Do these deer seem underweight?

B

B. Miller

New member
I retrieved these pictures from my trail camera in early August and am quite concerned there isn’t enough food for the deer, as they look quite skinny. The ribs and hip bones are pretty prominent, and in the summer when food should be abundant, I don’t like what I see. If they are underweight, is there anything I can do immediately to help?

I plan on buying some oak and apple trees from the game commissions’s nursery soon, which will be useful years down the road.


 
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They do look quite skinny, but if these doe have fawns it will take a lot out of them from feeding them and running around trying to keep an eye on them. I would bet that come fall time they would be switching over to different types of food and bulk up for the winter time. Plus when they lose their summertime coat for their winter coat they won't look as skinny.
 
I would be concerned - period. That first picture points out an 'almost' starved deer. Why is a good question as it seems to be surrounded on all sides with decent browse. It may be just an old doe hanging on for a while yet. Teeth condition would help. Hope its not CWD.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Dog1whckr-Ironically, the trail cam is actually situated underneath an apple tree FULL of apples.

I'm hoping it's something like yotekiller mentioned and they're currently caring for two.

I had a professor last year who taught wildlife disease who happens to be the wildlife vet for the game commission. Think I should get his opinion?
 
I don't think deer in that condition could care for a fawn. That looks like a deer in trouble to me. Might be the same deer twice and not be evidence of a widespread disease. We had a large die-off 2 years ago here (Blue tongue). Still don't see very many deer around.

I wouldn't put a salt lick anywhere in the area since disease can spread that way.
 
There is a creek around, but it's been rather rainy here and the dry banks that Culicoides needs to reproduce haven't really been around. Then again, the species that carries the virus is carried here by wind patterns anyways, so I don't know what to think...

Last year EHD was identified in Greensburg, about 30 miles away, so it could be possible. Right now I would still be leaning towards a caring mother. It's just hard to believe she would allow her condition to deteriorate that much.
 
just because plants are green does not mean deer are getting fed real well. its that time of year when deer food can be rather hard to get.
those deer look normal.
 


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