(KAIR)--The Atchison County Sheriff- Office is sending a reminder for Atchison motorists to remain diligent, while driving, during the seasonal movement of deer.

Although the deer rut, or mating season, typically runs from October through December, the high time for deer movement is mid-November, according to state wildlife officials, due to the peak of the fall mating season for the animals.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies, this year, have worked 150 vehicle crashes, to date, in Atchison County, with nearly half of those crashes involving a vehicle-deer collision.

As of November 10, the agency worked its 68th deer-related crash of the year, with the crash, as of that date, marking the tenth such wreck in a ten day period.

Although extra caution is urged when driving at dawn and dusk, the release notes that deer are out at all times of the day, posing dangers to motorists.

The release reminds drivers to use bright headlights, when there- no oncoming traffic, and to look ahead for the animals’ reflective eyes.

Drivers are also reminded that crashing into a deer, rather than swerving to miss one in the road, is the safest maneuver. Swerving, the release says, “could cause a more serious crash if you veer into oncoming traffic, run off the road, or overcorrect.

If a deer-related collision occurs in Atchison County, the affected driver should move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, with hazard lights on, then contact Atchison County Dispatch at 913-367-4323.