White-Tailed Deer Movements

Did You Know? On the northern Great Plains, seasonal movements of white-tailed deer are highly variable. From recent research, the proportion of female white-tailed deer that migrate between summer and winter home ranges can vary from 10% to over 60%. Deer in areas lacking forage and winter cover tend to have a higher proportion of the population that migrates.

However, what triggers a deer to decide it is time to move? Temperature and snow cover seem to be the drivers. When daytime highs are below freezing, and/or snow depths exceed 12 inches, adult female deer in poorer habitat will start seeking out a better place to spend the winter.