Ohio's 2026 EHD Outlook

In the wake of Ohio’s 2025 EHD mortality on whitetails, hunters are hoping the herd can experience some repreve and begin to rebound. Image by Greens and Blues

An unprecedented epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak struck Ohio’s whitetail herd in 2025. Although cases were widespread, the primary impact occurred in the southeastern counties near the Ohio River: Athens, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington. EHD claimed 9,281 deer, but that only accounts for reported cases. And that death toll trounces the 2022, 2023 and 2024 EHD mortality counts, which were 1,512, 18, and 2,093, respectively.

Although the aftermath of the 2025 EHD massacre of Ohio whitetails has vastly changed prospects for many hunters — particularly in the counties noted — many wonder about the outlook for 2026. Will the deadly disease ravage the Buckeye State again this year?

We can’t tell the future, but here are several things we know.

EHD OCCURS ANNUALLY, TO SOME EXTENT

Whitetails across the country are annually subjected to EHD. The disease is transmitted from an infected host deer to another deer via biting midges, otherwise known as flying gnats. As the aforementioned Ohio counts suggest, hunters can anticipate at least some mortality this year. Certain environmental factors can influence the scope of the disease. Let’s discuss them now.

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LATE-SUMMER DROUGHT CONDITIONS, BIGGER IMPACT

Because midges are prevalent where whitetails drink, deer become more susceptible to contracting the disease as they congregate at water sources during hot, dry conditions. Some experts say that early summer rains are ideal for gnat production, and then prolonged hot, dry conditions allow them to thrive. Parts of the Buckeye State have seen significant rainfall this spring, which is good, but it’s also likely good for the midge population.

DEER DENSITIES AFFECT TRANSMISSION RATES

It’s possible that the Ohio counties affected severely in 2025 will not see a die-off of similar proportions for a while. High deer densities put more animals in common areas, including water sources, and the biting occurs at greater frequencies. Because such a large percentage of the herd died off this past year in those counties, deer numbers are way down, meaning fewer animals will be bitten at common locations.

FROST MUST OCCUR TO END THE OUTBREAK

Extended hot summer conditions are bad when the disease starts ravaging a deer herd. Freezing temperatures must arrive to kill the midge population and end the disease. In some cases, warm weather can persist well into October, so if the disease gets going and high temperatures persist, the impact will likely be greater.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

As devastating as EHD is, there is no cure. But you can report cases of sick deer to your state’s wildlife agency. That will help biologists track the disease’s impact, and the only way they can accurately monitor the severity is from public input.

Consider self-regulating your harvest this fall if you live in an area that was affected in 2025. Consider saving antlerless tags or holding off on shooting younger bucks until populations rebound. The good news is that deer are resilient and can bounce back within several years. Southeastern Ohioans likely won’t see deer numbers back to all-time highs for years, but solid populations are likely within three to five years — if the disease doesn’t reach severe proportions again in the next few years. For now, it’s too early to tell what this year’s effects will be, but at least you have some factors to consider. Pray for rain so deer don’t have to concentrate at confined water sources, and hope for an early frost so the midges are killed early.