The deer did not face a really hard stretch of cold like the - 54 C that hit in January 2010.
Deer can take - 30 C early in the winter. That is when their body fat reserves are highest.
It is March that is the problem. If the deer cannot get to the best feed source and they are in a weak state because of alot of cold weather and deep snow, they are on borrowed time. Be concerned for -30 C in March. That is when the die off will happen.
Right now in north east Alberta there is only about 1 foot of snow in the bush. Deer can get through that even if there is a crust. We are not at 3 or 4 foot of snow in the bush.
Bush deer have lots of good browse in the willow bottoms right now, as do elk and moose. If the warm snap is long enough and the snow pack drops, they will be able to get to better feed sources and will be OK.
Drewski
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