Winter Kill - Idaho

BrianID

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I wanted to see what others thought about how hard this winter has been on deer. A little while ago I thought we would see slightly above average winterkill but lately things are looking worse. Below average temps in March didn't help. The snow storm that came through the other night didn't help either.

Here's a link with info about the fawns the F&G have been monitorring this winter and last winter.
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/MDI/fawn_monitoring.cfm
There have been alot of fawns found dead since the March 24th report. I think by time May 15th comes around a majority of the fawns that were still alive during the March 24th report will be dead.

From what I have seen this winter hasn't been as bad as the 2001/2002 winter was for part of Eastern Idaho. It is starting to look like it is going to be as bad as the 2001/2002 winter but winter kill is going to be more wide spread. I guess we will have a better idea about winter kill in a few weeks.

What have some of you noticed in your part of the state.
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-06 AT 12:31PM (MST)[p]Saw 30+ dead deer on a hike the other day. Most looked like they had died from malnutrition and/or stress. It was sad. Made me want to see the no human activity law put into effect more than ever!
Dan

BTW, all but one were fawns
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-18-06 AT 07:57PM (MST)[p]I have been doing spring deer classification in N. Utah in areas adjacent to SE Idaho. I am seeing fewer live and more dead fawns than I thought I would have. In Cache Valley we just got another late snowstorm and temps have dropped down again. I don't think there will be many forkies running around to get shot this fall. Man I wish our habitat was better!

Some of guys around here think that our low buck-to-doe ratio, and low number of mature bucks is resulting in a prolonged rut, and does being bred second estrus cycle. They think that these late-bred does give birth later, and bring smaller fawns into the winter that are more likey to winter-kill. There is evidence that as long as the buck to doe ratio is >5 buck per 100 does all of the does will be bred. There aren't any studies that I could find that look at timing of breeding or how buck numbers and age class could factor in. I wish that we could bring more of these fawns through the winter, just a few good survival years can make such a big difference.
Dax
 
F&G collared 20 fawns in 21A, and from what I have heard none survived the winter. I would have to disagree with the low buck-doe ratio concept. It is vital to have the important genetics that a mature provides. I have also read that younger bucks do not pass on those necessary genetics and cause a later birth of fawns when breeding does. Another aspect to look at is that Idaho is rugged country in certain areas, bucks have to travel long distances. There is no way that all the mature bucks can successfully breed the majority of the does. The site listed below is an excellent article on mule deer.(Take notice to the SECOND pt. it is by the picture of the doe on the right)
http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/stories/site99.pl?page=art-toddblackdeer&tem=art1
 
Sorry to hear about the poor fawn survival in Idaho and northern Utah.

These cold spring storms are the worst of the year in my opinion. Most of the dead deer I find die March through May, or so they look.

As far as Utah's DWR idiotic deer management and theories on buck to doe ratios not affecting fawn survival and recruitment they can shove it up their %#$@%@#$!!!! (That ought to confirm my unsuccesful draw letter-hahahahaha).

I hate to say it but my feeling is that this is having just as much affect on our deer herds as the loss of habitat.

I can go out on a lot more marginal winter range areas than the Cache has and see healthier deer herds. Take the Wasatch Front for example. The higher buck to doe ratios leads to a healthier herd.

The piss poor deer management of the Wyoming F&G in G and H and on their HUGE winter ranges of late is also showing the affects of low buck to doe ratios on the overall health of the herds.

Please Colorado come take over our deer management!!!!!

Until Utah and those that run Utah's wildlife put a little more attention towards you and I (the average Utah hunter) and a little less attention on a select few limited entry deer units and the state's cash cow (big bulls) our deer herds will continue to be as pathetic as they are.

Sorry:) Didn't mean to hijack an Idaho deer thread...... Hopefully things will warm up soon. I'M SICK OF WINTER!
 
Been a little tougher on the fawns than I thought it would be. Although in some ways I think the studies are a bit misleading. Bear Lake east had one of the highest survival % in recent years. Some other areas (southern Idaho) seem to be faring better as the winter was overall warmer. The last week being the exception (hey we had 9" of new snow at my home in Pocatello Monday).

As far as buck:doe there is no question in my mind that lack of mature bucks impacts fawn weights. Sure, 5 bucks will do it if the conditions are right but combined with overall low deer densities and the aforementioned rugged country, they just can't get it done. And after the rut those are 5 really tired bucks. No, I'm not a biologist so what I say doesn't count LOL.
 
Me and my brother took a drive 3 weeks ago threw Stanley to Challis down threw Mackay and back down to Twin falls.
We saw 600 elk 400- 500 mule deer some bighorn and some antelope. The animals in the Stanley basin looked in bad shape but elsewhere they looked to be up to par. Almost looked like fall animals. Saw lots of fawns in with them. So who knows. Had a great drive though.


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