With deer becoming increasingly active across the state, and with daylight-saving time nearing, the Pennsylvania Game Commission are advising motorists to slow down on roads during hours when deer move most.
The Game Commission says deer are more active this time of year due to their fall breeding season, or “rut”, and several yearling bucks travel long distances to find new ranges. Additionally, adult bucks travel their home ranges to chase down doe.
When daylight-saving time ends on November 6th, vehicular traffic is expected to increase during dusk and dawn – peak hours for deer activity.
A recent report showed that Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Another report showed that Pennsylvania drivers have a 1-in-58 chance of colliding with a big-game animal, marking a nationwide-high.
Game Commission officials say simply paying attention to areas with “Deer Crossing” signs can help reduce the number of animal-related collisions. They also say that reporting an accident involving an animal is not necessary, but it is encouraged as road-kill animals are routinely picked up for testing.
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