Saturday 25 February 2012

Deer collisions S.E. Ontario: Mississippi Mills on the increase


Our faithful OPP patrol the roads, but they cannot prevent stupidity.

While I have expressed concerns about reckless speeding, illegal and unsafe passing, and people following closely enough to examine the contents of my trunk, another factor, deer collisions, continues to be on the increase in some places.

Habitat loss, hunting season, rutting season, all cause them to be on the move. In the winter they hunker down in winter yards, where they stay close. In  our forest, I can see where they hoof out a bed, digging down to the pine needles under a big tree in shelter.

Truthfully, deer populations in Eastern Ontario are down.




Increase in deer collisions
Collision Repair Magazine
Sudbury and Bancroft, Ontario -- January 10, 2012 -- An increase in wildlife related collisions has affected local collision repair facilities in at least two Northern Ontario areas. At Watts Sutherland Auto Body, in Bancroft, Ontario, owner Craig Watts reports eight new vehicles in his shop suffering from collisions with deer—since last Thursday alone. "We have had more deer hit this year than in the past two years put together," notes Watts.


 The double line tells us it is not safe to pass.
500m to pass a car and tractor

There are other factors that cause collisions.
Mississippi Lake dissects highway 7 twice
Slash and burn – typical rural development

Mississippi Mills has had an increasing number of deer collisions.

What precipitates deer on the move like this?

Crampton Rd., near Carleton Place
The mayor talks about the White Tail Ridge Development. Martin St.
I've seen it. Clear-cutting land for a development, where do the deer go?

Clear cutting for new developments

Levi concerned about Martin St. intersection
Mayor Levi was speaking at the Mississippi Mills police services board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8, and his fellow PSB members agreed that the area needs study.
Sgt. Rob Croth of the OPP said that there would be no issue with providing the town with collision-reporting information from that intersection from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.


Levi's comments came on the heels of information released by the OPP from the last quarter of 2011 that showed that Mississippi Mills was the only area where there was a reported increase in the number of collisions.

Camera Critters #203

9 comments:

eileeninmd said...

I love seeing the cute deer, are these deer in your yard? The two look like they are going to battle. Great capture. We have lots of deer killed on the roads here too. They can do some serious damage to your car too. Supposedly the deer hunting is suppose to help keep the herds in check or smaller. Great post, I hope you have a great weekend!

Jenn Jilks said...

They are in my backyard, Eileen! We have been having as many 16 sixteen at dusk and dawn. They'll disappear, one the buds begin. Right now our gully is warm with sunshine and they seem to like our place for a winter yard!

Ruta said...

Interesting to see the two sparring...they look good and healthy.

Jenn Jilks said...

They are very healthy. And they never truly touch one another! They feign aggression, and one always backs off. My cats chase them off, as do the turkeys! Clever, really, unlike humans.

Anonymous said...

These are lovely shots of the deer in your yard.

Unknown said...

Clear cutting for development makes my blood boil!! Some develpomrnt maybe, but we've learned by now how to build around trees!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon Roiver, Canada.

Cheryl said...

Clear cutting is one of my least favorite of all things. I've never understood the need to keep building new when there are so many homes and buildings is disrepair and often abandoned. Clear them and rebuild where they once stood. Wildlife is growing increasingly more comfortable around humans. Deer don't fare well during hunting season as a result.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Jenn: Love your deer sparing match photo.

Carletta said...

I have deer in my yard too. Kinda wish they wouldn't nibble on my Rose of Sharon bushes but I put up with them. We've had about fifteen these last few weeks - a lot of one year olds.
I hate litter - it is so sad. I really don't think it is that hard to save it and dispose of it properly.
Hope you're having a great weekend!