When Ohio’s whitetail archery season opened Saturday, hunters near Columbus entered the woods with a sense of calm — despite being in the heart of a growing chronic wasting disease (CWD) zone.
Farther south, however, concern is rising fast. An intense outbreak of a separate illness, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), is decimating deer populations in Athens, Washington, and Meigs counties, raising urgent questions about whether current hunting regulations can remain in place.
Chronic Wasting Disease Continues Slow Spread
CWD, a fatal brain disease caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, has been slowly spreading in Ohio since it was first detected in wild deer in 2020. So far, 73 infected deer have been confirmed through lab testing, which is currently the only way to detect the disease in its early stages.
Although there is no known risk to humans, health officials strongly advise against consuming meat from infected deer.
To help limit the spread, Ohio launched an early archery season in affected counties. Originally confined to Wyandot County, the disease surveillance zone has expanded into Marion, Hardin, Delaware, Union, Morrow, Allen, Hancock, and Crawford counties.
The major concern with CWD is its persistence. Prions can remain infectious in the soil, meaning healthy deer can become infected without ever encountering a sick animal. If the infection rate climbs too high — as seen in other states — entire local deer populations can begin to collapse, with deaths outpacing births.
EHD Outbreak Alarms Hunters, Prompts Emergency Action
Unlike the slow spread of CWD, this year’s outbreak of EHD has hit hard and fast. Spread by biting midges, EHD is not new to Ohio, but the scale of deer deaths in southeastern counties is unprecedented. By early September, nearly three-quarters of reported deer deaths from EHD occurred in Athens, Washington, and Meigs counties — and the toll is still rising.
The outbreak won’t end until the first hard freeze kills off the midges. In the meantime, many hunters and wildlife experts are concerned that opening archery season as usual could push deer numbers past the point of recovery — especially if too many does are harvested.
Calls to Cut Doe Limits Grow Louder
Mike Rex, a member of the Ohio Wildlife Council and a deer hunter in Athens County, has called an emergency meeting at the Division of Wildlife’s Athens office this week to address the crisis. A large turnout is expected.
Currently, hunters can take up to three deer in Athens, Washington, and Meigs counties — although only one can be antlered across the state. Nearby counties like Hocking and Vinton have a two-deer limit.
Since bucks can breed multiple does, reducing buck harvest has little impact on population growth. Doe survival, however, is critical. That’s why some are pushing for immediate changes to limit doe harvest in hard-hit areas.
For now, no official changes have been made. Wildlife officials have not signaled a plan to revise regulations unless conditions become even more extreme — but many on the ground believe that threshold has already been crossed.