Winter Mule Deer Kill-Off ratio !!

[AZMIGHTYMULIES]

What do you think the ending outcome may be if this Arctic Cold trend continues ? As you all know or at least most of you know , we are experiencing History Record breaking cold temperatures in some areas in "Our" Mule Deer region states . We have not seen this kind of Arctic Cold Trend since the mid 1990's when we experienced the Huge Mule Deer Kill off which was devastating to "Our" Mule Deer Herds and took many years to recoup those loss's . Not only are we getting an early accumulated amount of snow in the Mule Deer Winter Range , but the extreme Sub Zero Temperatures is what takes the bigger toll on the Herds .
Ultimately, Winter has not even begun yet and tomorrow we are suppose to get another Huge Storm . All in all , "Our" Mule Deer herds are in for a Fight for survival this Winter Season I'm thinking .
But what is your guy's thoughts ?

 

[piper]

One thing is for sure, we can't predict the weather, it might be an early warm spring?
I think its way to early to get nervous about die offs.
The wet September should have helped boost fat reserves if they need it though, keep your fingers crossed

 

[mntman]

Way to early to get concerned. Deer are built for this stuff, it isn't their first rodeo... cold temps or deep snow alone doesn't really affect them. It is when there is deep snow AND severe cold together for a sustained period that burns up their fat reserves. Just 2-4 days of this cold weather isn't going to kill any deer. Monday/tuesday the cold front is gone.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

 

[AZMIGHTYMULIES]

For sure I believe it is a bit early to be concerned . I do not know of all the details that caused the overall devastating kill-off in 1996 , as I was still a "youngPup" . I do remember though that it was Huge , and for what I've been reading in different Weather News Sources , this Winter seems to be well in line of the 1996 Winter Season . So I'm sure a lot of ya here were old enough to know and differ between this Season and the Season of 1996 that took a Huge toll on the Mule Deer herds .

 

[skullman]

I will second and third the motion that it is to early to get excited. 1week cold as hell. the next just needs a little thaw.they can withstand that kind of winter.just not a 2 or three week hard freeze. PRAY!

 

[Ticks N Tines]

The deer know the best places to go during the winter. They are survivers and can take really cold temps and snow. The issue is usually when we have a solid month of constant snowfall. Deer use up a ton of energy reserves just trying to walk through 4 feet of snow.

Most of the winter ranges in Northern Utah can get a foot of snow one day and the next it will all melt off.

Another factor that really hurts the deer is when we have extremely cold weather and snow during April and May. The little fawns can't survive the snow and cold and are subject to predation. The spring storms are the worst on deer in my opinion.

Still too early to say it's going to be a terrible year.

 

[DesertGhillie]

We can't afford another deer die off. I'm praying

 

[DnkyPunch]

Too early to panic. The real problem is when you get the late storms after they've already struggled through the winter, especially one that produces a thick layer of ice on the winter range.
A few days of cold temps right now aren't the end of the world.

 

[littlebighorn]

Some of us have enough age rings to realize die offs are a part of the cycle of life. They come and go, at will.
Cold isn't near as damaging as heavy snows that cover feed and trap deer in places they can't survive.
Take a few deep breaths. Even if it's a bad winter,(which we won't know for 6 more months) things eventually rebound.
That's my view from the cheap seats!

 

[travishunter3006]

THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY!!!


Pretty soon all of the adult retard Easter egg hunters (Shed Hunters) will be out chasing the deer and keeping them nice and warm. no reason to worry!

 

[snagpoint]

NO NEED TO WORRY!!!

All those homes on the winter range that never were there x many years ago! My My, shelter for those poor deer.

"The fine line between bravery and stupidity is
endlessly debated--the difference really doesn't
matter." WW II Air force pilot

 

[nontypical]

Weather seems pretty normal to me for SW Wy. After the great weather we had through the end of November, I see no reason for concern...yet.

 

[Gator]

Bucks lose a lot of body fat during the rut and then you get hit with sub zero temps and they are the first to die.

Happens a lot in the upper Midwest.


"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/]

 

[swbuckmaster]

The deer went into this year in better condition then in years past. The whole month of november was dry and hot. This allowed the deer to put on even more weight. Deer are made to withstand the cold temperatures that they have right now. There isn't enough snow to make them work to hard so they will be fine unless they get more snow. Im not worried right now

who farted?

 

[elks96]

>The deer went into this year
>in better condition then in
>years past. The whole month
>of november was dry and
>hot. This allowed the deer
>to put on even more
>weight. Deer are made to
>withstand the cold temperatures that
>they have right now. There
>isn't enough snow to make
>them work to hard so
>they will be fine unless
>they get more snow. Im
>not worried right now
>
>

>
>who farted?

Also add to the fact that most of august and all September was extremely wet and the deer were nice and fat. I spent all of September amazed by the fresh green buds on all the brush etc.

In all honesty the amount of fresh growth looked more like May than fall. It was amazing to how well the deer went into this winter. Hopefully it is a normal winter and the fawn survival rate will be awesome next fall as all the bred does will be having healthy babies,