| Title |
MULE DEER BEHAVIOR IN RELATION TO FENCING AND UNDERPASSES ON INTERSTATE 80 IN WYOMING
|
| Accession No |
00368910 |
| Authors |
Ward, A L |
| Journal Title |
Transportation Research Record
No. 859 |
Corp. Authors
/ Publisher |
Transportation Research Board
|
| Publication Date |
19820000 |
| Description |
p. 8-13;
Figures(3); References(11); Tables(4) |
| Abstract |
Where Interstate 80 crosses the migration route of approximately 1000 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), there were 37-60 vehicle accidents involving deer each year from 1973 to 1976. A 7.8-mile section of the right-of-way fence was replaced with an 8-ft-high big-game fence in October 1978 to force the deer to use three machinery and four box-type underpasses in the area. During four migration periods immediately following installation of the fence, more than 4000 deer went through these underpasses, as recorded by track counts and surveillance cameras. About 70 percent of the deer used the machinery underpasses to move to their winter range; the others passed through the box-type concrete underpasses. During spring migrations, more than 90 percent of the deer used the two machinery underpasses at the east, or higher end, of the migration area. Baiting with alfalfa hay, fresh vegetable trimmings, and apple pulp helped lure deer through the underpasses the first time. There was only one deer-vehicle accident inside the fenced area during the two years after the big-game fence was completed. In addition, two deer were killed above (east of) the end of the fenced section of the highway and a few were killed below (west of) the fenced area in an area where accidents had been common before the deer fence was constructed. The major difficulties associated with the fencing were (a) selection of the proper area for the fence (an additional mile of fence was built to discourage deer from going around the ends), (b) inadequacy of deer guards on ramps of an interchange, and (c) the need for continuous monitoring for holes in the fence. (Author) |
Supplemental
Information |
This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record No. 859, Roadside Management. |
| TRT Terms |
Behavior ; Collisions ; Deer ; Fences ; Migration ; Safety ; Underpasses |
| Identifier Terms |
Interstate Highway System |
| Other Terms |
Accident Prevention |
| Subject Areas |
H23 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN; I21 Planning of Transport Infrastructure |
| Availability |
Transportation Research Board Business Office Find a library where document is available
|
| TRIS Files |
HRIS |
| Database |
TRIS Online |
TRT
