Outdoors notes: Deer deaths climb in Michigan

Here’s a statistic that’s a sobering sign of the times regarding disease-ridden wildlife.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports 10,430 whitetail have died from Epozootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) through Oct. 16.

The hardest-hit counties are Ionia County with 2,184 deaths, Kent County with 1,604, and Barry County with 966. According to a report by Associated Press, Michigan has more than one million deer.

The DNR stressed that the numbers are likely lower than the actual deaths, as not all dead deer are reported. Some 29 counties in Michigan have been impacted by EHD in 2012.

According to the Michigan DNR report on the outbreak, there is no evidence that humans can contract EHD from the venison, and EHD does not affect humans.

Entrapment: With wolf hunting season under way in Wisconsin, not everything is peachy keen for those traipsing through the woods.Fred Strand was on a trail near Brule, Wis., with his golden retriever Hank last week when his dog stepped on a wolf trap, according to a report by the Duluth News Tribune.Strand, a DNR wildlife biologist, released his dog from the offset jaw trap without injury.#147;Is it a hazard? Yes,#148; Strand told the Duluth newspaper. #147;Was it a problem? No. I#146;m much more concerned about my dog getting into a porcupine or a skunk.#148;Fishing report:This time of year, mild weather translates into good fishing.Shabbona Lake: Very good crappie angling. It#146;s better at the 10-foot depths near and right on the stickups.Fox Chain: Nice bluegill action in 8 feet of water. Walleye activity decent right near the channel coming from Lake Marie. Pistakee Lake excellent bluegill and channel catfish action near Bald Knob.ŸContact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.