ORIGINAL: bowtruck
I wonder if the weather condtions could have been a major factor in allthis. i think i will look back seems we had
a warm fall for a year or two dry condtions a couple years ago . 3 or 4 years ago a foot and a half of snow in april
could have started with that i dont know maybe tomrow as for now it is bedtime
Good thought Bowtruck but the WMU's that Corny listed vary from the one with the coldest spot in PA to some of the mildest weather areas.
As I understand it, severe weather can cause either low birth weights but in the extreme, the can cause a doe to abort one or both fawns. But still, the WMU's that showed a decline are all over the charts weather and habitat wise
The best theory I've heard here is a younger average age among the does sampled. That, if true could be attributed to HR butshould also be expected to level off and then increase slightly as the herd stablizes.