Center Feature:

The Plight Of Wintering Northern Whitetails

Text & Photography by R.G. Bernier

If only we could go and locate that corralled deer herd and bring them back, but as we know, that is not possible. All across the northern snow belt Old Man Winter has wreaked havoc on whitetails. The very existence of deer living at the northern extremity of their range depends upon the severity of a given winter season. And whether or not the animal survives is predicated entirely on how prepared it is and the availability of quality winter habitat.

Any way you slice it, the winter season for white-tailed deer is truly an endurance test. This is indeed a time when any miscalculation on their part will lead to certain demise. During winters fraught with deep snow and extremely low temperatures that extend for more than 100 days, deer mortality will be significant. Fortunately, as noted biologist John Ozoga points out, “Whitetails have endured tough winters for thousands of years. They live at the northern extremes of their geographic range, and have evolved certain physiological and behavioral adaptations to cope with winter. When healthy, and behaviorally wise, they are hardy creatures. So equipped, they can survive cold temperatures, deep snow and nutritional hardships, even under the eye of wolves, coyotes and wildcats.”

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