Fall has finally arrived in St. Louis and this means deer and other wild animals will be on the move as temperatures cool and nights grow longer.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the majority of deer strikes with vehicles occur in October and November between the hours of 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Deer increase their movements during the breeding season, which begins in October and peaks in mid-November,” Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) deer biologist Jason Isabelle stated in a press release. “Because of this, motorists should be especially cautious when driving this time of year.”

To stay alert, MoDOT offers to the following tips:

• Stay on guard after a close call or when you see a single deer, as there are likely more.
• To avoid hitting a deer, always be cautious and regularly scan both sides of the roadway.
• Watch for the reflection of deer eyes from vehicle headlights and slow down so you can more easily react to their presence.
• Never swerve to avoid animals in the road, as it can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in serious injury or death.

Every year, Missouri consistently ranks 10th to 15th in the country for collisions involving deer, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. In 2023, Missouri drivers experienced 3,591 crashes involving deer, equivalent to one deer strike occurring approximately every two hours and 30 minutes. In those crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured.

Missouri Law permits individuals who have struck and killed a deer with their vehicle to claim the deer carcass if written authorization to possess the deer is granted by an MDC agent. The Wildlife Disposition Form is free, but MDC must be contacted to obtain the permit.

“No one should ever jeopardize their safety by attempting to remove an animal in a high-traffic area. Instead, contact MoDOT’s customer service line at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636),” MoDOT state maintenance engineer Darin Hamelink stated in a press release. “Crews will address any animal or debris that poses a safety hazard, meaning the item is in the driving lanes. Crews will safely drag the large animal debris to the outer portion of the grassy roadside, outside any active drainage ditch or channel.”

If a deer is located on the shoulder, MoDOT will address the deer during normal weekday work hours. MoDOT crews are not called out after hours to remove anything unless it is a road safety hazard in a driving lane. MoDOT does not employ any specialized crews assigned to remove dead animals from roadways, nor does it contract out any roadkill removal. If a deer is struck along a state-maintained road and is completely off the roadway, MoDOT will not pick it up unless it impedes mail delivery or is in a neighborhood, especially at or near a bus stop.