Worst of ND Deer Disease Outbreak Appears Over

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — State wildlife officials say reports from hunters during the opening weekend of pheasant season indicate the worst of a deer disease outbreak is over.

Reports of deer deaths from the disease commonly known as EHD prompted the state Game and Fish Department in September to suspend the sale of more than 1,000 remaining doe licenses in the southwest part of the state.

The disease is spread by tiny biting flies that typically die off with the first hard frost of the season.

Game and Fish says overnight low temperatures recently have dropped below freezing, and the agency received only a few reports of dead deer from pheasant hunters.