So far this week, in Washington County there have been nine deer related car accidents. According to Field & Stream, deer in Iowa are currently in the seeking and chasing phase of rut. During this phase deer are active and are a greater danger to motorists, particularly at dawn and dusk. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reminds drivers to brake firmly with both hands on the steering wheel if hitting a deer is unavoidable, do not swerve and come to a controlled stop. After the collision move the vehicle out of traffic and to a safe location.

Also, according to the Iowa DNR the chance of hitting a deer has declined as the total deer population has fallen. The most car-deer crashes happened in 2006 with nearly 15,000, last year there were less than 10,000.