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   Each year at this time, I feel obligated to warn drivers everywhere of the dangers lurking on or near the roadways.  As a Department of Natural Resources spokesman put it so scientifically today, “This is the time of year the deer act just plain wacky.” That pretty well describes it. With the harvesting of crops in full swing, and does coming into heat, the deer are all running around like they do not have good sense. With ever increasing numbers of deer, the chances of them meeting with a car has greatly increased over the past few years. I feel the need to tell people of the dangers of a deer collision as I had a part in causing the problem.             

   Years ago, there were few deer and very limited hunting seasons. Concerned sportsmen put money into habitat and set hunting limits that would increase the herd size. Money was raised by taxing sporting goods and licenses to hunt. The plan worked very well. It has been said, if you want to ensure the survival of a species, put a hunting season on it. Sportsmen will make sure it survives.  Survival of the whitetail deer is assured.  It is assured so well, the deer have become a hazard on the highways. 

   If a person sees a deer near or on the road, the best plan of action is to slow down as quickly as can be done safely. Do not swerve or try to miss the deer. Veering off the road or into oncoming traffic is going to do a lot more damage to a vehicle and its occupants than smacking a deer. If you see one deer, there are at least two with it. In two to three weeks, there will be at least four deer in a group.  If you miss one, do not assume you are in the clear. The last one in the group will be a big buck and will do some real damage to your vehicle. As much as it may be against one’s natural instinct, it is best to drive straight and do not try to avoid a collision. I know people, such as my wife, that really like their truck or car. It is hard for a person, such as her, to drive straight at something that will wrinkle her sheet metal. I personally have never been so attached to a truck that I would go out of my way to avoid an accident. Trucks can be repaired. That is why I have insurance. I also have insurance on me, but I take longer to repair than I used to and much longer than a truck. I will try not to hit one, but if the choice is the deer or the ditch, the deer is a goner. 

   There is a solution to the problem of deer overpopulation, and since I was part of creating the problem, I plan to be part of the solution. So far, I have five deer tags, and I will fill them all.  I plan to get at least four does, and maybe five. It is hard to pass up a really nice buck, and I will hunt hard for one, but the doe population needs to be thinned out. A mature doe will generally have twins, and sometimes triplets. With a live weight between a hundred and one hundred fifty pounds, they will also yield a nice amount of really tasty meat. I have found, my wife and I can eat two deer per year, especially if I make most of it into jerky. I have also found other people who do not hunt that want the meat. 

   As hunters, we need to make a concerted effort to decrease the doe numbers. If we let most of the bucks go, they will be bigger next year, and with fewer does around, the roads will be safer for everyone. 

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