This year’s snow dumping has taken its toll on wildlife and biologists are stepping in to assist deer herds in northern Utah. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, the first deer feeding program kicked off on January 13th and has been expanding to additional northern Utah locations since. “Fortunately, deer entered the winter in excellent condition,” says Wildlife Manager Randy Wood. “Prolonged snowfall and cold temperatures, though, are taking their toll. The deer need some help.” The help provided is in the form of specially formulated pellets that are fit for the complex digestive system mule deer have. For this reason, biologists are strongly discouraging citizens from feeding the deer in or around their own property. “If you feed the wrong food to a deer, the animal can actually starve to death, even though its stomach is full of food,” shares Wood. Even the deer pellets you can buy at stores are a no-no. For more information, visit
www.wildlife.utah.gov
.
