WisDOT urges caution on area roads as deer activity increases this time of year

It’s that time of year again. It’s mating season for white tailed deer so that means the frisky four legged animals become extra active.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is urging drivers to stay alert and keep an eye out for deer on roadways, and says deer are most active during early morning and evening hours.

Last year there were over 17,000 crashes involving deer in the state, where nine people died and 707 people were injured. The DOT says more than one-third of those crashes happened in October and November. They also say with warmer than normal temperatures, we could see an uptick in motorcycle vs deer crashes.

Fond du Lac County ranked 6th in the state last year with 683 deer related crashes up from 571 in 2023. Several other neighboring counties made the top 10 list as well with Washington County at number two with 798 crashes, Sheboygan at number five with 763, and Winnebago at number 10 with 532.

The WisDOT says if you do hit a deer, get your car off the road if possible. If someone is hurt or the deer remains in the road, call 911. If no one is hurt and the deer is off the road, contact the police non emergency line. They also say to not try and move an injured deer.