ATHENS, Ohio — Amid an unprecedented deer disease outbreak, the Ohio Wildlife Council is considering a rule change that would limit the upcoming season’s deer harvest in Athens, Washington and Meigs counties.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s proposed rule change, subject to approval by the Ohio Wildlife Council, would limit hunting in the three counties by reducing the white-tailed deer bag limit from three to two deer, starting Dec. 1. The rule change was proposed “due to the unprecedented severity” of the outbreak “and to address constituent concerns.”
The council held a meeting at the ODNR office in Athens Wednesday night that was well attended. With the meeting room at its capacity of 100, many more crammed into the doorways beside each entrance or sat in the hall straining to listen.
As of Sept. 18, the public had reported nearly 7,500 dead or sick deer to the ODNR. However, Ryan Balsley of Coolville suggested during the public comment period at Wednesday night’s meeting that state data may not convey the full picture due to underreporting.
Over 60% of this year’s reports came from Athens, Meigs and Washington counties.
The reports of dead and sick deer can largely be attributed to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, spread by small insects called midges and fatal to most deer who contract it, according to a presentation at the meeting by Clint McCoy, wildlife biologist at the ODNR Division of Wildlife.
This year marks the worst EHD season the state has ever recorded, according to Farm and Dairy’s report from a webinar at which McCoy presented.
EHD is not harmful to humans.
Many speakers at Wednesday’s meeting shared their own accounts of impacts on local deer herds, including observations of substantially thinned or in some cases vanished herds, dead deer on their properties, and orphaned fawns.
Alex Couladis of Lodi Township said a group of neighbors located 30 dead deer within a 1-mile radius of his family’s home.
“My deer are gone,” Athens County resident Boone Troyer said.
Members of the public who spoke at the meeting were mainly hunters and landowners, and all expressed support for the Division of Wildlife’s proposed rule change. Among them was Jay Edwards, former state representative for Ohio House District 94 and current Ohio Treasurer candidate.
Many speakers urged the Division of Wildlife to go further to protect the deer population for future seasons, citing both economic and recreational concerns.
“These deer need pretty much any break we can give them,” one Washington County resident said.
Tori Maze cited a petition she has circulated on Facebook, which calls for the Division of Wildlife to “consider canceling or postponing the 2025 deer season in the worst-affected counties.” The petition also suggests restricting hunters from out of state, in addition to bag limits.
Others voiced support for restrictions on hunting doe and fawns, in hopes that immunity to EHD might be passed down. Athens County veterinarian Rick Kroner’s call to restrict hunting of non-antlered deer was met with cheers and applause from the crowd.
Deer in southern states often have substantially more immunity to EHD, McCoy said in his presentation. EHD has been spreading north due to climate change.
In his presentation, McCoy said the increased prevalence of disease in Ohio this year is tied to various environmental factors, though he did not specifically mention climate change.
McCoy linked the outbreak to warmer-than-average temperatures, higher-than-average precipitation in the spring and early summer, and lower-than-average precipitation in August. Together, these factors created ideal conditions for midges to breed in warm, wet mud, McCoy said.
Ohio Wildlife Council members appeared receptive to residents’ concerns and suggestions to consider additional restrictions.
Jim Samuel said he was “moved” by comments from business owners who could be affected by disruptions to the hunting season calling for further restrictions this year. He suggested the council should further reduce the bag limit and suggested the currently proposed rule change wouldn’t accomplish much. Samuel also suggested the council invoke emergency procedures to implement rule changes more quickly.
Heather Robinson said of the speeches and audience reactions, “I found it to be personally very persuasive.”
Tom Vorisek also praised those who spoke for their passion, and said it was “unconscionable” to allow does to be hunted this year. He also said it was “absurd” to ask hunters to self-regulate.
The public comment period for the rule change is open through Thursday, Oct. 16, and comments may be submitted online.
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