The long winter has affected Wisconsin’s deer herd.

Most reports of stressed or dead deer have come in the past few weeks, Department of Natural Resources ecologist Kevin Wallenfang said. The longer winter conditions persist, the greater impact on the herd.

Deer have burned through their fat reserves and are in critical need of food, according to Wallenfang.

State biologists consider winter’s effect on survival when developing 2013 harvest quotas, which will be released in early May.

Already conservative quotas could be reduced even further in far northern areas.

DNR staff have been in the field investigating reports of noticeably stressed or dead deer, and monitoring habitat conditions.