TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
Several deer accidents have been reported by Tri-State drivers in the last 24 hours.
Officials say right now, deer are on the move and it's something they expect to be a problem for the next few months.
It was this time last year when Thomas Lambert experienced his first car accident involving a deer.
"Just out of nowhere a deer came out and hit us. It tore the mirror off, couldn't open the passenger side door, busted the windshield," Lambert said.
Officials say vehicle-deer collisions occur more frequently in the first two weeks of October, than any other time of year.
"They're in the corn fields and the bean fields this time of year because of crops being harvested so the deer are displaced there. We're also in archery season so the deer are moving because hunters are in the field," said Chief Deputy Dave Wedding with the sheriff's office.
Chief Deputy Wedding says if you're involved in a deer-car collision, it's important to report it whether you need assistance or not,
"The Department of Natural Resources keeps track of the deer population to know if we're being overly populated in certain areas of the community," Wedding said.
Even though it's instinct, Wedding says you shouldn't swerve to avoid a deer.
"It is your natural tendency to want to jerk your steering wheel when somebody or something runs in front of your vehicle, so be careful doing that. Maybe slow down. You may have to hit the animal versus risking rolling your car over," Wedding said.
Also, keep in mind, deer tend to move in early morning and evening hours when it's dark, making your chances of hitting one, even higher.
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