Moose and deer

Key points

1. Deer collisions increase in autumn and peak in November.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “Collisions with deer increase in the autumn, peaking in November - during breeding season.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

2. May and June are the peak moose collision months.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “May and June are Peak Moose Collision Months!”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

3. Because moose are so tall, drivers typically will not see their eyes reflected in the headlights.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “Deer eyes reflect light from headlights very well but because moose are so much taller, drivers typically won't see their eyes reflected in the headlights.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

4. Moose and deer are most active between dusk and dawn.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-7

   “moose and deer are most active between dusk and dawn as they tend to travel at night.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-7

5. If you see one animal cross, expect more nearby.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-8

   “If you see one animal cross the road, you can bet that there are more animals nearby that may cross as well.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-8

6. For a moose in the road, slow down, do not drive around it, and stay in your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-8

   “Slow Down Do not try to drive around a moose Stay in your vehicle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-8

7. If a crash is unavoidable, brake and steer straight, then let up just before impact.

   Source: Handbook p. 11-8

   “If a crash with an animal is imminent, apply the brakes and steer straight. Let up on the brakes just before impact”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 11-8

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. Which months are identified as Maine's peak moose collision months?

   1. May and June
   2. January and February
   3. August and September
   4. November and December
   Show answer

   May and June. The manual identifies May and June as the peak months for moose collisions. Autumn incidents can also occur, and wildlife crashes are possible throughout the year, but those facts do not replace the specific peak period. November and December are therefore not the answer simply because deer activity is discussed in autumn. A practical cue is to connect late spring with moose collision risk and remain alert after sunset, when dark animals can be harder to see.

2. 2. What should a Maine driver do when a moose is standing in or near the roadway?

   1. Get out and chase the moose away
   2. Drive around the moose on the shoulder
   3. Slow down, stay in the vehicle, and give the moose room and time to leave
   4. Honk repeatedly and pass at normal speed
   Show answer

   Slow down, stay in the vehicle, and give the moose room and time to leave. The manual calls for extreme caution, slower speed, remaining in the vehicle, and allowing the moose room and time to wander away. Driving around the animal can put the vehicle into its path, while getting out can expose the driver to an unpredictable animal and create danger for other motorists. Honking and passing normally do not provide the patient separation the situation requires. The cue is space and patience: reduce speed, stay inside, and wait for a safe roadway.

3. 3. What should a driver watch for at night because a moose's eyes may not reflect headlights like a deer's eyes?

   1. A reflective orange triangle
   2. A pair of bright eye reflections
   3. A flashing red light on its body
   4. The moose's dark silhouette
   Show answer

   The moose's dark silhouette. Because moose are taller, their eyes usually do not reflect headlight beams in the same way deer eyes do. The manual tells drivers to watch for the moose's silhouette instead. Bright eye reflections are the cue associated with deer, while an orange triangle identifies a slow moving vehicle, not wildlife. At night, scan beyond the immediate lane and keep speed appropriate for visibility so there is time to respond to a dark shape near the road.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 11: Special Driving Challenges. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.