No snow, dehydration for animals?

[Worm]

I'm starting to wonder how bad the lack of snow is for wildlife this winter. Out near Sangudo today and there is zero snow. Found some ice in a small pond where the deer and moose have been licking the ice for water. Spending enough time doing it they are making little depressions in the ice, but don't think they are getting much water out of it.

I have heard they get most of their water from the vegitation they eat, however seeing this makes me think they must be pretty desperate for water.

Anyone with knowledge on this? Are we at risk of losing animals this year to dehydration if it doesn't snow?



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[curtz]

Yah I'm wondering the same, have seem animals hanging around cattle, so probably watering with them. Some of the moose around our farm seem to gather in a area where there's a bunch of beavers, there might be something open. Easy year on them because the lack of snow but I fill sorry for them on the lack of water.

[Rusty50]

I think they will find the water... running water in the creeks and muskegs still open. An easy winter on them so far..

[Battle Rat]

They will be fine.

[KGB]

Had a few farmers from west and Northwest of Edmonton in the past minth, they all saying the same thing- the wild game is coming to drink with their cattle. In a huge numbers. It is bone dry in the bush. They can get stressed without the water.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Ya worried about that as well. Nothing but morning frost for them to lick in lots of areas.

[whitetail Junkie]

Saw 2 mule does the other day eating super crunchy snow in the ditch in one small spot the sun didn’t melt...First time I’ve seen that before.

[stob]

Saw a large wt buck eating ice or snow off a slough 3 weeks ago

[Smokinyotes]

I haven’t seen any but I see deer tracks by my waterers.

[Big Grey Wolf]

During elk/moose hunting west of Fox City in November, came to many places where moose/elk and wolves would walk on small frozen creeks desperate to try find opening for a good drink.
Smart elk lead cows usually know where open springs are in bush and will usually find them.
Most animals get by by eating snow in winter, but no snow a possible desperate situation.

[Worm]

Nice to see some of them resourceful enough to drink from livestock tanks. Guess we will see how winter plays out over the next few months.

Thanks for all the replies!

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[silver]

Boy, you should see how lost a white rabbit looks these days.

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by Worm

Nice to see some of them resourceful enough to drink from livestock tanks. Guess we will see how winter plays out over the next few months.

Thanks for all the replies!

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The lucky ones and there are springs still flowing, Buddy's seasonal tanks are frozen solid.

[lyallpeder]

I saw cattle drinking out of the lobstick river last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to find a source and make daily trips to it.