BOB@BBT
03-19-2006, 11:55 AM
http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1142376006318630.xml&coll=1
Deer herd weathering winter well -- so far
Sunday, March 19, 2006
By Bob Gwizdz
With spring just around the corner, state wildlife officials are cautiously optimistic that the northern deer herd will have come through winter in good shape.
But late winter storms could still have a significant impact as mild January weather could actually work against deer survival.
The winter severity index (WSI) -- a measurement of wind chill and total snow accumulation -- is below average in both the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula and lower than it was last year at this time. But a record warm January caused some deer to wander out of their traditional wintering yards, making them vulnerable to late-season snowstorms.
Winter started with record severity in November and stayed cold until the January thaw.
"The first six weeks were as bad as ever," said Rod Clute, the deer specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. "And the first 10 weeks, we actually were above the long-term average.
"That Nov. 16 storm kicked it off -- we started winter like, `Oh boy, we're going to pay a heavy price,' then we weren't going to pay any price, and then winter came back again. We're looking at a typical February. But because deer were able to move around and get some browse (during January), they can handle it.
"But deer have been trapped in locations where they do not belong. They were in good physical condition, but that good condition isn't going to last all that long."
Clute said his belief is that if winter breaks around the end of March, the herd will sustain very little mortality. But if it lingers into April, all bets are off.
"We're still looking at another month of potential winter severity," Clute said. "Were at the edge of having no impact if the weather breaks today to having a tremendous impact if it continues for four weeks.
"Right now, my impression is the deer can handle the temperatures. If they don't get trapped by deep snow, I think they'll come through the winter in excellent condition."
On the positive side, winter has been least severe in places where it often takes its heaviest toll on deer, Clute said. Copper Harbor (in the Keweenaw Peninsula), for instance, had a WSI at the end of February that was 20 percent milder than average. "That's substantial." Clute said.
But at the same time, much of the state is just one old-fashioned blizzard away from potential problems. What happens in March and April will determine the outcome, as it does most every year.
Said Clute: "This is going to be one of the most unique winters ever."
Deer herd weathering winter well -- so far
Sunday, March 19, 2006
By Bob Gwizdz
With spring just around the corner, state wildlife officials are cautiously optimistic that the northern deer herd will have come through winter in good shape.
But late winter storms could still have a significant impact as mild January weather could actually work against deer survival.
The winter severity index (WSI) -- a measurement of wind chill and total snow accumulation -- is below average in both the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula and lower than it was last year at this time. But a record warm January caused some deer to wander out of their traditional wintering yards, making them vulnerable to late-season snowstorms.
Winter started with record severity in November and stayed cold until the January thaw.
"The first six weeks were as bad as ever," said Rod Clute, the deer specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. "And the first 10 weeks, we actually were above the long-term average.
"That Nov. 16 storm kicked it off -- we started winter like, `Oh boy, we're going to pay a heavy price,' then we weren't going to pay any price, and then winter came back again. We're looking at a typical February. But because deer were able to move around and get some browse (during January), they can handle it.
"But deer have been trapped in locations where they do not belong. They were in good physical condition, but that good condition isn't going to last all that long."
Clute said his belief is that if winter breaks around the end of March, the herd will sustain very little mortality. But if it lingers into April, all bets are off.
"We're still looking at another month of potential winter severity," Clute said. "Were at the edge of having no impact if the weather breaks today to having a tremendous impact if it continues for four weeks.
"Right now, my impression is the deer can handle the temperatures. If they don't get trapped by deep snow, I think they'll come through the winter in excellent condition."
On the positive side, winter has been least severe in places where it often takes its heaviest toll on deer, Clute said. Copper Harbor (in the Keweenaw Peninsula), for instance, had a WSI at the end of February that was 20 percent milder than average. "That's substantial." Clute said.
But at the same time, much of the state is just one old-fashioned blizzard away from potential problems. What happens in March and April will determine the outcome, as it does most every year.
Said Clute: "This is going to be one of the most unique winters ever."