If you’re planning on heading out of town for the holiday season, you may want to be extra cautious on the road as there may be deer crossing more than usual.
November is a deadly month for deer, but not just because of the hunting season. Wildlife experts report that there tend to be more deer-related car accidents in November as a result of the deer mating, or “rut” season kicking off.
“It’s when the rut really starts to go. They’re like some of these teenage boys that you see around you know that don’t act as mature as we’d like to see them sometimes,” said Dr. Philip Gipson, a professor within the Texas Tech Department of Natural Resources Management. “During the rut season their physical condition really goes downhill because they’re out there fighting, exhibiting aggressive social behavior and so they began to deteriorate. They’re not thinking straight.”
Dangerous of course for the deer, but of course for drivers as well.
“We do see our share of deer crashes, of vehicles involved in those crashes unfortunately and they can create a big hazard and be dangerous for you,” said Sgt. John Gonzalez. “We would encourage people to not out -drive their headlights if they’re driving at night, early in the morning, because that is when they will be out. Especially if you’re going south, the further south you go, the more thicket there is, and obviously the more deer and wildlife you’re going to run across on the side of the roadway or crossing the highways.”
Gonzalez says the most dangerous crashes typically result when the driver overcorrects their steering wheel in an attempt to avoid hitting the deer.
In the event that you see a deer jump out immediately in front of you, Gonzalez advises to either continue going straight forward, or that if you have time, to turn to the right slightly instead of left so as to avoid veering into oncoming traffic.
“We don’t want anyone injured or killed as a result of the holidays so we want everybody to get home safely from point A to point B as safely possible,” said Gonzalez.
If you happen to hit a deer, you are also advised to call the nearest police department and Texas Parks and Wildlife for assistance.
