Winterkill

[lemondog]

We got 28" here in the kittitas valley and its now down to 18". Not crusted but maybe it will tonight....we will see.

[bigdub257]

I'm not sure if there are any volunteer organizations that provide feed for any of the critters, but I'd be willing to chip in for feed and help putting it out if anybody has any leads on this.  Does WDFW step up their game during winters like this?  Maybe they need extra help or supplies?

[tmike]

I’ve heard mixed things about what to feed mule deer in the winter. Does anyone know what is recommended?

[NOCK NOCK]

a picture from Leavenworth, (not mine)...been all over FB

[tmike]

Maybe it’s a cost issue. I always wondered why they feed elk and not mule deer. I heard they switch to a more wood diet in winter might be all that’s available. I need to do more research because I have fed apples etc and don’t want to do more harm than good. Plus apples and other organics aren’t always available. I think whitetail are a different story.

[85yota]

Is that pic knock real? If so that's insane

[hunter399]

I can tell you all from experience.
North 40 just raised sweet cob to almost 20.00 a bag,is 18 something then tax ,it's 20.00 a bag.
I've seen it go from.
10.99
12.99
15.99
Now 18.99.

[Limhangerslayer]

I’ve heard mixed things about what to feed mule deer in the winter. Does anyone know what is recommended?

we feed good quality alfalfa and rolled corn. 

[Mfowl]

I’ve heard mixed things about what to feed mule deer in the winter. Does anyone know what is recommended?

we feed good quality alfalfa and rolled corn.

This article says it takes about 2 weeks for a deer to adjust to a new food and draw nutrients from it. If you are not already feeding you probably should not start now. 

[LDennis24]

 . This is true with any ruminant animal. They pass gas through their mouths. A drastic change in feed can cause bloating kill them quickly. It literally swells them up so much their diaphraghm crushes their lungs.  If you have to change feed suddenly and it has any type of legume like alfalfa or is too rich it can cause bloating. Sometimes frothy bloat which is quickly deadly. Frothy bloat is when they cannot belch out the foamy mucus that comes up their throat and they suffocate from it. If you put out feed in your yard for them add a water source also, then make sure you put a tablespoon of Blue Dawn dish soap in every 50 gallons of water. This is totally safe and it will allow them to belch easily by lubing their throat and stomach lining. I have saved sheep bloated so bad their legs stuck straight out by firing a syringe of dish soap water down their throats before. It's also a lifesaver for having around your livestock. The blue kind doesn't have scent additives and other garbage in it. That's why it's good for oil spills! Hope that helps anyone wanting to do the animals a favor.

[Limhangerslayer]

We feed them from October on.  Have 20-25 at a time right now.

[tmike]

Good info thanks. I haven’t been feeding them except for the few that raid the bird feeder. Too bad it’s not as simple as throwing out some hay during the tough times. We will see what the rest of the winter holds.

[LDennis24]

Read about a winter survival study one time from I think Wyoming that stated when they analyzed the mule deer's stomach contents it was something around 80% antelope bitterbrush in areas that had it. Like Central Washington does.

[Duckslayer89]

. This is true with any ruminant animal. They pass gas through their mouths. A drastic change in feed can cause bloating kill them quickly. It literally swells them up so much their diaphraghm crushes their lungs.  If you have to change feed suddenly and it has any type of legume like alfalfa or is too rich it can cause bloating. Sometimes frothy bloat which is quickly deadly. Frothy bloat is when they cannot belch out the foamy mucus that comes up their throat and they suffocate from it. If you put out feed in your yard for them add a water source also, then make sure you put a tablespoon of Blue Dawn dish soap in every 50 gallons of water. This is totally safe and it will allow them to belch easily by lubing their throat and stomach lining. I have saved sheep bloated so bad their legs stuck straight out by firing a syringe of dish soap water down their throats before. It's also a lifesaver for having around your livestock. The blue kind doesn't have scent additives and other garbage in it. That's why it's good for oil spills! Hope that helps anyone wanting to do the animals a favor.

That’s a good tip I’ll remember that for the future

[nwwanderer]

Easy to look up nutrient requirements with NRC tables, accomplishing it is another story.  You are feeding a small fermentation vat, stop the process and the owner, the deer, is dead.  Change must be slow and maintained to be effective.  Be careful out there