Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, said deer hardly eat, rarely sleep and think only about sex in November, so motorists should be extra cautious.
"They suffer from tunnel vision this season. You can honk your horn, but they probably won't acknowledge you if they're hot on a doe's trail," he said. "They have no inhibitions this time of year."
"It's like a teenage boy at a prom with a pocket full of condoms."
Wildlife proponents blame the construction of new roads in rural areas and communities stretching further and further into animal habitat for the carnage. Reporting of mishaps has improved too, Crabbe noted.
Governments have responded by installing fences along major highways, sometimes negatively affecting animal migration patterns, and clearing brush near roads to improve visibility.
As well, government sponsored advertising campaigns encourage drivers to slow down.
Name: Moose (
Alces alces)
Family: Cervidae (Deer and Relatives)
Range: Northern North America, Europe, and Asia
Habitat: Coniferous forests around marshes and bogs
Diet: Twigs, bark, roots, shoots, aquatic plants, and conifers
Size: Up to 10 ft in length and 1,810 lbs in weight
Description: Brownish-gray coat; broad muzzle; furred dewlap; males have massive, palm-shaped antlers; pale, long legs; wide hooves
Cool Facts: Its antlers may measure as much as six feet across and weigh up to 70 pounds. It's called an "elk" in Europe and Asia. The male's antlers fall off every winter.
Conservation Status: Common
