Our deer will soon be in trouble with this winter!

Starting to look really bad for the deer in the north end of WMU 75 and 60, etc. This winter will be one of the worst in a long time. Coldest one we've had since 1919, according to Environment Canada. We just had another 10" dump of snow last night by Burnt River. Both the deer and the turkeys are running the roads now. I called the MNR in Minden to find out the snow course data so far. Not looking good. The SDI (snow depth index) is already 416 for the Hindon snow course on Hwy 118, and they've yet to enter this week's data! The OWSI (Ontario Winter Severity Index) will be around 70 after they enter this week's data, then even higher by week's end. The prediction table shows an 80% chance that we are in real trouble by the end of March. A late winter with late green-up will be disastrous. Will be good-bye fawn crop (at least 40% aborted/die at birth). I'll be surprised if emerg feeding isn't around the corner. Doe tags may be scarce next fall in these areas.

Dave

Been wondering how the deer are faring in various area's. Its been many years since I can recall a winter with both the snowfall and temps we've been getting. We are just at the end of Jan.

I hope the ice storm lowered some of the browse. Can't think of anything else very positive to say about this winter. Maybe it'll break early???:(
Dan O.

Lack of crust on snow….

The turkey and deer were feeding are looking good but I agree I think the herd as a whole will take a beating .

TD

The yotes are on the swing thru, I saw a yote out in one field last week when we were out walking. My dogs have being finding and bringing home deer pieces (legs etc) for the past few weeks while out on our walk. We have about 20 acres of cedars here so the deer stay close all winter.

But it is what it is, that's nature.

It is what it is, but we do get to help out the species we want.. And umm keep a rifle handy for the other non desirables. Dont forget this winter will be hard on yotes as well, especially any with a touch of mange.


The strongest will survive and good genetics will once again be prominent in the herds... I can think of another species that could use the a similar reduction in its weaker 1/2.

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Originally Posted by kickingfrog

Lack of crust on snow….

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In Dufferin county, as well as neighbouring counties, we had the ice, thaw feeze and there are good layers and crust compacted. My dog is 48lbs and she stays on top most. The coyote tracks I've seen so far also have been on top were the deer are sinking in. Looks good for coyotes bad for deer! Whatever thaw we get with the sun beating down during the day only hardens up with the night cold. Easier for the coyotes to run even healthy deer down.

If the deer need help I am sure there will be lots of hunters willing to go and help...

The deer coming into our yard look healthy. We had a melt last week or so and there's less snow than there was but there is a crust that will help the coyotes.
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