LAST UPDATE | 10 Oct

MOTORISTS ARE URGED to be extra careful on the country’s roads as we enter deer breeding season.

The Irish Deer Commission, a group responsible for the management and conservation of wild deer, has warned that “tensions are rising” among males as they try to impress the doe next door.

From late September until early November male deer will be more likely to clashing antlers with each other as part of this process, but it’s also a period that the Irish Deer Commission said coincides with an increased incident of road traffic accidents.

Motorists and other road users are advised to be vigilant at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active, particularly in high risk areas such as woodlands and mountains.

In a statement, the group said this be due to younger males finding themselves ousted by dominant males and forced onto public roads and motorways.

Put simply, the commission said it’s a time when the males want to “show off their virility” to potential mates. Less simply, they become “like gladiators entering an arena to parade around showing off their armoury of antlers”, explained the commission in its advisory.

How should drivers react where they come across deer? The commission advised that it is best to keep alert for any deer warning signs and to reduce speed and stay alert when the signage is spotted.

“Prepare to stop, never swerve as you could hit another obstacle or oncoming vehicle,” a spokesperson for the commission sad.

“When you see a deer “dip your headlights” as the full beam may cause the deer to freeze. If a deer has crossed in front of your vehicle, be aware that others may follow.”

Do not approach an injured deer, the spokesperson added, and if you are involved in a road accident involving a deer or come across an injured animal, then you should immediately contact gardaí.

The Irish Deer Commission operates a humane deer dispatch scheme with 135 trained volunteers for such incidents.