Deer-vehicle crashes to climb as autumn approaches

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Unfortunately, wildlife-vehicle crashes can happen anytime of the year, but the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is reminding drivers to be on the alert as autumn approaches.

Deer can be seen near roads at any time of the year, but during the fall, through mid-November, deer mating season, also known as the rut, marks the period when deer-vehicle crashes are most common.

During the rut, deer travel more than in other times of the year, not focused on vehicle hazards and are looking for food sources as crops are harvested and leaves fall and remove cover from deer habitats.

During the fall days, dawn and dusk happen during the heaviest traffic of the day and that is when deer are most active. Deer-vehicle crashes happen in every Kansas county, but are higher whe