Motorists be aware: Deer activity increases in June, raises risk for car-deer collisions

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and State Patrol are reminding motorists they need to be extra alert. That is because deer activity increases in June as females search for places to give birth and young deer separate from their mothers.

While crashes between deer and motor vehicles tend to peak in the fall, state officials say June is when motorists are most likely to be injured in a deer/vehicle crash. Last year in Wisconsin, 515 motorists were injured in deer/vehicle crashes and four people were killed – all four fatalities were motorcyclists.

Last year in Wisconsin, law enforcement agencies reported 20,177 deer/vehicle crashes. Counties with higher traffic volumes and significant deer populations see the most crashes. A county-by-county breakdown of deer/vehicle crashes in Wisconsin indicates Dane County had the most deer/vehicle crashes last year with 1,033, followed by Waukesha County with 891 and Washington County with 816.

WisDOT offers the following tips to avoid deer crashes and motorist injuries:

The increase in motor vehicle travel and deer activity this time of year also results in more car-killed-deer along Wisconsin roadways. WisDOT works with private vendors, county highway departments and law enforcement to manage deer carcass removal. To report car-killed-deer:

State law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency responders, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles - including crews removing deer carcasses. More information on the Car-Killed-Deer program can be found on the WisDOT website.