Is it working? Biologically wouldn't the genes in the deer tend to favor the smaller side being in the warmer climates. The further north you go the species tends to have bigger bodies so they can survive the long winters. Do the bigger deer have a problem with the warmer climates? Has there been any studies done?

Buckmine I do not think gentics have as big a role as climate in the size of the deer, up north there are usually far fewer deer per acre than down south, the winter kill is far greater, so as a result the deer that do survive the winter have a far larger supply of food once spring rolls in. Do not get me wrong, genetics do play a role, because if the larger deer survive they pass on their genes, but if you transplanted these same deer down south within 10-12 generations their size would be right in line with the original population of deer in the area.

The Tazman

I agree,You can't just count on the genes it depends on what and how much food and nutrition the deer are getting.As far as deer adapting to colder climates I don't think it would be a problem if they are healthy to begin with.

I don't know a lot about this topic but had a question. In Kansas the mature buck averages around 180 dressed and up north the bucks get bigger bodies than here. Are you saying it's mainly because the deer up north are getting better nutrition than the deer in Kansas, and that's why they're bigger. In my area of Kansas the food supply is unlimited, with a great variety of nutritional crops. If you'd double the current population, there would still be way more than enough food to go around, all year round. I know the south doesn't have as good nutrition the midwest of north. So what do you think is the biggest factor for the north to have bigger bodied deer than here?
Visit My Hunting Page

KSHunter, in my humble opinion, having lived in both places (North and South) as well as having taken deer in both places, I feel that some of it is genetics. In order for deer to survive harsh winters, they need to put on a lot of fat compared to their southern cousins. In order to carry the extra weight of the muscle and fat, they need bigger frames (bones if you will). You are right, the amount of food in the south is probably more and you also have more variety year round too. The other thing I noticed too when I hunted in southeastern Va with dogs is the deer never get a chance to get old and big. There are a lot of deer there but they take a lot of them out each year too. I think you are right that after several years of being transplanted, they would tend to take on the traits of the local southern population as they would be the majority anyway. Another interesting thing I noticed in Va. is the south eastern-most part of Va (such as Suffolk,Smithfield, etc) where the grow peanut crops, soy and corn, the quality and quantity of the protein in those food crops is very high and they tend to grow really, really large racks in a short amount of time compared to deer even just a little more West of them that don't grow peanut crops.

[Deleted by Admins]

So that explains all those short, fat chicks in Canada, eh? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

disclaimer: It's a joke, folks. I actually love the country of Canada. Some of the most beautiful country and friendliest people anywhere.

[Deleted by Admins]

Our deer here in northern Mississippi are small, but go down to the delta and you will find big bodied deer. Nutrition seems to be the key in this situation. A transplanted deer here in north Miss. would probably not make it on the food supply. Even acorns have more nutrition in the delta which deer head for first thing.

I think the length of the hunting season down here may be a factor also.