From the Field: Wintering Big Game

By Jim Lukens - Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Anyone who has driven Highway 93 North between Salmon and Gibbonsville recently may have noticed the number of deer and elk. This is the result of winter migration behavior to escape higher elevation snow accumulation and low temperatures. Generally speaking, the more severe the winter weather the greater the concentration of these animals at lower elevations. Unfortunately, this behavior concentrates animals in close proximity to humans and results in conflicts. Many animals are struck and killed by vehicles. There is no failsafe solution to this problem. Drivers must reduce speed, particularly at night, and be vigilant of big game in or near roadways. Another conflict is big game raiding stored and fed livestock feed. Big game animals actively search for food during winter, but they have adapted to surviving winter with considerably less food than they consume during the rest of the year. This is accomplished by reduced activity levels and using accumulated fat reserves. The best thing we can do for wintering big game is to not deliberately feed them and try to eliminate access to stored and feed sources. Fish and Game policy is to provide supplemental feed only in emergencies. An emergency is dictated by a combination of factors, including snow depth, animal condition, snow crusting and temperature. In the Salmon Region, these conditions are rarely met, and this season is not approaching emergency conditions. When supplemental feeding is warranted, special pelletized mixtures of alfalfa and other items are used. These mixtures are specialized for deer and elk as plain alfalfa hay is extremely difficult for these animals to digest. Private supplemental feeding is not prohibited, but it is strongly discouraged. Big game will readily consume hay but derive very little nutritional benefit from it. Additionally, supplemental feeding attracts large numbers of animals, increases conflicts with neighbors and can increase likelihood of vehicle collisions as animals move back and forth across roads to feed. For those driving this portion of Highway 93 during winter, leave a little earlier and reduce speed. For those who live in this area, resist the temptation to feed big game. If it is warranted, Fish and Game will conduct feeding in a way to reduce conflicts and benefit animals. Jim Lukens is the regional supervisor in the Salmon Region.