Officials advise drivers of the potential for more deer on roads

As Missouri gears up for the heart of deer- mating season; more bucks are out seeking mates and maturing fawns are leaving their mothers.

At the same time, it’s harvest season with farmers driving deer into open areas including highways and city roads.

Robert Hemmelgarn with the Missouri Department of Conservation, told ABC 17 News, “They are moving a lot more this time of year, so they’ll be crossing roads and highways.”

More deer means more potential for animal collisions. According to State Farm, Missouri is 17th in the nation for having the most potential deer collisions with Missourian’s having a 1 in 117 chance of hitting a deer.

Hitting a deer, isn’t cheap. Joe Camoriano, State Farm media specialist says the average cost per claim is $4,000 so you want to have the correct insurance.

“A lot of people think it’s collision insurance, but animals or damage from animals are covered under the ‘other than’ collision or comprehensive of your auto policy.”

To avoid hitting deer, Hemmelgarn says, “keep an eye for deer crossing signs; reduce your speed; and have high beams on when it’s safe.”

Camoriano says one thing you don’t want to do is you swerve.

“We want to make sure that you break firmly and stay in your lane because anytime you swerve, which there is a tendancy to do that, you want to try and avoid a deer it’s easier to lose control of your car.”

The most active hour for deer is before sunset and an hour after sunset, which can be a peak traffic time. The Missouri Department of Conservation says deer tend to travel in herds so if you see one, look out for more.

According to the latest State Farm statistics, drivers are 3 percent more likely to collide with a deer this year than last.

More than 85 percent of collisions with animals involve the front of a vehicle.