Now’s the time to toot your horn. It’s one way to avoid a deer crash in South Carolina

Deer mating season has started, increasing the activity of deer and making them more likely to run in roads and be hit by cars.

October and November are “rut season,” or when deer are most actively breeding, said the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in a press release. During the rut season, deer are more active as they are searching for mates.

This results in 45% of all deer-related car crashes occurring during the rut season. In 2023, there were over 6,000 deer crashes, which is double from a normal year.

Horry County has the second most deer crashes in South Carolina, with first place going to Spartanburg County, said SCDNR Big Game Program Coordinator Charles Ruth.

The number of deer crashes is more often influenced by the human population. This is why a county like Hampton, which has a lot of deer, has the least number of collisions, Ruth said.

“One thing needs to be understood is (a deer crash) takes a deer and it takes a vehicle,” Ruth said.

In order to save a deer’s life, or even yours, and keep your car out of the shop, here’s how to best drive during deer mating season.

Know when and where deer are active

Deer are typically roaming around near dawn and dusk, the DNR said. This unfortunately coincides with when humans are commuting to and from work, so keep an extra eye out for the mammals.

Most deer accidents happen along rural or secondary roads as they have frequent curves and narrow shoulders, according to the DNR. This will impact people who drive in such areas as Aynor and Galivants Ferry.

Deer often cross the roads around creek beds and in between habitats, such as the space between the end of a swamp and the start of the forest. This also includes when land is transitioning from a forest to woods.

A deer crossing sign is not, as some people wrongfully believe, a spot where deer are allowed to cross, Ruth said. The sign means someone has previously hit a deer along that stretch. This means it’s likely that deer could cross in the same area again, so you should slow down if you see one.

Tips for driving around deer

The SCDNR, as well as other sources, offer these tips when driving in areas with deer:

• Slow down in deer crossing areas. If a deer jumps in front of the car, it’ll be easier to avoid an accident when driving slower.
• If a deer is spotted far away while driving, lower the speed, honk the horn a few times and flash the headlights to scare them away.
• If the deer is close, slow down and avoid spooking the deer. As a prey animal, a deer’s instinct is to run away from disturbances.
• Deer travel together. So, if you see one, chances are there are others.
• If a deer crash is imminent, brake and drive straight instead of swerving. Most serious injuries happen when people swerve, lose control of the vehicle and run into something else like a tree, according to the DNR. It’s safest to hit the deer.
• Stay aware of your surroundings. Watch for deer crossing signs and avoid distractions, such as a phone.
• If a deer crash happens, alert the police and insurance agencies.