Winter Conditions Weekly Report / February 23, 2004

Animal condition: Warmer temperatures will help animals a great deal. But most of our deer loses come in March and April. Antler hunters and snowmobilers must still use caution around winter animals, as we enter a critical time when animals have used up all their fat reserves and are trying to make it to green up. Even at that time, it may be too late for many deer. Winter conditions: The warmer weather should relieve animals somewhat, but may cause a greater snow crust if colder weather returns. Many areas have been cleared of snow, but March and April can be the hardest on weakened animals. Depredations: Depredations have decreased with the warmer temperatures and open hillsides in many areas. Sand Creek, Hamer: The warm weather has cleared many of the hillsides and there is about a foot of snow on the level. All radio-collared deer are still on the South Juniper area. There has been no more mortality of the radio-collared deer in this area. Elk are still feeding on cull potatoes in fields near Hamer. Swan Valley: Baiting, trapping and testing elk for Brucellosis on Rainy Creek continues. Road killed deer numbers are still down with feeding and warm weather will help even more. Teton Basin, Victor Area: Emergency deer feeding continues. The warm weather has opened up some hillsides on the southeast end of the valley. The elk have been successfully baited away from cattle feed lines. Big Desert/INEEL: Snow conditions are still light and the animal are still moving about freely. Big and Little Lost Rivers: The warm weather has opened up many areas. Birch Creek: Snow levels are still light and animals are still moving freely. Tex Creek: The warm weather has cleared many hillsides of snow and elk are moving back onto the area. Hay that was distributed last week to lure elk back worked somewhat. The warm weather helped more than the hay to move elk back onto the area. This weekly report written by Paul Faulkner, Upper Snake Region Landowner/Sportsman Coordinator, Idaho Department of Fish & Game.