Active time for deer means extra caution for Ohio drivers

While white-tailed deer provide abundant recreation opportunities for hunters and wildlife watchers, they can unfortunately cost millions of dollars every year through deer-vehicle collisions. More than 23,000 collisions occurred in Ohio last year, costing drivers close to $72 million in claims. So listen up motorists, now is the time when deer are on the move and you are advised to be extra cautious when out on the roadways.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports that October through November is prime time for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists need to be on the lookout for deer in and along roadways during this time of year, especially at dawn and after sunset, specifically during the hours of 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Last year, Richland, Stark, and Hamilton counties recorded the highest number of deer-vehicle crashes, while the fewest crashes occurred in Monroe, Morgan, and Meigs counties. Close to 160 accidents occurred daily in November of 2010, with more than 50 percent happening between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.

So what is happening during October and especially November that increases the chances of Ohio motorists colliding with deer? Some people may think that hunting causes an increase in deer movement, particularly across roads and highways (Ohio's deer hunting season runs from Sept. 24-Jan. 10, 2012), but this isn't always the case. In Pennsylvania, movements of antlered deer wearing GPS radio collars were tracked during the weeks before, during, and after muzzleloader and firearms seasons and there were no changes in activity patterns due to the hunting season. Deer movement due to hunting really depends on the amount of hunting pressure, and while intense pressure can cause an increase in deer activity, typically deer stay within their normal home ranges (roughly one square mile per buck). The truth is, deer are on the move at this time of year for multiple reasons, both natural and human related.

Possibly the biggest reason for the increase in deer movement is the breeding season (rut), which takes place October through December in Ohio. In November, deer are entering the peak of their breeding season. Males are actively searching for mates, which frequently bring them across roadways. The total distance a single deer moves during a 24-hour period varies from one to four miles, but that distance is increased dramatically in males during the breeding season. While some female deer may take a brief breeding excursion outside their normal range in search of a mate, the majority stay put and don't travel more than normal during the breeding season.

In between breeding, deer also need to increase their food consumption this time of year in preparation for the winter months, where food isn't as available. Depending on the available food resources in their home range (such as acorns and other hard mast), deer may have to travel further to find enough food, which can lead to additional travel across roadways to reach alternate resources.

In addition to the increased activity brought on by the breeding season and the approach of winter, daylight savings time plays a role in motorists encountering deer on the roadways. As we "fall back" the shorter days and longer nights force commuters onto the roads at dawn and dusk - the same times deer are most active. Also, don't make the mistake in thinking that you will only encounter deer crossing roads in rural parts of the state. In fact, urban and suburban areas are also prime sites for deer vehicle collisions. More and more frequently, urban areas around Ohio are becoming home to substantial white-tailed deer populations. Increases in deer-vehicle collision are only one of the consequences of an increased urban deer population; damage to public and homeowner landscapes is also a frequent problem. Several cities and towns around Ohio have elected to manage their deer populations through controlled hunting efforts. Oftentimes this requires the involvement of many stakeholders, such as city or town officials, residents, and state wildlife officials. Contact your Division of Wildlife district office for helpful advice on how to start this process.

While difficult in urban areas, hunting is still the best management strategy to decrease deer populations in rural areas. It's no coincidence that Ohio's deer hunting season correlates with high deer activity. In fact, Ohio hunters play an important role in reducing the number of deer on the roads. The Ohio Division of Wildlife estimates Ohio's deer population at 750,000 with the highest densities found in the east-central and southeast regions. For more information on deer hunting in Ohio, visit the Ohio Division of Wildlife's website: http://www.wildohio.com.

To summarize, October through November is the prime time for deer vehicle collisions. Deer are sighted frequently during this time for a variety of reasons; breeding season, hunter avoidance, increasing deer populations, and lessening of daylight hours.