Motorists: Watch for Deer on Roads 101503
Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark this time of year to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer along roadways, according to Bill Jensen, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

October, November and December are peak months for deer-vehicle accidents because of increased deer activity during breeding season, young-of-the-year deer are dispersing from their home ranges, and movements from fall cover to wintering cover.

"Drivers are reminded that vigilance is the best defense," Jensen said. "Most deer-vehicle collisions occur during the dawn and dusk hours when deer are most active."

Many collisions in late fall happen during morning and evening hours when motorists are driving to and from work. Twenty-two percent of deer-vehicle accidents occur between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., while 13 percent fall between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Deer-vehicle collisions have increased gradually over the past decade. Approximately 42 percent of annual deer-vehicle collisions occur during October, November and December, with 20 percent occurring between Oct. 25 - Nov. 25. An estimated 88 percent occur when it's dark or light is limited.

Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. However, a few precautions can minimize injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash.

* Always wear a seat belt.

* Don't swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway. Don't lose control of the vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. Your risk for injury is reduced by hitting the deer.

* When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow.

* If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.

* Pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs. They are there for good reason.

* No published research supports the effectiveness of deer whistles on vehicles. Deer can't hear ultrasonic frequencies.
(Source: American Family Insurance.)

Harmony Lake WMA Open for Public Use 101503
More than 500 acres of land previously mined for lignite coal has been reclaimed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and is now open for public use as a state wildlife management area.

Harmony Lake Wildlife Management Area is located six miles north of Hazen in Mercer County. The land was donated to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for long-term management by Coteau Properties Company, and is dedicated to wildlife production, hunting, fishing and other compatible outdoor recreational opportunities.

Dan Halstead, game and fish wildlife resource biologist at Riverdale, said the development of the management area was a unique situation in that department biologists and Coteau reclamation staff worked together from its inception. "We were able to design the lake and establish the wildlife habitat," Halstead said, "creating an ideal situation for Coteau and the sportsmen."

The 637-acre WMA includes a 45-acre lake, 45 acres of wetlands, 305 acres of grassland and 242 acres of historic mine spoil piles. More than 500 acres are now open, with the remaining 129 acres open once coal mining and reclamation efforts are completed and the bond on the area is released.

The lake is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass and fathead minnows. A concrete boat ramp is located near the main vehicle entrance. Boats and other watercraft may use electric motors only.

Special regulations include no all-terrain or other off-road vehicles allowed; and use of high-powered rifles is not allowed until nearby mining operations are completed. Additional public use regulations are the same as other state wildlife management areas.