In regards to elk vs deer and how this winter will affect them, it will be very different and the elk will most likely do much better. They may have some negative impact on the deer, by pushing them away from what food is available. Maybe a more aggressive tack on elk herd is biologically sound? Not sure.
I do believe that the Weiser zone also had a very large loss of fawns the last big winter, can't remember the exact year but maybe 2010 or so. If it's just fawns mostly, and even some bucks, it will suck next year or two for "meat" hunters, but barring back to back big winters they could bounce back pretty quick. Not uncommon to have very high fawn recruitment the year or two after a winter like this.
Luckily on the Boise front a lot of snow has melted. Hope it's not too late. Herd needed some control so that the fire areas from the last few years could recover a little more. I was out hiking this weekend in Owyhee's just above Marsing and while I saw no deer, I did see some grass.
It's just so sad to see them suffer like this. Wish F&G would close winter grounds to any activities they have rights to, such as shed hunting, etc. I myself might even do a little more fishing during deer season next year.