MOTORISTS WARNED THAT DEER ARE ON THE MOVE IN MISSOURI

More deer are on the move.

The extreme change in weather conditions and the mating season are cited by conservation officials as the primary reasons for deer being on the move.

"This creates nightmares for motorists," said Mike Lancaster, hunter training specialist with the Cape Girardeau regional office of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Only recently, a Cape Girardeau motorist's vehicle was struck in Kansas by two deer attempting to cross the road.

"This is common," said Lancaster. "Deer often travel in twos."

A deer was struck near the DOC office at Cape Girardeau last weekend.

There have been more than 7,000 deer-vehicle accidents during each of the past two years in Missouri and more than 16,000 last year in Illinois.

More than two-thirds of vehicle-deer accidents occur during the months of October through December.

"November and December are usually the biggest months for accidents," said Lancaster, citing behavioral changes, especially associated with the rut, or mating season, and hunting season.

"The rut is still on and with the sudden cold spell deer will be moving more, seeking cover and food," Lancaster said.

Although the firearms seasons are over in Missouri and Illinois, there are other seasons -- archery and historic weapons -- to contend with in both states.

Motorist are warned to be alert and expect anything when driving in known deer areas.

"Drivers should be especially cautious when deer are most active, just before sunset until about 11 a.m. and around sunrise," said Brent Manning, Illinois Conservation director.

"One of the safest measures," said Manning, "is to drop your speed if you're in a known deer area. If you see a deer, dim your lights immediately and honk your horn."

Dimming the lights takes it directly out of a deer's eyes, and the sound of a honking horn allows the deer to quickly determine the location of the vehicle.

Officials caution against swerving to miss a deer on the road.

The most severe deer-related accidents often don't involve impact with the animal, but result from trying to avoid hitting the deer. A Warrensburg man died last weekend when the truck he was riding in swerved to avoid hitting three deer standing in a Johnson County road. The pickup truck struck an embankment and overturned throwing the passenger from the vehicles.