HERNANDO, Miss. (AP) - Officials are urging drivers to be cautious on roadways as deer are more active and visible during the fall months.

DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco tells The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/QONujl ) his department gets reports year-round of vehicles colliding with deer.

From October to January, Rasco says deer collisions increase because of deer mating season.

State and local officials are urging motorists now to be on the lookout for the animals on area roads because Mississippi has 1 of the highest deer populations in the country.

Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert says over the past five years, Mississippi has averaged 3,178 deer related crashes per year.

Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com

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