By Alyson Oüten
KTVB-TV
BOISE As the temperature begins to warm, its
a sign that winter is coming to an end. But it's also a sign
that deer and elk will start heading for the hills again and
many will be crossing state highways to get there.
"Right now as things are starting to warm up, primarily
what we're seeing is new green growth, new green grass and
that's really attracting deer along the highways," said
Jon Rachael with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
For nature lovers this is a great time to see wildlife from
the comfort of their own car, but Fish and Game says it's
also a time to use extreme caution
A deer crosses the highway. Drivers are advised to use caution
when heading into areas that are near the animals winter range.
"It can be a pretty dangerous situation. In Idaho it's
great, we've got a lot of places where you can see wildlife
from the road, but there are also dangers involved with that,"
said Rachael.
On the Banks to Lowman Road a sign illustrates the dangers
with its flashing lights warning motorists of deer. In fact,
from the road you can see more than two-dozen elk grazing
just 50 yards off the road.
"We've done a lot of work, putting up signs to make
drivers aware that there are deer and other wildlife on the
highways and after awhile I think some of them become complacent
they've been through the area and haven't hit one yet they
just go a little faster and sometimes that's their unlucky
day," said Rachael.
Rachael says one of the biggest trouble spots is along Warm
Springs Avenue and Highway 21. Since September, he says, at
least 119 deer have been fatally hit along an 18-mile stretch
of the road.
Warning signs are posted along Warm Springs Avenue.
"It's way more than we'd like to see, but it's not nearly
as bad as our worst years," said Rachael.
That was two years ago when at least 230 deer died along
Highway 21. That's why the annual caution goes out to motorists.
"The most important thing is for drivers to slow down
and be cautious particularly in the early morning hours and
just before dark when the deer and elk are pretty darn hard
to see," said Rachael.
If you do hit a deer, Fish and Game wants you to call their
department and to let their officers handle the situation.
They say trying to approach an injured animal will put you
in even more danger ... especially if it's still in the middle
of the road.