Fall has arrived, which means deer and other wild animals are on the move as temperatures cool and nights become longer.

Most deer strikes with vehicles occur during October and November and between the hours of 6 to 7 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists to be prepared for the sudden appearance of wild animals on Missouri roadways throughout the fall months.

“Deer increase their movements during the breeding season, which begins in October and peaks in mid-November,” said Missouri Department of Conservation deer biologist Jason Isabelle. “Because of this, motorists should be especially cautious when driving this time of year.”

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri has consistently ranked 10th to 15th in the country for collisions involving deer each year. In 2023, Missouri drivers experienced 3,591 crashes involving deer. In these crashes, there were four fatalities and 420 people were injured.

Here are some tips from the conservation department for staying alert:

• Stay on guard after a close call or when you see a single deer as there are likely more.

• To avoid hitting a deer, regularly scan both sides of the roadway.

• Watch for the reflection of deer eyes from vehicle headlights and slow down so you can more easily react to their presence.

• Never swerve to avoid animals in the road as it can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in serious injury or death.

“No one should ever jeopardize their safety by attempting to remove an animal in a high-traffic area. Instead, contact MoDOT’s customer service line at 1(888) ASK-MODOT (275-6636),” said MoDOT state maintenance engineer Darin Hamelink, in a press release. “Crews will address any animal or debris that poses a safety hazard, meaning the item is in the driving lanes. Crews will safely drag the large animal debris to the outer portion of the grassy roadside, outside any active drainage ditch or channel.”