Let me expand on what Topper and Oldtimer are trying to get across. During the lean winter months, a deer's digestive system as well as it's metabolism slow down and feed more off it's fat stores. If you suddenly throw out a high protein supplement such as an alfalfa bail, you will more than likely end up giving them colic. Bad mojo in the cold weather for deer. In the warmer spring and summer months, they can get over a bout of colic fairly easily on their own. In the winter time, they don't have the appropriate forage they need to help "loosen" up their bowels or the warmer ground to lay on to help loosen up either. Now, if you have given them this all winter long, then they are used to it and won't end up with colic.

As for the original posters question, the 6 areas I hunt around southern IL have suffered some winter losses but it doesn't seem TOO awful bad as of yet. But this weather this year is freaky to say the least so the Spring fawning may not be very good at all. Then again, may have an explosion! Welcome to Nature, she will never let you know it all and the moment you think you do, she will giggle like a maniac the second you figure it out that you know next to nothing!