The people of Pella have been hitting fewer deer this year. That’s what Mike Langstraat, owner of Langstraat Auto Body & Marine in Pella tells KNIA/KRLS News. He says that this year he has seen about half as much deer related body work in the shop when compared to last year. Langstraat said that while he is pleased that less people are hitting deer, the lower number of strikes gives him concern about the deer population in the area.

Verle Van Gorp, owner of Marion County Auto Body in Knoxville, says despite the lower deer population, he’s actually seen as much – if not more – auto body work this year due to deer collisions. Van Gorp says that he has heard from other businesses in south central Iowa that have seen lower numbers of collissions. He notes that work commutes many in the Knoxville area have may contribute to the issue. Van Gorp says there are lots of deer around the lake when driving from Knoxville to Pella, and people that commute on Highway 5 to Des Moines see lots of trouble between Hartford and Carlisle with deer.