A deer collision can happen to even the most experienced driver. Recently our niece’s daughter hit a deer coming home from work in the dark, totaling her pickup truck. Thankfully she wasn’t hurt, and she was smart enough not to veer uncontrollably in an attempt to miss the animal. She tried as much as she could to miss the animal, but was afraid to overcorrect and roll the vehicle. Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has some tips for Hoosiers traveling the highways in the fall. As the days shorten and the breeding season for deer approaches, the chances of encountering deer on Indiana roadways increases significantly. Motorists should pay particular attention while driving to decrease the risk of collision. Deer-vehicle accidents can be minimized by practicing good defensive driving skills. Staying aware and keeping the following information in mind may help motorists reduce their chances of becoming another deer-vehicle collision statistic: •Deer are most active between sunset and sunrise. •Deer often travel in groups. If you see one deer, another is likely nearby. •Be especially careful in areas where you have seen deer before. •Use high beams when there is no opposing traffic. Scan for a deer’s illuminated eyes or dark silhouettes along the side of the road. •If you see a deer, slow your speed drastically, even if it is far away. •Exercise extreme caution along wooded edges, at hills, and during blind turns. •Never swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Most serious crashes occur when drivers try to miss a deer, but hit something else. Deer hunting safety tips Speaking of deer, it’s a matter of statistical fact that the biggest danger to Hoosier deer hunters are themselves. At the top of the list of deer hunting dangers is the tree stand accident, and conservation officers are offering safety tips to help keep Hoosier deer hunters safe. The various deer hunting seasons run through Jan. 31, 2020. It is estimated more than 300,000 people will participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various seasons. Such a large number makes safety even more important. The most common injuries during deer seasons are accidents involving tree stands and elevated platforms. When hunting from an elevated position: •Before the hunt, read and understand the stand manufacturer’s instructions •Check stands and equipment for wear, fatigue, and cracks or loose nuts/bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal •Practice at ground level •Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness •During the hunt, wear your safety harness •Use a tree stand safety rope •Make certain to attach your harness to the tree before leaving the ground, and make sure it remains attached to the tree until you return to the ground •Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent •Use boots with non-slip soles to avoid slipping •Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows, and other hunting gear •Make certain firearms are unloaded before attaching the haul line Additional safety tips: •Carry emergency equipment, such as a cell phone and flashlight •Make a plan before you hunt •Tell someone your plan, including where you will be hunting and when you plan to return •Stick to your plan •Identify game before pointing a firearm •Know your target and what is beyond it Hunters can monitor for deer disease Hunters can help monitor deer populations in northern Indiana for chronic wasting disease (CWD) by voluntarily submitting harvested deer to the DNR for testing during the 2019-20 hunting season. For doing so, participants will receive a commemorative 2019 Deer Management Partner magnet and a metal tag reminiscent of historical confirmation tags, as tokens of appreciation. Surveillance involves collecting lymph nodes from the necks of hunter-harvested deer and submitting the samples for diagnostic testing. During opening weekend of firearms season (Nov. 16-17), biologists will operate sampling stations to collect lymph nodes from deer harvested within the CWD surveillance area. The surveillance area includes Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke counties in northwestern Indiana, and DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties in northeastern Indiana. Sampling stations will be located at DNR Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) and cooperating businesses in the 11-county area. The locations of the sampling stations will be posted on the DNR CWD website at on.IN.gov/CWD and no fee will be charged for voluntarily submitting harvested deer for CWD testing at the locations. Hunters may also have their harvested deer sampled for CWD throughout the entire 2019-20 season at FWAs statewide. DNR staff will collect samples by appointment during normal business hours. Hunters who wish to have their deer sampled at a FWA should contact the FWA to make an appointment. Select FWAs will offer an after-business hours option through which hunters can place the head of their harvested deer in a designated freezer for CWD sampling. Contact information for participating FWAs is at the website listed above. Successful hunters who would like to have their deer sampled for CWD but do not wish to visit a FWA may submit samples directly to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University, for a fee. More information and submission forms are available by clicking on the link at the top of the DNR CWD website. Family Pheasant Hunt ideal for newbies The Family Pheasant Hunt is tailored to new hunters or individuals interested in learning and experiencing upland gamebird hunting. All are welcome to attend. The program will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 19, at the Glen's Valley Conservation Club, 7115 Waverly Rd., Martinsville, IN 46151. During the workshop, participants will become familiar with methods and strategies for hunting upland gamebirds, basic firearms safety in the field, shooting techniques, shot placement (where to aim), how to process and cook harvested game, and hunting with a mentor/dog handler and a dog trained in upland gamebirds. All firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided for the shooting range portion. The workshop will be outside, so dress accordingly. Long pants, boots, and jackets are recommended. There is no cost to attend the workshop. Participants must have a valid Indiana hunting license and gamebird stamp. All participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to attend. Pre-registration is required to participate in the workshop, due to limited space. Register by contacting Ray Shepard at 812-343-2235 or rshepard@dnr.IN.gov Hunting seasons beginning in October Wild Turkey Fall Archery: Oct. 1-27 Deer Archery: Oct. 1-Jan. 5, 2020 Woodcock: Oct. 15-Nov. 28 Red and Gray Fox: Oct. 15-Feb. 28 Coyote and Striped Skunk: Oct. 15-March 15 Wild Turkey Fall Firearms: Oct. 16-27 Ducks, Coots, Mergansers North Zone: Oct. 19-Dec. 8 Central Zone: Oct. 26-Nov. 3 Canada Geese North Zone: Oct. 19-Nov. 3 Central Zone: Oct. 26-Nov. 10 Youth Waterfowl Central Zone: Oct. 19-20 South Zone: Oct. 26-27 Veteran Waterfowl Central Zone: Oct. 19-20 South Zone: Oct. 26-27 Mourning dove season will close on Oct. 20, and dog running season for raccoon and opossum will close Oct. 25. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication. |
