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Motorists are urged to be especially attentive during morning and evening commutes when visibility may be poor. Deer are involved in thousands of collisions in New Jersey every year, with as many as half coming during the fall mating season, known as the rutting season. An adult male deer can weigh 150 pounds or more.
“At this time of year, deer can suddenly run into any type of roadway, from busy highways to country roads,” said division Director David Chanda. “A moment of inattentiveness behind the wheel at the wrong time can lead to serious consequences.”
Deer are most active in the very early morning hours and around sunset, when visibility conditions can be difficult. This is when bucks are most actively pursuing does. Exercising caution will become even more important when daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, causing commutes to align with periods when deer are most active.
The peak mating season for deer in New Jersey is from late October, throughout November, and into mid-December in all regions of the state, beginning earliest in the northern regions.
Motorists are encouraged to alert the Department of Transportation of dead deer they find along the state highway system. DOT has made it easy and convenient for residents to do so online; click here to report carcasses on state highways only. Municipal and county governments are responsible for removal of dead deer from their roads.
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