Pay Attention to Posted Signs Yellow diamond-shaped signs indicate areas where animals are known to cross , so extra caution should be exercised in such areas . Do not , however , be complacent ; during the rutting season , animal behaviour does not follow any particular pattern . General timelines for the wildlife rut in Alberta are bison in August ; pronghorn antelope , elk , and moose in late September to early October ; and bighorn sheep , mule deer , and white-tailed deer in November .
Drive During Daylight Generally speaking , wildlife activity peaks during early morning and evening , which are prime feeding and movement times . If you drive during the daylight hours , you ’ ll reduce your risk of colliding with wildlife . It can be hard to spot a large animal at night because of their dark coloration — even when they ’ re right in front of you .
Be Light-Smart It ’ s obviously important to be able to see what ’ s on the highway and ditches ahead of you . Keep your windshield and headlights clean and use your high beams when it ’ s safe to do so to better illuminate ditches . Vehicles with fog lamps have an advantage in such situations .
Watch for Groups Animals often travel in groups , such as a mother deer and her fawn , or a cow moose and her calf . Some animals travel in herds , particularly elk and bighorn sheep . If you see one animal , expect to see another . You may wish to sound your horn ( in short bursts ) to warn them of your approach .
React Strategically Should an animal come across your path without warning , brake hard but stay in your lane , otherwise you may collide with another vehicle or hit the ditch . If you cannot stop for a large animal such as an elk or moose , steer toward its hindquarters — if you head in the same direction the animal is travelling , you ’ ll increase your chance of a collision .
As an example of the scope of this issue , the Nature Conservancy of Canada conducted a study along Highway 3 in the Crowsnest Pass in 2020 , to define the need for safe highway passage for wildlife , by installing thirty-seven cameras along the highway . According to their findings , “ More than 145,000 deer and elk , 612 black and grizzly bears , 568 cougars , and 72 wolves were observed by the survey cameras .” These are staggering figures . There were nearly 800 traffic accidents involving animals on Highway 3 in Crowsnest Pass between 2017 and 2021 , according to data from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors . Obviously , the risk of collisions is extremely high . Safe passages would benefit both wildlife and minimize collisions . Further , anyone who travels along Highway 16 in Jasper National Park would likely relate to these statistics where wildlife activity along the highway is a common sight and extra caution is necessary . Be vigilant !
Duane Radford has had some close calls over the years — there was that white-tailed buck on Whitemud Drive and a mule deer on Highway 1 near Brooks in broad daylight . Duane reminds us that you can ’ t be too careful no matter where or when . news & views AUTUMN 2023 | 15