IDFG Keeping An Eye On Deer Populations Because of Unusual Late Winter Snow Condition

ST. ANTHONY - Everyone knows that winter can be a tough time of year for wildlife, but recent unusual winter snow conditions have IDFG biologists keeping an especially close eye on one population of deer wintering in an area known as the Junipers, located on the Sand Creek Desert just outside of St. Anthony, Idaho. According to Regional Wildlife Manager Brad Compton, " We learned a lot from the from the winter of Ô92-'93 when deer herds all across the West were hit hard." Right now, IDFG plans to not only step up monitoring of the area, but will also strictly enforce the existing Egin-Hamer Area Closure to help reduce stress on animals. While the unusual recent weather conditions could not be predicted, wildlife biologists have been concerned with the number of animals that have been wintering on the Sand Creek Desert. Steve Schmidt, Regional Habitat Manager for the Upper Snake says, "The past few mild winters have allowed the area to carry more animals than would be expected during a normal winter." While snow pack in the upper elevations has been actually a little below normal, lower elevations have received an average amount of snowfall. According to Schmidt, "The deer were fine until the temperatures shot up into the forties, and then dropped back to below zero." The resulting snow conditions were such that any young animal that happens to break through the top crust is trapped in the powder below. As tragic as it all sounds, healthy wildlife populations are able to sustain amazing amounts of mortality. According to Compton, "It is not unusual to have 50% to 60% fawn mortality." At Sand Creek where the deer herd is approximately 3,000 animals, of which 1,000 to 1,500 are fawns, you could actually expect to lose 500 to 750 fawns during a normal winter. What IDFG will be watching to see is if fawn deaths are occurring at too fast a rate and if adult animals start to die. "If you start to see a lot of adult does dying, you know you've got problems," said Schmidt. Thanks to ongoing fawn mortality studies in Unit 67 near Heise and Unit 50 by Arco, biologists are able to track via radio collar how young animals are holding up. While there have been a few mortalities in each area, biologists are not yet concerned about those populations. But Compton is quick to warn, "A prolonged cold snap or big snow storm could impact deer populations throughout eastern Idaho." While deer are the major concern right now, other members of the deer family throughout the region have been exhibiting signs that reflect concern over winter conditions. So far regional personnel have moved nearly 70 moose that have wandered into conflict situations with humans and 25 elk have decided to spend the winter at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area near Roberts. Now more than ever, winter outdoor enthusiasts are urged to give wintering wildlife plenty of distance and to respect areas closed to entry such as the Egin-Hamer area. Should large die-offs occur, IDFG will work with the Commission and sportsmen to adjust hunting regulations for next fall.