Hike4coues Report post Posted December 7, 2016 Out of curiosity... I am thinking about the December hunt. A biologist said once "hope it is really cold". So one question is, what is "really cold"? I know the bucks will simply be on the move come the beginning of the rut. What do the does do when it gets really cold? Will they be more out in the open "sunning" themselves, or do they really not care since they have a fur coat? One reason I am really curious about this is, I know that some deer stay in the flats most of the year, so I am wondering if they would move out of the mesquite flats in order to get warm in the sun? Anyone have any experience or ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhunter Report post Posted December 7, 2016 They move around more during winter months because they have to feed more, plant leaves and branches are either dead or dormant therefore have less nutritional value, on top of that daylight hours are shorter. Secondly its much colder so its better to move around to warm up the body than lay down. Like humans, some people get cold easy and some don't. Coues are the same way, some coues don't need to be warmed up by the sun and some do. Some may move up the mountains and some may not. Theres never a 100% answer for coues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hike4coues Report post Posted December 7, 2016 They move around more during winter months because they have to feed more, plant leaves and branches are either dead or dormant therefore have less nutritional value, on top of that daylight hours are shorter. Secondly its much colder so its better to move around to warm up the body than lay down. Like humans, some people get cold easy and some don't. Coues are the same way, some coues don't need to be warmed up by the sun and some do. Some may move up the mountains and some may not. Theres never a 100% answer for coues. ^^^^^ That is exceptional information!!!!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I have never heard or though of these things, but it all makes sense to me!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oneshot Report post Posted December 7, 2016 if you ever find a deer bed in the snow that you see the deer get out of.... walk up and look at the melted snow, feel the heat that comes off their bed. Deer have no problems with the cold, deep snow, crazy winds yeah.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted December 8, 2016 Also glass into mountain mahogany in the real cold months (Dec. Jan.). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites