MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE WITH DEER REFLECTORS

摘要: Minnesota is ranked sixth in the United States for deer/vehicle accidents. The most visible, and from a monetary perspective significant, transportation induced mortality of wildlife involves motor vehicle collisions with whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer/vehicle accidents recent years are estimated to range 12,000 16,000 per year. With average damage be $2000 accident recreational cost $500, roadkill about $35 million problem each throughout state particularly late fall early spring. character varies wide diversity habitat types within state. This paper describes Minnesota's experience reflectors. installation reflectors at discrete locations along rural roadways high rates was generally successful reducing those rates. However, on steep slopes yard this effectiveness reduced. Installation suburban metropolitan unsuccessful High traffic, increasing populations, inability effectively maintain may have been factors lack success area. Future research efforts will include collection better pre post kill data garner statistically testable set. Possible future studies also controlled such as how behave respond presence