When the wind speeds pick up and the gusts start to howl have you ever wondered where deer go? While they may seem to disappear into thin air they’re actually just seeking refuge from the weather. Here’s a look at where deer go when it’s windy.
First let’s look at why deer even bother to seek shelter when the wind is blowing. After all they’re already camouflaged and they have a nice fur coat to keep them warm. But the truth is that deer are just as susceptible to the cold as we are. They don’t have the same type of insulation that we do so when the wind chill factors in they can get just as cold as we would.
In addition deer are also more susceptible to dehydration. When it’s windy they can lose a lot of body heat through evaporation. Their fur coat does a good job of protecting them from the wind but it also doesn’t do a very good job of retaining moisture. So when the wind is blowing and they’re sweating they can easily become dehydrated.
So where do deer go when it’s windy? They usually seek out areas that offer them some protection from the wind. This can include thickets of trees bushes or even rocky outcroppings. They’ll also try to find areas that offer them some relief from the cold such as south-facing slopes.
One last thing to keep in mind is that deer are very sensitive to sound. When the wind is blowing it can make a lot of noise. This can be disorienting for deer and make it difficult for them to hear predators or approaching vehicles. As a result they’ll often seek out areas that offer them some protection from the noise such as dense forests.
So next time you see a deer standing in the open during a gusty day don’t be surprised. They’re just trying to stay warm and avoid becoming dehydrated or disoriented. And if you happen to see a deer bedded down in a protected area don’t disturb it. It’s just trying to ride out the storm.
Where do deer go when it’s windy?
Answer: Into the wind.
