The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol Officers say November and October are the months with large amounts of deer crossing the roads.
Jay Jansen has been running Jay' Auto Body in West Bend for 35 years and says on average he fixes 5,000 cars a year that have hit a deer. He also has a teenage driver, Kayla, who has warned numerous times about the risk of deer hits this time of year.
"She's driven with dad many of times", Jansen said. "And we did talk about deer hits when she was first beginning driving....deer hits can range anywhere from $2,000 to $14,000."
Deer versus car crashes can happen out of nowhere and the damage is costly to your headlights, front grill, wheel wells, or windshield.
"You have to drive a little slower, especially in the wooded areas," Jansen said. "Deer can come out anywhere so fast,so you really have to pay attention."
The highest rate of deer-car crashes occur in Dane, Washington, and Waukesha counties. It's not because there are more deer in these areas, but more drivers on the road likely to hit deer during their most active times, from dusk till dawn.
Lieutenant Nathan Clarke of the Wisconsin State Patrol Southeast Region says his father-in-law gave him the best advice.
"Where there's one, there's two, so people focus on that one deer that starting to scamper across the roadway and they forget to see that there's a second or third one coming, following that lead deer, and that's where we have a lot of our collisions," Clarke said. "The worst thing to do: over think the incident. "So don't panic, slow down and brake. Above all...don't swerve! Trying to take evasive action as far as putting yourself into a ditch or into the path of some other on-coming traffic or whatever, you're better off taking the chance of striking the deer and impacting the deer itself."
Although you're headed right for the deer, drivers are actually safer and more protected in your vehicle than you think. So, less action is better.
After the incident call 911 for authorities to come and help you deal with the crash. Drivers are not ticketed for the accident because it's not your fault. Additionally call the department of Natural Resources vehicle-killed deer hotline: (608) 267-7697 and depending upon the circumstances, you'll be able to take the deer home.
