Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that there is an unusually large amount of small-animal roadkill on the streets and highways recently?
I take rural Peoria County roads to get back and forth to work and I seem to be noticing a lot of the mangled critters the past week or so.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
There are a couple of reasons for this, Bill.
1. Small animals are notorious for jaywalking.
2. We’ve gotten a whole lotta rain around here lately. Thus, instead of hiding out in their little holes in the ground, lots of animals are homeless because they have been flooded out. So, instead of sitting home watching American Idol, these critters are out-and-about.
3. As budgets are tight, carcass disposal drops way down the priority list on your State, City/Town/Village, County, and Township highway department.
Thus, more dead animals and less dead animal pickup makes for more carcasses on the side of the road.
Well, that makes sense. I was worried that I was SEEING more of it because of a morbid state of mind.
If you want to get rid of the carcasses than post a couple ads in Creve Ceour for a free roadkill dinner in Peoria, they’ll get picked up in no time.
oops I forgot –
Also don’t forget carrion on the road begets carrion on the road as scavengers (raccoons around here) see an easy meal just waiting to be drag… Splat.
Two Words:
Mating Season
The one thing I remember from science class is that our teacher said when there is more roadkill it is usually during mating season (and that is usually in spring)..one squrirel/deer etc runs out & then another runs after it. Ah..see.. science class was good for something