Wolf numbers to drop as deer population declines

Posted By Reg Clayton

White-tailed deer are relatively new to much of the range they now roam in Canada. Their current range in Canada represents a marked recent extension of northern limits. It is not surprising, therefore, that severe winters and changes in habitats are detrimental to them.

Lee-Anne Carver for the Enterprise

Studies indicate the Kenora area's deer population continues to decline following the peak in 2006/07. The trend is also expected to result in a similar drop in the numbers of wolves roaming the rural hinterland along with the decline of their preferred winter prey.

According to Kenora district MNR biologist Bruce Ranta the populations of both species are affected by weather and available food sources according to a 20 year cycle influenced by spruce budworm infestations.

"As suspected last winter wound up being severe and the numbers of deer were down by autumn," Ranta said. "We predicted hunters would notice a decline and that's what happened."

Ranta referred to anecdotal information and aerial survey results which indicate there still are pockets of high density deer populations in the bush; however the relative lack of snow this winter makes them more susceptible to predation by wolf packs.

"Going into winter the deer were in good condition, it was cold early in the season but not much snow and they had good access to food," he said. "The latest cold weather was problematic as crusting makes it difficult for deer to feed."

In particular the scarcity of boreal lichen, or Old Man's Beard that grows on the decaying trunks of dead balsam trees, deprives deer of a highly nutritious and digestible source of feed. Balsam is particularly afflicted by spruce budworm, currently about mid-way through the insects infestation cycle.

"So the (previously burgeoning) deer population was a holdover from that tremendous food source that has now run out," Ranta related. "Now food quality and quantity is not so good and the deer population is in decline and the long term prognosis for the next 10 years is probably a downward trend."

Meanwhile, the deer support a tremendous wolf population with packs of seven to 11 of the predatory canines observed during aerial surveys.

Ranta noted there will likely be a 'lag' before a corresponding drop in the wolf populations occurs, following the declining numbers of deer.

"So deer are still suffering at the jaws of the wolves. But as the deer population goes down, the wolf population will follow," he said. "We anticipate seeing the decline begin next year or the year after. Sooner if there's a mange outbreak."

While there's still a lot of deer in Kenora, Ranta noted these urban sightings are not reflective of the animals density in the forest.

Fewer deer and wolves is good news for the area's dwindling moose population which is susceptible to brain worm carried by deer as well as wolf predation.

The decline in moose over the past decade has meant fewer game tags have been available to hunters in Kenora area Wildlife Management Units; less than 10 per cent compared to the early 1990s.

"As we see a decline in the deer and wolf numbers it should be reflected in an increase in the moose population," Ranta said. "But it's going to take a while.

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