As days shorten, drivers are encouraged to be cautious, as their chances of encountering deer on roadways increase significantly at this time of year. Depending on location and drive time, many drivers will have an equal chance of “getting” a deer as a novice hunter.

As the firearms season winds down and winter approaches, deer are a continuing threat to Indiana motorists. Nearly 50 percent of all vehicle accidents involving whitetail deer occur between October and December, according to Chad Stewart, deer research biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The main reason is the increase in deer activity.

With breeding season, deer become more active in the fall. The activity often leads deer to encounter roads more frequently, increasing the opportunity for a collision. Other factors contributing to accident frequency are deer density, vehicle density, surrounding habitat, speed limits and time of day.

Indiana Crash Facts, an annual report compiled by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Center for Criminal Justice Research and the IUPUI School of Public & Environmental Affairs, reported 15,990 deer-related collisions in 2010. These collisions represent a decrease of 1.4 percent from 2009, but almost 29 percent more than the 11,371 reported by Indiana Crash Facts in 2000.

“With the number of deer and the number of vehicles out there, deer-vehicle accidents will happen,” Stewart said. “The best thing drivers can do is to take measures to keep them to a minimum.”

Knowing the following information and practicing defensive driving will help reduce your chances of becoming a deer-vehicle collision statistic:

•Fall is the most common season to strike a deer

•Deer are most active between sunset and sunrise

•Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one, another is likely nearby

•Be especially careful in areas where you have seen deer before

•Use high beams when there is no opposing traffic; scan for deer’s illuminated eyes or dark silhouettes along the side of the road

•If you see a deer, slow your speed drastically, even if it is far away

•Exercise extreme caution along woodlot edges, at hills or blind turns
•Never swerve to avoid hitting a deer; most serious crashes occur when drivers try to miss a deer but hit something else

Drivers should pay attention to traffic signs warning of deer crossings and may want to steer clear of gimmicks.

“Deer crossing signs have proved effective, but motorists tend to get acclimated to such signs, and their efficiency can be reduced over time,” Stewart said. “Fancy whistles or reflectors can be placed on your car to scare deer away, but truth be told, they will only keep you from hitting unicorns or dragons.”

Stewart said even when practicing safe driving, sometimes hitting a deer is inevitable. Caution is also the best approach after the fact.

“If you hit a deer, remain calm,” he said. “Do not approach the deer unless you are sure it has expired. Despite their gentle nature, their hooves are sharp and powerful, and can be extremely dangerous.”

Stewart said, like cars and people, deer can be found anywhere, so drivers should be on the lookout. “Whether you’re driving through the Hoosier National Forest, your developed neighborhood or inside the city limits of Indianapolis, keep your eye out,” he said. “Though a deer-vehicle accident can occur at any time of the day during any season, your chances of striking a deer are greatest at low-light conditions between October and December. Take additional caution during these times, lower your speed and be alert.”

Hunters may help monitor the abundance and distribution of deer and other wildlife species in state forests by completing an online survey after each hunting trip to one this year.

“Hunters are uniquely skilled observers in the outdoors and are in a position to provide feedback that can help us better manage the resources of our state forests,” said John Seifert, director of the DNR Division of Forestry.

Hunters are asked to go to www.dnr.IN.gov/forestry/7245.htm every time they return from a hunting trip. Multiple hunting trips made on the same day would ideally warrant separate visits to the website to complete a survey. State forests in Indiana are listed at www.dnr.IN.gov/forestry/3631.htm

The anonymous survey will be available all year online and is open to all hunters who hunt in the state forests. Completion will take a hunter a few minutes, and more instructions are listed at the website.

The Indiana DNR recently launched the GiveINGame program, an initiative designed to put deer hunters in touch with citizens who would like to obtain venison for their tables. The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife has created an online site at www.dnr.IN.gov/giveINgame where donors and recipients may register their contact information. There is no cost to complete the simple registration.

Here’s how it works: A hunter registers information on the condition and amount of deer meat he or she is willing to donate. The hunter can choose to donate field-dressed meat or meat already skinned and boned, or wrapped and frozen. The hunter also provides contact information, either phone number or email. A recipient registers information on the amount of deer meat he or she is willing to accept, and designates a preference for field-dressed, skinned and boned or wrapped and frozen meat. The recipient also provides contact information, either phone number or email.

Registrants can search the database for someone matching their designated preferences and use the contact information to work out the transfer details. A participating hunter remains responsible for field-dressing the deer, ensuring the deer is taken to a DNR-designated check station and obtaining a permanent identification tag, after which it can be transferred or gifted to another party.

Indiana law prohibits the sale, trade or barter of wild game; however, GiveINGame provides hunters who have filled their freezers an opportunity to share extra deer meat with anyone willing to accept it. Venison is a healthy alternative to beef. It has less fat and calories, and more protein than the same size serving of beef, according to several nutrition websites. The DNR assumes no responsibility for the quality of venison shared through GiveINGame or the failure of a donor or recipient to follow through with an agreed transfer.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.