How do you think the Deer herd is fairing this winter?

[leech~~]

It's been a Great year for Sleding, but with the Deer numbers down a bit last year I wonder how they are fairing in this deeper snow in some areas?

[mrklean]

i dont think it has been as cold as last year so i would say they are about the same

[delzz7]

i think they are doing ok, by the looks of my shrubs & tree they're getting fed

[eyehead]

The deer in our area seem to be doing just fine......hopefully we continue to keep getting these average temps the rest of the winter though.

[leech~~]

I'm thinking more of the deeper snow and getting to move to the food, then the cold maybe the issue later?

[lungdeflator]

havnt been around home lately but out in ND theres a ton of snow with huge drifts. We found 2 kills out today in one little area and locals are saying numbers are way down

[Dave S]

I've been seeing a lot of deer with most looking healthy. Once the state tourney for basketball hits, I think we're going to get nailed with our last big blast of snow for the year, give or take a week.

The fate of the deer will depend on how mcuh snow we lose between now and then. Overall I think the deer herd will do ok in this part of the state. It's the turkeys that have me concerned.

[hockeybc69]

The deer at our place are doing great. My goodness are they piling into my corn plots!!!!

[hugonian1]

They are just starting to take the corn out in our area so I have to think that bodes well for the deer.

[leech~~]

I've been seeing a lot of deer with most looking healthy. Once the state tourney for basketball hits, I think we're going to get nailed with our last big blast of snow for the year, give or take a week.

The fate of the deer will depend on how mcuh snow we lose between now and then. Overall I think the deer herd will do ok in this part of the state. It's the turkeys that have me concerned.

Lep, the Birds are another thing that I was thinking may have a hard time making it in the deep snow right at the end of the winter. And not just because I'm up to Bat this season!

[tracker x-2]

Around my area they have made a mini winter migration to a swamp a few miles away. I haven't seen this is a long time since the past sevral winters have been pretty weak, last weekend my dad and I noticed there were barley any tracks out there.

[mrklean]

i think with the amount of grain in the fields in certain places as well that helped out a ton

[leech~~]

i think with the amount of grain in the fields in certain places as well that helped out a ton

Maybe the lower half of the state.

[Musky Buck]

There's thousands of acres of standing corn around, not all is close enough to where they winter, the deer I see seem to look just fine, it's from here to the thaw, the weak and wounded likely parished already, the strong will survive and I'm figuring on deer numbers very similar to last fall's for this next year. Areas vary greatly though. I have noticed like the pheasants some the deer are moving way earlier like 2:00 ish in the afternoon as long as they can be off the road a ways etc. This sun and decent temps has to help them conserve fuel.

[LOTWSvirgin]

I have found more then my share of dead deer this year in SWMN Mostly fawns though and there not kills either Dunno if they were late fawns sick or just to weak to survive. But besides that there are a ton of deer around here still can drive around in the evening and see 100+ deer with in a few miles in some areas

[Musky Buck]

Cmon LOTWS, according to that Schnitker guy there are no deer in SW MN. jk

[Dave S]

Originally Posted By: LEP7MM

I've been seeing a lot of deer with most looking healthy. Once the state tourney for basketball hits, I think we're going to get nailed with our last big blast of snow for the year, give or take a week.

The fate of the deer will depend on how mcuh snow we lose between now and then. Overall I think the deer herd will do ok in this part of the state. It's the turkeys that have me concerned.

Lep, the Birds are another thing that I was thinking may have a hard time making it in the deep snow right at the end of the winter. And not just because I'm up to Bat this season!

I've see a couple small flocks, but nothing that really has me fired up for this sprig.

[LOTWSvirgin]

There yah go Musky Buck thats his name I was going to say something about him but could not remember his name. What a tool.

[Musky Buck]

LOL, LOTWS, I think the herd is fairing pretty well at least from my observations, in my area there is so much standing corn around and in places that people leave alone so they should be in good shape and if it gets ugly in March they'll still have that food source available. The wintering herd numbers are much lower than past years and we have wolves running them now where 10 years ago there would be a solo wolf here or there. But, I only need 1 deer to make the winter, a shed buck and with some luck next fall we'll cross paths.

[so haaad]

The DNR is just finishing their deer counts via the air in the northeast metro and 236 area. Their count was about what it was last year. They also anticipate similar hunting regs next fall as they were this year.

[LOTWSvirgin]

Here are some chowing in a field yesterday.

Yes this photo was taken yesterday

[CANOPY SAM]

Boy, there is some snow in the background of that second pic.

And how about that third pic? A spotted fawn in February? Cute little fella... If he's made it this long he'll likely do just fine.

[mrklean]

gotta love those pics lets hope that the deer will continue to stay healthy this year

[LOTWSvirgin]

I bet I see 200+ deer yesterday out looking for sheds

[Odonata]

I don't know about overall herd health, but I was out shed hunting this weekend. I didn't find any antler bone, but I found my fourth wolf kill of the season. They need to eat, but...