DEER WASTING DISEASE ON THE INCREASE

MANY IOWA DEER HUNTERS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT A DISEASE THAT IS KILLING DEER HERE IN IOWA......IT'S CALLED E-H-D.  CONSERVATION OFFICER STACEY BEIGHTOL SAYS IT'S NOT A SPECIAL EPIDEMIC:



OFFICER BEIGHTOL SAYS THIS YEAR'S DROUGHT HAS BROUGHT ON THE DISEASE MORE HEAVILY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF WATER.  DEER TEND TO CONGREGATE NEAR PONDS AND STREAMS, AND THAT'S WHERE THEY RECEIVE THE BITE. 

SHE SAYS THE DISEASE IS WIDESPREAD HERE IN IOWA:



BEIGHTOL SAYS THE QUESTION SHE IS MOST ASKED IS WHETHER OR NOT THE VENISON IS SAFE TO EAT:



BEIGHTOL SAYS IF A DEER APPEARS SLUGGISH, LETHARGIC OR UNRESPONSIVE, IT IS PROBABLY INFECTED WITH E-H-D.