DEC urges drivers to keep their eyes peeled for deer as peak rut season nears in North Country

Peak rut season is approaching here in the North Country, which comes as a welcomed sign for deer hunters, but the DEC is warning motorists to drive with extra caution, especially at night or low light periods.

During the fall months in New York, there typically is a spike in car v. deer collisions.

Last-year, the DMV says there were over 32,000 crashes statewide that involved deer, according to data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.

Specifically, those numbers peaked between October and December.

Nearby Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties were among a list of counties that had the most reported car v. deer collisions last-year (1,224 for Jefferson County and 1,226 for St. Lawrence County).

According to the DEC, there are just over a million deer across New York.

Here are some tips to avoid a collision with a deer:

• Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can suddenly bolt into the road or change direction at the last minute;
• If you see a deer cross the road, decrease speed. Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one deer, expect others to follow;
• Use your headlights to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road;
• When a deer or moose approaches the roadway ahead, honk the car horn to discourage them from entering the roadway;
• Use added caution on roadways marked with ‘deer crossing’ signs;
• Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced;
• If you encounter an animal in the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, tree, pole, or other objects.
• If an animal is hit, motorists are advised to stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer or moose may use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to cause harm.

Other tips when you strike or encounter an animal include:

• Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road and turn on hazard lights. If leaving the vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of oncoming vehicles.
• If a collision occurs at dusk or dawn, be advised that traffic visibility is reduced.
• Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, fill out an official crash report and send it to DMV.
• Don't assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won't latch, and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow truck.

NYS DEC image.