Rough Winter for Mule Deer ID/Wy/Ut

[robby denning]

Our own member @ntrlbrnhunter shot this video today. I posted it as a Short on YT but want to share it with you guys too.

These deer were just starting to recover from the 16/17’ & 18/19’ hits.

 

[MuleyFever]

I was thinking about drawing G this year. They just keep getting hammered.

 

[robby denning]

I was thinking about drawing G this year. They just keep getting hammered.

Ya tough call.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I was thinking about drawing G this year. They just keep getting hammered.

I would say it depends on what you’re looking for in a buck. I would argue that area has not came back since the drought and bad winters we had in 16 and 18. I went in 17, we found so many dead deer. It was really sad. I was planning on going this year but not sure what to do now. Not a good year at all.

 

[Travis Hobbs]

It’s bad… no doubt… a winter that started in November.

Lots of places breaking cold temperature records today, with (2) notable mentions including Logan, UT and Idaho Falls, ID BOTH exceeding -30! That’s unheard of. Add this on top of deep snow… it’s a mule deer disaster.

 

[VANDAL]

It’s bad… no doubt… a winter that started in November.

Lots of places breaking cold temperature records today, with (2) notable mentions including Logan, UT and Idaho Falls, ID BOTH exceeding -30! That’s unheard of. Add this on top of deep snow… it’s a mule deer disaster. View attachment 509430View attachment 509431View attachment 509432

I was optimistic with 4 yrs of positive growth that this young population could hold. After closely watching the deer in Eastern Idaho I felt good with how the fawns looked around Jan 10. Ten days later I could see a distinct downward trend in health. A few days ago after a fresh + 12” of snow they are on their last stand. Add on record cold temps….makes me sick….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fatcamp]

That's sucks so bad.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Thanks for sharing and with the conditions we should all do our best to limit disturbance and unnecessary caloric expenditure.
@ntrlbrnhunter how much sage is above the snow and is there a hard crust?

 

[Hoyt Ag]

I live in NW CO and we are 150% over annual snow pack. Only a matter of time we start finding dead ones around here, elk too.

 

[prm]

Needs to start raining alfalfa.

 

[MuleyFever]

Needs to start raining alfalfa.

I know they are feeding on the UT side.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

First time living in Salt Lake, seems like there is lots to be said for lack of available cover at low-elevations due to population sprawl. I’m sure in human absence they wouldn’t be blinking an eye, just dropping down to lower elevation through migration

 

[Hoyt Ag]

Park Cuty has more snow than I have ever seen. Elk are everywhere trying to find food.

Same here. I live in Meeker and work in Hayden. I have never seen so many elk on my ay to work than I have the last month. Hundreds a day and they are belly deep in snow, sometimes the calves are barely able to see over the drifts.

 

[S.Clancy]

First time living in Salt Lake, seems like there is lots to be said for lack of available cover at low-elevations due to population sprawl. I’m sure in human absence they wouldn’t be blinking an eye, just dropping down to lower elevation through migration

Ding ding ding

 

[S.Clancy]

Needs to start raining alfalfa.

You can easily kill deer that would otherwise live by feeding them alfalfa (among other things) in the winter, they shift metabolically to utilize browse much more so. It can be done, but carefully

 

[prm]

You can easily kill deer that would otherwise live by feeding them alfalfa (among other things) in the winter, they shift metabolically to utilize browse much more so. It can be done, but carefully

I do know that it has to be done smartly, and I'm not the one to choose. Perhaps alfalfa was a poor example. Whatever would help their metabolism to stay warm and nourished.

 

[S.Clancy]

#JacksonHole

That is primarily elk.

 

[S.Clancy]

I do know that it has to be done smartly, and I'm not the one to choose. Perhaps alfalfa was a poor example. Whatever would help their metabolism to stay warm and nourished.

Feeding animals is just really shortsighted. It brings in disease concerns, removes alot of evolutionary pressure (the animals that make it are fitter and able to then pass on their genes to more generations) and removes any culpability for continuing to subdivide and develop really important winter range habitats. Lets concentrate on the habitat for long term gains

 

[IdahoElk]

Idaho Units 48 & 49 are getting hammered with snow, 150% of normal

 

[IdahoElk]

Feeding animals is just really shortsighted. It brings in disease concerns, removes alot of evolutionary pressure (the animals that make it are fitter and able to then pass on their genes to more generations) and removes any culpability for continuing to subdivide and develop really important winter range habitats. Lets concentrate on the habitat for long term gains

In a perfect world I agree but where I live housing has all but eliminated winter habitat making supplemental winter feeding almost necessary.