Wildlife Interaction

Who to Call if I Hit a Deer with My Vehicle

If you have been involved in an accident involving a deer, report the accident to the local police or sheriff’s department.

After the accident has been reported, take extra time to examine yourself and others involved to see that no one has been injured.  While waiting for the police to arrive it is important to put your vehicle flashers on to warn oncoming traffic.  If the dead deer is in the travel portion of the roadway and is in danger of causing another accident you can move the animal to the shoulder.  Otherwise the accident scene should be left untouched to allow the police officer to accurately document the accident.  Those involved in the accident need to remain on the scene until officers have arrived.

If someone involved in the accident would like to salvage the deer they need to obtain a salvage license.  The sheriff’s office or police department will assist you in attaining the license.

Wildlife Rehabilitation
If you think an animal has been abandoned or is badly hurt, leave it alone and call the DNR, Conservation Department, or a local vet first.

Many times people will pick baby animals that they think have been abandoned by their mothers.  In all most all cases this is the wrong thing to do.  Many times the mother is lurking around the corner or hidden in the cover waiting for the posed danger to leave.  The best thing to do is leave the animals where they are and leave them alone, chances are the mother will come and get them.  If you are sure they have been abandoned call a conservation or DNR officer first before removing them from the area.

Some times after a storm you will find baby birds that have fallen out of their nest.  The best thing to do for the baby birds is to return them to their original nest.  If the nest can’t be reached place the birds in a small plastic bowl.  The bowl can be lined with straw or grass clippings to keep them warm and placed securely in the tree.  The parents will soon realize their young are in the new nest and they will move themselves into the new nest.

If a wild animal is injured, you can try calling your local vet.  If they wish not to treat the animal call our department at and we will assist you in getting the animal to a wildlife rehabilitator.

Remember, injured wild animals can be extremely dangerous, so use care when approaching them and keep pets and especially children clear to avoid injury.