By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
February is known as a Month for lovers and it seems the same is true for the animal kingdom, as well. Several West Virginia species of four legged furry friends enter into their mating season or become more active due to scarce food sources during the month, leading to increased collisions with automobiles.
While most people, especially in Tucker County, think of deer when they think of wildlife dangers on roads, come late January through March, wildlife experts say drivers need to be aware of many other species near the roadways, as well. Drivers along Tucker County roadways may see an increase in skunks, foxes, opossums and coyotes on the roads this time of year more than any other due to breeding season.
Breeding season for these animals can cause animals to travel more than 10 miles outside of their normal territories, experts say, causing males to cross unfamiliar roads. Breeding animals will also be distracted by scent markers and territorial disputes among competing males.
Other species such as deer may change their normal patterns this time of year, experts say, due to the scarcity of food sources. Skunks cross roads slowly due to poor eyesight, according to experts, and opossums wander slowly in search of mates. Foxes and coyotes are most active at dusk and dawn during rush hours.
Experts recommend if drivers are on roads at dawn or dusk, to slow down, especially on rural roads, such as those found in Tucker County. High-beam headlights are recommended when there is no oncoming traffic due to the possibility to seeing eye shine sooner. Drivers are encouraged to watch the road edges, not just the center, as animals will dart out from the sides of the road without warning. If one animal is seen, expect more, experts say, animals are rarely alone.
State Farm recommends that drivers stay alert and pay attention to deer crossing and wildlife crossing signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water. When using high beams, flicking the beams may encourage an animal to scurry away. State Farm also recommends that should a collision seem imminent, not to swerve, maintain control of the vehicle and stay on the road. Drivers should also brake as necessary if able to avoid hitting an animal and brake hard if no other vehicles are behind. Other recommendations by State Farm include honking to alert other drivers.
West Virginia for well over a decade, according to State Farm data, has been the number one state in the Nation for animal collisions. Drivers in West Virginia have a 1 in 40 chance of being involved in an animal collision in the State, far higher than any other neighboring State. Virginia has a 1 in 82 chance and ranks 10th in the Nation.
Rural areas such as Tucker County carry the highest danger, with a 30% to 50% increased chance in hitting a large animal such as a deer, especially during peak season. From January 1, 2023 to late November of that same year, 10,618 deer were reported hit on West Virginia highways along with at least 15 bears.
