Winter Conditions

Cheater · Jan 24, 2017

Wow, this has been an incredible year for snow. After a pretty good run of mild winters we were probably due for a big one.

What are you guys seeing out in the field? I have to imagine the deer herds are starting to struggle.

goofyelk · Jan 24, 2017

I've been watching some very large groups of deer this
winter in central Utah.
I took a bunch of pictures last week showing how healthy
the deer were looking.....( this was 5 days ago.)

We have received another foot plus of snow in this area
the last few days, but no long stretches of extreme cold.

I was in the same area this morning, and to my amazement,
seeing the fawns running around playing like it was spring!
Wish I would have had the cam corder today.

rmanwill · Jan 24, 2017

Thanks for the great update Goofy

deadibob · Jan 24, 2017

The deer I've been seeing look very healthy. We've been lucky so far, before this storm, all the snow melted within a few days. We'll see what the next 6-8 weeks brings, but at this point they look good.

Saw quite a few little forkies that only had one side. All the nicer bucks I saw still have both sides.

PleaseDear · Jan 24, 2017

I have been going into the job 2 hours early most every morning this month to snowplow.

The deer are really down and in herds.

They look good on the outside but who knows how they are doing on the inside---hungry?? burning thru winter fat??

I know we need the water but I feel sad for the wildlife when it is this deep of snow and so often.

Robb

elkassassin · Jan 24, 2017

They're starting to Struggle Here!

AKA Coyote Bait!

Just what the Worst Unit in TARDville doesn't need!

[font color="blue"]It Was them Damn Lake Trout that took them Elk
out!

[/font]

1911 · Jan 24, 2017

Seems like the month of March is the make or break point. If memory serves me correctly, the last massive winter kill year came with tremendous late winter snowfall and a lengthy cold snap.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/4abc76ff29b26fc1.jpg

Founder · Jan 25, 2017

It never quits snowing at my house. If it keeps piling up like this without a good "sunshine/warmth" break, the deer could be in trouble this year. Hate to see that.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
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huntin50 · Jan 25, 2017

More snow in Cache Valley than I can remember ever.
Sportsmen and DWR are feeding deer starting today in about 20 locations.

There is 3 feet of snow on the flat in town at Bear Lake.

We really need a break in the weather. Even with a good break, I think there will be a lot of winter kill this year on the Cache and Rich County Units.

There were some stud bucks that made it through the hunt. I doubt they will make it through the winter.

Cooper · Jan 25, 2017

. This was a buck today in Eden

Wapitiwilly · Jan 25, 2017

Deer are getting there ass kicked in Wanship. Many dead everyday. Been feeding cracked corn for a couple of weeks now. 2010 we fed 130,000 lbs. hope to hell we are not headed down that road this year?

PSEbackcountry · Jan 27, 2017

In the 4 years I've been here I've never seen the elk in the winter down by the road in Nephi canyon, But there are herds up to 75 hanging down by the road in about a 2 mile stretch on hill sides. All the animals are down low, and it sucks because I see all the deer with in a few hundred yards with in the elk competeing for food, only seen 2 dead deer, and 5 dead elk, 3 which were hit by cars.

rockroller · Jan 27, 2017

I remember those bad winter's around 83,84, when we had those bad winter kills ,It took quite a while for the herds to rebound, It sucked.

goofyelk · Jan 30, 2017

Here is what it looked like Sunday (1-29),
2 miles from Sundace, while the ski resort has received
well over 200" of snow this year, these bulls on the
South slopes are doing just fine!

Deerlove · Jan 30, 2017

Wow Willard and sardine canyon as well as south cache valley looked bad to me.

fullthrottle · Feb 6, 2017

Did this thaw make it in time or has the damage been done? I wouldn't think that many deer have winter killer yet, but I could be wrong. It looks like the forcast is going to continue to be nice and mild for the next 10 days, let's hope they pull through.

Founder · Feb 6, 2017

It's been warm and a lot of snow has to melted off in many places. I think they weathered ok, but like you said, we'll see.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
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goofyelk · Feb 7, 2017

Sounds and look like there still might be some problems
on some northern, N eastern Utah units....

But I cant believe how much snow has melted the last 72 hrs!

We have southern LE turkey permits this spring,
Been Watching Fillmore south, Beaver, I-70 east the last week.
Lower elevation snow GONE!
Looks like off the charts turkey hunting coming up.

Deer and elk moving around freely.

Fawns and calves look awesome,
There may-be a few deer units we actually see permit increases.

Wapitiwilly · Feb 7, 2017

Snow pack in NE Summit County is still overwhelmingly. Biggest problem is deer/elk are all congregated in a very small area. We are committed to feeding until end of March. There are deer dying everyday. Warmer temps are helping but we are not even close to being out of the woods?

Deerlove · Feb 7, 2017

Warm temps have helped in Weber and Morgan counties, but I'm still concerned.

goofyelk · Feb 8, 2017

This morning (2-8-17) ,
60+ head of Nebo elk in green grass!

Deer, were 6 days ago there was 2 feet of snow, Manti.
6,400 feet. INSAIN how much snow has melted!

A common sight today on the South end of the Wasatch, (hwy 6)

I looked over more than 800 deer and elk today.
South Wasatch, Manti, and Nebo units,
I'm happy to report the herds look to be in fantastic shape.

shootem · Feb 8, 2017

Goofy thanks for the update. Your pictures are great. Have you been in areas like the north part of the wasatch north of strawberry? If this weather pattern holds steady the deer may just be ok in most of Utah. I fear we will still see some winter kill in the northern part of the state.

goofyelk · Feb 8, 2017

Shootem,
Hwy 40 seems to be a dividing line.
North of Heber and Strawberry is far worse than south.

Hwy 6, Spanish fork canyon is LOADED with health looking deer,
Some of those are South Strawberry deer.

schoolhousegrizz · Feb 12, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-17 AT 09:55PM (MST)[p]The snow has melted a ton in the last week here in Weber County. A week ago I had a snow drift over one side of my driveway, now there's not a trace in my driveway. South-facing slopes are pretty open at the lower elevations. I hope it came soon enough and I hope it stays this way, we will see.

Deerlove · Feb 13, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Feb-13-17 AT 12:04PM (MST)[p]Plus one Grizz in Morgan county. That was a brutal Jan. The good news it was bone dry past Thanksgiving.

Gator · Feb 15, 2017

Big storm coming again, Hope it not a huge snow dropper.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

One_Duck_Limit · Feb 15, 2017

I really hope this next storm passes by Cache Valley without dumping a lot of snow or rain. The deer aren't the only ones that could use a break right now.

goofyelk · Feb 15, 2017

It starting to look like winter is over!

This next storm is warm, and mostly effects southern Utah.
Above normal temps, valleys at 50 +, snow levels above 7K.

60's by Tuesday.