The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, recently distributed information important to deer hunters on diseases they may encounter in deer and how to recognize sick-looking deer.
While the Division reported that, to date, neither chronic wasting disease (CWD) or tuberculosis have been detected in Georgia deer, there are circumstances where wildlife biologists rely on the public to notify them of sick animals in order to monitor disease issues.
These are the top 5 circumstances the Division recommends you should call and talk to a biologist:
1. Dead deer found in or near a stream, lake or pond with no apparent injuries.
Buck found dead in water with no signs of trauma. Photo credit: Georgia DNR
2. Emaciated deer that are so skinny that their backbone, pelvic bones and all ribs are showing.
An emaciated Kansas deer suffering from CWD. Photo credit: Micheal D. Hopper Missouri Dept. of Conservation.
3. Deer walking in circles, have a lack of coordination or trouble standing or walking.
Photo credit: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
4. Deer with no apparent injuries with drooping ears, abnormal posture or drooling heavily.
Lesions lining the rib cage of a white-tailed deer with tuberculosis. Photo credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
5. Deer that are excessively coughing, sneezing or have yellow bumps on the lungs and inside rib cage.
