The post deer season reports here in Nebraska show about a 25% drop in filled tags in the central and western parts of the state. I haven't heard on what happend in the eastern side yet, but I have heard a lot of stories.

Quite a few of the guys at work did not fill their tags. One suggested that the West Nile virus has killed off a good portion of deer. My question, is can deer get West Nile?

Where I went to hunt, there were a good number of deer, but not as many as last year. I assumed this was because of the very warm weather we had during the season. Any thoughts?

NEJack,

It has been awhile since I studied this in veterinary school but if memory serves correctly, any mammal can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito carrier. I'll try to remember to look it up at the office. Some dairy calves died of it in SE New Mexico this summer past. I'll post again after I consult my text on zoonotic diseases.

Good Hunting,

Transmitted by mossies.

Crows are carriers.

Horses have been known to contract West Nile, we have had a few cases here in WA state.

Man, birds, and domestic quadrupeds (horses, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, llamas, alpacas, dogs, cats) are the only ones listed by the Merck Veterinary Manual 6th Edition as being susceptible to WNV. That edition is 17 years old so perhaps there has been new info elucidated since. I see no reason why deer, elk, bison, and moose would be immune--BUT--that's my opinion. I limited my practice to dogs and cats four years ago and have not kept abreast of any new info on livestock or wild animals.

Good Hunting,

Thank you gentlemen. I had heard a few guys complaining that WNV was why they didn't see any deer. I personally think the 70+ F temps had more to do with it, but hat is just me.