2008 Transition

[doublerack]

I'm no biologist or deer expert, that's why I'm posting this and looking for your opinions. Deer are definitely resilient animals. They survive some of the most harsh conditions mother nature can throw at them. Last year was pretty rough, however not quite as bad as it has been this year. From what I have noticed, the early snow and extreme cold added a little more stress to the deer than normal. I found that more bucks dropped a little earlier than normal from what I've seen in the past. That being said, if these conditions continue into early spring and the search for good food sources compounds the stress level put on the deer, will we see less big bucks in 08? Sure enough, there will be some bucks that endure the winter and grow into giants this year, but will the added effect of this winter take it's toll? If the deer aren't as healthy when it's time to regrow their antlers, will they use more of the nutrients to replenish their body and less to their rack?
Again, I'm not sure. That's why I ask the rest of you. Is this a grey area?, or is there a scientific answer that can help give an idea what we have in store for this next year?

 

[TallTines]

I believe what you said is true about bucks if they are not getting the right amount of nutrients that more of that will go towards the body and less to the rack come early spring.

I think that is only natural. Now you may not see it in a individual buck year to year but i think the overall herd will see a slight hurt if they are not properly fed.

Now in IA I believe that you won't see a huge difference but at the same time I am dumping corn for the deer right now trying to help them get through the winter easier and to make sure that antler development does not go down. Basically I believe the antler development might be hurt so i'm not taking chances.

 

[nannyslayer]

The winter has been tough on them, but when the spring "green-up" happens, I think most will replinish lost nutrients.

 

[antlerfreak]

Im bankin on the 300 acres of standing corn on the other side of the fence from my hunting ground to keep my bucks fead and fat through out this winter. Not only my spot but it sure seems like there were alot of corn fields left for dead this year for reasons I dont no. I dont know about your area but my conclusion is, ya this is a pretty bad winter for them but as I can see there more available food sources for them than normal to.

my 2 cents

 

[sofakingfast_1]

Thats one of the screwed up things about Illinois laws. Over there they wont let you feed deer at all. Not even out of season. A year like this some people would like to dump a load of corn down for the deer to chow on. But NOPE. gotta obey the laws.

 

[nannyslayer]

Antlerfreak, the reason for most of the standing corn this year is the wet fall. The farmers got caught combining beans when they should have been combining corn, then the bad weather came. I know some guys that have been combining for the last 3 months trying to get caught up.