This winter has set up a tale of two regions across the United States. In the northeast and mid-Atlantic, repeated storms have built a deep, persistent snowpack in many areas. Meanwhile, much of the western U.S. has experienced the opposite pattern — milder conditions and below-normal precipitation. While these weather differences may seem like background noise to busy property owners, they are quietly shaping wildlife behavior in ways that will become increasingly visible throughout 2026.
For deer and rabbits, winter conditions are never just about temperature. Snow depth, food accessibility, and habitat stress all play major roles in how animals survive the cold months and how aggressively they feed once spring arrives. When we look at what has happened so far this season, a fairly clear picture is emerging of what homeowners and property managers should be preparing for in the months ahead.
The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
The heavy snowpack has already begun compressing natural food supplies. As snow accumulates and persists on the ground, many of the low-growing plants and ground forage that deer and rabbits typically rely on become buried or difficult to reach. This forces wildlife to shift into survival feeding mode, where woody browse — including ornamental shrubs, evergreens, and young tree bark — becomes a primary food source. Property owners in snow-heavy areas may already be seeing early signs of this behavior, particularly on arborvitae, yews, rhododendrons, and other winter-accessible plantings.
Looking ahead into late winter and early spring 2026, the biggest factor to watch is nutritional stress. Deer typically enter spring in a depleted state after months of conserving energy and relying on lower-quality winter browse. When snow finally begins to recede, the first flush of tender new growth becomes extremely attractive to hungry animals. This often creates a surge in feeding activity that can catch homeowners off guard. Landscapes that appear untouched in March can experience rapid, concentrated browsing pressure in April and May as wildlife aggressively replenishes lost body condition.
Another important dynamic is population carryover. While deep snow increases winter stress, many deer populations in the northeast are well adapted to survive typical winters unless conditions become truly extreme for extended periods. If survival rates remain solid — which is often the case — the region can enter spring with a hungry but still sizable herd. That combination tends to translate into heavier-than-normal browsing pressure during the early growing season, particularly in suburban and edge habitats where ornamental plantings are easy to access.
No Significant Precipitation in Much of the West
The western U.S. is developing a very different, but equally important, risk profile for 2026. In many western areas, the lack of significant winter precipitation means wildlife has not faced the same snow-driven food shortages seen in the east. At first glance, this can seem like positive news for landscapes. However, prolonged dry patterns create their own form of pressure. When natural habitats begin to dry out during spring and summer, irrigated residential and commercial properties often become the most reliable green food sources in the environment.
As we move deeper into 2026, western property owners may see browsing pressure build gradually rather than spike suddenly. Deer and rabbits in drier regions tend to shift their movement patterns toward well-watered landscapes, especially during extended warm periods. This can lead to persistent, repeat feeding behavior throughout the growing season, particularly on newly planted material and irrigated ornamentals that remain lush while surrounding vegetation declines in quality.
Our Takeaway
For property owners across both regions, the key takeaway is that 2026 is unlikely to be a “quiet” year for browsing activity. In the northeast and mid-Atlantic, the setup points toward a potentially aggressive spring feeding period driven by winter nutritional stress. In the west, the concern leans more toward sustained warm-season pressure as wildlife gravitates toward reliable green spaces. The triggers are different, but the end result can look very similar when it comes to landscape damage.
Timing will be especially important this year. Many homeowners wait until visible damage appears before taking action, but by that point feeding patterns are often already established. Deer and rabbits are creatures of habit; once they identify a dependable food source, they tend to return repeatedly. Preventative protection applied before peak feeding periods typically produces far better results than reactive treatments after browsing has begun.
As we move toward spring 2026, property owners in snow-heavy regions should be watching the late-winter transition closely, particularly as snow begins to melt and new growth emerges. In drier western areas, attention should shift toward irrigation patterns and early signs of wildlife movement into maintained landscapes. In both cases, the landscapes that receive early, consistent protection are usually the ones that come through the season looking the best.
The bottom line is simple: this winter’s weather patterns have already set the stage. Whether driven by deep snow in the east or developing dryness in the west, deer and rabbit pressure is likely to remain an important landscape management factor throughout 2026. Property owners who plan ahead — rather than react late — will be in the strongest position to protect their plants, preserve curb appeal, and avoid the frustration of watching healthy growth disappear seemingly overnight.