As avid deer hunters know, it's hunting season. But as drivers may not know, it's also deer versus car season.
"He ended up striking four of the deer at the same time that were crossing the road. It did about $10,000 worth of damage to a cruiser," says Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said about a deputy's recent run-in with some deer.
The Franklin County Sheriff's office has seen the destruction first hand and have already responded to 29 deer versus car collisions just this year.
"This time of the year, it seems like it's daily," says Sheriff Melton.
Franklin County ranks up there, as one of worst counties for deer collisions in Kentucky with an annual average of 89 deer-car crashes.
At Sonny Dunn's auto body shop in Frankfort, deer is the talk of the town. Staff have started a running tally when it comes to the number of customers coming in after hitting a deer.
"He ran in front of me. He caught me here on the front. He took out the parking light. He buckled the fender here. He went back and I actually caught some fur here in the trim," says Mike Greenwell, who hit a deer just last night in Franklin County.
Mike Greenwell had the unfortunate run-in with a six point buck, and although the damage isn't too visible, he is still looking at a $1,000 bill, "You always think if you're paying attention, going slow enough or whatever, you can dodge them. There was no dodging this one. He was moving fast. I was doing 60 miles an hour."
State police numbers show that November is the busiest month when it comes to deer collisions. Over a four year period, there was more than 750 deer collisions.
At Sonny Dunn's they've were repairing just one truck hit by a deer today, but they expect this will only be the beginning with many more to come.
The deputy and Mike Greenwell both escaped serious injury after colliding with a deer.
Kentucky State Police say drivers can expect increased movement of wildlife throughout the Commonwealth. With all deer-related crashes in Kentucky, more than 18 percent happen between 4 and 8 p.m.
