McLENNAN, Alta. – As melting snow recedes from the roadsides, spring emerges in the grass and soil that gradually reappear.
But a more grisly sight is also emerging.
Along the highways in the Peace River area of northwestern Alberta, frozen bodies of deer and moose are beginning to
appear.
Record deer and moose populations, fast vehicles, highways carved through traditional wintering areas and deep, hard snow have created the perfect collision conditions, said Fish and Wildlife biologist Dave Moyles.
“We’ve had a very high number of deer and vehicle accidents this year,” said Moyles of Peace River.
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More than 2.5 metres of snow have fallen in parts of northern Alberta this winter, making it difficult for wildlife to travel and forage for food.
Environment Canada’s weather station at Peace River measured 256 centimetres of snow between November and March compared to the average 98 cm for the area. A partial spring thaw melted some of the snow, but created a hard crust, sealing off grass from pawing animals.
Animals have been forced onto roads and the edges of fields where it’s easier to travel and forage for food but where they are also more likely to be hit by vehicles.
Moyles said deer have poor depth perception, which makes it difficult for them to judge how to avoid vehicles.
As well, he said drivers often travel too fast to avoid collisions.
“Deer behaviour and driver behaviour is linked.”
Moyles added that the hard winter will help reduce animal populations, which have grown beyond socially acceptable numbers.
Most farmers enjoy seeing a few deer grazing in their fields, but they object to hundreds breaking through fences and eating their cattle’s winter feed.
“This has been the winter I’ve been hoping for, for the past seven years,” he said.
“This winter has been a good, old-fashioned Peace country winter.”
The past seven years of mild weather have created ideal overwintering conditions for animals and more offspring survived.
Moyles said this season would make it hard for last year’s calf or yearling moose to survive till spring.
November, March and April are the critical months for the survival of deer and moose.
With snow and cold in those three months, fewer animals have enough fat reserves to survive.
“All of the energy the animals have stored will go to keeping warm. They’ve been drawing on their reserve since November.”
As well, the past mild winters have created ideal conditions for the winter tick to survive and feed on moose. Moose covered with the grape-like tick have rubbed off their outer layer of hair, creating a patchy white or ghostly appearance.
The snow will help control winter ticks, which can’t survive if they drop onto the snow, he said.
