The fall months see an increase in vehicle collisions with wildlife and especially deer. As we near the deer breeding season or "rut" the risk greatly increases. The "rut" peaks around mid to late November and can run well into December. Deer at this time of the year are less cautious and more unpredictable as their instincts for breeding takes over their behavior.

  Here are some suggestions to help you avoid colliding with a deer or other wildlife.

  1. Be extra cautious while traveling in the late afternoon through the early evening hours and in the hours just before sunrise. Deer are active throughout the night but seem to be more active during these times.

  2. Slow down and be prepared to suddenly stop in areas where deer might be present.

  3. If you see a deer on the side of the road, slow down and be ready to stop suddenly. Deer can be unpredictable! They can jump out in front of your car just as quick as they can jump across the ditch and disappear into the woods. Many a car or truck has been struck in the side from deer jumping into them at the last second so head-on collisions aren't always the norm.

  4. And since we brought up head-on collisions, if one is eminent, hit your brakes and go ahead and hit the deer. It is usually better to hit the deer rather than swerve and try to avoid it. You could possibly flip your car in the ditch, hit a utility pole, hit another car head-on or worse yet, a pedestrian.

  5. Always be aware deer may be present throughout wooded areas, crop fields, and areas with dense vegetation.

 6. If another car is behind you and you see a deer, tap your brakes to help alert the other motorist to the presence of the deer. If the deer is on the road, try flashing your lights and/or honking your horn to encourage the animal to move.

 7. Most states have seatbelt laws in effect so buckle up. Remember that it takes three seconds to buckle up, but dead is forever.

  Although deer were mentioned in the above suggestions, they can apply to all wildlife; rabbits, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, etc.

 Avoid harming local wildlife while protecting your vehicle and yourself; slow down, be especially cautious while driving at night, and stay alert! After all, safety is no accident.

He set his alarm clock right after dinner,
So he wouldn’t forget to do it later on.

And then he checked it three times
Before he went to bed at 8:30.

He would sleep fitfully and dream much
On this most special of nights.

More than deer taken, he would dream of
His hunting companions: family and friends.

He would relive hunts with the Old Man and his brothers,
And wake to recheck that alarm one more time.

He would remember his best friend’s first deer
And those of his son and grandsons.

He would savor, again, sausage and gravy breakfasts
And tailgate snacks of his delectable hunter’s biscuits.

He would review his plans for the morrow,
Making sure that he had properly readied his gear.

He would sleep little and check that alarm often;
He would get very little rest this night.

But, come morning, he will be up early,
Energized and raring to go.

For tomorrow is….
Opening Day!!!

  Another great selection from Lloyd’s book Rambling Outdoors; Tales of Forest, Field and Stream. Used with permission. Thanks Lloyd!

  When you’re out on a hunting adventure not only should you know some basic first aid you need to know the warning signs of someone having a stroke or a heart attack. Here are some things to look for. It could save someone’s life or your own.

  For a stroke just remember F.A.S.T. What does that stand for?

  F – Face drooping. Does one side of the person’s face droop or numb? Do they smile evenly?
  A – Arm weakness. Is one of their arms weak or numb? Have them raise their arms. Does one drift downward?
  S – Speech. Is their speech slurred? Can they speak or are they hard to understand? Have them repeat a simple phrase like “The grass is green.” Do they repeat it correctly?
  T – Time to get help. Call 911 and tell them “I think my friend is having a stroke”. The quicker they get help the better off they will be.

  A few warning signs of a heart attack include:

  Discomfort in the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. It could go away and come back. The pain can feel like something is squeezing your chest or putting pressure on it.

  You could have pain or discomfort in other parts of the upper body. In addition to pain in the chest you may have pain in one or both arms, the neck, back, stomach or jaw.

 If all the above wasn’t enough you may experience shortness of breath. It may occur with or without chest pain.

  And lastly you could break out into a cold sweat, experience nausea or get lightheaded.

 So stay alert if you or one of your buddies experiences any of the above symptoms. Don’t worry about being macho or looking like a fool. It’s better to error on the side of caution and get help immediately! You want to be around for the next hunting season.

 Thanks to the American Heart Association for some of this information.