#54 Stopping EHD in it's Tracks Through Aquatic Biology with Zach Haas

In this episode of Legacy Through Land, Tyler sits down with Zach Haas, an aquatic biologist and owner of Creek Bottom Land Management, to tackle one of the biggest threats to mature whitetails: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Following devastating outbreaks in Ohio and the Midwest, Zach pulls back the curtain on the science of the "midge" and explains why simply "having water" isn't enough to protect your herd.The Midge Mystery: Zach explains the life cycle of the "no-see-um" midge, how they transmit EHD from cattle to deer, and why the biggest bucks—with their blood-rich velvet antlers—are often the primary targets.The "Sweet Water" Solution: Learn why stagnant, muck-filled ponds are "10-story apartment complexes" for disease-carrying insects. Zach details his three-part EHD Fence system (enzymes, beneficial bacteria, and sediment reducers) designed to restore water quality and invite natural predators like dragonflies and frogs back to the ecosystem.Building the Ideal Water Hole: Zach shares his professional blueprint for a "deer Mecca," recommending a 4:1 slope, a maximum depth of three feet, and the use of synthetic liners covered with sand to provide sure footing and cooler, "sweeter" water that keeps deer on your property.Proactive Management: Why once-a-month treatments from May through September are the ultimate insurance policy for your land investment, potentially saving years of herd rebuilding.Guest: Zach Haas (Creek Bottom Land Management / EHD Fence)Discount Code: Use SPRING20 at ehdfence.com for 20% off your water treatment kits.Pro Tip: Add a bat house or bird house near your water holes to enlist 24/7 natural insect control.Learn more about Zach by visiting: www.creekbottomlandmgmt.comOr email him @ [email protected]"If you're not doing anything to manage your water, you're essentially saying you don't care if your deer die. Managing water is just as vital as managing your soil." — Zach Haas