Beware drunken deer on the roads

DRIVERS in Lot have been warned to beware of “drunken deer” staggering on to the road and even attacking stationary cars.

Newspaper La Dépêche says that it is a serious problem each spring as the deer gorge themselves on buds full of sap – which ferments in their stomach and makes them drunk.

The problem is not confined to Lot, but the department has up to 15,000 deer in certain areas so residents and drivers were warned to take care, especially in wooded areas.

Deer can become aggressive and try to enter properties – or, just like human drunks, sullen and refuse to move off the road if a car approaches.

Local hunters told the newspaper that the drunken deer were disoriented and had no perception of danger and could cause significant damage to cars if hit at speed.

However, hunters had permission in summer to shoot animals they thought could be a danger to people – called tir d’été.
Photo: Teytaud/Creative Commons