Winter big-game feeding is reserved for emergencies

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist As winter continues, elk and deer have spent months congregating at lower elevations and often near towns and homes. Some people are concerned about big-game survival, but Fish and Game biologists say it's a normal winter and most animals will survive. That's not to say all animals will survive, and while unfortunate, "that's been going on for eons," said Brad Compton, Fish and Game's assistant wildlife bureau chief. "We will lose some animals this winter, and likely more than we've seen in the last three years, but we don't see anything outside of the norm," he said. The "norm" may be more than people expect. On average, about 50 percent of fawns die during winter, and about a third of the elk calves. Adult survival for deer and elk is typically more than 90 percent. Some assume if some animals die then Fish and Game should be feeding herds. In order to implement a winter feeding program, Fish and Game must declare an emergency based on environmental and biological conditions, working in consultation with regional winter feeding advisory committees. There are committees in each of Fish and Game's regions where emergency winter feeding regularly occurs that provide timely information to regional supervisors so each supervisor can decide whether emergency conditions exist. Advisory committees and Fish and Game monitor snow depth, temperatures and quality of forage on winter range. Extreme weather can also trigger winter feeding, such as five consecutive days when temperatures remain below zero degrees, snow depths deeper than 18 inches on south facing slopes, and other variables. Those conditions have not occurred this winter, but Fish and Game is feeding elk in three areas of the Magic Valley, primarily to keep them off highways and away from towns and neighborhoods to avoid damage to private property. Fish and Game has a long-standing policy to manage big-game herds at levels that natural habitat can support, and herds have grown in recent years thanks to mild winters. "Part of what we're seeing is the result of increased populations," Compton said. With spring around the corner, it's unlikely any wide-spread emergency feeding will be needed. However, Fish and Game officials are closely monitoring 1,300 deer and elk wearing radio collars across the state, and will respond based on information passed along daily from the radio collars. If winter conditions change dramatically and emergency criteria are met, Fish and Game is prepared to respond quickly to help out struggling big game. "The monitoring of 1,300 deer and elk will not only provide a daily update on welfare of the herds, but will also give us scientific information on survival through the entire winter," Compton said. "Especially in places where there are no people to provide information about the animals."