The 12 inches of snow I hunted deer on in late November and early December is still on the ground. Unfortunately, there's about another 5 feet on top of my footprints! This is the same area where I guide moose hunters. Needless to say the deer, or those that have survived thus far, are in serious trouble. Many have died already from starvation, exhaustion, and predation by coyotes. When we experience a fair amount of snow in December the big bucks are some of the worse affected. They've expended all their reserves by chasing does and fighting during the rut. Bad December weather restricts them from buliding their body fat back up before the really bad winter weather arrives in January. But we've got so much snow now that no single group of deer is spared - they are all succumbing.
Moose are less affected by deep snow, but again, the record snow amounts we've experienced this winter will affect their movement as well. Fortunately for moose, their rut is in the September/October time frame. They have a good amount of time to rebuild their physical condition before bad weather sets in.
Please take a minute and pray for the wild animals in snow country.
Thank you, Guy
Guy Randlett - Registered Maine Guide (207) 633-4549
