Lower bag limit proposed for Ohio counties with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease outbreak
9/24/2025 10:13:08 AM
CATEGORIES:
Plants & Wildlife
Tourism & Recreation
AFFECTED AREAS:
Athens County, OH
Fairfield County, OH
Guernsey County, OH
Meigs County, OH
Morrow County, OH
Union County, OH
Washington County, OH
Start Date: 7/15/2025
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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife proposed reducing the white-tailed deer bag limit in Athens, Meigs and Washington counties from three deer to two in response to an unprecedented outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in these counties. Confirmed EHD cases this year included Athens, Washington, Union, Morrow, Fairfield, Guernsey and Meigs counties, with Athens and Washington reporting the highest number of cases. There were more than 50 reports near the Pennsylvania border. The 2025 outbreaks were linked to ongoing drought in Ohio, which favors midge proliferation and drives deer to congregate near water sources, increasing transmission.
Zanesville Times Recorder (Ohio), Sep 24, 2025
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