A deadly disease is sweeping through the local whitetail deer population, leaving hunters worried about the future of hunting in the area. 

Local hunter and freshman Evan Lockhart said the disease has had a clear impact on the deer he usually hunts.

“It’s killing most of the deer in the area,” Lockhart said. “It comes from a fly that lives in the mud of the swamps. When it’s dry, deer go into swamps to find water, and that’s where they get bitten.”

The disease EHD is short for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease. EHD is a fatal disease that affects Whitetail deer. After deer are infected, they first lose their appetite and fear of humans; they then develop a high fever, which is what draws them to water. In severe cases, this can cause instant death; however, in most cases, death occurs within 8 to 36 hours after the first sign of symptoms.

EHD is spread by small biting midges that are less than four millimeters in size. Because of their small size, they are also commonly known as “No-see-ums.” Midges are small, flying insects, often mistaken for mosquitoes. With over 4300 reported whitetail dead so far this year in Michigan, there will be a noticeable impact on hunting this year in Jackson and Igham County.

Lockhart said that this year, he has seen fewer mature bucks on his property compared to previous hunting seasons.

“I have not had the amount of deer or bigger bucks on camera that I’ve had in the past few years,” Lockhart said. “There are definitely fewer mature deer running around.”

Another local hunter, freshman Reid Royal, said he has noticed similar changes.

“It killed a lot of deer,” Royal said. “We’re seeing fewer deer this year, and most of the ones we do see are younger.”

Royal said he believes the loss of mature deer will affect hunting for years to come.

“There won’t be very many bigger deer for a while,” Royal said. “The little ones that are left will have to grow up, and that will take time.”