The mild winter has had a positive effect on most species of animals in the Northwoods. That assessment from a DNR wildlife biologist.
Sam Jonas works out of Mercer for Iron and Ashland counties....
"....this winter has been pretty mild so far. We've had a recent cold snap, but overall I'd say this winter has been really mild on Wisconsin's wildlife, particularly deer....."
Jonas says key to survival for deer and other creatures who stay here all year is management of their energy budget. He says deer tend to fatten up in the summer and fall then burn the fat reserves and keep activity to a minimum during the cold months. He says wildlife in general don't need help to get through the winter, but if the public does want to help, the best thing is to provide summer and fall browse as the deer are fattening.
A complication is the baiting and feeding ban in Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties caused by CWD infected deer found at a Three Lakes deer farm.
It's illegal to supplemental feed deer in those counties. He says in areas allowing baiting and feeding, you should also avoid feeding where it causes unnatural concentrations of deer as that spreads disease among the animals. He says deer like to escape to large conifer covers in the winter to avoid deep snow and wind.
Jonas says people still can feed birds. He says regularly clean out bird feeders with a 10 percent bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.
