Deer season 2012

[LazyWP]

Nebraska's deer season is upon us. We had 10 hunters opening weekend. Ended up with a nice 4X4, 5x5, a young 5x5 and a doe opening weekend. Monday the last visitor, shot a 4X6 that crossed the river. I tracked him nearly 2 miles until he crossed the river again. He found the deer about 30 yards from where he crossed the river the last time.
Yesterday, the ranch was all mine to hunt. The rule has always been, a whitetail doe first, then horns, but with the die off from EHD, that rule got tossed out the window. Anyway, I shot a decent 5X5 about 9 yesterday.

Wasn't really thinking about getting a doe, but had to go across the river to check a REA meter, and there were 2 does being harassed by 4 young bucks. I just couldn't pass up a 40 yard broadside shot. Down she went, and her MAN thought he was IN CHARGE.

Had to send the dogs after him, so I could load her. Still kept the pistol in my pocket, until I got her dressed out.

 

[Sandhills boy]

Have you lost allot of dear to the the EHD? I don't hunt them but i sure don't see the deer i did a year ago. Hopefully they are all healthier for this. Nice shooten, looks as you had a little snow cover, that makes a guy rest a little easier at night with a little cover so there is not so much fire danger.

 

[LazyWP]

I found 6 on Monday, in one little swampy area. I should have taken a picture of the buck that was there. 5X5 that was close to 2 feet across. Gave it to my neighbor, since we were technically on his ground.
We think we are down 30 to 50%. Its so hard to tell though.

 

[kbar2]

That's a good lookin buck WP!! Where on the ranch did ya find him? Good thing for the dogs so you could retrieve your doe!! Did ya have fresh venison steak for supper? Around home we figure close to 80% of the deer succumb to EHD!! I was unsuccesful in drawing a tag but have the option of getting a landowner tag but haven't decided if I will or not.

 

[okfarmer]

What is the EHD, is it a new name for CWD or something new?

 

[Justin]

there has been alot of talk about EHD taking its toll across the state of South Dakota this year. sounds like in some area, the whitetails are getting hit pretty hard. that doesn't seem to be the case here though, at least i haven't found any.

 

[LazyWP]

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease of some wild ruminants. This malady, characterized by extensive hemorrhages, has been responsible for significant epizootics in deer in the northern United States and southern Canada.

A similar hemorrhagic disease called bluetongue also occurs throughout the U.S. and Canada. The two diseases are antigenically different.

Got him on the south side of the river, just west of Tom's pumps, sorta.

 

[Haytrucker]

Thank you for the tech info Lazy W P. I had been hearing different versions of the story, however your's is the plainest explaination. EHD must affect the ability to drink, or lack thereof. We sure have found a lot of dead whitetail deer in pivots, or nearby wet areas. It hasn't seemed to affect the mule deer in our area.
In one two mile square with three circles, some pasture, and the balance dryland farmground, with tree strips and a "creek"; there were probably 30 whitetails, including 6 or 7 young bucks, this July 4th. I have seen one doe this fall. The pivots there have averaged four dead deer, and the road got four. I heard of one circle of corn that had eight deer dead in it. I guess Mother Nature needed more antelope feed.

 

[Mike]

Deer that have contracted EHD find wet spots to lay in to cool off from the high fever associated with the EHD. Usually that's where they die.

EHD must affect the ability to drink, or lack thereof. We sure have found a lot of dead whitetail deer in pivots, or nearby wet areas. It hasn't seemed to affect the mule deer in our area.
In one two mile square with three circles, some pasture, and the balance dryland farmground, with tree strips and a "creek"; there were probably 30 whitetails, including 6 or 7 young bucks, this July 4th. I have seen one doe this fall. The pivots there have averaged four dead deer, and the road got four. I heard of one circle of corn that had eight deer dead in it. I guess Mother Nature needed more antelope feed.

 

[LazyWP]

I got them both aged yesterday. Both were 2 1/2 years old. I knew just as soon a I had him down, that he wasn't a mature buck. Owe well, I'll pay my $100 and try again next year.