West Bend couple find four dead deer in 10 days as DNR warns of spread of EHD
The DNR said there have been 600 reports in Washington County and 100 reports in Waukesha County.
WEST BEND, Wis. —
Dead deer are being discovered around homes in Washington and Waukesha counties, with state wildlife officials identifying epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a virus spread by small flies, as the likely cause.
Michelle Nick, who lives in West Bend, said her property was once a frequent gathering spot for deer, with dozens visible in her front and back yards.
“Anytime of day you could look out the window, and you’d see the deer,” Nick said.
That changed last month.
“In the past couple weeks, the only deer we’ve found are dead deer,” she said.
Nick said the first dead deer appeared on her property on Aug. 22, and the number has continued to grow.
“It was a couple days after that we found another one and then another one and then another one,” she said.
In total, Nick said she found four dead deer in the span of 10 days. She contacted the Department of Natural Resources, which told her the likely cause was EHD.
The DNR said it has received 600 reports of dead deer in Washington County and more than 100 additional reports in Waukesha County.
Nick’s husband, Michael, showed 12 News a spot on their land just a few hundred yards from their home where deer carcasses now lie.
“Yeah, it is sad.”
The DNR urged the couple to move the dead deer as far away from their home as possible to limit the chance of other animals getting infected.
Michelle said the situation has been heartbreaking.
“It is so sad and devastating to our deer population. I hope they’ll come back,” she said.
The DNR emphasized that EHD does not infect humans. Residents who find dead deer on their property are encouraged to report it to the DNR.
To report sick or dead deer, report it to the DNR by using this link, by emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov, or by calling 608-267-0866.