Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Texas, David Sikes column

Oct. 01--CORPUS CHRISTI -- A couple of weeks ago, I held on tightly to an eastbound Yellowfin center-console headed into what was reported to be 3- to 5-foot seas on the Gulf of Mexico.

We encountered many waves and swells within that range, but too many were easily8-foot ramps with a 90-degree drop-off on the backside. If this had been a fishing trip, we probably would have considered turning back. But the boat was the Harte Research Institute vessel and we were going to witness the sinking of the Kinta S within an artificial reef site in state waters.

It was not an enjoyable 10-mile ride, but there was no turning back.

Such sea conditions no longer will be reported in the same way by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Waters Forecast. Starting this week, forecasts for parts of the gulf will reflect a more accurate picture of wave heights.

The forecasting or reporting enhancement is scheduled to run for one year as an experiment. During that period, users are encouraged to provide feedback. If warranted, the forecasting method and reporting style could be tweaked to better satisfy the safety needs of boaters and anglers.

Rather than explain the complex theories and science behind this improvement, I'll provide an example of a how the forecasts previously were reported so you can compare that to how the reports look now.

Then: "Tonight, southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots late. Seas 2 to 4 feet building to 4 to 6 feet late. A slight chance of showers."

Now: "Tonight, southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots late. Seas 2 to 4 feet with occasional 5 feet building to 4 to 6 feet with occasional 8 feet possible late. A slight chance of showers."

See what I mean? I want to know about those8-footers.

John Metz, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi, tells me this enhancement is being tested only in Corpus Christi, Houston and Brownsville for waters extending out 60 nautical miles. Direct your comments to www.nws.noaa.gov/survey/nws-survey.php?code=MIAERD.

DEER IN YOUR HEADLIGHTS

This next item also involves safety, but while traveling on Texas roads.

Each year. Texas hunters thin the state's white-tailed deer population estimated at 3.8 million with firearms and archery equipment. Thousands more deer are killed accidentally by motor vehicles throughout the state.

And during the next 12 months, Texas drivers are nearly 3.4 percent more likely to hit a deer compared with their chances of hitting one the previous 12 months, according to the Federal Highway Administration and State Farm claims records. This means the odds of Texas drivers hitting a deer are one out of 314.

That's better than the national average, which is one in 169. Because Texas is such a sprawling state, our frequency of deer collisions ranks 39th in the country.

West Virginia is the most likely state, where motorists have a one in 39 chance of hitting a deer. Hawaii is at the bottom of the list, with one in 10,281 odds of hitting an axis or blacktail deer.

The most likely places in Texas to hit deer are in the Hill Country west of San Antonio and Austin. And not just in rural areas. Those Canyon Lake neighborhoods are crawling with deer. I'll go out on a limb and suggest the most likely months to hit a deer in Texas are November through January during the rut. And, of course, at night.

Nationally, the average cost of a single claim for a collision with a deer is $3,888, which is nearly 14 percent more expensive than last year's average. In 2012, 175 people died nationally from vehicle collisions with animals, mostly deer, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

And just a reminder, harvesting a deer hit by a vehicle, whether you're driving the vehicle or not, is unlawful. No, you may not tag it and haul it off. Roadkill is not dinner. Leave it be. If you hit a deer or witness a collision, report it quickly to a local game warden (289-5566). Sometimes the meat can be salvaged and processed for the needy.

David Sikes' Outdoors columns appear Thursday and Sunday. Contact David at 361-886-3616 or [email protected]. Twitter: @DavidOutdoors.

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