This Friday (11/20) through Sunday (11/22) is first firearm deer season in Illinois. Motorists should be extra cautious in looking for deer.

As an outdoors-man and hunter I try to remind everybody each year when first firearm season happens to be extra vigilant about looking for deer when driving through areas they are more likely to be. Although deer hunting has been open since October 1st for archery hunters, many more people participate in the firearm seasons.

The means that with more hunters in the timbers and around the fields of central Illinois, there is more likelihood that deer will be pushed out on the roads by human presence in the deer’s habitat.

Add to that the fact that it is breeding season (a.k.a. “rut”) when deer are less cautious themselves while looking to breed and the result is more chances of deer-vehicle encounters.

When driving around central Illinois Friday through Sunday be more aware of where you are and what is around you. If you are around any wooded area or a farming field (yes even after it has been harvested) be on the look out for deer.

If you are traveling around dawn and dusk your vision is the most limited and that is prime time for deer movement, so be even more cautious in those areas. However, don’t think that you won’t encounter a deer in those areas in the middle of the day or the middle of the night; because you can and often will.

While most Illinois drivers know that they need to be cautious of deer in certain areas while driving, I am just giving those of you who may not be hunters like myself a heads up that this weekend you could be more likely to have a deer run in front of your car. Be a little more careful when driving to avoid an accident. And, while I live in the central part of the state, this caution and awareness should be practiced statewide in Illinois this weekend.

Take care, God Bless and to my fellow hunters, Good Luck!

By: Buck Stevens