Deer wanting to keep warm - what temps?

[mheichelbech]

At what temp range do you all find deer in areas to keep warm? Is it typically for bedding only or on their travel routes as well? Does it need to be cold for any length of time before they start seeking shelter for warmth?

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[Crazinamatese]

Im not really sure. I used to see deer herd up when food became more scarce, in that case they will travel to feed and stay real close to that food source all winter. Wherever the food is, is where the deer will be. Other than that, leeward edges facing the sun are usually good areas during winter. I hope that answers our question.

[purebowhunting]

I don't see travel change in relation to cold outside of distance traveled. When the temps plummet they'll bed closer to food to conserve energy. Movement may change in high winds to stay out of cold windy conditions but not just cold in my experience.

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[mheichelbech]

Is that 20 degrees, 10, 0? I read about this but i never really knew or saw at what level they bed and stay in places that are warmer On purpose.

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[Crazinamatese]

Here in WI, it takes some brutal conditions for deer to go into survival mode. Im talking temps at -0 with wind chills in the negative digits for a week or two straight, and 2 feet of snow. We have had those kinda winters here and it beats up the deer herd, especially up in the northern parts where there isn't too much agriculture for them to browse on. For the most part, as I mentioned before, those leeward areas are usually key when it comes to bedding during the cold winters. Especially if their is an abundant food source nearby.

[Hawthorne]

I think they start seeking winter shelter when the snow is deep with extreme cold. I would say 20 and below. Our area the winter of 2013 the deer migrated to a river bottom 4 mikes away with lots of pines for thermal cover. This area the deer don't usually migrate to wintering areas but that was the worst winter in history for southern Michigan. Also like already mentioned I've seen lots of bedding in winter on south facing hillsides so they're in the sun for warmth.

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[Dewey]

Here in WI the winter severity index is based on number of days below zero degrees and snow cover over 18" as either one or especially a combination of the two really stresses them. Obviously we rarely reach both in southern WI but in the north it can be very common during normal winters.

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[Stanley]

I think sustained temps of low 20s and snow will yard them up.

[justdirtyfun]

Last winter I came across doe beds in a location that seemed to picked for sunshine and thermal energy. We only go down to 10-15 degrees in my area.

It is interesting to observe the natural world. Winds from winter push animals to the leeward side and get a double reward from sunshine. And likewise in summer, the hot southern wind directs them to the cool northern facing hills.

[Bowhunter4life]

I would think it is different in each area. In the south it could be temps in the 20s and in the north maybe 20 below. I find deer seeking more shelter when it is cold with a strong north wind. Cold temps do have affects on deer but I believe cold temps with strong winds have more so. That's when they seem to change bedding locations. Maybe bedding lower or bedding with something blocking the strong wind.

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[checkerfred]

It seems around here the low 30's gets them moving good....Low 20's it seems like the bigger deer start getting seen