PennDOT is urging motorists to be alert for deer crossing the roads and to report any dead dear they might encounter in their travels.
The agency explained with camping season and other outdoor activities in full swing more people will be moving in and out of wooded areas pushing deer and wildlife out of their habitats and potentially onto roadways.
A recent release from PennDOT’s District 9 said motorists should be cautious and alert especially when driving along wooded areas due to the potential for deer and animals to dart in front of moving vehicles. PennDOT added that motorists should pay particular attention in areas where deer crossing signs are in place. It noted the areas that have such signs have previously been shown to have heavy deer traffic.
The agency said it is aware of the importance of the prompt removal of dead animals from the roads in the event of a collision. PennDOT said residents or motorists who spot an dead animal carcass on a state-maintained road should call 1-800–FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) to report it. The hotline will then connect a caller to the proper county maintenance office.
PennDOT advised a caller should be as specific as possible in describing the location of the animal carcass. They said helpful information includes having the state route and section number (found on small, white signs along roadways), the direction of travel and any other useful information.
Some local road departments were also contacted about the prevalence of dead deer and indicated it is much more likely to be a problem on a state-maintained road versus borough or township roads.
Vern Latchford of Tyrone Borough’s Highway Department said he didn’t find it to be a problem at all. He said when it has happened in the borough its usually on a state-maintained road. He said such instances have occurred near the high school along Clay Avenue near the tennis courts. He said it’s been several years since he had a report of a dead deer in the borough. Latchford said in his time with the borough, he was aware of only three instances of carcasses along a road.
Don Bickle, supervisor and roadmaster in Warriors Mark Township said, “We have a few once in a great while.”
He said they don’t have as much trouble with dead dear on township roads versus a state-maintained road. He said the township might get three or four calls a year to come out and remove a carcass.
Jeff Ziegler, Antis Township Manager, said he doesn’t see it as a problem in the township. He said if the township receives a report about a carcass it is forwarded to the game commission. He said it comes up “a couple of times a year.”
Bellwood Borough said they also contact the game commission if and when such reports are received in the municipality.
The road supervisor in Snyder Township, Jim Miller, said “game kill” was not an issue on township roads. He said he, nor could the township secretary, recall a request to go out on a “game kill” call. He said if and when such incidents do occur in the township, it usually happens on state-maintained roads such as Route 350 or 220.
A PennDOT spokesperson, Tara Callahan, said the agency’s Blair Count maintenance office said they responded to 250 calls last year, which is average. She said most of the problem occurs in the fall and early winter during hunting season. The maintenance office noted Interstate 99 and State Route 22 as the roads that have the most frequency of deer-car related accidents.
