Drive Safely During Fall Deer Mating and Migration Season

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 -- The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies issued the following news release:

As human populations continue to grow in North America and around the world, wildlife habitat is shrinking. As a result, human-wildlife conflict is a primary wildlife management issue concerning state fish and wildlife agencies today.

More vehicle-deer collisions occur from October through December than any other time of the year due to increased deer movement for mating and migration. Drivers should use extra caution particularly at dawn and dusk when deer are most active feeding and chasing potential mates.

Deer are often drawn to areas along roadways to seek the better forage that results from road runoff moisture and lack of use from other animals. Migration routes often lead deer into conflict with motorists as they cross highways on the way to their wintering areas.

Efforts by states to help reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions are wide ranging, including building wildlife highway-bypass structures, posting warnings and slower speed limits in frequent roadkill areas, and providing information at rest stops and tourist information areas. Drivers can learn more about deer management plans and other information about wildlife conservation by visiting their state fish and wildlife agency's web site.

Wildlife professionals in the U.S. and Canada stress that being able to use management techniques that include regulated hunting and trapping help them to maintain a balance between the numbers of people and animals. Fish and wildlife agencies report that the greatest increases in deer populations are where hunting is not allowed or access to the land is limited, such as urban and suburban communities.

Safe Driving Tips During Deer Mating and Migration Season

* Use extra caution in known deer zones - Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Pay attention to Wildlife Crossing signs as they are there for a good reason. If you see one deer, expect a second or third to follow since deer often move in groups.

* Slow down - Reducing speed and maintaining a constant lookout for animals is the best way to avoid collisions. Travel at a speed that will allow you to stop in time if a deer comes into the beam cast by your headlights. Give the animal time and room to move off the road - don't try to outrun it.

* Always wear your seatbelt - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in a study of fatal animal crashes, 60 percent of people killed were not wearing a seatbelt. Sixty-five percent of people killed in animal related crashes while riding motorcycles were not wearing a helmet.

* At night, use high beams - When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of any deer on or near the roadway. If you encounter a deer, switch your headlights to low beam so that the animals are not blinded and will move out of your way.

* Dusk and dawn are high risk times - Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before or after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions when deer are on the move and driver visibility is affected.

* Avoid swerving when you see a deer - Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.

* Scan the road - Even if your car is not the first to collide with the deer, you are still at risk. Multiple deer crashes can occur when deer fly over the vehicle it collides with and lands on another car or when a deer collision causes a chain reaction where vehicles collide into the car that hit the deer. Practice defensive driving tactics and be observant of your surroundings while driving.

* Devices not proven effective - Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not proven effective.

Source: Insurance Information Institute and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

* Visit state fish and wildlife agency web sites for more information about deer and wildlife management (http://www.fishwildlife.org/index.php?section=social-media).

[Category: Environment]

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