yooperkenny
01-10-2006, 12:25 PM
The recent discussions here of natural browse and red maple regeneration reminded me of some findings near our property in Houghton Co last spring that I'd like to hear some of your ideas on.
About 3-4 years ago the state forest land next to our property was logged, and has since regrown with plentiful maple saplings which are now 3-5 feet tall. This is in the high country along the spine of the Keweenaw where annual snowfall exceeds 250". While scouting late April/early May I noticed that the forest floor was COVERED with deer pellets. I mean everywhere - you couldn't take a single step without stepping in them and this was over what I estimate is a 2 acre area! These droppings were not fresh - sorta dried out and light brown/tan. A whole lotta crap.
So what I'm wondering is kind of a wildlife biology forensics question - how long had they been there i.e. what is the "half life" of a deer pellet? Could this have been cumulative from the first snows of November through the last melting a couple of weeks before my observation? Or do they decompose even in cold weather which would mean they were relatively recent and all "dropped" after the weather broke around March and the deer made their way back to the high country? Curious because I cannot imagine deer NOT migrating out of this area after early January.
A *****ty question I know but there must be some science that addresses this because the DNR uses pellet counts, right? BTW we saw increased deer #s last fall and as many bucks as does!
I appreciate any input and would like to say that these forums have provided us with a lifetime's worth of information on improving habitat. I will be at the DNR meeting in Marquette next week but I for one am not going to wait for the state to improve things when there are actions I can take myself.
About 3-4 years ago the state forest land next to our property was logged, and has since regrown with plentiful maple saplings which are now 3-5 feet tall. This is in the high country along the spine of the Keweenaw where annual snowfall exceeds 250". While scouting late April/early May I noticed that the forest floor was COVERED with deer pellets. I mean everywhere - you couldn't take a single step without stepping in them and this was over what I estimate is a 2 acre area! These droppings were not fresh - sorta dried out and light brown/tan. A whole lotta crap.
So what I'm wondering is kind of a wildlife biology forensics question - how long had they been there i.e. what is the "half life" of a deer pellet? Could this have been cumulative from the first snows of November through the last melting a couple of weeks before my observation? Or do they decompose even in cold weather which would mean they were relatively recent and all "dropped" after the weather broke around March and the deer made their way back to the high country? Curious because I cannot imagine deer NOT migrating out of this area after early January.
A *****ty question I know but there must be some science that addresses this because the DNR uses pellet counts, right? BTW we saw increased deer #s last fall and as many bucks as does!
I appreciate any input and would like to say that these forums have provided us with a lifetime's worth of information on improving habitat. I will be at the DNR meeting in Marquette next week but I for one am not going to wait for the state to improve things when there are actions I can take myself.