How often must the DOW conduct winter feeding operations?
Feeding operations are rare. Wildlife are provided food only when winter conditions are extreme. Feeding operations occurred in the Gunnison area in the winter of 1983-84; and 1996-97. Conditions this year are not as severe as in 1983-84 when snow and extremely cold temperatures arrived in November. This year there was little snow on the ground before mid December so the deer were able to continue browsing to get nutrition. The risk of severe mortality is considerably less that in 1983-84.
