Deer Days

As I was driving back from Rogers City this afternoon, I passed an auto accident on US-23.  An SUV had apparently spun out, ran down the bank beside the road, and came to rest deep in the woods.  Two ambulances, a Posen fire truck, and three sheriff and state police cars were on the scene.  I can't be sure what happened, but it's likely the driver swerved to avoid a deer.

The culprit — the White-Tailed Deer
(USDA Photo by Scott Bauer)

Michigan is among the top ten states for deer-vehicle accidents, along with Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Indiana, and South Carolina.  Across the nation each year these accidents claim 150 lives and cause over $1 billion in property damage.

I've noticed the deer running around for the past month, often dashing across the road in front of my car.  That's because it's mating season (October-December) and these deer have other things on their mind than traffic.  They are "out and about" at all times of day and night, but especially the two hours before and two hours after sunrise, no doubt making whoopie in the woods.

Do you know what to do when encountering a deer?  Here are some tips:

• Slow down and honk your horn (lean on it!) when you see deer beside the road.

• Don't swerve — you could hit an oncoming car or lose control of your own.

• Remember that deer travel in packs, so if there's one... well, you know.

• Use your high beams at night to see a deer's eyes at a distance.

• If a deer freezes in the middle of the road and won't move, hit the animal (don't swerve).

• Report the accident.

• Don't approach or touch a deer you've hit.  The injured deer may lash out with its hooves, which are sharp as a razor.  I've heard that deer kill more humans in the U.S. than any other wild animal.

Drive safely this mating (and hunting) season! •••