Harvest sends critters onto the roadways

Combines and tractors pulling grain wagons aren’t the only harvest-relatedhazards on the roads these days. Wildlife is being displaced by harvestactivity. Department of Natural Resources law enforcement supervisor MikeAshby of Clear Lake says deer aren’t the only roadside travelers asraccoons, opossums and other animals will also be flushed by combines.Ashby says deer will become more of a problem in October when most grainfields are cleared. Ashby says you are better off to hit an animal in theroad than try to swerve into the other lane or swerve into the ditch. Hesays while it may damage your car, it could keep you from serious injury.If you hit a deer with your car and want to claim it for the meat, you mustget permission from a law officer before carting the carcass away.