Motorists warned as love-struck deer set to hit the road

A WARNING has been issued to motorists, particularly those in East Clare, as the deer breeding season gets underway.

The Irish Deer Commission has likened the behaviour of stags, at this time, to “gladiators entering an arena”.

Roads close to forested areas in the Killaloe Municipal District can be especially dangerous and the area is regarded as one of Clare’s ‘deer hotspots’.

With that in mind, The Irish Commission is appealing to motorists and other road users to be vigilant.

“Tensions are rising as the rutting or deer breeding season gets under way, the time of the year when male deer are driven by an urge to reproduce,” a statement from the Commission said.

“From late September until early November, the clash of antlers will be heard as males show off their virility to potential mates and, like gladiators entering an arena, they parade around showing off their armoury of antlers.

“While the rut is an amazing experience to witness it is also a time when there is an increased incident of road traffic accidents involving deer as male deer go in search of females and younger males are ousted by dominant males forcing deer to cross public roads and motorways.”

Dawn and dusk are the times when deer are most active, particularly in high-risk areas such as woodlands and mountains. The advice to drivers is to reduce speed where they see a warning sign and stay alert.

“Prepare to stop, never swerve as you could hit another obstacle or oncoming vehicle,” the Commission has advised. “When you see a deer dip your headlights as the full beam may cause the deer to freeze. If a deer has crossed in front of your vehicle, be aware that others may follow. Do not approach an injured deer.”

The advice to anyone who is involved in a road traffic accident with a deer, or who come across a deer that has been involved in a road traffic accident, is to immediately contact the Gardaí.

The Irish Deer Commission operates a humane deer dispatch scheme with 135 trained volunteers assisting agencies and charities who deal with an increasing number of deer vehicle collisions nationally.