Bowhunters are being asked to be on the lookout for whitetail deer that may have died due to a disease that has been found in the area. The state DEC is trying to find out if the disease is spreading throughout the whitetail deer population in the Capital Region. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), bowhunters in the Capital Region are being asked to be on the lookout for deer affected by a disease called Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). EHD is a viral disease found in whitetail deer. They are hoping to track the spread of this disease. It can not be contracted by humans.

There have been confirmed reports of dead and sick deer this fall. The cases have been reported in parts of Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. A total of seven hundred fifty dead deer. The DEC is hoping that the disease isn't spreading to counties in the Capital Region. This is why they need the help of bowhunters to report dead whitetail deer and carcasses.

While EHD outbreaks can remove a number of deer from a localized population, they do not have a significant long-term impact on deer populations. Deer populations throughout the currently impacted region are robust. DEC does not plan to reduce harvest in areas affected by EHD at this time.

Deer with EHD will appear dehydrated and lethargic. A lot of the time, infected deer will look for water sources and most likely be found dead near water. If you do come across one of these deer, you should not handle or eat them if they are acting sick or strange. Veterinarians and deer farmers throughout New York state are also on the lookout for these deer with EHD.

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