Watch For Deer On The Road This November

Utah drivers will gain an extra hour of sleep when daylight saving time ends on Nov. 2, but shorter daylight hours also mean lower visibility for evening commutes — and an increased risk of vehicle collisions with wildlife. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is reminding drivers to be especially alert during this time of year, when deer and other big game are on the move.

During the fall and winter months, many animals migrate to lower elevations in search of food, which brings them closer to Utah’s highways. Deer migration peaks in October and November — the same time that vehicle collisions are most common. “The peak time to hit deer in Utah is during November,” DWR Migration Initiative Coordinator Makeda Hanson said in a press release. “It coincides with mating season and the annual migration of deer. Animals are crossing more roads during the migration, and male deer move around a lot more to find mates. It also doesn’t help that the daylight hours are shorter during this time of year, creating lower visibility for drivers.”

The DWR’s most recent study on deer-vehicle collisions, conducted in 2012, estimated about 10,000 such incidents statewide. While the total has likely dropped in recent years thanks to added wildlife fencing and bridges, the threat remains significant. From Jan. 1 to Oct. 24 of this year, more than 4,600 roadkill animals were removed from Utah roadways.

Utah Uses GPS To Track Deer Movement

The Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative, launched in 2017, uses GPS and transmitter data to better understand the movement of wildlife and identify where animals face barriers. “The tracking data helps wildlife managers understand where animals are spending their time, their movement patterns, and barriers impacting their access to critical resources,” Hanson said. “Using this information, we partner with the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure wildlife crossings are constructed strategically — particularly when those routes cross migration corridors or rivers.”

Read More: Wildlife License Plates Aid Wildlife Management

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Drivers are encouraged to stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk, and report any wildlife collisions through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app to help identify potential areas for future crossings.