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Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Winter storms hard on wildlife
1/30/09
Frankfort, Kentucky - Ice coats Kentucky's landscape like a tight, frozen blanket. Trees sag and branches snap under the weight, falling on roads, power lines and even houses. Tens of thousands of Kentuckians are still without power as frigid temperatures continue. But people aren't the only ones having a hard time after the recent winter storms. Wildlife also struggle when ice covers their food and habitat.
"There's no question there can be higher rates of mortality when we have this kind of cover for a long period of time," said John Morgan, small game program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "A lot of animals, like rabbits, quail and squirrels, will just hole up for days and not feed."
Since rabbits can eat the bark off of trees, they are better able to deal with the ice than many animals. Birds, however, don't have such an advantage. A bird needs grit, or small pebbles, to digest the food in its crop.
"In the absence of grit, with everything covered in ice, they have a hard time. There have been cases where turkeys have a full crop of food, but become emaciated because they can't get the grit to digest it," explained Morgan. "You'll see bird feeders used a lot right now. Certainly in conditions like this, feeders are probably pretty important."
Also important are native grasses and other vegetation. Animals that have access to quality habitat go into bad weather in much better condition than animals in marginal habitat, increasing their chance of survival. Native plants also provide much-needed shelter for wildlife.
"A well-managed native grass field - meaning it has things in there such as legumes - provides a lot of cover in these dire times," said Morgan. "Especially when compared to fescue, which will just get smashed down."
Icy conditions affect deer and elk to a similar degree. The most vulnerable animals are the youngest and oldest.
"If you have a young fawn who hasn't put on enough weight yet, or an older deer whose teeth are worn down - even prime bucks who have lost weight during the rut - this can be enough to push them over the edge," said Tina Brunjes, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's big game program coordinator. "That said, I don't anticipate high mortality. We had a pretty good mast year and a good harvest. These animals are adapted to dealing with this type of thing."
Many landowners are tempted to feed wildlife to try and help them through the storms' aftermath. Other than setting out backyard birdfeeders, however, people should not introduce new food sources to wildlife.
"If you haven't been feeding them, don't start putting feed out," cautioned Brunjes. "It takes time for the bacteria in their gut to build up and adjust to what they are eating. You can actually make them sick by suddenly offering corn or hay. But if you've been feeding all along, now is definitely not the time to stop."
Author Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.
(Editors: Photos are available by emailing hayley.lynch@ky.gov.)
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information about the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Media Contact:
Hayley Lynch (800) 858-1549 ext. 4493
1/30/09
Frankfort, Kentucky - Ice coats Kentucky's landscape like a tight, frozen blanket. Trees sag and branches snap under the weight, falling on roads, power lines and even houses. Tens of thousands of Kentuckians are still without power as frigid temperatures continue. But people aren't the only ones having a hard time after the recent winter storms. Wildlife also struggle when ice covers their food and habitat.
"There's no question there can be higher rates of mortality when we have this kind of cover for a long period of time," said John Morgan, small game program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "A lot of animals, like rabbits, quail and squirrels, will just hole up for days and not feed."
Since rabbits can eat the bark off of trees, they are better able to deal with the ice than many animals. Birds, however, don't have such an advantage. A bird needs grit, or small pebbles, to digest the food in its crop.
"In the absence of grit, with everything covered in ice, they have a hard time. There have been cases where turkeys have a full crop of food, but become emaciated because they can't get the grit to digest it," explained Morgan. "You'll see bird feeders used a lot right now. Certainly in conditions like this, feeders are probably pretty important."
Also important are native grasses and other vegetation. Animals that have access to quality habitat go into bad weather in much better condition than animals in marginal habitat, increasing their chance of survival. Native plants also provide much-needed shelter for wildlife.
"A well-managed native grass field - meaning it has things in there such as legumes - provides a lot of cover in these dire times," said Morgan. "Especially when compared to fescue, which will just get smashed down."
Icy conditions affect deer and elk to a similar degree. The most vulnerable animals are the youngest and oldest.
"If you have a young fawn who hasn't put on enough weight yet, or an older deer whose teeth are worn down - even prime bucks who have lost weight during the rut - this can be enough to push them over the edge," said Tina Brunjes, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's big game program coordinator. "That said, I don't anticipate high mortality. We had a pretty good mast year and a good harvest. These animals are adapted to dealing with this type of thing."
Many landowners are tempted to feed wildlife to try and help them through the storms' aftermath. Other than setting out backyard birdfeeders, however, people should not introduce new food sources to wildlife.
"If you haven't been feeding them, don't start putting feed out," cautioned Brunjes. "It takes time for the bacteria in their gut to build up and adjust to what they are eating. You can actually make them sick by suddenly offering corn or hay. But if you've been feeding all along, now is definitely not the time to stop."
Author Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.
(Editors: Photos are available by emailing hayley.lynch@ky.gov.)
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.5 billion annually. For more information about the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Media Contact:
Hayley Lynch (800) 858-1549 ext. 4493
