Winter For Whitetails (X2)

While we’ve been grumbling about the long, cold winter, New York’s deer herd has been struggling to survive. The death rate of the deer herd and how widespread it actually is has not yet been seen. Most signs are pointing to at least some impact on whitetails in many parts of the state.  This is mainly due to the really cold weather we have had this winter. The deer that most people are seeing have looked very tired. The below zero weather has caused many deer to get up and constantly keep moving. This is a reason they will look very tired. Also you may be seeing many deer dead on the sides of the roads because of their constant movement. The number of deaths of deer by a car has doubled. Some apple orchard owners in the region reported seeing large numbers of deer around their apple trees. This is also due to their constant movement. However in some areas in the state. In the Adirondacks, DEC Region 5 wildlife biologist Ed Reed said a lack of snow has made it a bit easier on that region’s deer herd.  The challenging winter will in some corners renew the debate over DEC’s ban on feeding deer. While that ban remains in place, environmental conservation officers have been hesitant to enforce it on the heels of a 2012 court ruling in Sullivan County that struck down the ban, calling the current law vague and arbitrary. DEC enacted New York’s feeding ban in 2003 in an effort to keep CWD from spreading in the state.  In my opinion I feel like people are still feeding the deer even though there is a law against it. Not just because of this winter but because older people that have nothing to do love to watch the deer come up to their back yards and eat the food they put out for them. This winter is being tough on all of the animals we hunt. Let’s hope it is going to be over soon.