GAGE COUNTY, Neb - As we get deeper into the fall season, we get deeper into deer season. But, that doesn’t mean just hunting - it also means deer/vehicle collisions.

As deer become more active during the fall rut, with bucks looking for a doe, it can lead to more dangerous driving conditions throughout southeast Nebraska.

“Farmers are out getting crops out of the field, deer have reduced cover… This time of year we see deer moving more with bucks and does and that kind of activity, so car and deer collisions do pick up in the morning and evening.”

Chief Deputy Doug Klaus with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office says the department sees their fair share of incident throughout the fall, all throughout the county.

“Even on gravel roads from time to time,” Klaus said. “They’ll come out of a field or from behind a tree line, but typically on a morning commute, people are going to work, or returning home from a night shift, plus, the afternoon hours towards evening.”

In 2020 Gage County had the fourth most animal-related crashes in the state, and the third most, not including Lincoln/Lancaster County. When it comes to trying to lower that number, Chief Deputy Klaus has a few tips.

“I would recommend looking ahead further down the road, watch the ditches,” Klaus said. “Slow down if you can and keep your eyes out on the road. Also always watch out for the second deer, more often than not, that’s the one that gets you.”