EHD in Creek County

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jwg77

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Has anyone heard of EHD in Creek County? Also known as blue tongue. I have heard that it has been an issue affecting the deer numbers this year. We are seeing very low deer numbers and little activity on the cameras in the area I hunt. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jwg77
 

jwg77

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Thanks Dennis. I think I found that thread and it was pretty weak as far as information. I realize that many people are still having great success this year but many others are not. I just assumed that with all of the folks in other threads complaining about this being the worst year they have had for deer sightings, photos and hunting, there would be more interest in finding out why? I am not saying EHD is the cause but have heard rumors to that effect. I would be interested in any plausible explanation. It would be nice to know if it is a statewide issue or localized? What percentage of deer survive? What to expect for the future if your area has been affected? How to tell if it is in your area? Alternate causes for the general lack of deer activity or sightings would be great as well.
Thanks for any information.
 

notime

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Our landowner is still begging us to shoot as many doe as possible but havent seen near the numbers as 3 or 4 years ago. I really don't want to shoot any does cause i like to see lots. I think drought has had effect on numbers 1hr nw of okc.
 

dennishoddy

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Deer in general don't need water to survive. They get their water from the forage they eat. Woody forage is 45% water.

But, with fawns, they do need water to make milk. I hunt a small area at times that has a pond on it, and its rare to see tracks leading to or going from the pond. The next closest water source is over a mile and a half away.
 

jwg77

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Thanks for the responses.
I do believe that fawn recruitment has definitely been an issue in our area now that you mention it.
One thing that we have also experienced is a disappearing act of the 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old bucks from last year. It at least appears that we have lost a large portion of deer from 2 1/2 on up. We have hunted this property for 9 years now and have never seen anything like this. We have more natural foods than we ever have.
I'm thinking I should call our area biologist and see what information he might have. Does anyone have a suggestion as to who else I could call to get more detailed information?
Again, thanks for the input.
 

dennishoddy

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Contact Mike Sams at the ODW. He is the head wildlife biologist for deer.

Keep in mind your not seeing the 2 1/2 yr old deer because of the fawn shortage. They would be at that age now had they survived.
 

jwg77

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So you are saying that our 1 1/2 year olds (spikes, forkies and sixes) are what we lost in the fawn recruitment? I can understand that but what about all of our deer that were 2 1/2 and older from last year? I will call the biologist you mentioned and see what light he may shed.
Thanks!
 

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