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WICD ABC NewsChannel 15 TOP STORIES VIDEO
TILTON -- Drivers should always pay attention on the road. But now, they really need to look out. for deer. Friday's start of shotgun hunting season is just the latest reason for the animals to cross your path.
Mechanics like Bill Clippinger have seen plenty of business this week, much of it deer-related. Deer are responsible for about 30% of the cars Clippinger saw this week.
"The average (cost) runs $3,000-4,000 on a deer hit on your front end," he said, "You know, they break all the stuff on the outside."
At the Vermilion County Conservation District, director Ken Konsis says harvest is when you really need to be alert.
"When the crops come out of the fields, 'cause when that happens, the deer lose their habitat and place to hide so they're more active than normal," Konsis said.
Although it's now shotgun season, Konsis says the deer aren't necessarily scared.
"Males are in the rut season about now so they're looking for a female," Konsis said, "They basically lose all fear of humans so you can actually see more sightings, especially the big deer."
It's enough to keep Clippinger busy through New Year's Day when he starts seeing fewer deer-damaged cars. But it doesn't mean Clippinger stops hearing the stories.
"You'll get a deer hit, sometimes in the middle of summer," he said, "Not like it is now, but always a year-long presence."
A couple tips Konsis and Clippinger have for drivers: Don't put your brights on as it only blinds the deer and that's when they freeze. Also, don't swerve and just slow down. If you hit the deer, it's probably better than leaving the road.
Konsis says the deer population in the area has grown steadily. He says the hunters out this weekend are helping the local ecosystem.
Reported by A.J. Bayatpour
Mechanics like Bill Clippinger have seen plenty of business this week, much of it deer-related. Deer are responsible for about 30% of the cars Clippinger saw this week.
"The average (cost) runs $3,000-4,000 on a deer hit on your front end," he said, "You know, they break all the stuff on the outside."
At the Vermilion County Conservation District, director Ken Konsis says harvest is when you really need to be alert.
"When the crops come out of the fields, 'cause when that happens, the deer lose their habitat and place to hide so they're more active than normal," Konsis said.
Although it's now shotgun season, Konsis says the deer aren't necessarily scared.
"Males are in the rut season about now so they're looking for a female," Konsis said, "They basically lose all fear of humans so you can actually see more sightings, especially the big deer."
It's enough to keep Clippinger busy through New Year's Day when he starts seeing fewer deer-damaged cars. But it doesn't mean Clippinger stops hearing the stories.
"You'll get a deer hit, sometimes in the middle of summer," he said, "Not like it is now, but always a year-long presence."
A couple tips Konsis and Clippinger have for drivers: Don't put your brights on as it only blinds the deer and that's when they freeze. Also, don't swerve and just slow down. If you hit the deer, it's probably better than leaving the road.
Konsis says the deer population in the area has grown steadily. He says the hunters out this weekend are helping the local ecosystem.
Reported by A.J. Bayatpour
Friday, November 18 2011, 10:37 PM CST
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