Alex GrothMaia Pandey
Drivers should be on the look out for deer on Wisconsin roads during the months of October and November when deer are most active during breeding season, says the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Every year, Wisconsin roadways record more than 15,000 deer related crashes, according to the DOT. In 2023, there were 16,153 crashes involving a deer in Wisconsin. Of these crashes, 14 people were killed, 12 of which were motorcyclists, and 585 people were injured.
The state has an estimated population of 1.6 million deer, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Most deer crashes happen in areas where there are high deer populations, along with high traffic, according to the DOT. In 2023, Waukesha County reported the most deer-related crashes at 836, followed by Dane County at 802 crashes and Washington County at 763. Last year, just in Lafayette County, 47% of all reported crashes included a deer, according to the DOT.
Here's how to avoid deer-related car crashes this fall in Wisconsin, plus what to do if you do hit a deer, according to the DOT.
How to avoid deer-related car crashes in Wisconsin:
If you're planning any fall drives, there are a few steps you can take to avoid deer-vehicle collisions.
In general, best practices include always wearing a seat belt, driving slowly and carefully through forested areas, and being vigilant in the early morning and evening when deer are most active.
Here are some additional tips from the Wisconsin DNR:
- If you notice a deer in your headlights, don't expect it to dart away. Headlights can confuse a deer and lead the animal to freeze in place.
- Instead, brake firmly when you notice the deer. A long honk of your vehicle can sometimes frighten the deer to run away.
- If a collision is unavoidable, brake and stay in your lane. Do not swerve, as this can confuse the deer as to where it should run and lead to you losing control of your vehicle.
- If you are on a motorcycle, slow down, brake firmly and then swerve if necessary, to avoid hitting the deer. Try to stay within your lane if possible, to avoid hitting other objects or vehicles.
- If you see one deer, watch for more. Deer seldom run alone.
What to do if you get in an animal-related crash
If you do end up hitting an animal, there are a few steps you should take, according to the DNR. These steps are specifically for deer-related crashes:
- If possible, get your vehicle safely off the road. Stay buckled-up inside your vehicle to avoid being struck by another vehicle, particularly if you are on the highway.
- Be prepared to describe your precise location to law enforcement. Helpful location markers include proximity to a mile post, the lane direction, nearby exit numbers, an address or mailbox number.
- If the animal remains are on an active portion of a highway, call 911. These remains pose an urgent safety hazard.
- If remains are on the shoulder of the highway or off the busy portion of the roadway, contact your local county sheriff. Here are the numbers to call for killed deer pick-up in each Wisconsin county.
More:Animal-vehicle collisions are more common in Wisconsin than almost any other state, study says
Top 5 states for animal collisions in the U.S.:
According to State Farm, these are the top five states for animal collision in the U.S., including the odds for animal collision:
- West Virginia — 1 in 40
- Montana — 1 in 54
- Michigan — 1 in 59
- Pennsylvania — 1 in 61
- Wisconsin — 1 in 65
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