Deer and elk get along pretty well most of the year, according to the National Park Service. They live in the same places, move at the same times of day, and usually mind their own business because they eat differently—deer browse on shrubs and twigs, while elk prefer grazing on grasses. It’s like sharing a kitchen but ordering off different menus. However, winter changes that.
When the snow piles up and food gets scarce, elk switch to browsing too, and that’s when things get lopsided. Elk are much bigger, and without much fuss, they tend to push deer out of the best spots to eat. There’s rarely any drama, but in tough winters or crowded areas, deer just usually lose out—and their numbers can take a hit.
However, we also know that predators, habitat loss, and other factors are also involved in the big picture, as well.
What are your thoughts? Do you often see deer and elk co-existing in the same area in the winter? Have you ever noticed a decline in deer populations that you could attribute to elk taking over their area?
