Tough Winter On Deer
 

As everyone knows we have been having some very harsh weather this year,what impact do you think it is having on your areas herds? Will the young ones survive these deep snows and cold temps?

I think the deer herd in Western Illinois will be just fine. We had one of the largest acorn harvest in a long time not to mention all the food left over in the farm fields.

it was harsh, but i don't think as hard as it was last year for us having 2 and a half feet of snow. but defiantly hard hunting this winter

I think harsh winters are over-rated in most areas. Deer handle snow and cold mostly just fine - its when they are overpopluated when problems occur.

We get over 130" of snow every year and the deer herd comes through in decent shape. The snowpack does allow coyotes to take some deer - and they do here. The wounded and the sick generally don't make it. But still I think 40 deer per square mile is about where we are at most years.

I shed hunt an area nearby that hunting isn't allowed - and I'll bet there is 60-80 deer per square mile - and these deer are always over the land's carrying capacity - but even in the worst winters (160"+ snow) most of them make it.

It always amazes me when you think about deer in Canada. They have like 5' of snow on the ground and the deer seem to make it through just fine up there. I know they have larger bodies and are better equipped because of it, but it is still amazing.

As far as deer in my area of SE PA, I start to worry when we get a partial thaw and then the snow refreezes creating a very hard crust that the deer have a hard time breaking through with their hooves.

I think you guys are right as regards the ability of these animals to endure even the worst weather. On the way home yesterday I saw 6 deer in two different spots and they looked pretty fat and healthy. The nut crops here have been very good this year as well, and I know they are getting after them because we went shedd hunting last weekend and could see the ground and leaves worked over. They were out early yesterday evening due to another front comming through.

The deer will stay in yards under hemlock or other evergreen growth. The key to survival is energy conservation. The snow is only half as deep in these yards as in a nearby hardwood forest. We have several that are adjacent to oak groves. We had a large acorn mast this year in the northeast, the deer should be good if the predators don't locate them.

Around here the deer are hanging out on the roads in large groups, Im guessing to get off of the 3 feet of frozen snow, which is very hard for them to walk in cause only the top is frozen and they fall in when they walk on it. Then they cant off the road because of the 6 ft ice drifts on either side. I ran several groups for almost a mile today, they were exhausted and the ones that tried to jump back onto the snow got stuck, I think 1 mighta broke a leg. Sad situation.

Here in Missouri we've been seeing the Deers group up also,we had freezing rain and now we got about 4-5 inches of snow on top of that...now that make for a tough winter and for the Deer to get any food!I've been putting out some corn for the deer and getting some nice trail camera pictures,most of the Bucks are still carrying their antlers and a few have lots theirs or just 1 side so far.We've also been doing some serious Predator/Coyote Hunting so that helps in taking away some of the pressure from the Wildlife! ;)

Good job GTO keep the preds of the backstraps we need to eat them not the yotes. Sounds like some area's are going to be hard on them for sure,I've been thinking of putting some corn out if it gets tougher around here but so far they seem to be holding their own.

Here is SE Alabama our winters are never what one could call harsh. We sdeldom get into the teens, and snow is rare. So winter kill is not an issue ... I don't think. I am not certain, but I think what hurts the deer here is a combination of an extended summer/fall drought, coupled with a weak acorn crop. This was the case in 2010. I hunt 3150 acres along with several friends. We have tried to "manage" the population in this area by taking 75+/- does each year. We have done this for well over a decade. We have several 2010-2011 trail camera shots of deer that are "boney".

During years when the summer/fall rain is at or above normal, the browse is lush and the deer we have killed have been rolling with fat.

Right now, most of our small creeks are nothing more than a damp ditch. Only one of what I'd call a "major" creeks that is running through the property is flowing. Two of the others are holding water, but barely flowing. I hope 2011 is a "catch up" year as far as rainfall.

The winter we've had so far isn't really an issue. we've had LOTS of snow and cold, but the key is they went into the winter in good shape, lots of food in the woods. The other key is what happens from here forward. they can deal with the snow, what they have trouble with is ice. Right now, they can dig down to the ground and find food. When it melts, then freezes over solid, they get in trouble.

As long as we have a fairly quick melt, we are in good shape.

Depends on age I would say
 

Wonder what the opinion is of those under 40, versus those over 50.

One thing I remember about northern cold snowy weather. One never saw a big expansion of the deer herd. Deer survived but not at the totals seen in some states ten years ago.

Here in Southwestern Wisconsin we have at least 2 feet of snow on the ground and drifts that are well over 4 feet tall. I did some shed hunting and bumped a doe and 2 fawns and they ran out into an open area about 20 yards wide and had to jump just to make it across. Felt kinda bad for them and then I saw about 12 antler-less deer in a group of pines and got to within 40 yards of them walking in the wide open and they never took off. Hopefully we get some warmer temps to melt all this snow.

Here in Northern WI they build igloos and do quite well!:popcorn::biggrin:

This is exactly what Fish and Game said here in Vermont.
Oh what a winter, it has been many years since we had so much snow on the ground.