Heavy late-winter snow will challenge Upper Peninsula deer population

Snow Cat (Photo credit: clickclique)

Although early winter snow in was mild compared to the past few years, precipitation late in the season resulted in above-average snow depths that are continuing well into spring. These conditions are challenging deer in the region, and are expected to lead to lower survival and fawn recruitment rates than seen during the last few years.

Winter conditions are a significant factor for the U.P.’s deer herd. Mild winters, such as those experienced from 2010-2012, provide favorable conditions for over-winter survival and allow pregnant does to produce healthy fawns. Harsher winters with deep snows restrict movement and challenge energy reserves. Those conditions affect survival rates, particularly for deer living in harsher conditions, and put additional stress on pregnant does.

Due to the importance of winter conditions for Michigan’s deer population, weekly snow depth measurements are taken at various U.P. stations throughout the winter. This year, snow depths through January were below average, suggesting that winter may be mild once again. However, heavy precipitation in February and March left deep snows across the peninsula. Those conditions have extended well into April.

Biologists anticipate negative impacts to the deer herd when winter conditions persist longer than three months. Because of the heavy late-winter snowfall, U.P. deer are showing visible signs of winter fatigue, including thin body conditions and lethargic behavior. Biologists have already received reports of deer mortalities. Additional reports are anticipated in the coming weeks.

Population indices indicate that the deer population across the region experienced a low in 2009 following two consecutive harsh winters. The population has since been increasing. Although it is too early to determine the full impact of this year’s winter, biologists expect population growth will at least slow this year given the conditions.

North Dakota: Mule Deer Production Remains Low

Aerial observations during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s fall mule deer survey indicated production in 2012 was about the same as last year’s record low.

Biologists who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 1,224 (1,055 in 2011) mule deer in the October survey. The buck-to-doe ratio of 0.37 (0.47 in 2010) was similar to the long-term average of 0.43 bucks per doe, and the fawn-to-doe ratio of 0.59 equaled the lowest fawn-to-doe ratio since the demographic survey began in 1954. The long-term average is 0.92 fawns per doe.

Bruce Stillings, big game supervisor in Dickinson, said mule deer densities in the badlands haven’t been this low since 1996. “The three consecutive severe winters from 2008-11 were devastating to our mule deer and pronghorn populations,” Stillings said. “These winters not only greatly reduced overall mule deer abundance due to winter-related mortality, but led to poor fawn production. Three years of few young animals entering the population has resulted in an aged population with few prime-aged breeding females.”

Winter 2011-12 was one of the mildest on record, but Stillings said it is likely the reproductive condition of the surviving females was still poor after being stressed for as many as three years.

“This summer was extremely dry, leading to reduced vegetative growth needed for fawn concealment and health of the doe,” Stillings added. “An aging population and poor fawning habitat conditions resulted in another year of poor fawn production.”   

According to Stillings, no doe harvest is the first step needed to encourage population growth, and another mild winter is needed to help this year’s fawns survive until adulthood.

“A spring and summer with normal precipitation in 2013 would go a long way to promote habitat conditions more favorable for fawn survival leading to population growth,” he added.

The fall aerial survey, conducted specifically to study demographics, covers 23 study areas and 293 square miles in western North Dakota. Biologists survey the same study areas in the spring of each year to determine a population index.

Minnesota DNR seeks input on deer populations

Department of Natural Resources Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Public input on revised deer population goals in southwestern and north-central Minnesota is being collected through an online survey on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) website.
Earlier this year, the DNR worked with three stakeholder teams to help re-determine deer population goals in 12 permit areas in the southwest and 10 permit areas in north-central Minnesota.
The teams represented such interests as deer hunters, landowners, businesses, counties and conservation/environmental groups, and met to recommend if deer populations should be increased, decreased or stabilized for each of the selected permit areas.
The online survey allows the public to react to team recommendations and inform the DNR on their point of view regarding deer populations. A similar process was used as a final step to gather public input in 2008.
This information, along with the stakeholder team recommendations, will be used to set the 2012 deer season. Deer population goals for the remainder of the state will be revaluated in the next year or two.
“Back in 2008, hundreds of people provided us input using the internet,” said Steve Merchant, DNR Wildlife Population Program manager. “This year we expect that level of public participation to increase even more.”
Public comment will be accepted through Monday, May 1. Once public input is complete and results are analyzed, a decision on deer populations will be made for each permit area and the 2012 deer season harvest strategies will be adjusted accordingly.
Written comments may be mailed to: Steve Merchant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Box 20, 500 Lafayette Road, Saint Paul, MN 55155.

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Wisconsin Final 2011 deer harvest numbers available

Deer (Photo credit: James Preston)

Harvest and population goals discussed at ongoing deer hunter forums

MADISON – Final 2011 deer harvest numbers and statewide deer population estimates are now available in Wisconsin, and the Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters and other interested citizens to attend one of many deer forums in the state to provide comments as the department begins developing recommendations for 2012.

Hunters registered a total of 347,711 white-tailed deer in all combined deer hunting seasons in 2011, including 257,511 harvested in all gun seasons, and 90,200 harvested in the archery season.

The recently finalized harvest numbers are being shared with the public at the deer hunter forums, which continue through the end of March.

“Last year’s harvest numbers are just one piece of information that hunters provide every fall when they register a deer, and the information is used to help estimate the size of the deer population on a unit by unit basis. This information, along with the input provided by the public all help to shape the season framework proposal, and quotas, that we’ll propose to the Natural Resources Board in late April,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR Big Game Ecologist.

In addition to department staff being on hand to answer questions and provide information on the deer herd, the focus of these forums is to seek input from hunters and those interested in deer.

"All comments will be taken into consideration when we make decisions about the upcoming season. It is important for deer hunters to understand that population estimates are just one of the factors that go into the annual decision making process for establishing the upcoming season. Another important factor is input from the public. You can provide your observations and input at one of our remaining Deer Hunter Forums," added Wallenfang.

The harvest totals for 2011 are available on the Department of Natural Resources website and can be found by searching the keyword “deer harvest.” Harvest figures are broken down by buck or antlerless deer in each of 136 deer management units and county by deer season type.

Anyone who missed a forum in their area, still has an opportunity to participate by using the new on-line survey. Go to the DNR website and type in keywords "deer hunter forum." In its first week of use, more than 2,000 people reviewed information about their favorite deer management unit, filled out the survey, and provided written comments.

“We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on the survey option and the efforts we’ve undertaken to get the word out on the forums and the survey,” stated Wallenfang. “I want to encourage everyone interested in deer to attend a deer hunter forum to give their perspective on the 2011 season, or please fill out the survey. Our goal is to make the fall seasons enjoyable for hunters while at the same time addressing all the other factors that make deer management so challenging in Wisconsin.”

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