Let the Rut Begin
Warning to all drivers - watch out for those White-tailed Deer. You see, White-tailed Deer are now in rut. Rut, which is triggered by shorter photoperiod days, is mating season and that means that bucks only have one thing on their minds! They aren't watching for your car headlights, but rather they are in pursuit of a doe and thinking of little else!
Rut, in addition to corresponding to mating season, also corresponds to a large number of automobile/deer collisions. Not only are bucks pursuing does at all costs, but many of you are commuting home from work after dark. These two factors form a deadly combination.
Please be extra careful when driving. Drive slowly and follow safe driving practices like scanning the road ahead. If you see one deer cross the road in front of you, please assume that there could be more to follow....
If you are unfortunate enough to hit a deer, it is your obligation to report it to the police just as you would with any vehicular accident. Sadly, a majority of White-tailed Deer injured in vehicular accidents must be euthanized due to the nature of their injuries. If a deer is injured, you may contact us or refer your law enforcement office to us for an injury assessment.
Rut, in addition to corresponding to mating season, also corresponds to a large number of automobile/deer collisions. Not only are bucks pursuing does at all costs, but many of you are commuting home from work after dark. These two factors form a deadly combination.
Please be extra careful when driving. Drive slowly and follow safe driving practices like scanning the road ahead. If you see one deer cross the road in front of you, please assume that there could be more to follow....
If you are unfortunate enough to hit a deer, it is your obligation to report it to the police just as you would with any vehicular accident. Sadly, a majority of White-tailed Deer injured in vehicular accidents must be euthanized due to the nature of their injuries. If a deer is injured, you may contact us or refer your law enforcement office to us for an injury assessment.
Labels: deer auto collisions, rut, White-tailed Deer
posted by Dawn Keller at 7:56 PM
2 Comments:
My son-in-law unfortunately struck and killed a deer a couple of years ago, around this time of year. I came bounding out of a suburban backyard and was in front of his car before he could react.
We are seeing more deer here in the East end of Toronto, not because of our conservation policies but because so much land outside the city has been developed, disturbing the deer population, who are now following the river valleys south into the City.
Where as you say, night driving and deer do not make a good combination.
Barry,
Sorry to hear about your son-in-law and I hope that he was not injured in the accident. The Chicago area is the same way...development continues to push deer into smaller areas.
Ironically, early yesterday morning I received a call on a buck that had just been hit. I happened to be close by and drove straight over to assess the injuries. He was already dead. He was about a six-point buck.
Drive safely!
Dawn
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