Do whitetails prefer dense cover or open fields during severe cold?

Seeking Shelter

During severe cold snaps, whitetails will often seek dense cover such as thick woods, coniferous groves, or creek bottomlands. These areas can provide the necessary shelter from harsh winds, which can strip away valuable insulating layers of fur and expose the deer to extreme temperatures. Research has shown that for every mile per hour increase in wind speed, a deer’s heat loss can increase by 25%. By finding dense cover, whitetails can reduce their heat loss and maintain their body temperature.

Behavioral Adaptations

In addition to seeking shelter, whitetails will also adapt their behavior during severe cold. They will reduce their movement patterns, often moving only at dawn and dusk when temperatures are slightly warmer. This reduced activity helps conserve energy, which is essential for maintaining body heat. Whitetail deer will also bunch up together in small groups, sharing body heat and reducing individual heat loss. This social behavior is a critical adaptation during extreme cold snaps.

Food and Water Sources

While dense cover may be a priority during severe cold, whitetails will also seek out food and water sources. In areas where snow cover is light, whitetail deer may feed on available forages such as twigs, buds, and other browse. In areas with deeper snow, they may rely on cached food, using their memories to recall the locations of cached deer pellets and other food sources. For water, whitetail deer will often seek out areas with flowing water or areas where snow has melted, such as south-facing slopes.