The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement officials are asking motorists to pay close attention for deer this time of year, as the region enters the peak time for deer-vehicle crashes and continues through the next few weeks.

According to a news release issued by the Public Safety Department this week, white-tailed deer increase daily movements during the fall mating season — which starts in mid-October and peaks in the first two weeks of November.

While motorists should always be alert for deer, they should pay particular attention for them during these weeks — specifically during dawn and dusk.

From 2005 to 2007 in Minnesota, 11,458 deer-vehicle crashes resulted in 11 deaths and 1,342 injuries, the release stated.

“The message is simple — wear your seat belt and never veer for deer,” said Cheri Marti, director for the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety, in the release. “It is safer to hit a deer than to swerve and risk running into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road.”

Buckle up. In case of a crash, a seat belt is the best defense. Motorcyclists should wear helmets.

Drive at safe speeds. The posted speed limit is the speed limit.

If you see one deer, watch for more. Deer frequently move in groups.

Slow down and prepare to stop as soon as you see a deer. It is safer to stop than to take evasive action.

If you hit a deer, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.

It is illegal to take a deer without a permit. You must obtain a permit to tag a deer before it can be legally transported. All law enforcement officers can issue such a permit after a deer-vehicle crash.

Freeborn County Sheriff Mark Harig said the deer are coming out in large numbers right now as farmers are harvesting their fields.

“We’re getting car-deer accidents every few days,” he said.

Motorists should brake firmly and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop if they encounter a deer.

He encouraged people to “slow down big time” and to wear their seat belts.

He also told drivers to watch for animals’ eyes and movement in the ditches, as an animal’s eyes will reflect off of headlights.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, the state’s deer herd has 1.2 million deer. Deer-vehicle crashes are increasing as traffic volume increases and development extends further into rural areas, according to the release.

While it is safer for vehicle motorists to hit a deer than it is to swerve to avoid hitting it, a motorcyclist’s best response is to slow down quickly and swerve around the animal if traffic allows.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear helmets and other protective gear to prevent injury or death in a crash, the release stated.