Howard’s doctrine is a piece of country wisdom that prevents tragedies, and helps keep you safe on the road.

My favorite brother in law Howard, who unfortunately is no longer with us, could be described as a “Professional Country Boy” he knew of all things country, hunting and fishing, raising animals, family, and the simple life. 

There was one bit of country knowledge he shared with me that I found to be very simple – yet extremely profound.

One night as we were driving a dusty country road talking, he abruptly broke off the conversation and exclaimed, “Dang! Sure am glad he stayed put!” 

Well, (since I wasn’t sure what he was talking about) I said “What the hell are you talking about?”

He said, “That big deer standing in the ditch – didn’t you see it?”

Before I could admit that I didn’t, in a knowing tone he said, “you were driving along looking at the middle of the road – weren’t you?”

A little confused I said ……“Yeah.”

Then he told me something I’ve never forgotten –

When you’re driving at night DRIVE THE DITCHES! That’s where the deer come from!  Let your eyes roam the SIDES of the road as you drive, I’ll guaran-damn-tee you if there’s a deer standing in the middle of the road you’re going to see it!  You want to see them BEFORE they’re in the middle of the road!

Well, I had to admit it made sense…

It took me a couple of weeks of practice to make it feel natural scanning the ditches instead of mindlessly staring at the middle of the road in the dark, but when I did…. I started seeing how many deer are lingering on the side of the road just outside the main beams of the headlights that I never noticed before!

What is it that makes one deer just stand there and look at you when you fly by, and another decides to run into your headlights?  I don’t know, but by DRIVING THE DITCHES I’ve seen them react both ways, and it’s a huge relief to hit the brakes BEFORE one even gets to the road!

If you heed these words of country wisdom from Howard Monroe, you may save two lives – a deer,

And yours.

Thank you for sharing this Howard, you continue to make this world a better place.