MoDOT protocol for clearing dead deer from the roadways

ST. LOUIS – A sure sign of fall: deer are on the move, and they are everywhere. The Missouri Department of Transportation remains busy assessing clean up when one gets struck on the roads and highways.

"This time of the year, we'll run two sometimes three times a week just to get them. There's so many of them out there," Bob Becker, MoDOT district maintenance engineer, said.

MoDOT crews are scanning the streets to address the growing number of dead deer on the side of the road. Their route increases October and November as more deer are on the move.

"If it's in the roadway, it's a priority for us. If it's a safety issue, we'll get out and get them right away," Becker said. "But if it's on the shoulder somewhere, not impeding traffic in any way, we'll get them during normal business hours, typically a couple times a week."

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In 2023, MoDOT responded to 3,600 incidents involving deer-related crashes for the entire state. This year, in the St. Louis district alone, more than 1,000 calls have been made already.

Those who strike a deer or come across deer lying in the road are urged to call 888-ASK-MODOT.

"We don't want anybody to get hurt. Don't try to get in harm's way in order to try and pull a deer off the road or try to get something off that deer," Becker said. "We want people to stay safe. We'll take care of those problems."

MoDOT crews are not dispatched after hours to remove deer or any wildlife on the road unless it is a safety hazard in a driving lane, impedes mail delivery, is in a neighborhood, or near a bus stop.

Once removed, there are several options for crew members to discard of the deer.

"If we're in more of a rural area, a lot of times we'll drag them off the roadway into the woods where they can deteriorate naturally," Becker said. "We're working with the (Department of) Conservation, there is a chronic waste disease potential out there so you're trying to leave them in that area."

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Daily News In urban areas, it's a different process.

"We'll have to pick them up and we've got some of the animal sanctuaries that we sometimes have the opportunity to give it to some of those to them," Becker said. "Sometimes, we just take them to landfills to be disposed of. We have dumpsters we do put them in and take them to landfills. And we do have incinerators across the district to take care of them that way."

The most active time for deer is dusk and dawn. MoDOT reminds motorists to be on the lookout and remain aware. If you see one, there's likely more in the same vicinity.

"If you hit something or hit a deer in particular, get yourself to a safe location. Try to get yourself in a spot where you can look at your vehicle and make sure your vehicle is ok," Becker said. "Don't worry about that animal. That animal will take care of itself. Somebody will take care of it."