Deer in Southern Ontario

[Galgo]

Well now that we are heading into February I can confidently say that this will be a third easy winter in a row on our deer. No snow accumulation thus far, still lots of food and forage available for them. Even if February is brutal they should make it through ok.

My observations this hunting season were that every doe we saw had a fawn and there were some twins too.

The vast majority of bucks that we saw and shot were 1.5 years olds.

I think next year we will see allot of very healthy 2.5 year olds with solid racks and allot of healthy yearlings.

Any other similar observations?

[georgiaboy]

Very mild winter here in the deep south...not a lot of movement in the late season. Everybody i talked to harvest numbers were down...hopefully better season this year.

[j.krug]

I'm in Essex County in SW Ontario and we have the exact same mild weather here, very mild. I also saw lots of fawns and twin fawns last fall and I expect the same will be true this fall.

[Ont_Excal]

It's typical of farm country does to have twins and even triplets, usually during the young and healthy years of her life. As the doe ages, fawn production will decrease.

I have seen many times where doe has had a fawn within the first year of here life. But only during cycles of mild weather as we have this year.

With the lack of snow, deer have another benefit not obvious at first glance. With the lack of snow they don't stand out to predators and escape is easy as they can run full tilt. The rain helps to wash away their scent and this enhances their concealment.

I agree, we should be in for a good hunting season this fall.

[taz3]

I was just mentioning this to my Dad on the weekend, that next season should be good for hunting. A mild winter like this will allow the population to be strong and healthy, although some of the local farmers may not be to happy until opening day!

[goosesmasher]

I agree that we're having a very easy winter this year but we had all time record snow levels here last winter in 91/92.I too have seen a pile of does with twin fawns this past season and now on the trail cam.Hopefully we'll have a banner year next season!

Goose smasher

[DanO]

It'll be interesting to see how the MNR adjusts the additional tag limits. I still think the herd is down and the number of tags should be reduced. I just wonder how much of a CASH COW those extra tags are for the Ministry (and their budgets are going to be cut again!). Might not be able to reduce the tags.

The winter has been awesome for deer and turkeys and it's nearly over.
Dan O.

[wheelie]

Fairly mild here in B.C. The weather forecasters really blew it this year. Happy forecasting,
Hank

HAHAHA Did nothing but shovel snow and freeze my week in Abbotsford!!!!! LOL

[XCaddis]

Great winter for deer...however I saw many more coyotes this fall than I did deer. We need to get that dog population down.

[taz3]

Great winter for deer...however I saw many more coyotes this fall than I did deer. We need to get that dog population down.

Fratri is doing his best to help keep the numbers down!

[Ont_Excal]

I think the yote population will suffer because of this lack of snow.
All game can escape at full speed and hide from the predators.