Watch out for moose and deer (and maybe squirrel).

October

The state Department of Transportation today is giving drivers a heads-up and telling them to be alert for moose and deer along the state’s roadways.

“With a statewide deer population of approximately 800,000, it is estimated that 60,000 to 70,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur throughout the state each year. According to agency records, the peak period for deer-vehicle collisions in New York is October through December. This time period corresponds with the peak of the annual deer breeding cycle, when deer are more active and less cautious in their movements. Approximately two-thirds of the annual collisions occur during this three-month period, with most of the collisions occurring in the two hours prior to sunrise and after sunset.”

Read the entire announcement.

The squirrel reference in the headline is, of course, a nod to Rocky and Bullwinkle. And, if you’re wondering why squirrels always do that crazy dance in the road as you’re bearing down on them, check out my colleague Greg Clary’s column from a couple of weeks ago. It’s mainly about flying squirrels but includes some info on gray squirrels, with this being my favorite:

“The squirrel’s erratic path while crossing a street is an attempt to confuse the oncoming vehicle… thereby causing it to change direction. This is obliviously the squirrels biggest, and often last mistake.”

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm by Mike Risinit.
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