Snowfall-to much too early for deer? Will see

[laker1]

Zone 172,especially the south half or the old 172 zone before it merged with much of the zone to the north a few years ago had about a half dozen years of 2 deer limit(That should never been) and hunters harvested 15 deer per square mile harvested in 2003 and quite a few years over 10. Hunting pressure ranges from 20-26 hunters/square mile in the south half(that is a ton of people). Last couple of years about 4 deer per square mile were harvested.

Yes, they started back on the right track for the expanded zone having only 2000 permits in 2011 and 2012 along with youth permits,I would have no problem if they lowered it more. The deer herd is a fraction of what it use to be in that area. Use to be a lot of big breeder does in the area.

Note: Late spring last year-meaning in April they had a lot of snow in 172 still and winter must have taken some fawns in that area. As far south as Brainerd there was winter mortality.

Also in much of the north central deer range there was virtually no acorns this year to build up fat reserves.

[BuckSutherland]

I am up in that NE corner of 172, and things do not look good at all. There is a fair amount of deer close to me cause of habitat, but if you get away 2-3 miles away the numbers just fall apart. Trails in the woods are scarce, deer sightings are down, general sign is just not there. I was probably in the woods for around 100 hours during rifle season. I know I didnt hear more than 75 shots total. It was probably closer to 50. On a good opener we would hear 75 shots by noon real easy. Everywhere I stopped total registration on the third weekend was lower than normal registration from opening weekend.

[certified jumbo]

I agree lung deflator. I'd also like to see bucks only in most of northern mn. I had even mentioned that in another thread before the deep snow fell. Thats the most logical way to get numbers back up.

[lakevet]

Listening to radio out of Duluth today. Had DNR on saying that deer are already into midwinter behavior, which is a concern. Had 26 below this morning. Hunting this weekend snow depth was just below knee to mid thigh everywhere but under thick conifers. Deer browsing on hard maple, popple, cedar and surprisingly on spruce and balsam. Deer numbers based on sign in snow are much improved from several years ago. Federal trapper and the wolf season may have helped. Walked two miles today and eight yesterday and didn't,t see any wolf sign, which is unusual. They almost certainly will loop around again before spring. Must have easier pickings elsewhere ( like someone's deer feeder).

Antler point restrictions will be a hard sell around here. Conditions here vs zone 3 in SE Minnesota are like being on different planets.

Grouse I saw were looking fat and healthy.

lakevet

[laker1]

LAKEVET-what deer zone or area were you hiking in?

We went overboard on over harvesting deer in north central Minnesota,and yeas the state is like 400 miles long and that makes winter like 3-4 weeks different statewide.

The Longville-Grand Rapids area also seems to be in a snow belt and been getting more snow than either side.

[rkhinrichs]

Lakevet i agree. today i went Twig to clear off this guys roof on his little shack back in the woods. I have not hunted this area all year. I know guys hunt by it on the public but i saw a ton of tracks! when i got to his pines i found a lot of fresh beds (8 total), and track all under the low hanging branches. Maybe giving this area a year off was the right call. Im glad i had snowshoes today!!!

[Huskie]

Anyone know how deep the snow is in northern Itasca county? Like in the Alvwood, Dora Lake to Northome triangle. Just looking at the maps I've seen it looks like the start of an ugly winter for the deer!!

[laker1]

When temperature gets below zero and also when snow depth gets 15 inches the DNR's WSI(winter severity index) kicks in. So if temp is below 0 and snow depth is 15 inches that is 2 points.

A ball program but within range the stress deer receive from winter.

Anything 100 or over is considered when you could start losing deer.

Yes a lot of variables are involved.

Just thinking,winter may have just started.

Also seen a turkey today sinking in the snow and it did not look good. Might be the year turkey numbers northward range is pushed back?

[laker1]

15 inches of soft snow just east of Mille lacs.

deer fine,but think turkeys are going to get hit hard. Seen them walking thru snow and did not look good.

[Gordie]

Also going to be tough on the pheasants too.

[BuckSutherland]

Also going to be tough on the pheasants too.

What pheasants?? There are very few to begin with. Another season that should be closed until they can make a little comeback.

[BuckSutherland]

15 inches of soft snow just east of Mille lacs.

deer fine,but think turkeys are going to get hit hard. Seen them walking thru snow and did not look good.

You do realize it is not even January yet??? The deer are far from fine. They are in deep shat if you ask me. Piling up those WSI ratings real fast. Dry end of summer didnt do the deer any favors either.

[laker1]

15 inches of snow is kind of a depth the deer start to get stressed,it is a fluffy snow etc. now. Another 6 inches and than it will start hurting. They are moving real good right now. At least it is not crusty.

Much of central Minnesota had zero acorns this year,that is a big negative.

[mntatonka]

cut some trees down where they are wintering. They'll nibble on them all winter. Especially cedar and the like.

Do NOT give them piles of corn or any other feed like that, it'll only make it worse for them.

[SmellEsox]

Colder next week than this week. Double digits below zero for highs for several days next week.

[hockeybc69]

I wasnt going to say the sky was falling when this topic began, as things can change fast.... however,,,, the only change so far is colder temps and more snow.....

[certified jumbo]

There will be deer mortality in the norrhern half if mn this winter......imo!

[CANOPY SAM]

I've lived in NW MN for most of my life, and I don't ever recall seeing a winter start out this cold. It was near -30 last night, and we'll top out with a high temp at only -15 today! Same for tomorrow! This is crazy.

We received a hefty amount of snow (not sure of the totals right now) in December, and with the extended extreme cold weather we've been having our snow base hasn't shrunk one tiny bit.

The weather folks aren't offering any relief either. Long term forecast is calling for colder then average temps, and above normal snowfall in February. January is almost always cold, so that's pretty much a constant. If this doesn't have a huge impact on our wild game populations I'll be nothing short of amazed!

Don't get me wrong. I like winter, and the change of seasons, but this is ridiculous. We've had sub-zero temps and deep snow for what, three or four weeks now, and we're not even into January yet?!?! It's going to be a long, brutal winter no matter how you look at it now. When it's just too cold to do much of anything outside, for weeks and weeks on end, it really makes one start wondering about what life would be like south of the snow belt.

[Bear55]

Feel bad for the wildlife, we can just crank up the heat.