Don't fret if you hit a deer
JANESVILLE — If you hit a deer, don't fret.
About 18,000 motorists smacked deer in Wisconsin in 2007, according to law enforcement reports, and the majority of crashes occurred in October and November.
"They come in the fall. It's an annual thing," Rock County sheriff's Sgt. Michael Mugnani said. "They're running. They're moving, and people hit them."
So watch out in the next eight weeks.
Those of you who do strike a deer can call law enforcement to ask for help, but deputies might not respond, Mugnani said.
Car-deer crashes have become so common in southern Wisconsin that deputies don't go to the wrecks unless the road is blocked or a person is injured, he said.
Instead, you should fill out a self-report form regardless of damage, Mugnani said, and you can use the report to file an insurance claim.
If you want to keep the deer, call the sheriff's office and a deputy will tag it for you, he said. A tag also can be provided for anyone else who wants the meat.
Leave the deer off the road if you don't want it, Mugnani said, and the county will have it picked up in a day or two.
If the deer is injured, stay away because it might thrash or kick, said Dennis Hughes, manager of safety programs for the state Department of Transportation.
And get your vehicle off the road and stay inside of it to protect yourself from traffic, he said.
But the best way to avoid a deer crash is to be cautious.
Deer are mating and active this time of year, Hughes said.
Motorists must keep their eyes open at dusk and dawn when deer are moving from bedding and feeding areas, he said.
Unfortunately, Hughes said, deer move at the same time people commute to and from work, enhancing the danger.
Fourteen people were killed in deer crashes in 2007, according to the transportation department.
"It's not a laughing matter," Hughes said. "A deer is a pretty good-sized animal to hit. We've lost quite a few people in deer hits.
"It's tragic."
Deer are the third-most commonly struck object in Wisconsin after collisions with other vehicles or fixed objects, according to the transportation department.
"Our best advice is to be vigilant, be cautious and be aware," Hughes said.
AVOIDING DEER
The state Department of Transportation offers the following advice for avoiding deer collisions:
-- Be cautious and slow down in the early morning and evening hours when deer are most active.
-- Wear your safety belt.
-- Pay attention to deer crossing signs.
-- If you see a deer, slow down and blow your horn to scare it away.
-- When you see one deer, look for another.
-- Don’t expect a deer in your headlights to move.
-- Brake firmly when you see a deer in your path.
-- Don’t swerve away from a deer and risk hitting another car or object.
-- If you’re riding a motorcycle, swerve if necessary.
Sep 30, 2008 at 8:51 a.m.
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Those deer all they do is drink. They drink and play in the road.
Sep 30, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
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Hey now, I'm still a true Janesvillian, NOT a Yooper! :) Yes, my hubby makes fun of me because I drive a little slower at night. Yah, don't fret, whatever, the damage can be quite pricey!
Sep 30, 2008 at 12:26 a.m.
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lakennedy, beware! My ex mentioned that he had never seen a deer on 14 between Oregon and Madison. Two days later, he saw one as it hit the front of our car! Trust me, they are there!!
Sep 29, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.
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Up Nort der hey...glad the whistles are working for you. Regardless, don't let down your guard. Use good night driving practices - prudent speed and watch the shoulders.
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.
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DrTalk, I also have deer alerts on my car (for the past 2 1/2 years). I live up in the northwoods, I work til around midnight some nights and the deer are nuts then, and I haven't hit one yet. I'm a true believer in them!
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:22 p.m.
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I spent a number of years living in the lower Wisconsin River Valley and fortunately avoided many encounters with deer of the worst kind. I put deer whistles on my car. Honestly, I don't think it did any good. I still had to lock'em up now and then. The best thing I can say is use prudent speed after dark and constantly scan the shoulder for deer.
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:40 p.m.
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belsi- me too. i took out a dove one day- stupid bird. took out a section of the grill and feathers all over. just about took out a pheasant too one day just a wing- they dont seem real smart either. goffers too i always look back and wondered if they scurried enough or I got them so small doesnt jiggle the car at all. I see alot of almosts on hyw 26 every day. geese crossing one day over by stage coach on the curve. I always check behind before braking. lucky for them that day noone behind me!!
Lots of turtles too when we had the flood.
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.
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been close many of of time- knoch on plastic wood trim haha.
Sep 29, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
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also if you dont avoid the deer and stay on the road instead of swerving and running in the ditch-I believe your insurance is comp vs collision on your record. which comp is better than accident and most of us carry zero deductable. Well i do for those silly comp things.it isnt much more to have zero comp.
Sep 29, 2008 at 5:05 p.m.
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MMMMM....GRILLED venison. Wisconsin has the finest around.
Sep 29, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.
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if you hit a deer, why not contribute to the Donate A Deer program that they're running?? I'm sure those receiving the meat would be beyond thankful...
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.
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if you do hit bambi and wanna keep it, dont do like tommy callahan and put it in your car. cuz if its just knocked unconscience chaos will follow;)
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
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lakennedy,
They put up the signs when there is a number of car/deer accidents occur within a set amount of time. I'm not sure but think it's something like 5 in 2 years.
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.
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Thanks to DNR (mis)management, we have a chronic overpopulation of deer, many of which starve and freeze to death during harsh winters.
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This "problem" creates lots of high-paying positions for DNR "personnel" to supposedly "manage".
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Deer overpopulation equals more vehicles hitting them.
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.
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I put deer alerts on my car because of friend's recommendation. I haven't hit a deer yet, but I don't know if that is because of the deer alerts or not. They are inexpensive so I figured I might as well try them out. I picked them up at Farm & Fleet.
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Anybody else use deer alerts?
http://www.sav-a-life.com/Deeralert_intr...
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
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Dont' fret? Geez, I get all choked up when I hit a bird! Yeah, I'm a big softie. I've never hit a deer (knock on wood) but I did hit a raccoon once and I cried all the way from Clinton to Beloit. I felt so horrible. I was about 22 and really wanted to swerve but I knew if I did I'd probably go off the road and really hurt myself. I've been seeing a lot of turkeys too. I was driving home from Walmart on Cranston Rd. in Beloit and there were 3 of them in someones yard. Poor things are running out of land.
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:47 p.m.
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Yeah, well, two years ago, I was going south (south of Clinton) the the stateline on hwy. 140. It was October and about 9:30 at night. Just looked in the one direction and didn't see anything... next thing you know, there was a deer, saw it's head as it hit my driverside headlight. Even more reason to love my Focus! I was doing about 60mph when the thing hit me. The damage? I was lucky... I have to point out the stone size dent and that it popped my headlight up about the thickness of five fingernails put together! And the deer? When I turned around, it had already run off! I love my Focus and am glad the deer is okay (and me!).
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:44 p.m.
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Gotta whatch out for the Turkeys too! Almost got tangled in a pack of a dozen or so the other day on county "O" and more along 51 by the airport.
Sep 29, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
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Most areas along the highways with a deer crossing sign are places that deer most frequently run out in front of cars. Or it is a known "breeding" area for the animals. Also some of the areas are hunting grounds, so if deer sense something and are trying to get away they run smack into the highway and get run over. It's a dangerous situation but as long as people don't "freak out" when they see a deer its okay. Personally I'd rather hit a deer head on then swerve to miss it and kill my family and possibly someone elses.
Sep 29, 2008 at 12:23 p.m.
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I just took a trip to Warrens and saw three deer along the side of the highway. I've driven to Madison and back everyday (besides weekends) for the last two years and have never seen any along highway 14. Oh, and does anyone know how a certain area is designated a "deer crossing" area?
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