What to do if you collide with a deer
A recent State Farm deer claim study indicated that Pennsylvania drivers stand a 1-in-67 chance of colliding with a large animal, which includes the whitetail deer.
Though motorists are not legally required to report the accident to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, it is encouraged — and required for those who wish to claim the carcass, as long as they are Pennsylvania residents.
According to the game commission, PA residents can call their game commission region office representing their county, where a dispatcher will collect necessary information and provide a free permit number.
“A resident must call within 24 hours of taking possession of the deer,” the commission stated in a press release.
The southwestern Pennsylvania regional office that covers 10 counties, including Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, is based out of Bolivar in Westmoreland County, and can be reached at 724-238-9523 or 724-238-9524.
“A passing Pennsylvania motorist also may claim the deer, if the person whose vehicle hit it doesn’t want it.”
The game commission warns motorists, however, to be aware of taking possession of road-killed deer in chronic wasting disease areas.
There are rules relating to CWD that prohibit the removal of high-risk deer parts, notably the head and backbone, from those areas, they said.
As for unclaimed roadkill deer, a variety of entities handle their removal throughout the state, depending on its location, according to the commission.
“We have the responsibility of removing deer if they’re on state roadways,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation press safety officer Jay Ofsanik said. “The game commission manages the herd, but once it’s killed in a crash, we take care of it and clear the carcasses.”
Ofsanik said they’re in contact with local game commission officers to report dead deer, and encourage motorists to do so if they collide with a deer. To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, drivers are encouraged to call PennDOT at 1-800-FIX-ROAD, or 1-800-349-7623.
“Our PennDOT crews will also take care of them if they’re out and about,” Ofsanik said. The deer carcasses are then taken to a landfill.
According to the game commission, it is illegal to remove the antlers from a buck killed in a vehicle accident.
Though the antlers must be turned over to the game commission, they can be purchased for $10 per point by the person who claims the deer, they said.
As for a deer collision that doesn’t kill the deer, drivers are urged to maintain their distance because the deer might recover and move on.
Officials with the AAA East Central insurance agency office noted that a “frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself.”
“However, if a deer does not move, or poses a public safety risk, drivers are encouraged to report the incident to the game commission regional office,” the commission stated, adding that if the deer must be put down, the commission will direct the proper person to do so.
AAA officials also reminded motorists to take pictures to document the crash, and contact their auto insurance company.