Effect of Drought on Deer Population Worrisome

By: Glynn Harris

When it comes to adverse weather, I can be a worrywart; just ask my wife. I get obsessed when unusual weather situations arrive. Too much rain; not enough rain; too cold; too icy; to stormy – these all give me concern as if I was able to do anything about changing the weather.

I don’t have to remind you that we are in the throes of an extended drought with no measurable rain for going on three months. September, October and most of August have been unusually dry and with temperatures often bumping the century mark, which only adds to the problem and another reason to worry.

Not only has my grass on the lawn completely disappeared, I’m looking at trees, especially those with shallow root systems, that appear to be dying, or at least losing their foliage much earlier than during normal years.

Although I am no longer able to deer hunt, I can’t help but be concerned about the effect of the drought on our deer population.

I visited with Luke Lewis, a friend who is a wildlife biologist, to get his take on the effect this drought may be having on our deer.