WAYNEDALE OUTDOORS Q & A

DEER CROSSING HIGHWAYS
– POTENTIAL FATAL MIX

“I read with interest your article a few issues back about coyotes in our neighborhood. Thank goodness I have not seen coyotes in our yard. But for the first time in recent memory, we have seen deer in our yard. There are four of them and they appear to be the same ones,” reports Karen Walker.

“The first time my husband saw them was at 4 a.m. when he got up to go to work. They set off our motion detector lights so it is obvious when they are around. When we saw them last weekend, it was around 9 p.m.”

You may wonder what enticed them to come into Waynedale.

Well, if the deer were disoriented and hungry, its venturing into Waynedale might not be so surprising. Habitat conditions are tough for wildlife right now as the bitter cold weather continues. And, that is most likely why they are approaching an area with food potential. Especially if you put out food for the birds, and that is what they were eating, reported Karen, an avid reader of The Waynedale News.

“To get from the woods to our yard, they would almost certainly have to cross Ardmore Avenue,” Karen said.

“My husband has seen them on the part of Ardmore from Lower Huntington to Airport Expressway, and I have seen them on Ardmore south of Engle, as well as on Engle in the area of Eagle Marsh. But, it has been several years since I have seen them around the Elmhurst area.”

During the winter months, deer can be active throughout the day. But, deer move about mostly during dawn and dusk, when the lack of light makes it somewhat difficult for drivers to see them. Always be careful and on the lookout for deer crossing when driving during these times.

To lessen the chance of hitting a deer slow down and travel at a speed that’s safe for the condition of the road. Just because a highway sign says 40 or 45 mph doesn’t mean it’s safe to travel at that speed especially when it is snow covered and icy.

Watch for movement, and slow down at dusk and dawn. Often times the deer will see the road as its clearest place for it to run. Remember deer often travel in herds. So, if you see one, it’s most likely that there are more in the area.
“Four deer crossing Ardmore at 9 p.m. is certainly a dangerous situation.”