EHD outbreak prompts a reduction in leftover license sales

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has discontinued sales of Type 7 licenses in Deer Hunt Areas 1, 2 and 3 in the northern Black Hills. These hunt areas in northeastern Wyoming have experienced a second consecutive year of an epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus outbreak, resulting in higher-than-expected deer mortality.

Despite the die-off last year, there were still many parts of the Black Hills with high concentrations of deer on private lands, which is why Game and Fish continued to issue these licenses. However, given this current EHD outbreak coupled with the fact that overall deer populations (both mule deer and white-tailed deer) are now below management objectives, wildlife managers decided to suspend the sale of remaining Type 7 licenses, which are valid for doe or fawn deer on private land.

There were 2000 Type 7 licenses offered in 2022 in those hunt areas and, to date, 1089 licenses have been sold. The remaining 911 licenses will be unavailable for purchase.

This action does not affect anyone who purchased a license prior to the emergency regulation being approved, nor does it affect the limitations or season dates for this license/type.

Wyoming’s wildlife managers see EHD, which is not transmitted to humans, in big game every year, with more significant outbreaks often occurring on four to seven-year cycles. However, some years have more significant impacts than others, and 2022 is the second year of severe impact in the Black Hills.

EHD is most often observed in pronghorn and deer in Wyoming, though all ruminants are susceptible. It is a virus carried and spread by biting midges, which breed and congregate in muddy areas.

The presence of EHD is most common in times of drought and prolonged warm fall weather. As water holes shrink, animals become more concentrated, increasing the transmission of the virus from midges to animals. Outbreaks tend to end with a hard freeze, which kills the midges.

Affected animals are commonly found at lower elevations (less than 7000 feet) and near water sources. If infected, animals that are otherwise in good nutritional condition exhibit fever, depression, inability or unwillingness to rise or move, respiratory distress and/or swelling of the head, neck, tongue, or eye tissues and may die within a few days.

The disease has potentially high mortality rates, though not all animals infected with the virus will die.

“We were hoping an early freeze would stop the EHD outbreak in the Black Hills, but like in many areas of Wyoming, we are having an unseasonably warm fall. We have heard from multiple landowners and local game and fish personnel that they, too, have concerns about low deer numbers due to this disease outbreak,” said Doug Brimeyer, deputy chief of the wildlife division.

“In an effort to address these concerns, we are taking action to further limit the number of licenses available in the area.”

Hunters can direct questions to the Game and Fish at Casper Regional Office at (307) 473-3400 or Sheridan Regional Office at (307) 672-7418.