Q: This winter, I had the displeasure of seeing a young, dead doe (obviously hit by a car going too fast) on ParkCenter Boulevard.

The deer was still there four days later, and I called Idaho Fish and Game to try and get it removed. I was told to call the non-emergency number for the police. I did, and I was kindly told to call back the folks at Fish and Game, as they remove dead animals.

This time, I got a recording telling me to call during their "working hours."

The doe was right next to the road, and all I could think of was all the young children and animal lovers viewing this poor creature over and over again as they drove by.

Who removes these unlucky animals on weekends and after "working hours?"

Somebody, please advise.

MARY N., e-mail

A: The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is the primary agency responsible for removing road-killed deer. Carcasses probably won't get removed until after weekends or holidays.

The number to call is 465-8465, which is the southwest regional office of Fish and Game. You'll get an answering machine on weekends or holidays, and an officer will not be dispatched until regular business hours.

In some areas, Fish and Game may have an agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department to remove a carcass. As a general rule, Fish and Game takes responsibility for the removal of theanimal.

If the deer is injured or causing problems and Fish and Game is not available, you should call local law enforcement to take care of the problem.

The police or sheriff's office may contact a local Fish and Game officer or send one of its officers out.

I've gotten several questions about roadkill in the past few months, especially when a carcass remains in an area for a few days.

The one thing about having a carcass on the side of a road: It reminds drivers about driving too fast, not keeping an eye out for deer, and the waste of precious wildlife.

Lightning safety

Q: Please correct me if I'm wrong. Get off the golf course if a lightning storm comes up. Get off the lake. If you have a large sailboat, it will not help to go below.

IRENE, e-mail

A: When it comes to lightning, there's no way I'm going to be out on a golf course, in a park or on a lake.

You're right. You needto avoid water and open areas.

The key to lightning safety is to not to be surprised by it. Check the weather before you go out.

Keep an eye on the weather and look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning and increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, find shelter.

I checked with the National Weather Service, the National Lightning Safety Institute and the National Outdoor Leadership School on what to do in case of lightning. Here are some tips:

® Go inside a building or vehicle.

® If you seek shelter in your car, keep the windows completely shut.

® If you're in a boat, get to shore. If you're caught in a boat - which is bad news - crouch down in the center of the boat away from metal hardware.

® Don't go near metal objects like fences, electrical wires and machinery. Drop metal backpacks. Get away from your bicycle or motorcycle. Drop your fishing rod, golf club or trekking poles.

® If you're in a campground or picnic area, don't go underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees.

® If you're caught outside, be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. Avoid ridgelines, high, open flats and peaks.

® When you get to the lowest point, crouch down. Put your feet together and place your hands over your ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.

® You may want to huddle with your significant other, but don't. Be 15 feet or more away from other people.

® Don't forget to be aware of storm activity for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder.

Black squirrels?

Q: I have lived here for 28 years, and today I had a black squirrel in my backyard for the first time. Are they common?

URSULA BROWN, e-mail

A: I've never seen a black squirrel in Boise.

A black squirrel is a melanistic variety of squirrel. It's just like when you see a black wolf.

Variations are a result of melanin, which is a brownish-black pigment found in fur.

Most squirrels you see in parks are the eastern fox squirrel and gray squirrel. Both were introduced in Idaho.

Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445