Oklahoma's growing deer population is costing motorists

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office issued a warning over the weekend about deer on the highway, and the damage they can cause to your vehicle. <br><br>News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger says its deer season.

Monday, November 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office issued a warning over the weekend about deer on the highway, and the damage they can cause to your vehicle.

News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger says its deer season. A season of love for bucks and does.

A combination of raging hormones and an increased population of deer is causing these animals to act carelessly, which is causing big headaches for motorists on Oklahoma highways.

Employees at Fox Collision Center say they've had about fifty vehicles come into their shop with deer related damage. Mike Brooks with Fox Collision Center says "the extent is going from $1,200 to $8,000 depending on the make and model."

Academy Sports and Outdoors sells a little device that creates sound waves as you drive down the road, to warn animals of approaching cars. It's called the Deer Alert. Andrea Lee with Academy: â€œThe deer alert comes in a two pack and you place a whistle on each side of your bumper. When air passes through the device it alerts animals nearby that your car is approaching. From inside the vehicle you can't hear the sounds but all the animals will hear as you come.â€

It costs about $7. And while it's not 100% effective, it's pretty cheap, compared to how much it will cost to fix this kind of damage.

Oklahoma's Wildlife Conservation Department says the deer population is so high; they are extending the deer gun season from nine days to 16 days. Itâ€™s the first time they've done that in more than 30 years.