Temperature, wind, and snow conditions predictably affect the nutrition, behavior, distribution, productivity, and mortality of free-ranging cattle and big game in winter. Indexing of data obtained with commonly available weather instruments to reflect episodes of positive and negative energy balances of free-ranging ruminants could aid scheduling of feeding programs and planning of cover-forage manipulations. Such a weather severity index was developed and tested over 11 winters. Plausible levels of stress and episodes of reiative severity were depicted during winters when mule deer exhibited low, moderate, and high mortality. The index curves mirrored over-winter deciines of fat reserves probably sustained by mule deer. Lesser weather severity was predicted and measured in a western juniper woodland than in an adjacent rabbitbrush steppe community in southcentrnl Oregon. Review of literature on ruminant physiology, microclimate, habitat structure, and diet quality suggested that productivity and survival of free-ranging ruminants could be predicted from interrelationships among those factors. Therefore, animal performance would likely be improved by managers who provided domestic and wild ruminants with shelter, to moderate effects of weather, or with a readily digestible diet, to satisfy nutrient requirements
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