Vehicle-Deer Collisions in Wisconsin are Peaking Now

Friday, November 4th, 2022 -- 8:03 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Drivers be aware: we’re in the peak period for collisions with deer.

Deer are on the move as the fall mating season nears its peak. And DNR Deer Program Director Jeff Pritzl says motorists shouldn’t assume the risks of collisions is limited to dawn or dusk. “This time of year, it could happen at any time during the day. And if you see one deer, assume that there’s another one following it.”

Pritzl says it’s important to drive defensively, but do not swerve to avoid striking a deer. “Hitting that deer and keeping control of the vehicle is a better option than trying to avoid that deer and losing control of the vehicle.”

Pritzl also said, “Deer on the hoof more often means they're covering more ground, and they're crossing roads more often and potentially intersecting with a vehicle more often. So we see our peak annual vehicle deer collisions occurring right now over the next week or so.”

Wisconsin averages about 20,000 vehicle deer collisions annually.

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