Northeast Winter / Deer Kill

[huntingwolf]

As many of you may now know the Norht East portion of the country has been hit by back to back snow falls of historic proportions, and I was just wondering what the expected losses to the deer heard could be expected to be. I live in Marylandand we have been hit hard. Also on this subject what are some of the things White Tail deer take to survive these trying times, such as finding food source and sheter.

[Kevin L.]

Knock on wood, but so far we're about average on temp and way low on snowfall. The deer will get a bit of a break on winterkill, now we just need the state to come up with a reasonable and logical plan for coyote control and actually try to protect some of the winter yarding areas.

[ron w]

The deer in the central Adirondacks are getting a break so far this year. Not much snow yet, had a thaw, whats left is hard and you can walk on top of it ,only 8-10". Hope this holds for a bit and we don't get any late storms. If they have brose and water they are good to go. The state here stopped all feeding of deer a few years ago in their endless wisdom..........

[George D. Stout]

It has to be really deep before they can't get around to browse.  The worst thing is deep snow with a layer of ice, or just plain ice.  So far we have about two feet in the woods and it's not crusted, so they can still get about okay.  In the big woods where browse is sparse, they can get in trouble more quickly in deep snow...they can often yard-up and completely take all the available browse from that area.  So far so good here in the southern mountains area.

[Gene Charbonneau]

William

I gotta agree with my “almost neighbor” Kevin.       Snow this year is way low, here in Maine.  Not really even enough for sledding.  Usually have 2+ feet of packed snow on the ground this time of year.  This is the first year that I remember when I can see the gravel of my drive.

I live in a rural area, and that being said, am seeing NO deer.  No track.  In past years there have been 4-5 that used to hang around the yard here.  I do see a lot of coyote track, though.  As Kevin mentioned the yotes are out of control.  The state is even trying to promote hunting them as sport, to help the deer population rebound.
Talking to a fella who runs the local check in station. He said the harvest this year in my area was only about half of normal.

Mostly this time of year you will find deer herded up in yarding areas, where the snow is less of a problem, and there is browse.  The winter kill should not be so bad this year, but it was last couple.  I would actually see more deer in little old overpopulated Rhode Island where I originally come from than here in mid-Maine right on the edge of the Great North Woods.

[okcaveman]

its really hard to give an estimate on deer loss without knowing the exact data, i.e. population, amount of available browse, type of browse, etc.

with that being said, how hard are the deer in your area affected on a year to year basis with your "normal" precipitation events?

[richbat]

you have to remember,these animals live out there year round,so a little bad weather isn't going to affect them to much.yes some may not make it,but most will survive through tough times.as george stated they will have trouble in the big woods,but most will find sanctuary in thickets,pines and other places out of the bad weather.they are no different then people,when it's bad out they'll search for cover from the inclimate weather and use whatever resources they have available to survive.

[Larry Jim Bob]

Gene it looks like we really are neighbors!Have you been out chasing any bunnies in your area? I've chased a bunch of them in kingsbury and mayfield, some really good rabbit cover there,but your right very little deer sign around (we have killed some really nice deer in mayfield in past years)

[no]

maryland is kinda east central, I wouldnt consider north.  However you should be fine as far as winter kill. I believe you have to have a snow crust for around 40 days or so before starvation deaths kick in. I am in Ny & we are 6 hours north of you & have had a very mild winter to this point. Another few hours north & you get to the adirondacks & in some areas its not uncommon to have 8 feet of snow or more. Still plenty of deer make it thru.  I am sure you guy swill be fine. Mike