![]() ![]() The only good news, Keller notes, is that deer densities are already so low in parts of the Arrowhead region that each severe winter’s impact is a little less fatal. But, of the 25 snowiest winters over nearly 150 years of records in Duluth, all of them near or above 100 inches, seven have come in the last 20 years. It’s unclear if this trend to snowier winters is some sort of shift due to climate change or or simply random. Northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead region is seeing an unparalleled run of deep-snow winters, even snowier than those of the 1960s and '70s - back when Minnesota deer numbers were so low the DNR canceled the season entirely in 1971. Adult females that are malnourished or stressed may survive but give birth to only one fawn instead of the usual two, or no fawns at all - a severe-winter’s impact that stretches for years into the future and the biggest reason the region's deer herd hasn't rebounded. Sick and old deer drop first, followed by fawns and bucks still underweight after last fall’s rut. The later that happens, the more deer will die." “The timing of spring green-up is really important. Winter may be over by then, for us, but not for them,” Keller said. “It’s just before spring green-up that deer will be in their worst shape. It may be well into May until they find nutritious food in the deep woods. There’s almost nothing green yet in the northwoods of Minnesota. When the snow is melting and we are enjoying longer daylight and warmer temperatures, deer will still be starving. Record snowy period, relief is still months awayĪpril, for deer, may indeed be the cruelest month. ![]()
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