Deer-Vehicle Collisions Spike In Fall With the Rut

(KNSI) – The rut is on, meaning deer are at their most active in Minnesota. Experts say that significantly raises the threat of car/deer crashes.

St. Cloud is, unfortunately, the epicenter, according to biologist Ron Moen of the Natural Resources Research Institute. A lack of easily accessible food, combined with predators like wolves, makes the Northwoods the least hospitable for deer, pushing them south. Moen explains why they tend to stop around our area. “As you move further south, there’s actually too much agriculture and not enough cover. So, they end up being at a lower density in the southern counties of the state.”

It’s not just adult males anymore. What were fawns this spring are now old enough that they’re ready to be more mobile, and yearlings are gaining independence for the first time. Moen cautions that it’s a perfect recipe for danger on state roads, and drivers need to stay alert at common waypoints. “There are traditional crossings, and often those crossings are going to be if you have areas with landmarks, like, for example, a lone tree or a couple of trees that are in an open area, they’ll often key in on those landmarks.”

Moen says the state has gotten better about diligently clearing as much as 150 to 200 feet on the side of the highway, allowing drivers to get a good look at deer before they try to bolt across the road. He warns to avoid distractions like cell phones and remain vigilant, or the extra lead time will not help.

Moen points out that deer tend to run together. Just because one has already crossed the road ahead doesn’t mean their friends aren’t still behind them, and more may also bounce out of the ditch and land in front of traffic.

Insurance company estimates put the number of deer-vehicle collisions between 30,000 and 40,000, resulting in millions of dollars in damage in total. The danger exists at all times of the day, but the worst is dawn and dusk.

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