The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is warning Davis County drivers to watch for deer on local roads. Deer-vehicle collisions peak in October and November as mule deer migrate to lower elevations along the Wasatch Front.

The warning comes as shorter daylight hours overlap with heavy commuting times, ABC4 reported Oct. 14. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, exactly when Bountiful, Farmington, Woods Cross and North Salt Lake residents are behind the wheel.

"Animals are crossing more roads during the migration, and male deer move around a lot more to find mates," DWR Migration Initiative Coordinator Makeda Hanson told ABC4. She added that shorter daylight hours reduce visibility for drivers.

The fall migration coincides with mating season, Hanson said, pushing deer across highways they might otherwise avoid. U.S. Highway 89 passes through Farmington and Bountiful, crossing terrain where deer move between mountain habitat and valley floors.

Statewide, an estimated 7,000-plus deer-vehicle collisions occur each year, according to data from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Each deer crash costs more than $19,000 in vehicle, injury and wildlife expenses, according to Pew data cited by Forbes. Utah traffic volume has doubled over the past 25 years.

The state responded in March when Gov. Spencer Cox signed House Bill 431. That law created the Utah Wildlife Crossing Account, which receives $2 million annually to fund overpasses, underpasses, directional fencing and other structures aimed at reducing collisions, Forbes reported.

What drivers should do

The DWR offers this guidance for the migration season:

  • Stay alert at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.
  • Watch for wildlife crossing signs. They are typically placed in areas with frequent collisions.
  • Scan both sides of the road for eyeshine and slow down if you spot it.
  • Use high-beam headlights when possible.
  • Do not swerve. Slow down and stay in your lane.
  • If deer are standing in the road, honk your horn and flash your lights. Do not leave your vehicle to herd them.
  • Do not throw food scraps or trash from your vehicle.

If you hit a deer

Pull off the road and turn on your hazard lights. Do not approach the animal. Call 911 or your local police department if you are injured or if the animal poses a risk to other drivers.

The DWR asks drivers to report any collision through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app, available for iOS and Android. Reports are GPS-tagged and fed to UDOT contractors and DWR staff, according to Wild Aware Utah, helping the state decide where to build future wildlife crossings.

If a carcass is creating a dangerous road situation, call Utah Highway Patrol dispatch at 801-887-3800.