October 13, 2015
Increasing numbers of vehicular collisions with moose and deer has provided more than enough incentive for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) to carry on its public safety campaign warning drivers of the dangers of hitting a moose or deer with their vehicle.
This fall will herald the SWF’s 19th annual Moose on the Loose public awareness campaign. With financial assistance from SGI and the Ministry of Environment, the campaign’s objectives continue to address driver awareness of moose and deer crossing the highways at certain times of the day and year.
Because of the overlapping breeding seasons, called the rut, moose and deer become much more mobile during the fall months of the year. Males of both species may travel great distances in search of females.
Using highway billboards, radio and TV PSA’s, posters and placemats in select locations, the message to drivers is:
- Be prepared; slow down in areas known to hold populations of moose and deer, especially at dusk and at night.
- Watch for the headlight reflective eye shine of deer at night while driving.
- Assume that if one animal is crossing the road, there likely will be more animals following.
For more information about the Moose on the Loose campaign, contact Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director for the SWF at (306) 692-8812 or cell (306) 630-6780.
For collision statistical information, contact Kelley Brinkworth for SGI at (306) 751-1837.
For information on wildlife populations, contact Michele McEachern for the Ministry of Environment at (306) 787-0412.
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