Beware Of Deer

Excerpts
It’s rutting season from late October through mid-December in all areas of the state, when deer throw caution to the wind in an attempt to mate, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Mullica Township Police Chief John Thompson said one- fifth of his police car fleet is involved in a deer accident each year.

“Every one of my officers have hit deer, most of us multiple times,” Thompson said. It usually happens on the night shift while the officers are patrolling the township’s hundreds of miles of mostly rural roadways.

Bucks most actively pursue females in the early morning and around sunset, when visibility can be difficult, according to DEP.

“We are a fleet of 15 cars, and we average three deer accidents per year,” Thompson said. “They are almost always reportable accidents with a threshold of over $500 in damage. That’s a classification for the state accident report.”

To try to minimize damage, Thompson said he had push bumpers installed on all patrol cars. They are extra large bumpers designed for pushing cars off roadways, but they also keep deer from doing as much damage to the front of a vehicle, Thompson said.

In the past the department tried installing whistlers, devices that emitted a sound to repel deer, but they didn’t work after a while because insects would clog them, he said.

Drivers should alert municipal and county governments about deer hit on their roadways. They are responsible for removal of dead deer from roads they maintain, according to DEP.

The following tips can help motorists stay safe:

* Slow down and pay attention if you see a deer. If it is on the roadway, don't go around it but wait for the deer to pass and the road is clear. Deer are easily spooked and may run into you.

* Slow down when you see "Deer Crossing" signs, which designate areas known to have a high concentration of deer.

* If you are traveling after dark, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. The light will be reflected by the eyes of deer. If you see one deer, others may be in the area. Deer typically move in family groups at this time of year and cross roads single-file.

* If a collision appears inevitable, do not swerve to avoid impact. The deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake appropriately, but stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to be fatal when a driver swerves and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure.

* Report any deer-vehicle collision to local law enforcement immediately.

To hear a new Discover DEP podcast about New Jersey's deer population, visit: http://njdep.podbean.com/e/episode-26-deer-rutting-season-with-principal-biologist-dan-roberts/.

For more information about white-tailed deer in New Jersey, visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/deer.htm/.

For more on the Community-Based Deer Management Program, visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/cbdmp.htm/.

Entire article at
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