FWP reports localized EHD outbreak around Eureka; >200 deer reported dead

Ethan Lula, an area wildlife biologist with Fish, Wildlife & Parks, briefed Lincoln County commissioners on Oct. 15 about a severe, localized outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) that began in September and has led to more than 200 reported deer mortalities in the Tobacco Valley around Eureka.

Lula said FWP confirmed EHD through field samples and that the disease is spread by biting midges (vectors that thrive in warm, wet conditions). He described a rapid disease course in deer — animals may succumb within 36–48 hours — and said the unusually mild fall delayed frost that normally reduces midge populations. "Starting in September ... Fish, Wildlife & Parks received well over 200 reports of dead deer within the valley," Lula said, noting the outbreak was concentrated in lowland riparian corridors where affected deer congregated near water.

FWP’s preliminary, field-based estimate suggests a locally high mortality rate — "conservatively maybe a 60% mortality" for white-tailed deer in the tobacco valley pocket around Eureka — though biologists will not have definitive population-survey results until spring surveys are conducted. Lula said FWP recorded a small number of elk mortalities and isolated cases in upstream tributaries, but broader mountain populations across the hunting district appear largely unaffected.

FWP told the commissioners it is preparing a proposal to submit to the Fish and Wildlife Commission to adjust over-the-counter license availability for private lands within the affected zone for upcoming seasons to reduce harvest pressure on a depleted local population. Lula emphasized that EHD is not transmissible to people and poses limited risk to domestic animals when livestock are vaccinated; FWP will continue surveillance and asked the public and landowners to report sick or dead animals to the agency.