Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 9, 2024 – As hunters hit the woods in pursuit of white-tailed deer this November and December, they, and Arkansas drivers as a whole, should remain vigilant for deer/car collisions.
There are several factors that lead to an increased chance of a deer/car incident during the late fall and early winter months. Deer activity is at its peak due to the rut cycle, or breeding season. For whitetails, this begins in October, usually peaks in mid-November, and begins to wind down in mid to late December. It increases deer activity and decreases their awareness of humans or vehicles, leading to a higher chance for accidents.
Due to changing food sources and impending cold weather, deer are often in search of food, which also increases their activity. Deer may have to move locations to find natural food like acorns, green browse or other vegetation. Along with increased movement, the open areas with green grasses along roadsides are attractive feeding areas, putting them closer to drivers.
Deer are most active around the hours of dawn and dusk. This coincides with the end of daylight savings time, increasing traffic at high deer travel times. A recent study published in the publication “Current Biology,” estimated that accidents with deer increase by 16% during immediately after the end of daylight savings time.
However, a few basic habits can make drivers less likely to have a deer/car collision.
A slight alteration in drive times is a start. This might be difficult due to work, school and other schedules, but avoiding as much driving as possible near sunup and sundown will help with the odds of avoiding animals.
If possible, though, choose highways that offer wider shoulders, less curves and less forests and thickets along the roadsides. This increases vision and might slightly lessen the chance of a deer being in area.
The best tip is to pay attention to not only the road, but the roadsides while driving. If a deer is spotted, slow down and assume there are more in the area. Often during the rut, a doe being pursued by a buck will pause in the open area along a roadside, and then take off again, with the buck close behind. If one deer crosses the path, assume another one will follow.
If a deer/car collision happens to occur, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission or local law enforcement as soon as possible. A deer killed in a collision can be possessed, but the AGFC will need to be notified to get clearance for that possession.