DEC Says Watch Out for Active, Meandering Moose on Darker NY Roads
Now that we've turned the clocks back, we may see a little spike in early morning daylight, but certainly less come the afternoon time. And it's during dusk when according to the NYS DEC, moose are at their most active which coincides with roadway visibility at its lowest.
Most people are well aware of the typical hazards of the roads, especially in Upstate New York, and not just from other drivers and unpredictable weather elements. But raccoons, opossums, deer, and even large moose. It's something to keep in the back of your mind as the days are getting shorter, visibility lower, and large moose remain pretty active throughout the Adirondack region of New York even after the peak of their mating season known as the "rut".
The New York State DEC issued this "friendly" reminder as a way to alert motorists of the ways to avoid any confrontations with the large mammals that can be 6-7 feet tall and weigh up to 1500 pounds.
- Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can "bolt" or change direction at the last second.
- If you see a deer go across the road, decrease speed and be careful. Deer travel in groups so expect other deer to follow.
- Use emergency lights or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road.
- Use caution on roadways marked with deer crossing signs.
- Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced.