JEFFERSON CITY – Fall has arrived, which means deer and other wild animals are on the move as temperatures cool and nights become longer. Most deer strikes with vehicles occur during October and November and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists to be prepared for the sudden appearance of wild animals on Missouri roadways throughout the fall months.
“Deer increase their movements during the breeding season, which begins in October and peaks in mid-November,” said Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Deer Biologist Jason Isabelle. “Because of this, motorists should be especially cautious when driving this time of year.”
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri has consistently ranked 10th to 15th in the country for collisions involving deer each year. In 2023, Missouri drivers experienced 3,591 crashes involving deer. One deer strike occurred approximately every 2 hours and 30 minutes in the state. In these crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured.
Rural areas are not the only places where vehicle strikes occur. Deer are often in groups, even in populated areas.
Here are some tips for staying alert:
- Stay on guard after a close call or when you see a single deer, as there are likely more.
- To avoid hitting a deer, always be cautious and regularly scan both sides of the roadway.
- Watch for the reflection of deer eyes from vehicle headlights and slow down so you can more easily react to their presence.
- Never swerve to avoid animals in the road, as it can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in serious injury or death.
According to Missouri Law, an individual who has struck and killed a deer with their vehicle may claim the deer carcass if written authorization to possess the deer is granted by an MDC agent. The Wildlife Disposition Form is free, but MDC must be contacted to obtain the permit.
“No one should ever jeopardize their safety by attempting to remove an animal in a high-traffic area. Instead, contact MoDOT’s customer service line at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636),” said MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Darin Hamelink. “Crews will address any animal or debris that poses a safety hazard, meaning the item is in the driving lanes. Crews will safely drag the large animal debris to the outer portion of the grassy roadside, outside any active drainage ditch or channel.”
If a deer is located on the shoulder, MoDOT will address the deer during normal weekday work hours. MoDOT crews are not called out after hours to remove an item unless it is a road safety hazard in a driving lane. MoDOT does not employ any specialized crews assigned to remove dead animals from roadways or contract out any roadkill removal. If a deer is struck along a state-maintained road and is completely off the roadway, MoDOT will not pick it up unless it impedes mail delivery or is in a neighborhood, especially at or near a bus stop.