Motorists should be on the lookout for deer crossing roadways since bucks will be chasing does during this breeding season

It’s that time of year again when bucks start chasing does during their fall breeding season (the rut) which generally occurs from late October into November. At this time, bucks throw caution to the wind and run across roadways in pursuit of a doe-in-heat. And with daylight-saving time ending Nov. 3, it will get darker earlier hence more deer will also be active going to and from their bedding to feeding areas. Deer are particularly active at night especially during the hours between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., dawn and dusk, and even during the day when bucks are on the chase. 

So far, field reports indicate that smaller bucks are definitely chasing does and there have been a few reports of big bucks chasing, according to Bob Danenhower of Bob’s Taxidermy in Orefield who has numerous contacts reporting on their sightings while bowhunting.  

As such, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds motorists to stay extra alert as there is a 1-61 chance of hitting a deer which is one of the highest in the nation. Other states reporting high collisions are West Virginia (1 in 40), Montana (1 in 54) and deer rich Michigan (1 in 59). 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are approximately one million car accidents with deer each year. These accidents kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage. 

The PGC sends out a reminder that deer often travel in groups and walk in single file. So even if a one deer crosses the road in front of a driver, it doesn’t mean there aren’t more. Another one could be right behind it. The agency says drivers can do a number of things to do to be safer during this time of year. They are as follows: 

*Deer crossing signs are along roads and highway for a reason as deer are known to cross in that area, so be extra cautious. 

*Reduce your speed and watch the edges of the road, as well as ditches and tree lines along the road. If a road is bordered by standing corn, be extra careful as deer could run out from there and not be seen until they’re in front of you. 

*At night, headlights will pick up reflections from the deer’s eyes before you’ll be able to see them. Use your high beams when possible for extra illumination on a dark road or highway. 

*If a collision with a deer is inevitable, avoid swerving to miss the deer and don’t go into a ditch or cross the centerline into incoming traffic. Experts advise hitting the deer is better than swerving sharply into the side of the road and possibly losing control of the vehicle and hitting a roadside object or rolling the vehicle. 

*If hitting a deer, call police as insurance companies normally require a police report if there is damage that needs to be repaired. Don’t approach a deer that’s injured but still alive as it will be scared and want to flee. You can then be injured by its hooves or antlers. Police and PGC wardens are only permitted to destroy injured animals. 
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If you’re a Pennsylvania resident and wish to keep the carcass (minus the antlers if it’s a buck), merely call the PGC at 833-PGCHUNT or 833-PGCWILD where a dispatcher will collect your information and you’ll receive a free permit number that you must record. If the motorists doesn’t want it, a call should still be made to the PGC to report it.