The Department of Natural Resources today announced a tentative diagnosis of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), an often fatal viral disease found in wild ruminants, for the more than 50 deer that have died off in an area around the Clinton River in Oakland and Macomb counties.

The disease is characterized by extensive hemorrhages and is transmitted by a biting fly or midge. White-tailed deer develop signs of the illness about seven days after exposure. Deer initially lose their appetite and fear of man, grow progressively weaker, salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate, become unconscious, and then die. Due to a high fever, the deer often are found sick or dead along or in bodies of water.

The virus can be transmitted to other wild ruminants, such as elk and moose; however, there is no evidence that humans can contract the virus.

There is no known effective treatment or control of EHD. The disease was first documented in Michigan’s white-tailed deer in 1955. Additional die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in 1974, and again in 2006 in Allegan County. The Allegan County die-off involved 50 to 75 animals.

Property owners who discover dead deer on their land should bury them at a sufficient depth so that body parts are not showing. Carcasses also can be disposed of at landfills that accept household solid waste.

For more information on EHD, please see the Michigan Emerging Diseases Web site at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials today announced the 2008 bear drawing results will be posted on the DNR Web site, www.michigan.gov/dnrdrawings, Monday, June 30. All hunters who applied online will need to check their drawing results online. Applicants who did not apply online will be mailed a notification postcard.

This year, leftover bear licenses are available in the Bergland and Baraga bear management units in the western Upper Peninsula. Available license quantities for these units will be posted on the DNR Web site at the same time. Unsuccessful resident applicants may purchase one leftover license online or from any license agent on a first-come, first-served basis for a one-week period beginning July 7 at 10 a.m. (EDT). Any licenses that remain as of July 14 at 10 a.m. (EDT) also will be made available for purchase by residents who did not apply for a bear license. These licenses will be sold until the quota is met. Bear preference points will be reset to zero for hunters who purchase a leftover bear license. It is unlawful to purchase more than one bear hunting license.

Wildlife officials said the 2% cap on nonresident licenses per hunt unit was met in the drawing, so the leftover licenses may be purchased by residents only. For more information on availability of leftover licenses including hunt units and periods with leftovers, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

We went fishing on june 14th on Go Deep Sportfishing Charters out of Oscoda MI. We had alot of fun up there we ended up with 6 lake trout and 3 king salmons so if your ever in Michigan and want to do some great fishing give Captain Bill Hjorth a call at 989-257-5183.

Rep. Jason Murphey’s bill that would allow the concealed carry of a firearm, by those with licenses, on campuses has drawn the attention of the National Rifle Association’s news division. Murphey, Guthrie Republican, will appear on the NRA’s “Cam and Company” show tonight at 8:20 p.m. The show airs at www.nranews.com (audio and video) and on Sirius Satellite Radio Patriot Channel 144.

I hunt to be alone, and have my time. I hunt to see all the wildlife. I
hunt because it is fun. It’s not all about the kill. It’s not going to bed
when you get home at 3 a.m. after a Saturday night with friends because
there’s no way you’re gonna miss being in the stand/blind for daybreak
Sunday morning. It’s sitting there not moving, having the wind blowing
against you. It’s anticipating whatever living creature you can hide from
and quietly watch, and elude them. Hunting is sitting around with fellow hunters in the off season or the night after a hunt and trading stories, giving each other tips, throwing a
few I told you so’s in where necessary. Hunting is looking at your phone
after you walk out of the woods and seeing a missed call from a fellow
hunter and knowing that he or she has a story that they’re dieing to tell
you. Hunting is sending or receiving a text message that simply says,
“Deer down!” or “5 Point on the Ground!”

Hunting, no matter what you hunt for, or where you live, or the day the
season starts, is a yearlong sport. You start scouting for you location 5
months before opening day. You spend paycheck after paycheck, on the
latest gear, the newest scent covers. You prepare for months. You get your
bows/guns sighted in, and perfecting you form. You spend hours every night
shooting to make sue your in tip top shape for when Mr. Big comes in. you
spend every waking hour dreaming of the woods/ponds. In the off-season you
talk of hunting seasons past. Weeks before opening day you get your gear
washed, and put those clean clothes in a tub of pine cones, and dirt. you
put your stand up, and pay attention to the newest rubs, and scrapes.

Hunting is amazing. Even if you don’t fill your tags, or bag your limit
for the day. Every hunt you bring something back. A story. A lesson.
Pride. Respect. Next time you get home after a hunt, think about what you
saw and learned. Were you too noisy? How can you fix that next time? Did
you get out too late? Did you get busted? Why? You learn something every
hunt, every year. It’s the mistakes we learn from that make us better
hunters. Don’t get discouraged because you haven’t gotten anything yet
this season, because you did, you only have to realize that you came back
with…

Happy Hunting!!

–
Ryan Cunningham
Domka OUTDOORS Pro Staff