Pennsylvania drivers beware! Whitetail deer are on the move because the “rut” is coming into full force causing adult bucks to start chasing does. The “rut” is the breeding season that occurs in the fall. Adult buck become more active as does come into heat.
Pennsylvania tops the list as the top state in the nation for deer/auto collisions and the consequences can be deadly!
Currently, motorists can see many dead deer along roads in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is alerting drivers “to stay alert and on the lookout for whitetails crossing roads in the coming weeks.”
The Game Commission says there is also increased vehicular traffic between dusk and dawn- the peak hours for deer activity. However, drivers need to be aware of deer throughout the day. Many deer are hit and killed during daylight hours as seen in this video. Drivers beware!
Motorists are urged to pay particular attention while driving on stretches marked with “Deer Crossing” signs. Pay closer attention when driving in those designated areas. This is an active area of the road where deer cross the road and it’s not wise to ignore them. They are there for a reason.
Another point to remember is that deer typically travel in groups but walk single file when crossing roads. When you see a deer, look for more deer that are near who waiting to walk across the road.
Motorcyclists need to be especially aware of deer as you can see in this photo. Many times deer are leaping across roads which is how this doe ended on top of the motorcycle’s handles. Deer also thrown through windshields and car windows. Deer/auto collisions are not only costly but can be deadly to both deer and humans.
If you kill a deer with your auto or motorcycle, what must you do? You don’t need to report it to the Game Commission. If you want to claim the deer, only Pennsylvania residents are allowed to do so. The person claiming the deer must call the Game Commission region office in the county where the accident occurred.
A “resident must call within 24 hours of taking possession of the deer. A passing Pennsylvania motorist also may claim the deer, if the person whose vehicle hit it doesn’t want it.”
According to the Game Commission, antlers from bucks killed in vehicle collisions either must be turned over to the Game Commission, or may be purchased for $10 per point by the person who claims the deer. Also, removing antlers from road-killed bucks is illegal. I saw a dead deer along a major highway this past weekend whose head was cut off. Someone wanted the antlers.
If a deer is struck but not killed, keep your distance. Injured deer can kick you to keep you away from them. The kicks can cause serious harm or worse. If the deer poses a safety risk to others, you are asked to call the Game Commission or your local police department. If the deer needs to be put down, the Game Commission will direct the proper person to do so.
To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
“Those taking possession road-killed deer also are advised of rules related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) that prohibit the removal of high-risk deer parts – essentially the head and backbone – from any established Disease Management Area (DMA). Those parts must be removed before the deer is transported outside a DMA. For DMA maps, the complete list of high-risk parts and other information on CWD, visit the Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.pa.gov.”
Drive safely and be alert at all times!
Man, I hit a deer several years ago. It was a blur that I never saw and couldn’t do anything about it. It hit and wrecked my front end. It didn’t hit my windshield. It was thrown after that. I didn’t realize I hit a deer until I got out of my car. All I knew was that something smashed into my car. It was expensive to fix my front end. I warn people to go slow especially where the deer xrossing signs are. Like you said, they’re there for a reason. I didn’t want to keep the deer. I reported it to the police who said I could take it. A relative of mine took it. He wanted the antlers and the meat. He could have it. I felt so bad for the death of the deer. I’m seeing a lot of deer on highways. Slow down, people!
That video is powerful. Bounced from car to another’s windshield, breaking it. That’s how it happens and so quickly. Cars sustain a lot of damage costing a lot of money. I’ve seen deer get hit by cars and trucks but luckily it’s never happened to me. I know I’m lucky. I could be next. Who knows? I’m very cautious when driving and slow down when I see the signs. Sometimes, it’s not enough. You can do all that and a deer can run right into your car. I saw a video recently where a deer tried to get into a car. The person fought back and won. I think the deer was dazed and didn’t know what it was doing.
The poor deer in the video. :'( That’s horrible.
I’ve never seen a deer smash through the windshield like in the first photo. I wonder if anyone was sitting in the passenger seat. That is weird.
The buck are running after the does because they want to have sex with them. The does aren’t ready and run away from them when they get to close. This starts the chase. The doe get chased right onto highways, interstates and back roads along with the buck. Buck fight with other bucks over a doe. Their testosterone is high. They don’t sleep. All they want is sex with the doe. They keep moving and going after the does. This is also when deer rifle season opens up, almost. The Monday after Thanksgiving when in full rut is when men and women hunt for deer in pa. The rut is in full blast. There is a second breeding season for the deer if the does don’t become pregnant the first time. Always be on the lookout for deer crossing roads.
I’m seeing a ton of dead deer. ? Drivers, slow down. Some are splattered on the roads. I hate seeing it.
Deer can do lots of damage to your car costing lots of money when your deductible is so very high.
According to your article, it says that drivers are not required to report an accident with a deer to the Game Commission. I recently had a Game Conservation Officer tell me that people are required to report it or face a fine. I have hit 3 deer over the last 1 1/4 years and never reported it and they said they would let it go for now, but from now on, I had better report it. I didn’t keep the deer, I left it on the side of the road. I was lucky in the fact that my minivan wasn’t damaged by hitting any of the 3 deer. I have tried messaging the PA Game Commission to try and find out if we are required to report or not, but haven’t received any reply from them yet.