When are deer most active in the winter

Chris Whittier, V97, research assistant professor of conservation medicine at Cummings School, explains

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Chris Whittier

January 30, 2018

Tags: Pets & Wildlife , Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

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White-tailed deer, the kind found in Massachusetts and across most of the United States, are the widest-ranging ungulate in the Americas, from as far south as Bolivia to as far north as southern Canada. To cover such diverse territory and climates, white-tailed deer have a variety of adaptations and behaviors, including those that allow them to survive harsh winter weather that is common in New England.

Like many other mammals, deer physically prepare for the winter by better insulating their bodies. In the fall, deer gradually trade their summer hair coat for a winter one, which consists of thicker, longer, and darker hairs called guard hairs, while also growing in a much thicker undercoat.

This winter coat absorbs more sunlight and traps more body heat than the summer coat, and provides an extraordinary amount of protection from the cold. Deer also have oil-producing glands in their skin that help make their hair water repellent, which is especially valuable in the snow. For further insulation, their bodies also begin to retain more fat in layers during the fall.

Deer also alter their behavior to survive the winter. They are generally less active, sometimes dropping their metabolism by half, which allows them to save energy and eat less. Deer may physically hunker down during particularly harsh weather—not moving for days, even to eat— which is made possible by relying on their fat stores.

Deer also typically seek areas that are more sheltered in which to rest and eat, such as stands of coniferous trees that maintain their needles during the winter and allow snow to build up, both of which help provide some wind resistance and possibly cover. These areas, sometimes known as “deer yards,” may encompass many—if not hundreds—of acres, providing shelter for lots of deer. 

Usually deer can comfortably survive the winter by eating their usual diet of twigs, stems, grasses, and other plants wherever they typically would find them, as well as by supplementing with higher-calorie foods such as nuts, fruits, and even mushrooms. Because deer are generally browsers, like goats, and not grazers, like cows or sheep, they do not need to get under the snow to eat, though they can and sometimes will.

Chris Whittier is director of the master’s program in conservation medicine at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

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  As we round the corner into winter, some people start to pack it in, or at least start complaining about the cold, damp weather and snow. But there are those of us who know better. Winter is the best season for hunting deer. If you don’t mind bundling up, almost every other part of the hunt becomes easier. In fact, winter’s the perfect time to take a beginner out on the hunt.

  Spotting an animal is easier

  A deer’s natural camouflage makes it hard to see at any point among the trees. But it’s extra hard when the ground is covered with dead leaves, and you’re straining to see movement in a sea of dull brown.

  Visibility isn’t the only thing making it easier to spot a deer. The animals themselves are a lot more active, which means that they’re a lot more likely to cross your path. Movement picks up in a big way after a fresh snow. Just like humans, animals use more energy in cold weather as their bodies try to maintain temperature despite the cold. That means that they’ll need food more often.

  Obviously, there are no guarantees in hunting, but a big snow can turn things around. If you can set up near a food source when a large snowfall hits—or between a bedding area and a food source—you’re likely to see a lot more movement than you otherwise would.

  You get a one-two punch of easier hunting when the snow falls. Not only are deer more likely to cross your path, but they’re a lot easier to see when they do.

  Tracking is easier

  A good snow cover is like training wheels for tracking an animal. The snow makes it easy to determine the size and age of the animal if you know what you’re looking for. You may even be able to tell how long ago the deer was there. Fresh tracks have sharp edges, with packed snow in the bottom of the track. Older tracks enlarge and crumble as time goes by, and the packed snow at the bottom may have started to freeze into ice. When you find a trail that looks fresh, you can start to follow it. If you don’t like the tracks you’ve found, the good news is that it won’t be long before you find another.

  It isn’t just that tracks are easier to spot. The snow also makes it easier to find other signs of deer activity, like urine spots and deer scrapes. And if you’re following a blood trail, that becomes almost impossible to miss among a blanket of white.

  For best results, you want to start tracking just after a 1- to 2-inch snowfall. That will cover old tracks, while fresh tracks will be clearly visible—and the snow won’t be a slog to walk through. But even if the conditions aren’t 100 percent perfect, tracking in the snow is a lot easier than tracking anywhere else.

  

  You’re harder to detect

  When the snow’s really pouring down, the high winds and thick precipitation make it harder for deer to spot you. Wearing white clothing can help you blend in with the snow, and pure white clothing/snow camo doesn’t cost nearly as much as traditional camouflage. But visibility isn’t your only leg up. In a blizzard, high winds carry your scent away as well as making it harder for the deer to hear you. Their disadvantages are your advantages.

  It’s easier to haul away your kill

  Hauling a deer across a slippery snowbank is a lot easier than trying to drag one through grassy fields or rock-strewn forest paths. If you want to have an even easier time, you can use a sled to carry your kill. On top of that, you have fewer time constraints on bringing the animal back home—the snow turns the landscape into a natural meat freezer.

  

  Experience a winter wonderland

  Camping in the cold is one of the all-time underrated pleasures of the great outdoors. It’s a chance to bundle up and get cozy. Long johns, flannels, and warm coats take the sting out of the weather. When you’re all bundled up, you can enjoy all that winter in the woods has to offer. The stark contrast of the dark, wet trees against a sea of white snow is one of the simplest, most beautiful sights there is.

  If there’s anything you love to do at home in winter, it’s even better to do outside. There’s nothing like whipping up a hot cup of coffee in the backcountry (maybe Gundog Grind, if you feel like supporting their conservation efforts with great coffee) and taking in the view while you wait for a deer to show up.

  The best thing about hunting in the winter is that there are fewer, if any, bugs to bother you. Mosquitos just aren’t a factor when it’s snowy out, which may be the biggest benefit of all.

  ---

  Currently based out of California, Derek Edwards is a budding outdoorsman and adventurist.  Having spent the first half of the 2010’s in western Pennsylvania where the first day of hunting season is treated as an annual holiday, he’s no stranger to strong winter snowstorms and enduring the elements.

  What time of day are deer most active in winter?

  Deer are most active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. Most sleep during the day. They typically feed in the early morning hours before sleeping and then again in the evening and through the night.

  What time of day are most big bucks killed?

  Early Morning and Late Afternoon No matter what the conditions, deer move best early of a morning and late of an afternoon. That's when they're wired to move most. It's when their eyesight is most effective. And there are few things that impact this movement, other than hunting pressure.

  At what temperature do deer move the most?

  A large drop in temperatures of 10-20 degrees F can also greatly increase deer activity..

  Large temperature swings will often boost deer activity, especially if the temperature begins rapidly dropping. ( ... .

  Freezing rain and sleet in the woods. (.

  What months are deers most active?

  What Time of Year Are Deer The Most Active. Big bucks will typically let their guards down and become more active during the rut. This is the deer breeding season that typically runs from the first week of October through the last part of January with the peak being in November.