The state’s top biologist on big game is warning drivers to be cautious about deer on Kansas roads.

Several accidents have been reported around and even in Lawrence in recent days as does are giving birth and frequently traveling between their fawn, which could be kept several miles apart to protect them from predators, said Lloyd Fox, the big-game coordinator for Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

“Frequently she takes off and runs, and she’s not paying as much attention as she would if she was traveling under normal circumstances,” Fox said.

He said drivers should pay close attention, especially at dawn and dusk when the deer are active. He said it’s a busy time for vehicle-deer accidents along with the deer mating season in November.

“This is that second peak that we see every year,” Fox said.

He also said as the state’s deer population increases, it’s not uncommon for deer to live in more urban or suburban areas because it takes only a small amount of cover for a doe to hide her fawn until they grow enough.

A driver was injured Monday night near the 2200 block of Louisiana Street in a collision with a deer.

Drivers on area roads should be careful when trying to avoid the deer.

“If you leave the road and lose control of your vehicle, you are much more likely to be injured than if you hit a deer in the road and keep your vehicle under control,” Fox said.

Two Lawrence men were injured in separate accidents Saturday and Monday when they swerved to avoid deer and struck concrete objects on Interstate 70 east of Lawrence and on Clinton Parkway near the South Lawrence Trafficway.

Both drivers ended up being treated and released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital, but experts say injuries can often be avoided in deer encounters.

“If you have to hit it, hit it and keep control of your vehicle,” Fox said. “Then get to a safe spot and be cautious about getting out of the vehicle.”