Be on the lookout for more deer on the roads during the fall rut

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminds drivers to be alert for deer on and along roadways to avoid potentially dangerous crashes. Deer crash numbers typically increase in October and November in Wisconsin as more deer move around during peak mating season.

“This is a busy time of year on the roads for both deer and motorists,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “It can be hard to spot deer along the road and their movements are unpredictable, so it’s important that drivers are vigilant and avoid distractions while driving.”

Deer are most active during the early morning and evening hours. Be sure to use your headlights as daylight transitions to dusk and deer become more difficult to see, especially as daylight saving time ends in November.

In 2023, there were more than 16,000 crashes involving deer in Wisconsin, killing 14 people and injuring 585 people. Staying alert is an important step to be safe this time of year.

The top 10 Wisconsin counties for crashes involving deer in 2023:

• Waukesha – 836

• Dane – 802

• Washington – 763

• Sheboygan – 712

• Outagamie – 614

• Manitowoc – 600

• St. Croix – 591

• Fond du Lac – 571

• Grant – 490

• Winnebago – 476

How to avoid hitting a deer

Deer are unpredictable and may freeze or change directions. Drive at a safe speed, eliminate distractions and make sure everyone is buckled up. Crash injuries are less severe or can be avoided when everyone wears a seat belt.

Scan the road ahead carefully. If one deer crosses, watch for more. If you see a deer, honk your horn to urge them to move away from the road.

If you cannot avoid hitting a deer with your vehicle, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Avoid sudden swerving, which can result in a loss of control and a more serious crash.

Motorcyclists are at a greater risk of injury in a crash involving a deer. Of the approximately 16,000 deer crashes last year, 196 were motorcycle crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities and 53 serious injuries. This means there is about a 33 percent chance that a motorcycle deer crash will result in a fatality or serious injury, compared to less than 0.1 percent in auto or light truck deer crashes. If you cannot avoid hitting a deer with your motorcycle and there is enough space to swerve around it without leaving your lane, brake and adjust course as needed.

What to do after a deer crash

• If you do end up hitting a deer, get your vehicle safely off the road, if possible.

• If someone is hurt or the deer is in the active portion of the road, call 911.

• If no one is hurt and your vehicle and the deer are off the road, contact local law enforcement.

• Stay buckled up inside your vehicle and wait for help. Getting out of your vehicle and walking along a road is always dangerous. Never attempt to move an injured deer.