Game and Fish Monitoring EHD-related Mortality

The state Game and Fish Department is allowing hunters with whitetail or “any” deer gun licenses in five units in western North Dakota the option of turning those licenses in for refunds.

Hunters with antlered whitetail, antlerless whitetail, any antlered and any antlerless licenses, are eligible for refunds in units 3E1, 3F1, 3F2, 4E and 4F. Hunters who return their licenses will have their bonus points restored, if applicable, to the same number of points prior to the 2025 deer gun lottery.

Mason Ryckman, wildlife health biologist, said the decision is based on scattered reports of white-tailed deer mortality caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease that began in early September.

“This outbreak appears mild,” Ryckman said. “We see a low level of EHD most years. It typically stays fairly localized, but every so often it can intensify into a significant die-off. The combined outbreak in 2020 and 2021 was probably the worst in memory, with extensive mortality across much of western North Dakota. Similar to 2024, we’re nowhere close to that level, but we have received around 20 reports, primarily focused across Bowman and Adams counties. We’re hopeful that the few nights with temperatures in the 20s this past week helped slow things down, but it typically takes a series of hard frosts to kill the gnats and completely end an outbreak.”

Department staff will continue to monitor reports to determine if licenses in additional units should become eligible for refunds due to the EHD outbreak. Hunters and landowners should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system, at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.

“It is important to make note of the location and the approximate number of animals found,” Ryckman said. “In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so it is important to notify the department as soon as possible.”

Before deciding to turn in a license, the department urges license holders to make local contacts to find out the extent of mortality in their hunting unit as most areas within these units have not been heavily affected.

License holders who qualify and want a refund must mail their tag, along with a note requesting a refund due to EHD, to the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office no later than Nov. 7. Envelopes postmarked Nov. 7 will be accepted.

EHD, a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats, primarily affects white-tailed deer but other big game species are susceptible. The virus is not a danger to humans; however, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer that appears sick.