The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is advising drivers to be alert as the risk of a deer collisions increases into the fall. According to State Farm Insurance’s annual report on vehicle-deer claims, Iowa is still considered a “high incidence” state, but the good news is that the state dropped to fifth this year, down from fourth in 2017. Since 2006, reported deer collisions have dropped by 35 percent, which the DNR credits to an increased emphasis on harvesting does through their antlerless tags and seasons. The department recommends drivers use increased caution during dusk and dawn, when deer are most active, and pay extra attention to ditches, road shoulders and fence lines. They emphasize not veering out of your lane if a deer strike is imminent. Vehicles could leave the roadway, increasing the chance of striking a pole, bridge abutment, oncoming traffic or other hazards. Deer activity will continue to climb from now until the peak of the breeding season in mid-November, especially with harvest opening the fields and pushing deer towards the remaining cover.
