Ah, it’s November – that time of year when the deer get a little flirty! By following these practical tips, both you and our four-legged friends can coexist safely on the roads.
- 🦌 Be on the lookout on Centre Ave/Township Rd 232 (our very own ‘Wildlife Corridor’ heading to the trails), where local deer seem to think the grass is always greener on the other side of the road!
- 👀 Keep those peepers peeled for glowing eyes. And remember, deer are not solo travellers; they like to bring their squad.
- 🚗 Light up the night with your high-beam headlights when cruising the dark roads (when it won’t blind anyone, of course).
- 🕠 Show some extra attention at sunrise and sunset, when the deer are most likely to photobomb your commute.
- ⭕ Time for a speed check: Slow and steady wins the race and allows you more time to react.
- 🦌Give ’em a friendly honk to remind them the road isn’t a dance floor. Deer whistles? Nah, not their jam.
- ⬆️ No dodging, no swerving! Stay in your lane and give those brakes a loving squeeze – brakes are your BFF’s in a deer encounter.
What happens if I have a deer-lemma? - 🚘 Slide your ride to a safe spot and flick on those flashing hazards, pronto!
- 🚑 If you or any of your buddies are feeling a little worse for wear, call 911.
- 📞 Call up Fish and Wildlife if the deer needs some TLC (403-297-6423 between 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday or 1-800-642-3800 outside of office hours). We don’t want any more road drama, do we? If the deer has passed, call your regional Transportation Infrastructure Office at 310-0000.
- 📷 A close-up selfie with the injured deer is a no-go. They will not be in the mood for a photo op.
- 📄 Once you’ve got things under control, give your insurance folks a ring from a safe spot.
While deer are majestic creatures, they can also be quite unpredictable during rutting season. Stay safe and keep your eyes on the road!
