Deer season brings an extra reason to slow down on rural roads
Watch the ditches as harvest and breeding season overlap.
As harvest continues, there is another reason to watch the edges of rural roads: deer are on the move.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says breeding season increases deer activity from mid-October through the third week of November. A deer crossing ahead may have another following it.
Harvest also concentrates deer in remaining cover, including brushy creeks and fence lines that meet roads. The November 1 clock change adds another wrinkle, putting more drivers on the road around dawn and dusk.
DNR recommends slowing down, leaving extra following distance and scanning both ditches, especially in low light. If a deer appears, avoid swerving out of your lane toward traffic or a roadside obstacle.
A little more room and attention can help when an animal makes an unpredictable move.