Animal rights group twists facts to blame hunters for deer-auto accidents (8/27/2002)

A national animal rights group is claiming that “hunting causes deer-auto collisions.”  Facts from a state wildlife agency report counter the claim.

Friends of Animals (FoA), a national anti-hunting organization, says its research has shown that deer-auto collisions increase during the autumn months.  It links the rise in the number of collisions to deer hunting season, but fails to mention the fact that it is breeding season for the deer.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued a statement cautioning motorists about increased deer-vehicle collisions during autumn months.  However, the wildlife professionals note, “Fall is breeding season and this is the time of the year when deer are on the move. In addition, motorists spend more time driving after dark at this time of year, especially after clocks are changed to coincide with the end of Daylight Savings Time. As a result, two-thirds of all deer-vehicle collisions occur during these three months.”

The anti-hunters report, “most deer-auto accidents occur during the early morning and early evening hours, which coincide with peak hunting hours.”  The DEC concurs that these are the times of day that the accidents tend to be most prevalent, but it attributes the increased number of accidents to the fact that “the dawn and dusk peaks in deer activity coincide with high commuter traffic volume.”

Friends of Animals concludes that “all hunting should be discontinued.”  While the animal rights group is calling for a ban on hunting, Road Management and Engineering Journal says that expanding hunting seasons is one of several preventative measures being used to reduce collisions between autos and animals.

CopyrightÓ  U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org

Home > Outdoor news > You are here: Animal rights group twists facts to blame hunters for deer-auto accidents