ODNR Warns of Increase in Activity During Rut

A supervisor with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering tips on avoiding accidents with deer during breeding season.

Avon Lake has been addressing a deer overpopulation problem for more than a year, including holding seminars on how the issue should be handled.

Whitetail deer movements increase this time of year due to breeding, and that includes movements across roads. In the past month, drivers reported at least four vehicle-deer collisions including a police cruiser that sustained significant damage after hitting a deer.

“While deer are most active in the immediate hours before and after sunset and again near sunrise, they can be active anytime of the day or night,” Scott Peters, wildlife management assistant supervisor for ODNR, said.

Peters had advice if it became clear a vehicle you’re driving was going to hit a deer.

“In the event of an unavoidable collision with a deer, it is safer to hit the deer rather than to swerve off the road or into oncoming traffic,” Peters said. Most personal injury occurs when the driver attempts to avoid the deer.

Peters said property damage can be repaired; but a collision with another vehicle could cause serious injury or death.  

Here are safe driving tips offered by the Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Insurance Institute: 

• Drive with extreme caution, at or below the posted speed limit
• High-risk periods are from sunset to midnight, and in the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
• If you see one deer expect that others may follow. Slow down and be alert.
• The high beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and allow for greater driver reaction time.
• Always wear safety belts.
• Do not swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer. It is safer to hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle rather than to risk swerving out of control.
• Report any deer-vehicle collisions to the
• Stay alert and wide awake. Deer are often unpredictable.