Kansas University students literally will shine a spotlight on the area’s deer this week, part of an annual deer census.

Students in Bob Hagen’s environmental studies field class will be counting whitetail deer Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights along a 15- to 20-mile route in Douglas, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties. Included in the census will be the Nelson Environmental Study Area and the Fitch Natural History Reservation.

Some of the counting activities will involve using spotlights along public roads.

The census is part of a larger effort statewide, coordinated since 2002 by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The department encourages motorists to be especially mindful of deer this time of year, as they are especially active during mating season.