South Dakota Offers License Refunds as Deer Disease Deaths Spike

South Dakota wildlife officials are offering hunting license refunds and cutting back deer hunting opportunities in response to a spike in epizootic hemorrhagic disease deaths across the state, southdakotasearchlight.com reported.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral illness transmitted by biting midges, primarily impacting white-tailed deer populations during warm, seasonal conditions.

Biting Midges Spread Hemorrhagic Disease to Deer

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is caused by a virus spread by tiny biting midges typically found along muddy shorelines. While white-tailed deer bear the heaviest toll because they inhabit areas where the midges live, mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, and pronghorn can also contract the illness, according to Game, Fish and Parks Senior Wildlife Biologist Byron Buckley. The disease usually affects herds in late summer or early fall. Warm conditions can extend insect activity, while a hard freeze kills the insects and ends the seasonal outbreak.

Weather strongly influences the annual severity of the virus. The 2026 outbreak began in July and persisted through an unusually warm, dry September with intermittent heavy rain. Retired Game, Fish and Parks lead biologist George Vandel noted that alternating dry periods and wet periods create ideal muddy environments where midges thrive.

Reported Deer Deaths Increase During Hunting Seasons

State officials documented about 407 reports of dead deer due to the illness during the 2026 season, comprising 376 suspected cases and 31 lab-confirmed cases. By comparison, the count stood at 196 cases during the September 10-11 commission meeting. Buckley explained that the October spike reflects both increased disease prevalence and a higher volume of people outdoors during waterfowl, grouse, dove, and archery deer hunting seasons.

The total reported cases for 2026 have slightly higher than the final count for 2025, though officials describe the current numbers as roughly comparable to the previous two years. State officials encourage the public to report sick or dead deer through contact methods listed on the Game, Fish and Parks website, allowing biologists to update public online maps.

South Dakota Limits Deer Licenses to Protect Herds

To reduce pressure on affected herds and give populations a chance to recover, the department removed mentored and youth deer licenses in nine southeastern South Dakota counties where outbreaks occurred over the past two years. Wildlife officials also removed 62 unsold licenses, including two in McPherson County and 60 in Dewey County. Statewide archery rules were shifted from any-deer allowances to buck-only licenses.

Hunters holding deer licenses in 16 counties along the Missouri River corridor can now voluntarily return their licenses for a full refund. Wildlife Division Director Tom Kirschenmann stated that the department may add more counties as October reports continue to arrive.