The Argument
- The headline finding: Jackson County has been hardest hit by epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral disease spread by biting midges that is killing white-tailed deer, according to a new township-level map released by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Thursday, October 29. Ingham, Livingston and Calhoun counties have also seen significant reports. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026, reporting the DNR map.)
- The Jackson County numbers: In Jackson County, 11 townships have reported more than 56 dead deer, and six of those townships have reported more than 101 deer killed. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
- The confirmed map: So far in 2026, EHD has been confirmed through laboratory testing in deer from Allegan, Branch, Clinton, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Lenawee, Montcalm, Oakland, Oceana, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties — 15 counties in all. That is comparable to 16 confirmed counties in 2025 and 15 in 2024. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
- Why the DNR built the map: “We have heard from hunters who are concerned about deer losses in their hunting areas and want more information about where EHD is occurring,” said Brent Rudolph, deer, elk, and moose management specialist for the DNR Wildlife Division. “Creating and updating this map as reports come in is one tangible way we can help hunters and the public be more confident about where EHD has been reported in their communities.” (FACT: Rudolph via Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
What EHD is, and why deer are found near water
EHD is a viral disease spread by biting midges. It typically occurs in late summer and early fall, and outbreaks generally end when frost kills the midges. The disease was first identified in Michigan and New Jersey in 1955. Deer in the South typically have some immunity, while northern deer generally do not develop herd immunity because the disease is not prevalent year round. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
Clinical signs are sudden and severe. Deer lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow progressively weak, become disoriented, may salivate excessively, and develop a fever. With that high fever, deer seek out bodies of water to immerse themselves in as they try to reduce their body temperature — which is why dead deer are so often found in or near ponds, creeks and rivers. The hemorrhage that develops can cause bloody discharge from the nose or mouth, open mouth sores, swelling of the eyelids, neck or head, and a blue tinge to the tongue or inside of the mouth from lack of oxygen. Deer often develop shock, become recumbent, and die within 36 hours of the first clinical signs. Deer exposed to the virus either recover or die within a few days, so multiple dead deer can be found in a relatively small area. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
(COMMENTARY: That water detail is the single most useful thing a Jackson County landowner can know this week. A cluster of dead deer at a pond edge in October is not a mystery to solve alone and it is not, on this evidence, a poisoning story to spread online — it is the textbook signature of EHD, and the fastest way to help is to report it while the DNR can still use it. The map only works if the reports keep coming in.)
Why the counts are indications, not totals
To confirm EHD through laboratory testing, the DNR must collect a deer carcass within 16 hours of the deer’s death. That is not possible for every reported deer, and the department’s biologists recognize EHD is occurring in additional areas where laboratory confirmation has not been obtained. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
The map shows reported EHD activity at the level of every 36-square-mile township-range block in Michigan, plus the counties where EHD has been confirmed. “The map should be viewed as an indication of reported EHD activity, not a precise count of deer deaths or complete assessment of where EHD is and is not occurring,” the DNR said. In Ingham County, all 16 townships have reported at least one dead deer and five have reported at least 11. South of Saginaw Bay, only Huron, Tuscola and Macomb counties have not reported deaths. The map will be updated approximately weekly while the outbreak remains active. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
“We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to report suspected EHD cases,” said Dr. Scott Larsen, veterinarian for the DNR Wildlife Division. “That information helps our staff identify areas of concern and determine where samples may be collected for testing.” (FACT: Larsen via Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
What it means for Jackson County hunters
EHD outbreaks can cause significant local losses, but the effects are not uniform. Research following Michigan’s major 2012 outbreak found deer numbers increased over the next five years in one affected area, while surveys just a few miles away showed no change. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
“Small pockets of epizootic hemorrhagic disease can be unsettling to the public and can substantially reduce local deer numbers,” Rudolph said. “But it’s important to remember that while mortality rates can be high in some localized areas, not all deer will contract EHD and not all deer that get EHD will die from it.” Rudolph said it is not surprising that some hunters may choose to reduce antlerless deer harvest in areas experiencing significant losses. “We know the frustration of seeing deer disappear from a familiar hunting area, especially if you’ve invested time and resources into developing those favorite hunting spots,” he said. (FACT: Rudolph via Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
How to report: Hunters and landowners are urged to report suspected EHD cases through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field portal and to share the map with others. Speed matters: a report made within hours gives the DNR a chance to collect a sample inside the 16-hour confirmation window. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
FAQs
Is Jackson County really the worst in Michigan?
Yes, on the DNR’s reported-activity map released Oct. 29: Jackson County has been hardest hit, with 11 townships reporting more than 56 dead deer and six townships reporting more than 101 killed. The DNR cautions the map is an indication of reported activity, not a precise count. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
What causes EHD and when does it end?
EHD is a viral disease spread by biting midges. It typically peaks in late summer and early fall, and outbreaks generally end when frost kills the midges. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
Why are dead deer found near water?
Infected deer develop a high fever and seek out bodies of water to immerse themselves in an attempt to cool down. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
How do I report a suspected EHD deer?
Report it through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field portal, and do it quickly — laboratory confirmation requires the DNR to collect a carcass within 16 hours of death. (FACT: Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026.)
Source links
- DNR maps deer fatalities from viral disease. See where hot spots are (Lansing State Journal, Oct. 29, 2026): https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/10/29/ehd-virus-deer-deaths-fatalities-dnr-map-outbreak/92494578007/
AI-generated header image: the header image for this article is an AI-generated illustration, not a photograph.
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