Deer Deaths Raise Concerns in Kitthorn County
A troubling discovery has surfaced in Kitthorn County, Minnesota, where numerous deer carcasses have been spotted along the railroad tracks, prompting worry among locals.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that around 100 white-tailed deer have been found dead due to a corn spill stretching from Thief Falls to the Canadian border. It’s not uncommon for such incidents to occur, but the DNR noted that the corn could attract deer to the tracks. Instead of seeking shelter in the snow, it seems they might try to outrun the trains, as highlighted in a local news report.
Steve Porter, a deer farmer and former sheriff, shared a video on his Facebook page showing several deer near the tracks. He mentioned receiving messages about the situation for the past few weeks. “A guy called me and said there were three dead deer along the railroad tracks,” he recalled, adding that reports of deer being struck by trains have been higher than usual this season.
While deer accidents with trains do happen, Porter remarked, “we don’t typically see them gathering near railroad tracks during the harshest winter conditions.” He expressed frustration over the lack of preventive measures, stating, “It’s unfortunate.” Many people in the area have a fondness for white-tailed deer, often creating food plots and watching them, which makes this situation all the more disappointing.
The DNR mentioned that they culled 10 injured deer following an accident near the tracks. Interestingly, they also noted fewer carcasses this winter compared to previous years, indicating that this isn’t a one-off occurrence.
They utilize the Winter Severity Index (WSI) to assess conditions affecting deer survival. For context, values below 50 are viewed as mild, 51 to 119 as moderate, and above 120 as severe. Key factors affecting deer include snow depth exceeding 15 inches and competition for food among the population.
As of now, the DNR has not issued a response to inquiries related to these incidents.
