A Deer in the Headlights

Vehicle-deer collisions are increasing in Mississippi.

A deer in the headlights can be a dangerous thing for both the animal and the driver. MPB's Patty Davis reports the number of vehicle-deer collisions is on the rise in Mississippi.

There are about one point seven Million deer roaming the woods and roadways in Mississippi.

Moonie: The woods are full of em and they'll jump out there in a heartbeat.

Jerry Moonie, a trucker and avid hunter from South Jackson, has had several encounters with deer on the road s.

Moonie: One morning, I had some in the middle of the road and they wouldn't move. And it was foggy, and I had to get out of the truck and yell at them to make em run. Cause they just stood there, they was scared.

Unfortunatly, not all the stories have a happy ending. Transportation officials report there were over 3000 vehicle - deer collisions last year on MS roads... Chad Dacus , Deer program co-ordinator for MS Wildlife and Fisheries, says most collisions occur at dawn and dusk when visibility is at it's lowest... especially between November and January...

Dacus: Deer are startin' to move around to look for food. There's a lot of green groceries planted on the side of highways. And number two, this is the time when bucks start to chase does. They're getting into their breeding season. And so we're having a lot more deer movement this time of year.

An average buck weighs in at around 200 lbs, but in the south Delta, Dacus says they can reach 300 lbs or more.

Dacus: It can be life threatening to hit a deer that size. I've seen cars that have just been demolished.

All the experts agree, it is better to hit the deer than swerve and hit a tree or another vehicle.

Dacus; If you see a deer, ya know, slow down a little bit more, there's probably gonna be more in front of it.

Vehicle-deer collisions are increasing in Mississippi, especially where urban sprawl has replaced the natural deer habitat.