Ohio Hunters Contribute to Deer Population Monitoring Amid Severe EHD Outbreak
During the opening days of Ohio’s bow-hunting season starting September 27, hunters statewide reported checking 5,333 whitetails — a near 25% increase from last year’s 4,287 during the same period.
However, this statewide uptick contrasts sharply with conditions in three southeastern counties hit hard by epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral illness that has devastated local deer herds.
EHD’s Impact in Washington, Meigs, and Athens Counties
EHD, transmitted by tiny biting midges, commonly causes sporadic outbreaks in Ohio, but the current epidemic in Washington, Meigs, and Athens counties is described by wildlife officials as unprecedented in severity.
Typically, EHD causes internal bleeding in affected deer, leading to rapid mortality, especially during late summer and early fall when midge activity peaks.
This outbreak has severely diminished deer numbers in these long-established hunting regions, critical to local community traditions and wildlife management efforts.
Adjustments to Hunting Regulations in Response to Declines
Concerned residents requested reduced harvest limits focused on preserving does, which are essential for sustaining future fawn cohorts.
In response, the Ohio Division of Wildlife agreed to lower the deer limit from three to two per season in these counties, effective December 1.
Until then, a three-deer limit remains in place through the gun season, making voluntary restraint by hunters the primary mechanism for protecting remaining females.
Harvest Data Shows Dramatic Declines Locally
Comparing initial four-day harvest numbers between 2023 and 2024 illustrates the outbreak’s toll:
- Washington County: Dropped from 59 deer (32 antlered, 27 antlerless) in 2023 to just 9 (6 antlered, 3 antlerless) in 2026.
- Athens County: Declined from 67 deer (31 antlered, 36 antlerless) to 22 (13 antlered, 9 antlerless).
- Meigs County: Fell from 86 deer (49 antlered, 37 antlerless) to 22 (12 antlered, 10 antlerless).
These steep decreases strongly indicate significant mortality from EHD rather than changes in hunting effort or reporting.
Wildlife Expert Perspective on Management Challenges
From a biological standpoint, EHD outbreaks impose sudden population crashes that complicate traditional deer management cycles.
Preserving breeding females during outbreaks is critical, as does constitute the reproductive core for population recovery after mortality peaks.
The timing of midseason regulation changes presents challenges because surviving deer mortality persists until cold weather reduces midge vector populations.
Ohio hunters actively reporting harvest data provide essential information enabling wildlife agencies to track disease effects and adjust management accordingly.
Additional reporting and sources from: Hunters in southeast Ohio help protect deer population as EHD spreads, stats show
