How cold fronts affect deer movement
We are seeing two cold fronts pass through Mid-Missouri today leading to a steep cool down as we head into the weekend. With deer firearms antler-less portion opening this coming weekend, you might be wondering how cold front affect deer movement during the day time hours.
Before a cold front approaches, winds are typically increasing leading to more skittish deer. This could mean less movement during the daytime hours ahead or during a cold front passage.
After a cold front passes and winds become more calm, deer are typically more active during the daytime hours feeding more aggressively. This is because deer by October typically have their winter coats meaning they maintain their body heat more effectively which could lead to over heating during warmer spells of weather.
When it comes to this weekend, hunters shouldn't be the only ones paying more attention... drivers on roadways should also be more alert. As fall mating season known as rut occurs, deer are more active and often more bold leading to increases in accidents. According the the Missouri State Highway Patrol, every 2 hours and 22 minutes there was a strike last year in Missouri.
