Cool fall air: sparking the rut and commuter collisions
Mid-Missouri has been basking in unseasonable 70- to nearly 80-degree heat this week, but an organized cold front arriving this weekend will make a noticeable difference in how it feels outside. While many of us will just swap short sleeves for sweaters, local wildlife is reacting on a deeper, biological level. This sudden plunge in temperatures serves as the starting gun for the deer rut, creating a volatile mix for drivers hitting the roads during the evening commute.
The unseasonably warm weather we have experienced for much of October has effectively suppressed typical daytime deer movement. However, as the incoming cold front sweeps across the state, biological instincts are taking over.
Jason Isabelle, Cervid Program Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, notes that the temperature drop directly influences when deer are most active. "Deer just start moving more during the daytime than they would when it's warmer," Isabelle explained. "We've been in a real warm pattern for, you know, most of the fall, and so that shifted a lot of the deer time activity into the evening hours," and that "we're approaching peak breeding here within the next, you know, 2 to 3 weeks."
This sudden spike in pre-rut activity is colliding directly with the setting sun. As we rapidly lose daylight heading into the end of Daylight Saving Time, peak deer movement now overlaps perfectly with the evening drive home.
While major interstates always carry risk, drivers need to be hyper-vigilant on secondary routes. Isabelle warns that specific road types present deceptive dangers. "Some of the areas to be particularly watchful are those highways that don't necessarily see the level of traffic as the major highways, but the speed limit is still pretty high," Isabelle said. "In those areas, deer feel very comfortable crossing those roads, and with the higher speeds of those highways, you know, that can be a potentially dangerous spot as well."
If a driver spots a deer crossing their path, the immediate reaction is critical. Because deer are herd animals, a single crossing often signals more to follow, meaning drivers cannot assume the road is clear just because one animal made it across. "If you see a deer cross the road, you know, some folks will assume the threat has passed and keep going," Isabelle advised. "But if you've got a group, you know, a group of deer that are traveling together, you see that first one, and my recommendation is always to slow down and be looking for more because sometimes that 2nd one or 3rd one or even sometimes more will be crossing right, you know, right behind that initial one."
As this cold front settles in, remember to always use caution and be aware of the cars around you so that you know what kind of decision you need to make if a deer happens to appear in your headlights. Avoid swerving, as swerving is one of the leading causes of secondary collisions and vehicle rollovers. Keep your speed down on wooded highways, use your high beams when possible, and remember that when it comes to the deer rut, the threat rarely travels alone.
