Living here in Iowa, I have pondered this question many times and have yet to have an answer.I suspect that the juviniles and females migrate via the river systems towards SE Iowa when it gets very cold.SE iowa tends to have its own weather system at times in the winter, it has to do with the way winter storms set up and draw warm moist air northward.It is not uncommon for the Shimek forest of SE iowa(very monster active) to be 50 degrees while a snowstorm rages just 100 to 150 miles to the NW say from Dubuque to Desmoines.Considering there is little elavation change that is immpressive.I have wasted 6 years of research of not going out in the winter untill this last winter as I thought I had better things to do with my time when the daytime temp was 10 degrees or colder.This last winter I went out to my favorite research area in NE Iowa it was 15 degrees, and there was 20 inches of snow on the ground.I found footprints with a 53 inch step length walking down a steep hill.There is one thing you are overlooking in that there is absolutly no leaves on trees or vegitation, wich in turn limits there hiding places.I now no they are active here in the winter.Since I know where they hang out I can now really narrow it down in the winter. I simply cant wait untill the snow flies as I have an area really nailed down tight, and I mean tight.I just do not have an answer for you, but ask yourself this--If the juviniles and females migrate temporarily to SE Iowa then what about monsters in nothern Minnesota or Wisconsin where it is even colder.I do suspect as I said before that juviniles and females tend to head into SE iowa and I know if true the river system they follow.Let me get one more winter under my belt in my extremly active area and I will try to follow up.They are still very active now as of last week, I had tree knocks the minute I walked into my area.Since I have an very active area I will see and report to you there activity as the weather changes.
This message has been edited by tiny from IP address 66.157.165.28 on Nov 10, 2010 4:54 AM
Posted on Nov 9, 2010, 8:06 PM from IP address 207.191.222.50