Connecticut Motorists: Watch for Deer and Moose this Fall

Deer a little later in the season

 The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is reminding motorists to watch out for deer and moose along roadways, especially during early morning and evening hours, according to a release.

"September through October is the peak of the breeding season for Connecticut's small but expanding moose population in the northern part of the state. The breeding season (also known as "the rut") for white-tailed deer closely follows the moose breeding season, running from late October through late December," the release said.

Further, DEEP’s Wildlife Division "says motorists should be aware and heed 'Deer Crossing' signs along state highways. Motorists are advised to slow down and drive defensively should a deer or moose be spotted on or by the road," the release noted. "Because moose are darker in color and stand much higher than deer, observing reflective eye-shine from headlights is infrequent and, when struck, moose often end up impacting the windshield of vehicles."

Moose and deer vehicle collisions should be reported to local, state, or DEEP Environmental Conservation police at 860-424-3333.
 

 

“During 2015, approximately 4,500 deer were killed in the state due to collisions with vehicles,” Rick Jacobson, director of the DEEP Wildlife Division, said, also in the release. “A total of 40 moose-vehicle accidents have been reported in Connecticut between 1995 and 2016, with an average of two per year since 2002.  Moose-vehicle accidents are expected to increase as the moose population expands.”

Also:

"Most of Connecticut is not considered ideal habitat for moose because the state’s landscape is fragmented, roadways have high traffic volume, and moose have large home ranges (approximately 10-15 square miles). Moose venturing into southern Connecticut, with high population density, road networks, and traffic volumes, pose an increased potential for human fatalities from accidents as compared to deer-vehicle accidents. Residents throughout the state are encouraged to report moose sightings on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife."

Oh dear! DEEP reminds motorists to watch for deer this Fall

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Wildlife Division reminded motorists in a release Tuesday "to be watchful of increased deer activity along roadways, especially during early morning and evening hours."

UPDATE: The DEEP Thursday issued a safety reminder "for outdoor enthusiasts as a variety of hunting seasons are currently underway – most notably the opening of the fall firearms deer season" which begins Nov. 18. Deer hunting season information is available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/hunting.

 

 "Late October through December is the peak of the breeding season (also known as "the rut") for white-tailed deer which increases deer activity and the likelihood of deer crossing roads," the release said  "Be aware and heed 'Deer Crossing' signs erected by highway departments."

 

Further, motorists are "advised to slow down and drive defensively should a deer be spotted on or by the road. Deer/vehicle collisions should be reported to local or state law enforcement agencies, or the DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Division at 860-424-3333.," the release said

“In the early 2000’s more than 15,000 deer vehicle accidents occurred annually, while this past year, approximately 6,500 deer were killed in the state due to collisions with vehicles,” Rick Jacobson, director of the DEEP Wildlife Division said, also in the release.

 

The director "credits this decline to increased educational efforts and more intensive deer management efforts in many areas of the state."

Oh Deer! They sure do like to hang around!

In Connecticut and certainly across Greater New Haven, white-tailed deer are plentiful. In some places, they are more plentiful than others and often appear as if they will move in, or at least expect a place at the dinner table. In some cases, the place at the table is literal, as shown in this videos.
If you watch the videos in a row, you will see exactly how at home these creatures are! (the last one is the best but you have to watch it to see why)


The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says they are a "stately, graceful animal."

Do you agree? (And yes, I know we should have stored the patio furniture but we were still using it into December!)