Last fall, the statewide estimate for the deer population was about 860,000 animals according to wildlife experts.  I think about 1000 of those live within a mile of our house.

They are cute as small fawns, but can be extremely destructive when they get larger.  And I don’t just mean when they browse my vegetables and ornamentals.  That is just irritating; today we experienced a deer encounter of the dangerously destructive sort.

Keep in mind a mature white-tailed buck weighs in at about 150 pounds, with the smaller does at under 100 pounds.  According to State Farm Insurance, the national average for auto collisions with a deer, elk, or moose is about 1 in 164. Kentucky is 15^th in the nation for deer collisions, with the odds of hitting a deer about 1 in 100.

Today is day 30 of 2018.

All family members are fine, but I’m reminded to be aware of wildlife (and pets), not just in rural areas, but on all roads.

Most deer collisions occur between October and December, peaking in November in North America.  This period coincides with mating season and hunting season when deer are highly active and covering lots of distance.  However, according to the Kentucky State Police, an average of 200 deer collisions per year happen in January.

Please keep these five safety tips in mind, especially in rural areas where deer populations can pose a higher risk to drivers.  Talk about the risk of animals on the road with new drivers and discuss vehicle handling tactics, so a new driver doesn’t panic if they encounter a deer or another animal on the road.

Deer Safety Tips:

1. All passengers should wear seat belts at all times. Hitting a 100 pound animal can cause driver and passenger injury as well as vehicle damage.
2. Be extra careful driving at dusk and dawn, especially in the fall when deer are highly active. With high beams on, you might better see the animals’ glowing eyes.
3. Notice deer crossing signs. In my experience, deer are pretty poor at obeying and crossing only where those signs are, so expand your awareness beyond the marked areas.
4. Stay alert if you spot a deer because others in the herd may be close by.
5. Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Break safely and lay on the horn.

Thinking about the numbers and risk…if approximately 140,000 deer were harvested during the 2017/2018 deer hunting season, that leaves about 720,000 deer to avoid this year.  I don’t think I have to worry about elk yet, but this year, I’m rooting for the hunters.

Stay safe out on the roads, my friends.