The annual Deer ‘Gun’ Hunting Season in Ohio has been impacted by a notable decline in deer populations due to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), which is spread by biting midges. This year, hunters in counties like Athens, Meigs, Morgan, and Washington face reduced bag limits as the Ohio Division of Wildlife attributes smaller harvest numbers to the disease that leaves deer lethargic before they succumb.
Officials report that the drought over the past few years has exacerbated the situation, leading to increased deer interactions with the midge-carrying water pools. Despite these challenges, hunters can still travel across the state’s 88 counties to seek better opportunities. With recent overnight frosts killing off the midges, concerns about venison safety have eased, but the overall impact on hunting remains a key issue for local communities.
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