2013-2014 Winter Severity Index

[lakevet]

Here is the recent map from the dnr for the winter as of Dec 25th 2013:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_dpa_map14.pdf

And final map for last winter:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_dpa_map13.pdf

Here is the page where the maps are. They are lower down on the page.

http://dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html

The last one is where you will find updated maps. Will need to scroll down a ways to the WSI maps.

lakevet

[lakevet]

Here is the updated map as of January 1st : http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_dpa_map14.pdf

[certified jumbo]

The updated map is up now for jan 8.

Pine county north through arrow head is in moderate. In roughly 30 days they will enter severe. I'm basing that on a point a day for more than 15 inches of snow. Will be sooner if we get cold weather again.

[minky]

I hunt a piece of land near willow river in northern pine county and had a good season there last year. There is a lot of woods and swamp there and some farm land, I hope it is enough to get the deer through the winter.

[tfran123]

I also hunt not far from this area in Pine County, it's been pretty rough thus far this winter. About 20 inches of snow on the ground for the past month and it's been cold. We need a good thaw to drop the snowpack down a bit to make it easier for the deer to get around. They are in fine shape now but there is a lot of winter left . . .

[BuckSutherland]

I cant figure out how to get the newest one loaded up on here. They changed their little color code now and dont assign severity to the rankings. Maybe they dont want us all to know how bad its going to get.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_cty_map14.pdf

[jerkbait]

I personaly think it is higher then they are saying.

[smsmith]

Anybody notice that last year 120+ was considered "very severe" and this year its 180+? [PoorWordUsage] is up with that?

[certified jumbo]

I did notice that. But it has even changed from a couple weeks ago too. Colors and legend both changed.

[smsmith]

I did notice that. But it has even changed from a couple weeks ago too. Colors and legend both changed. [/quote

Exactly. Last year anything under 50 was "mild". This year anything under 100 is "mild". Last year 86-120 was "severe"...

Anybody else wondering if this is a preemptive move to avoid antlerless permit adjustments next year?

[sticknstring]

Anybody else wondering if this is a preemptive move to avoid antlerless permit adjustments next year?

It sure as heck wouldn't surprise me with all the info that has been made evident the past few months regarding densities and goals. But why mess with it? As long as the index is calculated the same, just cross-reference the number to the scale from the past. How are they going to sneak around that? Especially with the present heat already under way. I don't know what the motives are, but I'm thinking it has little to do w/ bonus tag allocation. If it does, it's not very smart marketing if you ask me.

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

Anybody else wondering if this is a preemptive move to avoid antlerless permit adjustments next year?

What do you mean? If the winterkill is high, how would this allow them to avoid adjustments?

[smsmith]

What do you mean? If the winterkill is high, how would this allow them to avoid adjustments?

If the new WSI requires 180 to be severe (thus leading to winterkill)...the MN DNR will use that number when estimating winterkill....rather than using 120+ as being "very severe".

If it is simply a "software change" and the MN DNR continues to use anything 120+ as being "very severe"....okay. If now all of sudden they come out and say 120 isn't really that bad....then not okay.

[smsmith]

I don't know what the motives are, but I'm thinking it has little to do w/ bonus tag allocation.

You're probably right

[lichen fox]

They had to adjust the ratings due to global warming!

[Musky Buck]

I think in my area if people and wolves leave them alone things will be ok as they either have standing corn, corn cribs in yards, round bales in fields and a lower deer density there's enough browse to go around as I've heard it takes 8 pounds of browse a day per 100 pounds, that's a lot of twigs etc. But who knows what weather will come next month etc. It would be huge to have an early spring and green things up quickly, they need greens in their guts. I want to thank all food plot guys and gals also who sure have an ulterior motive somewhat but your food plots are a great help with the current crop cash farmers who many in my area would just as well have everything plowed black before winter. Your food plots are helping some critters get through the winter. Saw maybe 20 deer at close range last night and they appear very healthy anyway, it's the deer back in the booney's I wonder about.

[Jameson]

...Anybody else wondering if this is a preemptive move to avoid antlerless permit adjustments next year?

Preemptive move to explain why there wasn't antlerless adjustments last year.

[laker1]

I don't know if it has changed at all. Maybe just shows the map index in the 180 range etc. indicating much more severe than just saying at 100 conditions are starting to get bad. 180 we are in quick sand-big trouble.

[smsmith]

Preemptive move to explain why there wasn't antlerless adjustments last year.

According to Comm. Landwehr there were supposed to be adjustments last year. His recommendation (allegedly anyway) was that there be more conservative antlerless tag allotments and fewer Intensive and Managed units than in 2012. What did we get? More liberal antlerless tag allotments and MORE Intensive and Managed units.

Something's broke in St. Paul

[InTheSchool]

My question is, what is anybody doing to help the deer we have right now? I'm cutting firewood and leaving top piles and feeding whole corn. I have a handful of deer that will be in better shape.

[Jameson]

Leaving them alone. Not going shed hunting or anything else that might bother them right now.

[smsmith]

Leaving them alone. Not going shed hunting or anything else that might bother them right now.

Yep, no reason to be making them expend any unnecessary calories now

[Jameson]

looks like they re-did the maps now using the old breakdowns...

Jan. 22 map with deer areas

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_dpa_map14.pdf

[laker1]

To the statement a few blogs above,much of at least northern Minnesota was more restrictive last year and after what is shaping up as a bad winter. It could get more restrictive than many want.

[smsmith]

To the statement a few blogs above,much of at least northern Minnesota was more restrictive last year and after what is shaping up as a bad winter. It could get more restrictive than many want.

Not quite sure what you're saying here? Could you explain a little further?

[lakevet]

Here is the latest map.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/deer/wsi_dpa_map14.pdf

[smsmith]

Don't quite know what to make of that. They have my WSI in the 50-79 range. We've had over 15" of snow on the ground since early to mid December...let's call it 7.5 weeks = 53 days. We've had 23 days with temps of -20 or below... = 76. We've had at least another 20 days (more I think) with temps of 0 or below = 96. I don't for a minute believe the numbers they're reporting.

[Musky Buck]

intheschool that's about it starting like a feeding program will help get some small groups of deer through winter if you keep at it until Greenville. The thing I sorta disagree with the DNR about congregating or eating so close for disease etc. worries is then why in the $%^& are salt blocks ok, watch my tcam and at times in a 10 minute window you can see 7-8 deer at it taking a lick or 3 ? Is it in the saliva the main culprit when deer get a disease, their noses touch the blocks and fawns sometimes will lick at each others mouths etc. ? Not a biggie just seems strange to me some, lets hope spring gets here at about the most optimal time for all our critters.

[minky]

Makes a person wonder doesn't?

I am just hoping for an early spring.

[lakevet]

Another 5 to 9 inches of snow coming yet tonight on top of what we already got today.