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show that Virginia now is seventh in the nation in its rate of deer accidents. As roads have continued to expand into deer habitat, the number of collisions has steadily risen, with bad consequences for both' drivers and deer. Although the number of fatal accidents averaged only two per year from 200 to 2005, the total number of collisions during those years increased from 3,825 to 5,331, and the average property damage claim is now $2,500.
Bill McShea of the CRC has also studied the pattern of deer collisions in Clarke County, and he’s found two consistent factors linked to the majority of accidents — they cluster at a small number of deer hot spots, and they often involve excessive speed. This reinforces the recommendations of the Virginia DGIF to slow down and be especially vigilant around deer crossing signs and in the late evening morning and early morning, when deer are on the move.
Deer diseases
Finally like aB animals, deer are subject to diseases, with the risks to deer themselves sod to people growing as their populations increase.
The two decar diseases of most threat to humans are Lyme disease and chronic wasting disease. Lyme disease is spread by ticks, but deer are a key host, along with many species of smaller mammals. Chronic wasting disease, which is closely related to mad cow disease, involves mysterious protein-like interlopers called prions which can slowly destroy the brain. Originally a disease of captive deer and elk, it has now spread to die wild, starting in western states. In 2005, an infected deer was found in West Virginia, close to the Frederick County line, and the VDG1F has now implemented an intensive monitoring program along this section of the West Virginia line.
Controlling deer
populations
The Virginia Deer Management Plan establishes the goal of reducing deer populations by increased hunter harvest. This is not as easy as it sounds. Deer harvest has averaged over 200,000 the past few years.
Sn DEER, Page B7
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