Motorists need to watch out for lovelorn deer during the rutting season

SIR, It’s autumn and in our forests and across our mountains, tensions are rising as the deer breeding season, known as ‘the rut’, gets underway. 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 incidence 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 roads.

It is a time when motorists need to be vigilant, particularly at dawn and dusk when deer are most active.

In high risk areas such as Killarney and the south Kerry/ Cork border area, motorists should reduce speed where they see a warning sign and stay alert. Prepare to stop but never swerve as you could hit another obstacle or oncoming vehicle. When you see a deer at night dip your head 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. If you are involved in an accident or come across a deer that has been involved in an accident, immediately contact your local Garda station.

The UK has over 70,000 road traffic accidents annually involving deer. In Ireland such accidents have increased in recent years following the expansion of our road network and the increased range of deer. However, the number of reported accidents – at 400 to 500 – with no fatalities makes such incidents a rare occurrence.

For more information go to http://www.wilddeerireland.com/reportaccident or contact 087 2496987, Sincerely, Damien Hannigan, Secretary, Wild Deer Association of Ireland, PO Box 31 Midleton, Co Cork.

The rutting season is a high-risk time for meeting deer on the roads.