08/21/2026
What Is Going On with the Deer in Havre?
Beginning last year, I started monitoring several deer in Havre that were experiencing extensive hair loss. The amount of hair loss observed appeared to be significantly greater than what would normally be expected during seasonal shedding.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) was contacted and indicated that the condition appeared consistent with mange and/or lice. Since then, the number of affected deer has increased. This spring, I removed one of the affected deer and brought it to FWP for examination and sampling. Testing confirmed that the deer had lice, which can commonly be found on deer. I was also informed that the hair loss observed in other deer appeared consistent with mange. Since spring, I have observed numerous deer that appear to be suffering from both conditions simultaneously.
How Do Lice and Mange Affect Deer?
Research indicates that deer can carry lice and mange with few or no visible symptoms. However, when a deer has a compromised immune system or is not receiving adequate nutrition, these conditions can become more severe and may result in significant hair loss and other health concerns.
While lice and mange themselves are generally not considered directly fatal to deer, they can contribute to secondary problems that may become serious.
This summer, I observed a deer that remained bedded down but continuously scratched itself. When it stood up, it would begin grazing but repeatedly stop to scratch. Constant scratching can interfere with the animal's ability to rest and recover and can also reduce the amount of time it spends feeding. This may contribute to poor nutrition and declining body condition.
Repeated scratching can also create open wounds that may become infected. Significant hair loss can further affect a deer's ability to regulate its body temperature, creating additional challenges during both extreme heat and cold weather.
During the warm stretch in July, I removed several deceased deer that appeared to have experienced heat-related complications. If we experience a particularly harsh winter, there is also concern that we could see higher-than-normal mortality among already compromised animals.
Are Deer with Mange or Lice a Public Health Threat?
No. The lice and mange organisms affecting deer are generally species-specific, meaning their preferred host is deer rather than humans, dogs, or cats. Therefore, they are not considered a significant public health concern.
Is the Meat from an Affected Deer Safe to Eat?
Generally, yes. However, this is where the situation can become more complicated.
Lice or mange alone do not necessarily make the meat unsafe for consumption. However, an affected deer may also be experiencing other underlying health problems. Hunters should use good judgment and have any deer that appears significantly ill or unhealthy inspected by Montana FWP before consuming the meat.
If you harvest a deer that you believe may be infected or otherwise unhealthy and you have concerns about whether it is safe to consume, please bring the deer to a local FWP check station or FWP office for inspection.
What Can Be Done About the Problem?
Treatment options have been attempted, including treatments similar to those used for mange in domestic dogs. Some treated deer have shown improvement. However, treating large numbers of free-ranging deer is neither practical nor feasible.
Based on experience with similar situations in other areas, one of the most effective management approaches is to reduce the overall deer population and allow natural processes to help restore a healthier population over time.
What Is the City of Havre Doing?
The City of Havre's deer management plan is being implemented again this year. As part of that management plan, the City will be removing more deer than in previous years, with an emphasis on deer that are visibly suffering from lice, mange, or other significant health issues.
We also encourage archery hunters to participate in the designated archery hunting areas around the city. There are still large numbers of healthy deer in and around Havre, and responsible population management is an important part of maintaining a healthy herd.
Additional information for archery hunters will be provided in the coming week.
Our Goal: A Healthy and Manageable Deer Population
As Animal Control, we understand and respect that there are strong opinions on both sides of the deer population issue. Some residents enjoy seeing deer throughout the community, while others experience significant problems caused by deer damaging landscaping, plants, trees, and gardens.
Our goal is to find a responsible middle ground: a healthy and manageable deer population that allows residents to enjoy seeing wildlife while preventing the population from becoming excessive or unhealthy.
The objective is not simply to reduce the number of deer. It is to help maintain a healthier population that can coexist with our community for years to come.
