DEADWOOD, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has conducted surveillance and taken reports of dead deer across many counties in southeast and south-central parts of the state to help determine the severity of this year’s Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreak.

Reports of dead deer have GFP taking actions to reduce harvest and encouraging hunters to visit early with landowners to determine local impacts and opportunities.

“The deer die-offs have been local in nature for many areas and not evenly distributed across each county,” GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk said. “Because the impact of EHD can vary, it is essential that hunters check with their local landowners on the status of the deer herd on properties they hunt.”

Vonk added that GFP is still actively monitoring the deer herd throughout the state. “We are grateful for the cooperation we have received from landowners and hunters. We have a common goal of doing what is best for our deer herd, and we will continue to evaluate additional reports and take further proactive measures if necessary.”

In response to the deer die-offs in eastern South Dakota, the GFP Commission took emergency action at its Oct. 4 meeting, which provided Vonk the authority to immediately reduce the number of licenses available prior to the second drawing of the East River deer hunting season.

As a result of the secretary’s actions, all unsold licenses have been removed from deer hunting units in Bon Homme, Hutchinson, Yankton, Clay, Union and Charles Mix counties.

In addition, the commission and Vonk authorized the elimination of all unsold licenses in southern Perkins County as a result of further EHD developments there.

Hunters have also been given the option of turning in their deer licenses if they feel it is in their best interest to cancel hunting plans. The license and associated tags must be returned to the GFP Licensing Office before the start of that respective season. If applicable, GFP will reinstate hunter preference points for the first drawing.

Hunters desiring a refund for a deer license should send their license, including all associated tags, to: GFP Licensing Office; 20641 South Dakota Highway 1806; Fort Pierre, SD 57532.

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