Pockets of dead deer found in Columbia and Rock counties died from EHD
MADISON – State wildlife officials have confirmed that tissue samples submitted from deer found dead in Columbia and Rock counties have tested positive for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD. A number of citizens in southern Wisconsin contacted the Department of Natural Resources with recent observations of small groups of dead deer. Reports came primarily from the Town of Dekorra in Columbia County, but also from Rock, Waukesha and Walworth counties.
To report a sick deer observation please call the DNR call center toll free at 1-888-WDNR- INFo (1-888-936-7463), email
[email protected], or use the chat feature on the DNR website. Staff are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please be prepared to provide details about the condition of the deer and the exact location where the deer was observed. Individuals interested in finding more information on sick deer in Wisconsin can visit the Wisconsin DNR website at
http://dnr.wi.gov keyword “sick deer.”
Southern Wisconsin is experiencing the same thing. This was the same area where the Chronic Waste Disease (CWD) took hold and the herd was decimated. I used to live down near that area MANY years ago. It used to be just real prime deer hunting in those areas. The EDH or "blue tongue" is spread by a midge fly. Northern Wisconsin has had two good frosts already, one a real hard frost, so that should put an end to the midge flies and most of the other bugs hopefully.
Individuals that observe deer exhibiting the following signs are encouraged to report their observations to the DNR:
Excessive salivation or foaming around the nose and mouth.
Appearing weak and approachable by humans.
In or near water sources. They will often lay in water to cool down or drink.
Sure sorry to hear of the deer herd affected in your area. A good hard frost will slow this down for you it seems. What always makes me laugh is.. our DNR will tell you the deer is safe to eat. Yet I talked to a warden about CWD once and asked him "off the record, if you shot a CWD deer, would you eat it?" He kind of smiled and just said, I don't like venison.
I might call my friend that owns three farms down there. And ask him if he is deer hunting this year. When CWD was peaking, he refused to let his family deer hunt. He's one that believes you shoot it, you eat it. And he did not want to hunt sick deer. This should really set him off. And he's so much fun to get angry over the phone.