Welcome to the North Woods blog site.  I will be putting in some info this weekend on what the wildlife around here (here being the Adirondacks) have been experiencing this winter.  It hasn’t been a good one for the those that don’t hibernate and I will fill you in on that shortly.   Happy Hiking!!

3/1/2009

So far the winter of 2008/2009 has been pretty severe in Adirondacks. The amount of snow we have had the past couple years has taken it’s toll mostly on the deer herd. I have seen deer where just about the only part visible was their head above the snow. Displacing that much snow when they move consumes alot of energy which isn’t easy to replace.  Any of the mast crops that fell last fall are buried under 3-4 feet of crusty snow with more surely to come in the next month.  Deer have been browsing heavily on evergreens which offer very little in energy and nutrition. I suspect the winter kill will be fairly high this year.  As sad as that is it’s a part of the natural cycle of life in the wild. For every deer that succcumbs to the elements there are other animals and birds that will live to see another winter. Fox, coyotes, fisher, hawks,crows and turkey vultures will leave little to waste. Usually the longer the winter the higher the mortality rate among the population as their fat reserves they stored up in the fall are almost depleted once  mid March arrives.  If we can get through this month with some warmer temperatures and some what of a thaw then they may fair better.  I certainly know I would be much happier if this winter was over.  If by chance your hiking or snowshoeing and come across a winter deer yard try not to disturb the area. The more you push the deer around the more precious energy they needlessly burn up and may not be able to replace.

Happy Hiking