Letter: Deer unpredictable during breeding season

EDITOR,
As the writer for the Press-Banner’s “Nature Friendly” column, I wanted to thank Jeanne Rose for her recent letter to the paper (“A reminder to slow down,” Sept. 30) concerning slowing down for wildlife along our roads. Remember, fall is the breeding season for our black-tail deer. Bucks are in “rut,” and that means elevated testosterone levels make them even more unpredictable than usual. Watch out for does, too, who may be fleeing amorous bucks. Thank you, Jeanne, too, for making a commitment to helping suffering animals. Jeanne called the highway patrol, but you can also call the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 454-7303 or Native Animal Rescue at 462-0726. Please keep these numbers with you. You never know when you might be able to help an injured animal.
Carol Carson, Boulder Creek