MADISON, Wis. (AP/WCCO) — State wildlife officials are warning drivers to be on the lookout for deer this month.

The Department of Natural Resources says deer activity increases this time of year as does search for places to give birth and young deer leave their mothers.

Drivers should be especially vigilant in the early morning and evening hours, when deer are the most active, and look for multiple deer since they seldom run alone. Drivers who hit deer should stay in their car, call police and leave the animal alone.

Police recorded nearly 17,000 deer vs. vehicle crashes last year in Wisconsin. A State Farm Insurance study ranked Minnesota the 10th most likely state for drivers to hit a deer.

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