Drought just highlights it

By MIKE ORGAN
Deer across the state are dropping like flies.
In fact, the deer are dropping dead because of flies. Gnats to be more precise.

But Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officials say the spread of the disease — epizootic hemorrhagic, or EHD — is not as severe as initially feared and is expected to run its course, as it does each year, by early- to mid-October.
Biting gnats transmit EHD, which makes deer become progressively weaker as the disease sets in.
The animals lose their appetite, salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate and eventually lose consciousness.
Hunters worried
Hunters feared the disease might have a significant impact on the deer-hunting season, which begins with archery season Sept. 22. At least 30 counties in the state already have reported deer mortality to TWRA, and more is likely to come as the season progresses.
"Die-offs" could be as much as 40 percent in some areas, TWRA Big Game Coordinator Daryl Ratajczak said.
"Although it is unfortunate, EHD die-offs are part of a completely natural cycle that has been occurring for eons," Ratajczak said.
"The deer obviously deal with it; we must deal with it as well."

Effects of the drought
Middle Tennessee wildlife officers received a large number of reports throughout the summer from landowners who found dead deer along ponds and creeks.
TWRA officials say the impact of EHD appears greater than it actually is because of the drought.
"We probably are getting more reports because the drought is concentrating deer around the same watering holes," said Steve Patrick, manager of TWRA's Region II office.
"As the deer begins to die, EHD drives deer toward water because they are thirsty."
Added Ratajczak: "What makes this year a little alarming is that the reports
started coming in early August, several weeks earlier than usual."
Another side effect of the disease is that is causes deer to lose their fear of humans.
EHD normally ends after the first frost, which kills the gnats that carry it.
Reports of dead deer from EHD usually come in no earlier than late August, TWRA wildlife disease coordinator Roger Applegate said.
And while this year's deer population might be down, it should return to its normal size in time.
"The most important thing for hunters, landowners, and the public to know is that this is a regular and natural event that routinely afflicts white-tailed deer.
It is not transmissible to humans or any other animals," Applewhite said.
"The public also need not to be overly concerned about the fate of the deer because any reduction in deer numbers in a local area will easily be made up within a couple of years."