ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Aberdeen Proving Ground has a huge deer population for its area. Because of this we average approximately 28 automobile/deer collisions a year. Most people do not pay much attention to the deer crossing warning signs on the side of the road, but statistics say they should. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto deer collisions are responsible for around 150 deaths each year. Not only that, they also cause over $1 billion in property damage. With adult deer averaging 250 pounds, the potential for disaster to drivers should come as no surprise. In 2011, there were 14,690 deer-vehicle collisions in Maryland, with 379 in Harford County. And with more than 30 million deer currently in the United States - 280,000 in Maryland -- those numbers are sure to rise. Despite efforts to minimize accidents, an ever increasing deer population means drivers and animals will remain at risk for the foreseeable future. With so many new personnel on the installation and more to come it's time to talk about the deer population once again.
It was brought to my attention that there have been 10 deer car collisions on APG since January. Now that mating season has started, that number will rise quickly. This installation has a very large deer population which increases every spring when the new fawns are born.
Fall
We are now in the fall season and this time of year brings a noticeable change in the whitetail deer's behavior. The laziness of spring and summer is gone, replaced by the frenzy of the breeding season. The mature buck becomes aggressive and roams widely in search of female companionship. This is called the Rutting Season.
The rut, or the whitetail's breeding season, occurs in the fall from late September through February, with a peak in November. The time before mating, or the early pre-rut, is characterized by groups of does, bucks and fawns grazing together. As late summer turns into early fall bucks will turn their mind to two things: breeding a doe and eating for energy in order to breed. They seek out foods rich in carbohydrates such as acorns, beechnuts, pecans, apples and other soft and hard mast; in addition to crops to help pack on fat that carry deer through the rut and winter. Bucks must eat to store energy for the stresses of breeding. During breeding season bucks will often throw caution to the wind for a doe. Sightings will increase and the doe will run from the buck without paying the slightest attention where she's going. The chase before mating is when the most frequent deer car collisions occur. After mating, a buck may graze with a doe for a while before darting off to find another mate. The rut leaves a buck frail and tired. Sometimes a dominant buck is so weak that he can barely survive the winter. This gives younger bucks a chance to breed doe that come into late estrus, (also known as heat) in December.
To avoid deer/vehicle collisions, the following precautions should be taken not only during the mating season, but year round.
Deer Precautions When Driving
Always wear a seatbelt. The most severe injuries in deer-vehicle collisions result from failure to wear a seatbelt.
If you see a deer slow down; they move in groups. There are likely more in the vicinity.
Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones. They're there for a reason. Deer like to cross there.
Always stay awake, alert, and sober.
When driving at night, use high-beams when there is no oncoming traffic. They will illuminate the eyes. Slow down immediately.
Drive cautiously from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the high-risk times for deer-vehicle collisions
Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane.
Do not swerve to avoid a deer. Most serious accidents occur when drivers swerve and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars and go off the road.
Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not proven effective.
If on a multi-lane highway, drive in the center lane.
For additional Information contact the Installation Safety Office at 410-306-1095
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