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Anyone driving Wisconsin roads in the springtime can attest to the increased frequency of deer kills due to collisions. The Wisconsin State Patrol keeps track of that, and is out with advice for drivers to keep a sharp eye out for the official Wisconsin State Wildlife Animal as does begin searching for places to give birth, and the fawns grow to leave their mothers.
In a release on Wednesday, State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said that “Deer can be erratic and hard to spot, so it’s important that drivers are looking ahead and paying close attention to the sides of the road.
Carnahan said that spring and fall are the two seasons when most such crashes occur. In all, there were more than 17,000 crashes involving deer in Wisconsin in 2024, resulting in 9 fatalities and 708 injuries to the persons involved. Seven of the fatalities were to motorcyclists, who also accounted for 87 serious injuries, placing that category at the greatest risk.
Sheboygan County recorded the 5th highest number of car vs deer crashes in the state with 763 last year. The Wisconsin county reporting the highest incidence was Waukesha at 937 while the 10th-place was recorded with 532 incidents in Winnebago County. The neighboring county of Washington ranked #2 with 798; Fond du Lac was #6 with 683 crashes, and Manitowoc County was the 8th highest with 645.
During the high seasons for deer crashes, the Wisconsin DOT advises that drivers maintain a safe speed, eliminate distractions and make sure everyone is buckled up. Carefully scan the road ahead, and if one deer is spotted, expect more and honk the horn to encourage the deer to move away. If a collision can’t be avoided, brake firmly and stay in your lane, as a sudden swerve can result in a more serious crash.
If you do hit a deer, get your vehicle safely off the road if possible, and if someone is hurt or the deer is in the active roadway, call 911. If the road is clear and nobody is hurt, call local law enforcement. Finally, remain buckled up inside your vehicle and wait for help, and never try to move an injured deer.
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