I'm sure the manner in which the snow gets deep is very meaningful to the animal.
As far as the animals you mentioned, those are most likely relic populations.
Most likely. Relics aren't affected by the weather.
...bison will move to areas that provide better thermal cover during the winter - that may be downslope, or even north if conditions are more favorable.
Undoubtedly how the American Bison got its reputation for being able to withstand the worst imaginable winter conditions.
Nobody is saying that bison can’t put up with bad weather. They were historically found all the way to the shores of the Arctic Ocean. But we aren’t talking about cold, we’re talking about snow. You can go around a drift, and despite what you seem to think, bison migrate to locations where forage and grazing is better; animals that can’t migrate (for whatever reason), or can’t adapt, die. Sounds like you just want to argue...
“That big horn would be as good of or a better plow than a bison’s head.”
Right on Kemosabe!
Just yesterday I ordered a herd of unicorns (actually the proper term is a “shaft” of unicorns) off e-bay which are guaranteed to clear my driveway of snow in under 40 minutes as well provide eight pounds of dung daily for my woodstove.
Money-back if me and the missus aren’t completely satisfied!