wildlife winterkill?

[Duckslayer100]

But it is one of the deepest snow packs to start off a winter in many years. Where were you in 04 to 07 vs 12 to 15 because if you don't think winter storms cant take out the strong you sure the hell couldn't have been in north dakota to watch as 80% of the deer were taken out! Now deer have a harder time finding food and due to deep snow are burning more calories in the process of finding it. When you start that process like we have this year if we don't get a real break during Jan or Feb we may well desamate a herd that is well short of recoverd from our last bad winters. Even if a deer squeaks through if the does are stressed they will abort next year's fawn/fawns and that has a huge and long lasting effect. Opinion means nothing here because this is all best guess on available information and right now ALL info is pointed in the wrong direction including the long term forecast that just came out.

No, silly. It was all the G&F's fault!!!

#$%^&>

 

[dust in the wind]

If only that were still true for humans.
See: Idiocracy

That movie actually predicted the future!

 

[GSM]

one license per hunter to be filled with any legal weapon[/COLOR]. THEN if there are any extra license left over give hunters that wish to apply for it, A chance at a second license.

Please explain more on this option? Statewide? Any deer? :;:stirthepot

 

[Davy Crockett]

No, They already manage deer numbers based on license numbers and units, That stays the same. The problem is that a very large crowd is getting two license and a very large crowd is getting no licenses.

 

[Duckslayer100]

No, They already manage deer numbers based on license numbers and units, That stays the same. The problem is that a very large crowd is getting two license and a very large crowd is getting no licenses.

And yet more are getting 3 licenses!!!

;:;boozer

 

[Kurtr]

I had 4

 

[Riggen&Jiggen]

To respond to a few of you that have said this is normal and we have die offs every so often is partially correct. What is not so normal anymore is the lack of winter cover for any animals just not deer and pheasants. Almost all tree rows have been ripped out, no crp, no section lines and since we had a fairly dry fall most of the slew bottoms were either cut, plowed or burned. So if you take in account the lack of winter cover a normal ND winter is a deadly winter for our wildlife now a days. Not trying to be gloom and doom but if you were to drive around in the country of the north central to NW part of the state you soon would ask yourself how in the hell would anything survive 3 months with nothing.

 

[zoops]

To respond to a few of you that have said this is normal and we have die offs every so often is partially correct. What is not so normal anymore is the lack of winter cover for any animals just not deer and pheasants. Almost all tree rows have been ripped out, no crp, no section lines and since we had a fairly dry fall most of the slew bottoms were either cut, plowed or burned. So if you take in account the lack of winter cover a normal ND winter is a deadly winter for our wildlife now a days. Not trying to be gloom and doom but if you were to drive around in the country of the north central to NW part of the state you soon would ask yourself how in the hell would anything survive 3 months with nothing.

This

 

[gst]

They come to yards like ours. (at least deer, they have learned to migrate not much different than elk out west.) Counted over 200 last nite and missed more than a few. They are still coming down the roads with fresh tracks this morning.

CRP that is left is full of snow (still holds a few grouse but the snow is getting harder) . Single row tree rows (the most common removed) are drifted full and no cover. Even a couple three row tree rows we have would not hold a deer (few pheasants in it yet coming out to eat the soybeans where it blew off) The deer may move back and lay on the south side in the wind maybe if the field stays bare.

left 12 acres of corn standing for birds and deer and it was FULL of deer, it will be gone in about 3 weeks at this rate.

Eagle and ravens and magpies were eating on what looked like a dead calf thru the spotting scope. Had one hobbling around with a busted leg earlier guessin it's that one.

Ususally the bucks here have layers of fat on them this year out of 4 shot only one had much at all and then not as much as normal.

Still lookin for people that want to shoot does. Would rather do our own thing than go thru the G&F deal.

 

[Account Deleted]

Took the scenic route home from work tonight. Saw probably about 200ish deer. All looked fat and happy but seeing them bunched up in such large groups already is a bit concerning. Pheasants have moved into the farm yard. Lots of the heavy cover is blown in. Not good but they're making do.

 

[Davy Crockett]

The Birds finally got dug out today , No idea where they were but only a couple at the feeder since before the storm but today they came flocking in again. Deer made a trail within 50 feet of the bale but they are browsing and pawing under oak trees.

 

[5575]

Spent the day looking for a friend's archery deer in the Bismarck area. Critters are in big trouble around here already I'm afraid,to deep of snow way to early. Deer just stand there as you go past within 30.yds. I sure hope for warmer weather but I highly doubt thats going to happen.

 

[dean nelson]

Yeah its not good when they are dragging their stomachs on the snow this early. like you said they are burning far to many calories far to early and that boads poorly for their numbers.


A side note to anyone thinking about feeding them be sure to use hay if you can to mix in with the corn or oats. if you put out just corn to feed them that can and does kill them especially if they come from areas where corn wasn't their main diet. Ive seen big groups of deer die in this way and it generally turns out to be the Fonz (laughed at how dum my auto correct is so left that one for a laugh. often with a decent amount of large bucks as well. so if your going to do it to help them get through the winter make sure to switch it up a bit so they don't die. wonder if a guy could get produce from that is being tossed out at a supermarket?

 

[guywhofishes]

Fargo Forum article today

 

[Vollmer]

That is a sad sight ...

 

[5575]

Yea its not going to be a good deal that's for sure, sad indeed.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Got out of the hills yesterday and out on the prairie , Conditions look a lot better that I thought they would. It looks like we got a lot more snow than they got in the foothills and out on the prairie. I saw quite a few deer trails in the foothills so they are able to get around and feed.

 

[dean nelson]

Got out of the hills yesterday and out on the prairie , Conditions look a lot better that I thought they would. It looks like we got a lot more snow than they got in the foothills and out on the prairie. I saw quite a few deer trails in the foothills so they are able to get around and feed.

That's one big reason deer out west have better winter survival over places like the valley. the wind does a hell of a job of cleaning the snow of the north side of ridgelines and often the sun will burn off what the wind missed on the south sides. The bottoms of the draws get pretty deep but the deer prefer to bed in the sun of the south slopes anyway.

 

[Migrator Man]

Birds still seem to be around after the blizzard. They are now using the better cover. Hard to tell how many may have died already but at least some made it. THe snow drifted up enough so they don't have to scratch too far to get food. Another 5' of snow it may be a different story. Deer seem to be fairing fine .

 

[dean nelson]

Well the church on the corner of Washington and wachter always has some sort of witty religious saying on their sign but must say this one made me laugh out loud!