Lookout! Major influx of car/deer accidents happen as warmer weather thaws snow

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

Car/deer accidents have been on the increase in Presque Isle County as deer have been on the move in search of food after a brutal winter of cold and snow.

During the recent warm-up, motorists have been stopping to let, not just one or two cross county roadways, but herds of them. In some case, drivers have not been able stop.

Don Rose, who manages Lynn Street Manor in Onaway, totaled a pick up truck in Cheboygan County when he took out three at one time.

Drivers should be on the lookout for deer in the roadways as they seek better feeding areas. (Photo by Richard Lamb)

Another driver hit four. Three died instantly, while the fourth had to be put down.

According to Sgt. Darin Rabeau of the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s office, there have been an average of four to five called in a day. There have been 18 since March 27.

“They’re moving,” said Rabeau. “It was worse last week. It’s definitely over what we’ve had before.”

Rabeau advised motorists to drive slow and “keep your eyes open. Drive cautiously and don’t jam on your brakes, and lose control of your vehicle and go in the ditch.”

He said some of the main accident areas have been M-68 from Cobbs to Porter. “There is a huge stretch in there where deer are crossing hard,” said Rabeau. He also noted County Road 451 in front of Tulgestka Transportation.

“It’s an area where they are getting hammered big time,” added Rabeau. “They are bunched up in groups of 40 and they are just moving through.”

Business 23 near the intersection of U.S.-23 and Petersville Road is another trouble area where drivers need to be on the alert.

“It’s been a really tough winter for deer,” said Keith Kintigh, northern lower peninsula wildlife supervisor. “Deer are pretty well equipped to deal with typical winters, but when we have this extended cold and extended snow cover like we have, those impacts add up.”

Kintigh said there are couple of things going on in regard to car/deer accidents.

“A lot of times, those steeper slopes, in particular those south facing slopes are the first to become exposed,” said Kintigh. “In their search for green material to start browsing on, they will come along roadsides.”

Another factor are weak fawns that are getting hit.

Kintigh also said it among the sixth worst winters in terms of winter severity.

“We have a winter severity index that we monitor every winter which specifically determines the potential impact of the winter on deer. This is in the top six worst winters since the late 1960s.

“We have been seeing a few claims from deer,” said Scott Kowalski of the Kowalski Insurance Agency. “The grass is starting to peak through closer to the roads, so they get spooked closer to the roads – and bam!” Kowalski, who also is an avid hunter, believes the northern Michigan deer he

rd and antler growth will be impacted by the severe winter.

Wozniak Insurance of Posen has not noticed increase in car-deer claims, but insurance agent Donna Couture has noticed an increase in the cost to repair vehicles, which can average between $3,000 to $4,000.

While the state’s two million deer are most active in spring and fall, vehicle-deer crashes are a year-round problem, the Michigan State Police states on their Web site.

Each year, there are more than 60,000 reported vehicle-deer crashes in Michigan. About 80 percent of these crashes occur on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn.

The most serious crashes occur when motorists swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or a fixed object, or when their vehicle rolls over.