Deer Management Update November 2024

In the 60+ years that KNC has been operating, we have witnessed how increased deer habitat and low pressure from natural predators have led to local deer populations well beyond what is recommended by wildlife management experts. This overabundance not only can lead to extinctions of native plants and destruction of habitat for other wildlife, but also is a detriment to deer health, as they more easily spread disease and often die of starvation. By managing the deer population, we reconnect ourselves to the local ecology and encourage better health for the deer and the land. While we recognize that many of our neighbors, members, and visitors may have different personal feelings, KNC’s approach is rooted in a deep conservation ethic and scientific rationale that is shared by many other conservation and land stewardship organizations.

In most years, KNC hosts an annual management hunt in partnership with Whitetails Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and local volunteers. However, this event will NOT be held in 2024 due to a change in the health of local deer populations. Eleven counties in Southwest Michigan have recently experienced widespread whitetail deer mortality due to a local outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). This viral disease is spread by the presence of midges (small biting flies), with deer often dying within 10 days of an infection. EHD is not contagious between deer or transmissible to other animals. Infected midges, affected deer, and venison consumption have not been found to pose any threats to humans or pets. Seasonal weather changes and the arrival of hard frosts end the disease transmission; this fall’s unusually late growing season and warm weather contributed to the lengthy outbreak.
KNC’s own stewardship team observed significant deer mortality on the property, with ~30 deer suspected to have been affected by EHD in September and October 2024. Conversations with MDNR wildlife biologists, Cooper Township officials, and local neighbors have led KNC staff to determine that the current local levels of deer mortality eliminate need for any additional management activities in 2024. Deer population research in other regions shows that populations typically bounce back quickly. KNC staff will survey deer populations in the year ahead and continue to monitor deer health before making a return to active management.

For more information, please see the following resources:

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
We welcome your questions. Please contact:
Jessica Simons, VP for Conservation Stewardship – / 269-978-2403
Ryan Koziatek, Stewardship Director – / 269-978-6864