Shorter daylight hours result in more collisions with big game

With shorter daylight hours, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking that drivers be careful while traveling and keep an eye out for wildlife on roadways. 

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Game and Fish Public Information Specialist Christina Schmidt said the department sees an uptick in the number of animals hit this time of year. Early morning and early evening are especially common times to encounter animals on the road. 

In the Sheridan Region, the Wyoming Department of Transportation has placed signs with flashing lights to get the attention of drivers. These signs are placed in areas with particularly high numbers of collisions. Schmidt suggests keeping an eye out for the signs and reducing speed if necessary to allow for more braking time should an animal jump onto the road.   

Should a big game animal and a vehicle collide, it is not legal to euthanize the animal yourself for a number of reasons.  

C. Schmidt 

According to Schmidt, should one collide with an animal and the animal is still alive, personnel are on hand 24 hours a day, just be sure to give as much information on location as possible. 

C. Schmidt 

Schmidt also advises that if one crosses in front of you, always assume a second or third might be coming behind it and slow down. It is unfortunately common for does to run across a road and her fawn is hit when it tries to follow a few seconds later. 

Should you find yourself in a situation late at night, call the Stop Poaching Hotline at  1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). If the collision occurs during regular hours, call 307-672-7418.