Montana Wildlife Officials Reduce Deer Tags Amid Disease Outbreak
On November 20, snow was seen collecting on the ear of a white-tailed deer at Lawrence Park, signaling the arrival of winter in north-central Montana. In the same region, wildlife managers have announced reductions in deer hunting permits due to alarming reports of die-offs linked to disease.
Recent weeks have seen numerous white-tailed deer deaths near water bodies, attributed to blue tongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). These viral diseases, spread primarily through biting midges, have shown a patchy but locally severe impact on deer populations, according to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
Understanding the Diseases and Their Impact on Deer
Both blue tongue and EHD are viral infections that cause rapid onset of symptoms including internal bleeding. Affected animals exhibit lethargy, loss of appetite, drooling, dehydration, and swelling of the tongue, head, or neck. Infected deer commonly seek water to relieve fever and dehydration, often hanging their heads low.
Deaths can occur swiftly, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours in acute cases, or up to two weeks after infection. FWP Game Management Division Chief Brian Wakeling emphasized the rapid progression, highlighting these diseases’ capacity to cause sudden, localized population declines.
Transmission and Ecological Conditions
The viruses are transmitted by midges—small insects also known as sand gnats or no-see-ums—that thrive in damp, muddy environments, especially near waterways. Midge populations tend to peak in late summer and early autumn, coinciding with the surge in viral outbreaks. Reports of these disease-induced mortalities decrease following cold snaps that reduce midge activity.
Region 7 Commissioner Bill Lane’s representative, Robinson, attributed this fall’s extended warm weather to the increased spread of disease, as milder temperatures allow midges to remain active longer than usual, raising the exposure risk for deer.
Broader Wildlife and Public Health Notes
Though white-tailed deer are most visibly affected, both blue tongue and EHD viruses have been detected in a variety of wild ungulates—such as mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and pronghorn—as well as domestic livestock like cattle and sheep.
Importantly, these viruses do not infect humans. However, FWP advises against consuming meat from animals suspected of having either disease and urges caution in feeding infected carcasses to household pets.
Management Responses and Ongoing Monitoring
FWP biologists and commissioners have documented concentrated outbreaks along the Milk, Lower Yellowstone, and Lower Clark Fork rivers. While Montana experiences some level of blue tongue and EHD every year, the current outbreak’s severity has prompted tighter hunting regulations to help protect vulnerable deer herds.
By adjusting deer tag allocations, wildlife managers aim to mitigate additional population losses, balancing disease control with sustainable hunting practices. Ongoing surveillance will inform future decisions as the situation develops through the winter season.
Additional reporting and sources from: State reduces deer tags in areas hard hit by disease | Daily Inter Lake
