DEEP: Manchester Motorists Should be Extra Wary of Deer and Moose During Mating Season

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Thursday sent out a reminder for motorists in the northern part of the state to be extra watchful for of increased deer and moose activity along roadways.

Motorists should even pay more attention during early morning and evening hours, DEEP Officials said.
September through October is the peak of the breeding season for Connecticut's "small but expanding moose population in the northern part of the state," DEEP officials said.

The breeding season (also known as "the rut") for white-tailed deer closely follows the moose breeding season, running from late October through late December, DEEP officials said.

Officials from the DEEP Wildlife Division said motorists should be aware and heed “Deer Crossing” signs along state highways.

Motorists are advised to slow down and drive defensively should a deer or moose be spotted on or by the road, DEEP Officials said.

Because moose are darker in color and stand much higher than deer, observing reflective eye-shine from headlights is infrequent and, when struck, moose often end up fall into windshields, DEEP officials said.

All moose and deer vehicle collisions should be reported to local, state, or DEEP Environmental Conservation Police officers at 860-424-3333.

During 2015, approximately 4,500 deer were killed in the state due to collisions with vehicles, according to Rick Jacobson, the director of the DEEP Wildlife Division.

A total of 40 moose-vehicle accidents have been reported in Connecticut between 1995 and 2016, with an average of two per year since 2002, he said.

"Moose-vehicle accidents are expected to increase as the moose population expands,” he said.
Most of Connecticut is not considered ideal habitat for moose because the state’s landscape is fragmented, roadways have high traffic volume, and moose have large home ranges (approximately 10 to 15 square miles), DEEP officials said.

Residents are encouraged to report moose sightings on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife.

Photo Credit: Paul J. Fusco / CT DEEP-Wildlife