How bad of a winter so far?

[skidynastar33]

How are the mule deer herds looking so far? has this been a bad/good/normal winter? looks like some warm weather this week

[Timberstalker]

I've seen a lot of dead fawns the past few weeks.

That are attributable to a harsh winter?

[Birdguy]

Sounds like a lot of the deer are spending to much time on the roads this winter. The fires had them low this fall, the deep snow has them low for the winter and a bunch of them are getting killed on the roads, probably more than are having issues due to winter but certainly all still related. Being the last several winters have been so mild we may have a few more deer that are not familiar with the survival needs of a tougher winter as they have not lived through one....or more.

[antlerking]

The whole entiat herd is at the bottom of oklohama, causing a traffic jam. The snow turned into concrete and they have eatin all there resources. All the deer have migrated down to the highway were all the snow is gone and exposed the new growth. Lots of snow up mid way, been sledding all over keeping on eye ont the sheds and its a ghost town.

[huntnphool]

Truck loads of apples in Chili have drawn large herds, they all seem to be doing well, the Methow area looks like they will be okay too.

[mountainman]

More snow then usual have them low, bare and wet roads have drivers going fast. 2+2=? Not a hard winter, vehicle collisions are doing more harm then the winter snow..

[wilsongideon]

Some are definitely hungry I watched 20 or so follow a pruner in the orchard eating all the small twigs as he dropped them. They had zero fear a couple 3 and 4 points were 5-6 feet from the ladder waiting for the new stuff to drop. Definitely hungry if they aren't where people are feeding them.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[MtnMuley]

With the several big fires destroying much of the winter range over the last few years and deep crusty snow everywhere but the lowest south slopes, this is the hardest winter for all animals in the county since 96/97. Scattered moose have moved in low in the past couple weeks as well. Record numbers of vehicle kills. It's not looking good for the upcoming seasons from a locals perspective.

[antlerking]

With the several big fires destroying much of the winter range over the last few years and deep crusty snow everywhere but the lowest south slopes, this is the hardest winter for all animals in the county since 96/97. Scattered moose have moved in low in the past couple weeks as well. Record numbers of vehicle kills. It's not looking good for the upcoming seasons from a locals perspective.

Ditto concrete snow

[Ridgerunner]

It's going to be pretty tough across the country, I know Colorado is getting hit pretty hard too. 

[NOCK NOCK]

With the several big fires destroying much of the winter range over the last few years and deep crusty snow everywhere but the lowest south slopes, this is the hardest winter for all animals in the county since 96/97. Scattered moose have moved in low in the past couple weeks as well. Record numbers of vehicle kills. It's not looking good for the upcoming seasons from a locals perspective.

And......a pretty sizeable 2015 harvest year, things should be a little slower for the hunt in 2016 indeed.

[MtnMuley]

With the several big fires destroying much of the winter range over the last few years and deep crusty snow everywhere but the lowest south slopes, this is the hardest winter for all animals in the county since 96/97. Scattered moose have moved in low in the past couple weeks as well. Record numbers of vehicle kills. It's not looking good for the upcoming seasons from a locals perspective.

And......a pretty sizeable 2015 harvest year, things should be a little slower for the hunt in 2016 indeed.

Very sizeable 2015 harvest.