Vehicle collisions with deer and elk tend to peak in October and November, when migration and breeding puts them on the move, making them more likely to cross roads, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).Fewer daylight hours and rainy weather also reduce drivers' visibility.Each year, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews remove about 6,000 carcasses of deer struck and killed by vehicles on Oregon’s public roadways, and many more die away from roads or on county, city or private roads.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');ODFW research tracking mule deer with GPS collars shows that deer faithfully follow their migratory routes, no matter how many roads are in the way. They often have no choice but to cross roads to get to food and shelter, the ODFW states in an advisory release.The encounters frequently lead to damaged vehicles triggering expensive repair costs, and often the collisions can cause human injuries and even death. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports 24 people in Oregon died in vehicle collisions with animals between 2011 and 2020.The ODFW urge drivers to follow these recommendations to avoid collisions with wildlife:Watch for animal crossing signs: These signs mark areas with frequent wildlife crossings so stay alert when you see one.Be cautious in areas with dense vegetation and curves: Wildlife can be difficult to spot in these areas until they are near the road.Expect more animals when you see one: If you spot one animal, more are likely nearby. Focus on where the animal came from (not where it’s going), as others may be following.Slow down and stay in your lane: Swerving to avoid animals often leads to more serious crashes. Maintain control of your vehicle.Always wear your seat belt: Even minor collisions can cause serious injuries and wearing your seat belt is one of the best ways to stay safe.This is also the time of year when the most road-killed deer and elk are salvaged for meat.Drivers who hit a deer or elk, or see one that is struck, and salvage it must fill out a free online permit and turn the head in within five days so ODFW can test for Chronic Wasting Disease.This highly infectious and always fatal disease affecting deer, elk and moose has never been detected in Oregon but was recently detected in Idaho, California, and Washington.One symptom of the disease is loss of balance/coordination, which makes road-killed deer and elk an important group to test. More info about ODFW’s Roadkill Salvage Permits can be found at https://myodfw.com/articles/roadkill-salvage-permitsWildlife crossings are also helping reduce the number of animals on highways in some areas of Oregon. These structures create safer passage for wildlife and help protect travelers from collisions. Wildlife crossings on Highway 97 near Sunriver have helped reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by nearly 90 percent, according to the ODFW. Courtesy from Oregon State University – Cascades Deer and elk using the wildlife undercrossing on US Highway 97 near Gilchrist. Courtesy from ODOT ODFW and ODOT officials said they are are continuing efforts to build more wildlife crossings to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and maintain long-term habitat connectivity. Key partners, including the Oregon Wildlife Foundation and the Oregon Hunters Association, have played vital roles in supporting these efforts, the release states.If you want to support wildlife passage, consider the Watch for Wildlife Oregon license plate. Proceeds from this plate fund wildlife passage and habitat connectivity projects statewide.To help the state identify roadkill hotspots the public can by participate in the Roadkills of Oregon project. ODFW, in partnership with the Oregon Zoo, is asking people for assistance recording the locations of road-killed mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.ODFW officials ask that if you see a road-killed animal of any species and it is safe to do so, pull over, take a picture of the carcass, and add it to the project on iNaturalist. These observations are invaluable in identifying priority areas for the state to take action to help save wildlife. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });