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?!

 

[Waddi]

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

Especially the total fire suppression policies that lasted for most of the 20th century left us with a problem too big to handle and a public that has a hard time viewing the benefits of fire on the landscape.

 

[Pookie]

I lived in an area of NE CO that normally has around 350” annually. Right now I have 8-10” depth of snow and the county road has minimal snow on it with mud or dust on a sunny day like the last few. There are fully exposed areas that would normally be 3-8’ under snow!!
I was initially worried about the effects on the elk/lee fires and what would happen to the big game, now Im wondering if there will be any winter kill.

 

[mt terry d]

Best winter for elk and deer I've ever seen.
Should be near zero winterkill.
Last year's fawns are still looking fat.
Why elk and deer hunters aren't rejoicing is beyond me.

 

[Poser]

This storm cycle we are in through 2/19 is looking promising:

 

[Waddi]

Best winter for elk and deer I've ever seen.
Should be near zero winterkill.
Last year's fawns are still looking fat.
Why elk and deer hunters aren't rejoicing is beyond me.

i always assumed that a moderate winter was beat for deer and elk.

 

[squirrel]

A lot of the winter stress is the PROLONGED nature of it. The cumulative effects, if you will of the fall hunt leading into bitter cold and heavy snow shivering off all that fat and getting no replacement food calories. If they miss the -30 Dec-Jan temps they are well suited to handle spring snow depths. So far it would appear there was/is no cold. (and it never hits this late). This year they have bellies full of stuff, maybe not the best stuff but it beats the roots/rocks they eat when that's all that isn't white. Another month and the green up next to the highways will draw them like moths to a flame, that may take a few out, always does.

 

[mt terry d]

It only makes sense.
But, of course, I'm no government credentialed
and certified Game Management expert biologist or scientist.

 

[TedO]

Elk herd health is largely dependent on the quality of the herd's winter range habitat. Right now in the West Elks, the feed on most aspects (south, southeast, southwest, west) on the winter range areas have been cooked down to nearly nothing since the end of last June; it just didn't rain here hardly at all last year. As a result, the elk are not concentrated on these winter range areas right now as compared to a normal/average winter. Instead, the herd is very spread out across all elevations. Mild temps and no snow is allowing for some of the elk herd to find feed opportunities very high still, while other portions of the herd are congregated lower on irrigated hay fields (and stacked hay) on private land. Average winters are best for elk. If we don't get moisture this spring and summer, expect fewer calves on the landscape next year.