JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (WSIL) -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to stay vigilant for deer on the roads as they become more active during mating season, especially in the evening and nighttime.

Officials emphasized that drivers should slow down when they spot deer and proceed with caution. Deer also often travel in groups, the patrol stated.

The presence of streams or wooded corridors near farmland can increase the likelihood of deer crossing roadways. In 2024, 21.1 percent of deer-related crashes occurred in urban areas, highlighting that these incidents are not limited to rural areas.

In 2024, there were 2,951 traffic crashes in Missouri involving deer strikes, resulting in four fatalities and 420 injuries. This equates to a deer strike happened approximately every

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