The St. Joseph Island Hunters and Anglers Club with specially formulated supplies from Rack Stacker have surveyed deer yards and are delivering feed to starving deer on St. Joseph Island.
The severe winter of 2018-19 has put local deer herds at risk of significant late-season mortality from starvation. The onset of snow in early November, plus record cold temperatures, record deep snow, and ice storms have forced the deer to use up their fat reserves and consume all available food in their winter deer yards. The deep snow and delayed spring are preventing deer from leaving the yards and accessing other food sources to make it through the last few weeks of winter.
The St. Joseph Island Hunters and Anglers, under a special arrangement with Rack Stacker Inc., is purchasing supplemental feed specially formulated for digestibility by deer. The feed will be strategically distributed at several key deer yards. Other areas on the island where private individuals have been feeding deer during the winter may also need help to continue.
The next few weeks will be critical for the deer. In addition to supplemental feed, landowners can help by cutting down cedar trees for browse where deer are concentrated.
If you know of areas needing feed or individuals who need help to continue feeding, please call John Paterson, 705-246-3352, President, St. Joseph Island Hunters and Anglers. Please contact John as well if you would like to donate to help offset the cost of the emergency deer feeding program.
