1. Winter : A Time of Testing Deer Management
Original Power Point Created by
Andy Harrison
Modified by the GA Agriculture Education Curriculum Office
July 2002

2. Adaptations Heavy coat of hair
In northern regions the hair coat is longer
When the weather gets cold, the hair elevates to trap air
Fat is distributed within the body cavity and along the back
Also have fat within the long bones
Marrow fat

3. Adaptations Energy reserves
Form of animal starch
Glycogen in the liver
Kidney Fat Index (KFI) is an indicator of herd health
Ratio of kidney weight to fat surrounding kidney
Expressed as a percentage (%)

4. KFI
Should be looked at in the summer to better indicate overall condition
Should also be looked at in the winter to determine effects of winter conditions

5. Other Adaptations
Modifications to metabolic systems allow for reduced feed intake
Up to 40%
Yarding – mostly a northern occurrence
Bucks migrate to area of insulating cover, such as evergreens
Eat everything in reach, including limbs and twigs and other low quality feeds
Some die off due to disease and parasites

6. Adaptations Snow Snow covers the foods needed for energy
Deer hooves are not adapted for travel in snow and ice
Snow covers the foods needed for energy
Cold adds to demand for food and energy
Rumen fermentation requires heat
Even eating low quality forage aids in keeping rumen activity going

7. Adaptation Deep snow gives advantage to predators
Such as wolves and coyotes
Southern deer increase activity
Keep warm in order to maintain body temperature
Search for high quality foods

8. Winter – The Killer of Deer
Northern winters harder on deer
More buck and fawn mortality in the north
Fawns have smaller body size and lose more heat than adults
Fawns cannot reach feeds in deer yards
Fawns deplete fat reserves quicker
Mortality higher in large bucks that rutted heavily

9. Winter - Friend of Deer
Winter kill keeps the population at an acceptable level – especially in north
Not the case in south
South has a bigger over-population problem