OHA Conservation

By Jim Akenson, OHA Conservation Director  (Photo by OHA member Jim Ward of La Grande)

It is inherently tough to see Eastern Oregon deer herds struggling from severe winter weather. The great temptation is to encourage biologists to jump into a massive feeding program, or at least pressure ODFW to do that. The question here is: will this allow more deer to carry through to the spring? In polling several experienced biologists the answer is…probably not, except in a few situations.

So why wouldn’t we start dumping hay to shivering and weakened mule deer? For one thing, it is an abrupt shock to a digestive system that has adjusted to browsing “low-octane” twigs and branches…their stomach flora cannot properly digest higher protein feed unless it is brought on gradually. We see elk being fed successfully in different parts of the state, so why is that? For one thing, elk have a more adaptable digestive system so they can “catch-up” better with their stomach bacteria. Deer dying with full stomachs of hay or pellets is common. It would take a phase-in program starting over a month ago to ensure their metabolic recovery.

Now, there are some things that could be done. Tree thinning of fir varieties and spruce will bring palatable lichens and mosses to the ground where deer can benefit. Some of the special mixes of pellets, with the correct fiber-to-protein blend, can pull some deer back from starvation. Also, feed sites need to be selected carefully because they can become mortality sites from vehicle collision or predation. How long will the winter effect contribute? This can stretch on into early spring, even April, in many parts of Eastern Oregon. As of Jan. 26, 2017, ODFW announced that it would not expand the mule deer feeding program beyond those places where it was started back in December, which include the Elkhorn, Wenaha, White River, and Jewel wildlife areas. The rationale given is for the same biological reasons mentioned above. So, more than anything, we need one of those warm southerly Chinook winds to bring relief to Eastern Oregon!

As OHA members and sportsmen, what are your thoughts on this topic?