Dry winter impact on Elk

[ThunderJack49]

In SW Montana the elk are staying very high for the most part. They are in their wintering areas but not pushing low into the valleys as much it seems. I noticed some green grass up high as well this year. Bulls have been harder to locate.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Seems like it’s a great winter for the elk and deer as well. I too am hoping we can avoid a massive fire season… but who knows. We will have a better idea in April-May I think

 

[Elkman17]

As long as this trend holds through March it could be good for older elk and calves making it through that might not on a bad weather year. Depending on the area a dry spring can effect antler growth, in that maybe a bull that would score 300” with a wetter spring would go 285” with a dry spring. 90% of us wouldn’t notice the difference or care.

 

[Poser]

I haven't seen any elk higher than 9,000 feet this winter even though the landscape would certainly allow it if they wanted to be. Most South faces are cooked off up to 13k. West faces are cooked off up to 10-11k depending on exposure. I have seen some moose higher than usual.

 

[270-300]

I’ve noticed tufts of grass getting green, but it’s not growing.
Just the very bases are greening a little early.
At least that’s what I’m seeing.
Regardless, elk and deer are grazing on the brown stuff just like every year.View attachment 1020193View attachment 1020194View attachment 1020195

It takes unfrozen moisture and the grass will turn green then grow. If it snows a foot and then all melts grass will grow. This is why the edge of the snowline gets green.

 

[bz_711]

easy winter = less winterkill = more elk this fall
dry year = sometimes impacts antler growth

Have I ever even thought about moisture for antler growth as a bull is coming into bow range...Nope.

I think overall it's a good thing to mix in some mild/easy winters for the overall elk/deer herds overall numbers

 

[MuleyFever]

Seems like it’s a great winter for the elk and deer as well. I too am hoping we can avoid a massive fire season… but who knows. We will have a better idea in April-May I think

Fires suck for a lot of reasons but there is a lot of area out there that needs to burn.

 

[Waddi]

Fires suck for a lot of reasons but there is a lot of area out there that needs to burn.

I agree with this the area I hunt has been needing fire for the last fifty years.

 

[cnelk]

And to think they were predicting a bad winter for the Western US this year...

The shed hunters are going to be looking in some new areas this year

 

[Hnthrdr]

Fires suck for a lot of reasons but there is a lot of area out there that needs to burn.

Yep, the neglect of any type of serious management plan in Co has taken a toll on our NF landscapes for sure!

 

[Hnthrdr]

And to think they were predicting a bad winter for the Western US this year...

The shed hunters are going to be looking in some new areas this year

But not till after May 1st right? Right?!