Spring has sprung.
The recent wonderful spring weather means that grass has started to grow beside the highways and in the roadside ditches. And that means deer are going to be right there beside the roads, grazing on the new green grass.
I would like to remind your readers of two places on the highways leading out of Prince George where there have been frequent reports of deer grazing beside the road.
The first spot is on Highway 97, just north of the John Hart Bridge. The steep slopes on the west side of the road are a preferred grazing spot for deer. The second spot is also on Highway 97, just south of the BCR industrial site, where there are steep grassy slopes beside the road. Wildlife warning signs have been posted in both areas, but deer continue to be hit in these locations.
The Wildlife Collision Prevention Program encourages drivers to watch for, and obey, all posted speed signs and wildlife warning signs on our highways. Actively watch for wildlife as you drive, particularly at dawn and dusk. If you see one deer, there are almost always more following behind.
For more information on how to anticipate and avoid wildlife collisions, or what to do if you hit an animal, go to www.wildlifecollisions.ca
Gayle Hesse
Co-ordinator, Wildlife Collision Prevention Program
BC Conservation Foundation
