Biologists are Watching Winter Conditions

VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE

Waterbury, VT – The cold weather and snow we had in much of Vermont during December and January have state wildlife biologists concerned about survival of deer. Conditions during the remainder of the winter will play a major role in Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department hunting season recommendations for next fall.

“Once again, western Vermont has maintained less snow than the rest of the state, at least until mid-February,” said Dr. Shawn Haskell, Vermont’s deer project leader. “Predictions of a cold dry winter seem about half-right. It has been quite cold, but we have received lots of snow to go with it. It could be worse though. Much of the state experienced 20–30 inches of snowmelt in December. Had that not occurred, the deer might be in trouble already.”

Haskell says winter conditions in late March and April are especially critical for deer. At that point, deer may have burned through most of their fat reserves, so very cold temperatures or persistent deep snow depths can push them over the edge.

Adult deer survive such conditions better than fawns, so the full impact to hunting season results can lag a year or two. Even though adult females may survive until mid-April, their body condition may be depleted enough that when fawns are born 4–10 weeks later, they still have too little energy to produce milk needed for twins. So, not only can winter affect last year’s fawn crop, it can affect the upcoming fawn population too.

Haskell points out that Vermont’s deer herd was in pretty good physical condition going into this winter.

“By keeping deer densities within a range that can be well supported by summer and autumn habitats, deer will have a better chance of surviving hard winters. Thus, we hope to minimize boom and bust deer population cycles through carefully regulated hunting seasons.”

The Fish and Wildlife Department is concerned that deer densities in western Vermont are becoming too great to be sustainable in the long-term. Increased antlerless harvests in the 2008 hunting season were focused in western Vermont following the mild winter there last year.

Haskell says if this winter continues to be mild or average for deer in western Vermont, we can expect a similar or greater antlerless harvest there in 2009. In contrast, if this winter continues to be worse than average severity for deer in the Green Mountains and eastward, again, we can expect recommendations for reduced antlerless deer harvest in those areas for 2009.

How well deer populations respond to winter is very dependant on the abundance and condition of deer wintering areas, or deer yards. When severe winter weather occurs, deer need cover from accumulating snow and cold winds, as well as security from harassment.

“In much of Vermont, closed canopy softwood, or mixed-wood, forests provide cover from the elements with reduced snow depths that allow deer to move and forage more freely,” added Haskell. “The department works within its expertise and authority to protect and manage deer yards, but much oversight needs to be provided by local towns and development boards, and we are always willing to help.”

Deer try to maintain a reduced metabolism during winter in order to conserve energy while moving and feeding less. Weather is not the only cause of depleted fat reserves well before spring. Consistent harassment by domestic dogs throughout winter causes local deer die-offs. All dog breeds can be guilty, and chase-related deaths occur whether or not deer are actually caught. Dog owners are reminded that their free-roaming dogs may be chasing deer and may be shot by game wardens as a consequence.

“You can help by keeping your dog under control at all times,” said Haskell. “The Fish & Wildlife Department will be monitoring snow depths and temperatures during the remainder of the winter in order to be ready to prepare our recommendations for next fall’s hunting seasons.”