North St. Louis Conifer Enhancement

The need is to increase winter thermal cover in primary wintering areas and as a result increase the winter survival of whitetail deer populations. There is a lack of adequate winter cover along these river corridors that is necessary for winter survival. Our intent on these sites would be to increase conifer cover by tree planting and release existing conifers present. This would allow for increased regeneration and growth rate of conifers, thus providing winter thermal cover for whitetailed deer. When these winter thermal cover habitat are adequate they reduce stress on the deer population and increase survival rates. These habitats are imperative to the survival of whitetailed deer in these harsh winter areas.