Have you noticed the number of dead deer on our roads lately? I can’t seem to drive 422 without seeing quite a few dead deer. But they’re everywhere and it has people talking.
Some have theorized that this influx of dead deer is due to hunters- archery hunters. Archery season began the first Saturday of October. Unfortunately, this theory is not the true reason for the high number of dead deer.
Male deer- bucks – have begun their rut season. This is the time of year when the velvet falls off the deer’s antlers beginning in late August and early September. As daylight hours decrease, a buck’s testosterone increases which leads to antler maturation and creating a frenzy of breeding season in the woods.
Bucks “signpost” (scrapes and rubs) which leaves behind his scent for other bucks and does to smell. So right now, there are alot of hormones surging in the woods.
Does, however, are not ready to mate. But the bucks keep chasing them. And both bucks and does end up on the roads with sad consequences for all. I have been the victim of not one, but two deer running out in front of my car. The first time happened at night on Rt. 61 when my sister was driving my car with me as the passenger. The buck came out of nowhere and all we saw was a quick flash. It happened so fast that we weren’t even sure what had occurred at first.
Just let me say this- don’t believe when you hear that a deer’s eyes light up when your headlights shine on them. If they’re not looking, you don’t see them at all. That particular six point buck did alot of damage to my car. He died instantly.
The second time I was behind the wheel driving on the Road to Nowhere. It was daytime and the sky was clear when out of nowhere this eight point buck ran out full-force onto the road. Smashed right onto my hood, flipped over and landed on the other side of the road. I and two other male drivers pulled over. The buck was lying there dying. I wanted to get a closer look (I love animals, what can I say….did not know better at the time) but the one driver pulled me back and told me not to since a buck, even a dying buck, could kick me really hard with his hooves. So we watched as this big buck’s head bobbed back and forth until he took his last breath. Even though this buck was larger than the other one, he did minimal damage to my car.
During gun season, hunters create “drives” where they form a line and push deer to a hunter. That is what may push deer onto roads. That is not what is happening now. Archers don’t do drives. They sit very quietly in the woods waiting for the deer.
So what can we do to avoid getting hit by a deer. If you see a deer crossing sign, don’t ignore it. This sign is telling you that area is known to have alot of deer and may be crossing the road at any time. Be cautious and slow down!
Motorcyclists need to be especially careful during this time. They are more vulnerable to injuries or worse if they come in contact with a deer.
I don’t think people understand that a deer’s hooves are meant for the woods and not for roads. For them, macadam is like an ice rink. They can’t gain traction and are unable to stop in an instant.
Be careful on the roads. These chases will continue until mid-November because of the rut, not because of the hunters.
FYI- Some does go into heat three times if they haven’t been bred. It is possible for them to go into heat in January. Always be on the look out for the whitetail deer.