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It is a commonly-held view, and understandably so, that clearcut logging is good for deer. 

 Deer populations are now very high in parts of southeastern Alaska. And deer 

 populations flourish in the Pacific Northwest in areas where pristine forest is virtually 

 absent. Despite these observations, our research indicates that current management 

 direction on the Tongass will reduce deer numbers over time. To understand why, we need 

 to focus on two things: snow, and development of the forest canopy or overstory. High 

 volume old growth on low-elevation sites is unique among forest types because it intercepts 

 snow and provides abundant forage plants. Conversely, second-growth forests which 

 replace these stands are dark, relatively devoid of forage, intercept less snow, and are of 

 little value to deer and other old-growth dependent species. 



In the intensively managed forests of the Pacific Northwest, snowfall does not remotely 

 approach that of Southeast Alaska. Even so, in the rare years of heavy snow in Washington 

 and Oregon, such as those occurring in the late 1940's and early 1950's, catastrophic deer 

 die-offs occurred. However, in general, where most of the habitat is already second growth 

 (e.g. western Washington), clearcut logging opens up the forest canopy and releases a 

 profusion of deer food plants until canopy closure occurs 10 or 20 years down the line. 



In Southeast Alaska, we have not had a really severe winter in about 17 years. That is a 

 piece of good luck. Also, much of the timber harvest has occurred in this time frame. 

 These events combine to create the impression that logging has been good for deer. As 

 canopy closure begins to occur, however, logged areas will become dark, devoid of forage, 

 and nearly useless to deer for at least 200 years when old-growth conditions begin to 

 develop once again. And when a severe winter returns, clearcuts will be buried, and deer 

 will seek refuge in the remaining high-volume winter range where snow accumulation is 

 low and forage abundant. 



