TULSA, Okla. — An impressive deer rescue by a Tulsa County Sheriff Deputy Monday is sparking an even bigger conversation.
The rescue of a deer caught in the guide wire along north Highway 75 is a reminder to be aware this holiday season as you’re driving.
Drivers will be out in full force this week, traveling for the holidays. It’s important to know deer activity is ramping up in the area, and driver’s safety is at risk.
"I noticed he was tangled up in the guide wires on the highway,” Chad Rose, a deputy with TCSO said. He was driving to work Monday morning when he got a call about a deer possibly hit in the roadway.
As he arrived on scene, he found this wasn’t the case.
“I think he was trying to clear the guide wires and slipped on the concrete and got stuck,” Rose said.
It appeared the deer was struggling to get free, so Rose went beyond the call of duty.
“I walked up there, he was just laying there, and he looked toward me like help me,” Rose said.
The massive deer, finally freed at the hands of the deputy.
“I felt safe enough where I could grab a hold of his antlers and help pull him up to get his foot off the fork.”
The deer’s presence along the highway, reminding drivers to be extra cautious this time of year.
“They move a lot especially in the morning times so you need to be careful when you’re driving,” Rose said.
Deer collisions can also cause major damage.
“Damage to your vehicles and [there are] incidents where deer's have entered into the windshield and even killed people,” Rose said.
According to the National Highway Safety Office, on average 200 people die in deer collisions each year
As activity in Oklahoma increases due to weather and hunting, more deer are seen crossing major roadways.
It’s important to always wear a seat belt and stay alert and vigilant.
Driver’s should continuously sweep their eyes across the road in front of them for signs of animals and movement. Animals also may be alongside the road and may hit a vehicle by running into the side.
When there’s no oncoming traffic, use high beams to spot animals sooner. The light reflecting off an animal’s eyes may reveal their location.
If a deer is spotted, slow down and watch for other deer to appear as they rarely travel alone.
Slow down around curves, which make it harder to spot animals down the road.
Use breaks if impact with an animal is imminent, but do not swerve. Swerving away from animals may confuse them so they don’t know which way to run, and it may put the driver in the path of oncoming traffic.
