My area got hit with blue tongue 4 years ago right before the hunting season. Killed probably 80% of the deer in a 5 square mile area near Middleway.
Truth be told, the deer herd was way to big in the area, as there used to be herds of 20 deer in my backyard, running through the neighborhood.
There were still enough deer around the next year that I was able to harvest one in the woods behind my house, and the herd, through natural growth ad osmisis, has returned to a good healthy level.
As much as it sucks, it seems blue tongue is natures way of saying, 'the deer herd is more than the land can handle'.
This year may be a bust, but next year there will be good deer once again.