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"Deer-vehicle crashes happen
throughout the year in all parts of Illinois, but because deer are
more active in the fall and early winter, motorists need to pay more
attention and watch out for deer on or near roadways this time of
year," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel
Brunsvold. "Deer are entering their breeding season, meaning they
are more likely to be on the move and less cautious near roadways
and highways."
In Illinois more than 23,600
deer-vehicle accidents were reported last year, according to
statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
There were 158 deer-vehicle accidents in Logan County. Pike County
in west central Illinois had the most, with 681, and Gallatin County
in southern Illinois had the fewest such accidents, with only 39.
The Logan County deer-vehicle
accident statistics for previous years are as follows: 146 in 2001,
102 in 2000, 126 in 1999, 100 in 1998, 95 in 1997, 134 in 1995, 110
in 1994, 124 in 1993, 106 in 1992, 110 in 1991, 77 in 1990 and 68 in
1989. (Figures are not available for 1996.)
"Collisions between vehicles
and deer happen most often in areas of good deer habitat, such as
farm field edges, stream beds and wooded areas," said IDNR Forest
Wildlife Program manager Paul Shelton. "If you're driving in a
rural, urban or suburban area with trees and a stream or river bed
near the road, chances are there are deer nearby."
Shelton said that with more and
more vehicles on the road and motorists commuting in the morning and
evening when deer are most active, drivers need to slow down and be
ready to react if they see deer on or near the road.
"Motorists really need to be
alert in the fall when deer are ranging more widely and are more
active due to a variety of factors, including the mating season and
harvest activity," Shelton said.
Among the suggestions to
motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents:
--Keep track of locations where
deer have been seen in the past to avoid being surprised by deer
crossings.
--Be especially cautious at
dusk through the early evening hours and in the hours before
sunrise, the times of day when deer are most active.
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--Reduce speed and be prepared
to stop on roads where deer may be present, especially areas near
streams or rivers, farm field edges, wooded and densely vegetated
areas. A single deer near a road may be followed by several others.
Startled deer can also be unpredictable, stopping and starting
across a roadway even after seeing an approaching car or truck.
--Drivers encountering deer on
the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim
or honking the horn on their vehicle to try to encourage the deer to
move on.
--Drivers encountering deer on
or near the road can alert other motorists by tapping the brakes.
Drivers should avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road
if they see deer on the roadway. Instead, slow to a stop and wait
for the deer to pass.
If involved in an accident,
motorists and passengers involved should provide assistance to
anyone injured. Do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from
a busy roadway. Instead, contact local, county or state law
enforcement officials. Illinois law requires all accidents resulting
in damage of $500 or more to be reported and an accident report
filed with the police.
The driver involved in an
accident involving a deer may take possession of the deer. If the
driver does not want the deer, any Illinois resident may claim the
animal. Anyone possessing the deer must keep a personal record of
the date the deer was claimed, the sex of the animal, the location
of the accident and the place where the deer or deer parts are
stored. This information must be kept until the deer is consumed or
no longer in the possession of any person. This information must be
provided to any law enforcement officer investigating the death and
possession of the deer.
Those taking possession of vehicle-killed deer are not required to
phone in a report and obtain a registration number for the deer
unless the deer is taken to a taxidermist or tannery. If the deer is
to be taken to a taxidermist or tannery, please call the IDNR Office
of Law Enforcement at (217) 782-6431 to obtain a tag before
delivering the deer.
[News release from the
Illinois Department of Natural
Resources]
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