The sun., 1919-09-21
ADIRONDACK DEER
TIME BEGINS OCT. 1
Sportsman Limited to One
Animal of Either Sex,
Except Fawns.
THEIR RANGE EXTENDED
Wintered We'll and Came to
Threshold of Spring in
Well Nourished state.
THEIR RANGE EXTENDED
ny HOWARD II. cLEAyEs.

rack region, which comprises the counties
of Clinton, Essex. Franklin, Fulton.
Hamilton. Herkimer. Jefferson. Lewis
Oneida, oswego. Saratoga, St Lawrence
Warren and Washington, on October
l and closes November 15 The sports
man is limited to one deer OF either sex
except fawns
Various influences are so oppressive
and disastrous to wild life in these mod
ern days that any relief which il may
receive through the agency OF man or
nature Is certain to be felt.
Throughout the phenomenally mild
winter Of 101S-19 the Conservation Com
missions game protectors submitted re-
ports which, almost without exception
tell story Of comfort and plenty among
the creatures Of the woods and particu-
larly among the deer.
Bearing in mind that the white tai
deer is the largest game animal surviving
IN New York State and that the herd
is estimated to contain not fewer than
10000 head. II will be agreed that any
factors combining TO aid these animals
In maintaining their numbers are of
Importance. That there was an Unusual
combination OF favorable conditions en- =
Joyed by the wild deer of the State dur
ing the winter of 191S-19 Is Interestingly
shown by n study of the weekly field re
ports Of the commissions game protec-
tive force.
The Adirondack region is the chief
stronghold of the deer In New York
State and II is also in the Adirondacks
that winter exerts its greater strength.
II lis therefore appropriate that special
attention should be devoted to this ter
ritory.
According to United States Weather
Bureau reports from Lake Placid the
snowfall totalled only ninetythree
inches from November to March in
elusive. With one exception this is the
lightest seasonal fall OF snow recorded
at that place during the last ten
years, contrasting strongly with record
years. such as 1916-17. when the ag-
gregate was 179 inches.
The greatest depth OF snow at one
time during the last season was twenty
inches, but this remained for only three
days, as against fifty inches. or more
than four feet of snow, which lay at that
depth for a period of twenty-five days
in the winter OF 1861 and ut a
somewhat lesser depth for n far longer
time.
No "Yarding" Last Winter.
Deep snow, persisting over n long ne
riod, becomes a vital factor in the life
0f the deer because 1t Is then that the
animals are restricted in range to their
''yards"-the network of paths which
they keep open in the snow in order to
reach their meagre browse"
Deep snow for long periods is de-
pendent upon low temperatures. and
here again the records disclose q re-
markable condition during the past win
ter. The average for the entire season,
November TO March, at Lake Placid Is
given as twenty-six degrees above zero,
or only six degrees bedow freezlng--the
highest average for a period of ten
years.
The lowest temperature OF the winter
at tile same place was twenty degrees
below zero. as compared with thirty
nine degrees below In the previous year
and thirty-seven degrees below in 1919.
IL. So high a low temperature has not
been recorded since 1897 at Lake Placid.
Similar comparisons. both as 70 snow
and temperature, could be made at other
points throughout the Adirondacks.
There was not month in the whole
winter when farmers could not plough
III bOIIlt part VI lllb oldlts
1919, with a single exception. was the
warmest February since 1891. Official
weather bureau summaries pertaining
to all months OF this remarkable winter
are replete with passages such as,
Pleasant overhead conditions usually
obtained. February, like January, was
above the normal in temperature and
below the normal in precipitation. Pas
lures and meadows continued in good
condition and afforded some feed for
sheep, &c. which, together with cattle
and stock of all kinds. are wintering in
prime condition"
What is good for cattle and sheep is
also good for deer, and accordingly the
field messages from the protectors were
glowing and optimistic. One said on
26: Food supply is sufficient,
as no snow prevents the getting of
grasseg in warm places. The deer have
the appearance of being fat and sleek"
And at the end of February; "Deer
did not yard, but remained on the ridges
all winter. Their appearance for this
time of the year is most unusual. Food
Another report December 2S)
read in part: There is n bunch Of
deer OH Mountain feeding on
Ggound hemlock No snow to bother
them in getting good feed" February
10: Food supply is good. Deer can
roam everywhere and get plenty, one
that saw that had been run by a dog
looked plump and nice"
On the same date another protector
says: "beer are wintering the best in
years. They are feeding higher up on
the mountains this winter owing to the
light depth OF snow and mild weather."
Food supply Obtained.
Deer are reported as occurring in at
least nine out of the twelve divisions
into which the State Is separated for
game protective purposes, The cond-
tion OF the deer in all of these territories
at the end of the winter could be de.
scribed In the words of division in
spector who wrote in late February,
Physical condition OF deer could not be
improved. as they are fat and have
plenty to eat. A splendid winter for
deer"
The open winter. in addition to
sparing the deer from severe tempera-
tures and permitting access to a varied
and bounteous food supply, helped the
animals in at least one other respect.
They were molested very little by the
semi-wild dogs which In former winters
have caused considerable local havoc
among the animals.
A report from one OF the southeastern
dated December 30, says. "The
leer are fat and in fine condition. Dogs
worry them a good deal. especially after
he lakes freeze over" On January l2
he following comment came from the
iame source, "Due to the lakes staying
'pen the deer do not have much diff
'ulty In shaking the dogs. They are