Among the roamers the average distance between winter and summer ranges was six miles. Deer in Ripley's southern herd move on and off the reservation more frequently and travel greater distances than deer in the northern herd. The southern deer usually travel south and west while the northern deer go north and east. Many of the northern deer cross the Crow Wing River and summer in Cass County. Age is not a factor in how much a deer moves about.
Young deer are just as likely to roam or stay at home as are old deer.
Research has shown that some deer stay put until conditions get severe enough to force a move. They might have moved back to Camp had the winter been normal. Deer usually move to their summer range in late March and to early April and to their winter range from late November to early January, depending on the weather and other factors. Migratory behavior might be a learned trait. Fawns born to a roaming doe will likely become roamers themselves.