Hunting News

Research continues through 2021 on deer winter survival

Research continues through 2021 on deer winter survival

By Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

It’s the second year of a study to learn more about habitat use and survival of deer in Minnesota’s northwoods. The research is slated to continue into 2021.

DNR Research Scientist Dr. Glenn DelGiudice is leading the effort, which aims to provide a greater understanding of winter habitat requirements and improve population estimates of deer in northern Minnesota through the use of high-tech GPS collars.

Since 2018, a total of 60 deer have been fitted with these collars, giving researchers interesting information about deer in this area. Researchers observed that the 2017 and 2018 winters had a notable impact on the deer’s winter survival, primarily by natural (non-hunting) causes of mortality.

Estimates of winter survival across different levels of winter severity, habitat types and predator density will be incredibly valuable to inform population estimates and management decisions in this region of the state.

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