There are two kinds of rural* Pennsylvanians: (1) those who have hit deer; (2) those who know someone who hit deer. (We’re #2, thank heavens.) Carcasses by the road or dried buckets of blood on the highway are standard on our commute, winter or no. “Watch for deer” is just something we say when “Watch for ice” or “Careful in the rain” doesn’t match the current weather pattern.

*meaning “not living in Pittsburgh or Philly”