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SALT LAKE CITY —
During the fall and winter months, there is an increase in wildlife along the roadways, primarily due to big game animals migrating to lower elevations in search of feed, according to Daniel Olson, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wildlife migration initiative coordinator. The migration period for deer is typically April and May, and then again in November, which is also when the highest number of vehicle and deer collisions occur in Utah.
"The peak time to hit deer in Utah is around November," Olson said. "It coincides with mating season and the migration. Animals are crossing more roads during the migration, and male deer move around a lot more to find mates. Plus, it doesn't help that the daylight hours are shorter, creating lower visibility for drivers."
According to a DWR study, there were approximately 10,000 deer-vehicle collisions in 2012. However, Olson estimates those numbers are lower now because more fences and wildlife bridges have been installed along migration routes across Utah highways in recent years. There have been at least 3,500 deer/vehicle collisions reported already this year, and the actual number of collisions may be double that number.
Deer are more active early in the morning and in the evenings, which coincides with busy commuting hours. This is also when low-light conditions make it difficult for drivers to see.
How to avoid wildlife collisions
As daylight saving time ends, here are some tips from Wild Aware Utah to help you avoid wildlife collisions:
What to do if you see an animal near or in the road
If you see an animal near the road, here are some additional suggestions:
What to do if you hit an animal