production of the state’s white oak acorns and other nut crops may affect the number of deer that survive the winter. Department officials will evaluate total deer numbers and recommend any changes to zones in 2008, if needed, at the March meeting of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission.

In the meantime, hunters should not be deterred by the outbreak. Eating the meat of deer that appear to be healthy poses no risk to humans even if the deer is infected with hemorrhagic disease.

However, hunters should not consume animals that appear emaciated or weak prior to harvest, due to the risk of secondary infections. Hemorrhagic disease can cause large abscesses to form in the body cavity, muscle tissue or under the skin. These abscesses render the meat inedible.

Tags: Kentucky DNR, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, Whitetail Deer, Deer Hunting Season

Deer destroyed after leaping onto train

A young mulie buck survived a jump from the I-15 overpass above Helena’s Sixth Ward train depot onto a boxcar last week, but had to be destroyed after being further injured by a leap from the boxcar to the ground.

Linda Frost, spokesperson for Montana Rail Link, said no employees saw the buck make his leap of faith. However, once they noticed the stranded animal atop the boxcar, employees called for help from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Game Warden Randy Arnold took the Jan. 2 call, and asked Warden Dave Loewen to accompany him.

“I figured this presented some additional manpower issues,” Arnold said.

From the ground, the game wardens could see that the buck had a broken front leg. But deer can survive with that — the main problem facing them was how to get the buck from the boxcar to the ground.

“We were kind of pressed to get the best way to get the deer off the boxcar,” Arnold said.

They worried that tranquilizing the deer to lower it to the ground, or wrestling it down, wasn’t going to be effective and might be too stressful on the animal.

“We decided that the only way to get him off of it was for it to jump on its own,” he noted. “We wanted to give it a chance.”

Read more>

News: Couple Accused of Raising Pet Deer

Penn. buck that viciously attacked woman was raised as pet.

Officials: Same buck attacked two others in November

A Clintondale couple has been charged with taking a fawn out of the wild and raising it as a pet -- the same deer that viciously attacked another couple last month, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Ronald and Tina Underkoffler, of Woodward Avenue, have been charged by the Game Commission with unlawful taking or possession of wildlife after an investigation into the mauling of a Clintondale couple Nov. 15

District Wildlife Conservation Officer Kenneth J. Packard said in court documents that the deer taken from the wild as a fawn in summer 2005 is the seven-point buck that gored Frank Rishel and Linda Yost in their backyard.

If convicted, the Underkofflers each face minimum $300 fines, according to the Game Commission.

Game Commission Press Secretary Jerry Feaser said he could not comment further.

"We will present our case before the district magistrate's office," Feaser said.

The buck attacked Rishel early that morning when he went outside to shoo the deer away from the couple's back door. Yost called state police before running outside with a steak knife to help her housemate, police said.

Instead, she became the second victim.

When two state troopers arrived, they found Rishel motionless on the ground and the buck still on top of Yost trying to gore her, police said.

One of the troopers had to grab its antlers and pull it off of Yost before the troopers could shoot safely and end the attack.

The carcass was taken for necropsy, but no signs of illness were found, Feaser said.

"Our test results came back negative for rabies and CWD (chronic wasting disease)," he said.

A theory presented at the time was that whitetails are in the rut at that time of year, when bucks become aggressive and have been known to attack humans, although on rare occasions.

"If any animal would lose its fear of people and remain in the wild, it could become a very dangerous animal," Feaser said.

Packard could not be reached Monday, and it was unclear whether the Underkofflers released the buck back into the wild at some point.

Source: Centre Daily Times Pennsylvania

Growing Urban Deer Population

As the urban deer herds keep growing stronger in numbers the states are forced to think of new ways of controlling the herds. In many places the elusive whitetail deer is not so elusive anymore. Especially in urban areas and in the suburbs deer are now a common sight in backyards where they have become a nuisance to many hobby gardeners. In recent years the exploding deer population was the cause for a dramatic increase of deer/car collisions.

In desperation to control the deer herds many wildlife agencies open up new hunting opportunities for bowhunters. The city of Colstrip, Montana has adopted a plan to control the size of its urban deer population within its city limits. This plan gives archery hunters a special season with liberal harvest tags. Read the full article here.