Repair shops see increase in vehicles involved in collisions with deer

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This Fall, drivers in southeastern Wisconsin have noticed an increase in deer on roadways -- and as it turns out, there is a reason they are there now. Unfortunately, the increased number of deer on the roadways means a spike in the number of deer vs. vehicle collisions.

When vehicles and deer collide, drivers and passengers can be injured -- and so can the deer.

A vehicle taken to Silver Spring Collision Center in West Bend still had deer fur on it on Monday, October 28th.

"We can easily see now that the fender has been removed -- that we do now have some structural integrity that's been compromised here," Senior Estimator Steven Schultz said.

Schultz says the shop is seeing a lot of vehicles damaged due to deer collisions. In fact, the end of October through mid to late November is the peak time.

"So this time is when the bucks start really chasing the does -- the females. It's not breeding time yet, but they're out looking to find out where the does are and basically check on their reproductive status," DNA Wildlife Supervisor Tim Lizotte said.

Lizotte says when drivers spot one deer -- they should be on the lookout for more.

"Sometimes one comes out, gets across the road before the car comes and the other ones who maybe weren't able to see the road, they bolt out and those are often the ones that get you," Lizotte said.

Monetary damage to vehicles can be a few hundred dollars, to thousands of dollars.

The cost to repair one truck at the shop was $10,500.

Lizotte offers this advice to drivers:

"This time of year, especially dawn and dusk -- that's the peak deer movement time. Drive slow. Drive the speed limit and really drive defensively because it never turns out well for the deer and it never turns out well for the car," Lizotte said.

Drivers that hit a deer and would like to keep the deer for consumption can call the local DNR warden or the Sheriff's Office so the deer can be tagged.