Editorial: Let’s not be a deer caught in headlights this rutting season
With deer rutting season upon us, it’s crucial to remember that while these creatures nibbling on our properties or suddenly running in front of our vehicles can be irritating, they were here first. Tens of thousands of deer call our Island home. This delicate ecosystem relies on their presence...
How does climate change affect deer? It’s complicated
You may wonder, how climate factors such as temperature, rainfall, snow, and extreme weather events impact wildlife. More specifically, how do our friendly forest rovers, the deer, respond to changes in climate? Scientists recently conducted a comprehensive study based on 20 years of research on 10 main deer species in boreal and temperate regions: moose, roe deer, wapiti, red deer, sika deer, fallow deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, and reindeer. The team analyzed a whopping 218 articles to draw conclusions on the effects of climate change on the behavior, physiology, and population dynamics of these creatures. Climate change impacts on deer The climate,...
Photos / Drivers urged to watch for migrating wildlife
Vehicle collisions with deer and elk tend to peak in October and November, when migration and breeding puts them on the move, making them more likely to cross roads, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Fewer daylight hours and rainy weather also reduce drivers' visibility. Each year, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews remove about 6,000 carcasses of deer struck and killed by vehicles on Oregon’s...