Do you think wildlife know when we are going to get a rough winter?

Question

I know this isn't really a hunting question, but I figgured if you were in the hunting catagory, you pay attention to animal habbits and patterns. What things do you notice them doing differently when it's going to be bad?
Please, something more believeable than the height of squirrell nests, I fell for that when I was a kid! Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't know if they 'know' or not. I've shot deer with tons of tallow in their bodies but we didn't have a bad winter, and of course I've gotten them with a lot of tallow and we did have bad winters. I know one thing though, we sure don't have the bad winters we used to.

I do know that they know when storms or bad weather is coming. They will go and feed at odd hours for them when they have to hunker down for a few days in the woods. I saw deer feeding one time at noon; went back and told my buddy that the snowstorm they forecast for us would be worse than they said because the deer were out in full force, feeding. He didn't believe me until the eight inches of snow we were forecast turned out to be thirteen. :)

Answer 2

Frankly, the animals don't communicate the length and capacity of winter but Mother Nature sure has some clear indicators that are more accurate than not.

For instance, we have many acorn trees here in the south. WHEN we are going to have a bad winter, the acorns produced are more abundant and significantly bigger.

In addition, persimmon trees will have VERY abundant output. Generally enough to bend or break tree limbs.

Also, Sassafras roots will be harder to dig up as they grow deeper into the ground in early fall.

Those are all I can think of off the top of my head, but I am certain to come up with a few more.

Cheers.

Answer 3

I don't know if animals have any idea how BAD a winter is going to be, but I see evidence by their habits that they are fully aware of the change of seasons and they seem to eat more as the weather gets colder.You can see this in Birds as well as Whitetail Deer, Squirrels,Chipmunks,Rabbits,Canadian Geese and Swans etc and other animals. It's as if they have a sense or instinct about bad weather coming and shortages of natural foods becoming more scarce or being harder to get to because of a layer of snow......Unfortunately animals are like babies..they can't tell us what they are feeling or communicate with us ......Interesting question though......

Answer 4

I've always thought a lot of myth surrounded the facts about animals preparing for winter. I'm sure changes in the weather trigger some primal instinct to eat more and grow more fur. However, the idea that the animal can tell if the winter is going to be colder or longer does not make any sense to me. It's not like they read the Farmer's Almanac.

Answer 5

No, not really. I have heard a lot of stories but have seen no real evidence of it. Yes I believe they can tell when a storm is coming and can adapt to the conditions. But I do not believe they can tell how bad the winter is going to be.

Answer 6

I've noticed that deer seem to put on more fat before a really bad winter.

Answer 7

I don't believe anyone can answer that accurately with any degree of certainty one way or the other.*

Answer 8

Absolutely!!!