The coming weeks could be tough for both motorists and deer.
"Slow down a little bit this time of year. If you see one deer, assume there are more coming. Really try and keep that side vision," Cheryl Trewella, information and education supervisor with the Pennsylvania Game Commission Southeast Region, Reading, said Tuesday.
Deer are in their breeding season and "trust me, they only have one thing on their mind and it's not where you car is," she said.
Last year, there were 52 crashes involving vehicles and deer in Schuylkill County, resulting in 13 injuries, according to data from PennDOT. In 2009, there were 36 crashes and eight injuries. Data from 2006 through 2010 show there was one fatality in 2006.
Pennsylvania is rated fourth in the nation for deer-related traffic accidents, according to State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. using data from the Federal Highway Administration. Motorists in the state have a 1 in 86 chance of striking a deer in the course of 12 months based on 2010-11 data. West Virginia ranks first with a 1 in 53 chance.
Blowing the horn at an approaching deer isn't recommended, Trewella said, "unless they are standing in the roadway."
Still, what the deer will do is unknown, she said. For those who say deer whistles work, she said there are no independent studies that indicate they help, she said.
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, Trewella said. About 77 percent of the accidents in 2010 occurred between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., according to PennDOT.
Due to the mating season and increased hunting, November is the month in which a deer collision is most probable, with an 18 percent likelihood, according to State Farm.
"Once they are in front of you, it's too late," said Rosanne Placey, media representative with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
"We've seen deer strikes everywhere in the county," said Trooper Edward Sanchez of state police at Schuylkill Haven.
No area is immune and driving with extra vigilance is recommended, especially in areas designated as high-volume areas for deer crossings. Portions of Route 61 are marked with yellow signs showing the black silhouette of a leaping deer.
The financial impact of hitting a deer can be overwhelming.
Property damage can cost thousands, according to State Farm.
Bob Wormer, co-owner and general manager of Wormer's Garage, Pottsville, said as of Tuesday he worked on seven vehicles with deer damage this year. That number is expected to rise.
"Last year, we had 28 or 29 vehicles," he said
The average damage he has seen has been $2,500 to $3,500. The repairs to one car that hit a deer near Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville, was about $3,800. On average, it takes a week to 10 days for repairs, he said.
PennDOT or an outside contractor disposes of the deer depending on whether it is a state or local road. The carcass is sent to a landfill or rendering facility, PennDOT state spokesman Steve Chizmar said.
Sean Brown, PennDOT spokesman for District 5, said if workers see a deer on state roads they will move it to the side of the road for safety and alert a contractor to dispose of it. The primary site is Commonwealth Environmental Systems, Hegins, a landfill, he said. To report a dead deer, motorists can call 570-385-7812 or 800-FIX-ROAD.
Wildlife Conservation Officers dispose of deer on non-state roads, Trewella said.
An injured deer is best left alone, said wildlife rehabilitator Peggy Hentz, owner of Red Creek Wildlife Center, Schuylkill Haven.
"It is dangerous to approach any wild animal, especially if they are injured," she said.
It is "nearly impossible," to rehabilitate wild deer older than two or three months because it will instinctively try to escape and could have a heart attack because of the stress, Hentz said. Tips to avoid
deer collisions
· Look out for posted deer
crossing signs along
roadways.
· Deer are most active from
6 to 9 p.m., so be extra
vigilant at those times.
· Use headlights to illumi-
nate areas where
deer will enter roadways.
· Keep in mind that where
there is one deer, there
are usually more.
· Do not rely on car-
mounted whistles.
· Be careful in attempting
to swerve out of the path
of a deer. It could cause
loss of control or impact
with another vehicle.
Source: State Farm
Insurance