MOTORISTS WARNED TO KEEP LOOK OUT FOR DEER ON ROADWAYS

Acorns are abundant this year, and farmers are harvesting corn.

Fall is in the air, especially during the early morning and late evening.

And, the deer mating season is here.

Deer are on the move, and this could pose problems for motorists.

Conservation officials warn that motorists should be on the lookout for deer.

"We're experiencing an early fall this year," said Brent Manning of the Illinois Department of Natural Resource. "That affects the movement pattern of deer."

The crop of acorns, deer's primary autumn food, is better than last year, and deer are on the move looking for them, said Lonnie Hansen, a wildlife research biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Every year, more than 17,000 deer-vehicle accidents are reported in Illinois; as many as 7,000 such accidents are reported in Missouri.

Another reason for heavy deer movements at this time is the deer mating season.

Manning and Hansen agree motorists should be cautious driving at this time of year. Defensive driving is necessary, especially during the mating season, which sometimes overrides a deer's normal instinct to move from the path of approaching vehicles, or wait until a car has passed before attempting to cross a road.

A few minor adjustments in traveling habits can reduce the risk of colliding with a deer. A good first step is to reduce your travel during the evening and early morning hours when the animals are most active.

More than 250,000 deer-vehicle accidents are reported nationally, and more than 100 deaths and 16,000 injuries are reported annually from vehicle-deer accidents, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data say.

Cape Girardeau has the potential for an urban deer problem, said one conservation official. Of 7,560 vehicle-deer collisions in Missouri during a recent year, 40 were in Cape Girardeau County.

Deer-vehicle accidents during the past year have been reported on North Kingshighway, Sprigg Street, Mount Auburn and Hopper roads.

Here are some tips to avoid deer-related accidents:

-- Slow down immediately when you spot a deer, if you can do so without causing a traffic hazard. Do this even if the deer already has crossed the road. The animal could turn back into your path. Also, deer often travel in groups, and others may follow.

-- Deer often are confused by vehicle headlights. When you see a deer, flash your lights or sound your horn to warn the deer of your approach. Use emergency flashers or pump your brakes to alert vehicles behind you to the danger ahead.

-- Some deer-auto collisions are unavoidable, occurring when deer run into the sides of moving vehicles or leap in front of cars. If this happens, don't swerve wildly to avoid the animal. Some of the most severe deer-related accidents happen when drivers lose control of their vehicles while trying to avoid deer. In one incident, a vehicle swerved to miss a deer, ran off the road and overturned, killing a person.

-- Report deer-vehicle accidents to local law enforcement officials. Your report will help authorities track the incidence of deer-vehicle accidents.

To keep a road-killed deer for its meat you must contact the Conservation Department. The law requires you get written authorization from a conservation agent to possess the deer before you can take it home.