Reducing deer can decrease damage, feed poor

In Hawaii they say "Aloha."

In France, it's "Adieu."

The Dutch say "Tot ziens" and in Punjab it's "Alweda."

In Southwest Nebraska, it's "Watch out for deer!"

A humorous observation, perhaps, but good advice nonetheless.

In Nebraska, according to the most recent statistics, one driver in 110 is likely to hit a deer. That's about twice the national rate, which is about one in 193 drivers.

Striking a deer can have tragic results. In Omaha recently, a woman was killed when her small car hit a deer in the middle of a freeway early one morning, she stopped and her car was smashed by a semi-truck.

Even if there are no human injuries, a deer collision is expensive. The average incident costs more than $3,000 in repairs.

The deer population has actually been declining in Nebraska because of herd reduction efforts, but we're headed into the most dangerous time for drivers, the October and November mating season.

Increasing the number of deer permits is part of that "herd reduction" effort, and besides reducing collisions, it can benefit Nebraska's hungry.

Hunters can begin donating their deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program on Sunday.

The program combines cash donations and donated deer to produce ground venison to be distributed to Nebraskans in need.

Participating meat processors in Southwest Nebraska include Harlan County Meat Processors in Orleans and Oxford Locker, as well as Kelley's Custom Pack in North Platte.

More information on the program is available at OutdoorNebraska.org/HHH