Montana Wildlife Officials Cut Deer Tags Amid Disease Outbreak
On November 20, a dusting of snow settled on the ear of a white-tailed deer at Lawrence Park, north-central Montana, highlighting the onset of a concerning wildlife health issue. Recent reports indicate a spike in deer mortalities near waterways in the region, prompting Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to reduce hunting permits to protect vulnerable populations.
Disease Impact on White-Tailed Deer Populations
The surge in deer deaths over the past month is primarily linked to blue tongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), two viral infections that severely affect cervid species. These diseases, transmitted by biting midges, have been identified near major rivers including the Milk, Lower Yellowstone, and Lower Clark Fork.
Brian Wakeling, Chief of FWP’s Game Management Division, explained the rapid progression of these ailments, with internal hemorrhaging causing symptoms such as lethargy, drooling, dehydration, and swelling of the tongue, head, or neck. Infected deer often seek water to ease dehydration caused by fever, but many succumb within days or up to two weeks.
Transmission and Environmental Factors
Both blue tongue and EHD are spread through midge bites; these tiny flies thrive in moist, muddy environments typical of riverbanks in late summer and early fall. Cooler temperatures that freeze surface waters tend to reduce midge populations, naturally curbing outbreaks. However, this season’s unusually warm and extended fall weather has exacerbated the spread.
Broader Wildlife and Public Health Implications
- These viruses affect a variety of ungulates beyond white-tailed deer, including mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, cattle, and domestic sheep.
- Humans are not susceptible to either disease.
- FWP advises against consuming meat from animals suspected of infection and cautions against feeding potentially infected carcasses to pets.
FWP’s Response and Ongoing Monitoring
FWP biologists and commission members are actively monitoring localized outbreaks and adjusting hunting regulations to prevent population declines. Region 7 officials reported that while annual occurrences of blue tongue and EHD are typical, the severity and concentration of recent mortalities have raised concern.
The reduction in hunting tags aims to maintain sustainable deer populations while FWP continues field surveillance and disease tracking throughout the affected river systems.
Additional reporting and sources from: State reduces deer tags in areas hard hit by disease | Daily Inter Lake
