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What's With All the Deer?
They are most active in the spring and fall, which is why statistics show a spike in deer-vehicle collisions during those times of the year. "In both of those time periods, the social environment for deer is changing," says Dr. Chris Rosenberry of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

What: Spring fawning season
When: May and June
As female deer prepare to give birth, the young deer born the previous year -- called yearlings -- are being pushed out of the home. "The mothers are basically giving them the cold shoulder," says Rosenberry. "It's the breakdown of the family. Both male and female yearlings move out of the area where they were born, traveling across unfamiliar ground."

What: Fall mating season
When: October and November
In breeding season, male deer -- called bucks -- become more aggressive and start to travel in search of mates.

Evasive Maneuvers in a Car
If a deer suddenly appears in front of your car: Apply the brakes to slow down. Don't swerve. It's usually better to hit a deer than to veer into oncoming traffic, and swerving may not help you avoid the deer. "Deer are unpredictable, just like the squirrels on the road," says Rosenberry. "They'll run back and forth. Just like people, you don't know how they're going to react in a tense situation."

Evasive Maneuvers on a Motorcycle
Motorcycle riders need to react to a deer differently than drivers of cars, trucks and SUVs, says Bill Shaffer of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center. One way to reduce the chance of hitting a deer is to avoid riding at night or low-light times, when deer are on the move. But if there is a deer in your path, these tips will help:

• Use emergency braking to "quick stop" before you reach the deer.
• If the quick stop is not enough and collision is imminent, release the brakes, and then execute a swerve maneuver around the deer. Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, they typically have more room to steer around a deer without hitting other vehicles. Don't swerve while braking.

Don't Blow Your Horn
"It's a knee-jerk reaction, but I would not recommend it," Rosenberry says. Deer tend to stop and look when they hear a loud noise, the opposite of what you want them to do. And don't waste money on car-mounted deer whistles. Studies have shown that they do not scare deer away.

Watch the Clock
Deer are most active around dawn and dusk. That is when they are on the move and most likely crossing highways and other roads, so be especially vigilant if you're driving at those times.

November is notoriously dangerous
More insurance claims are submitted for animal-vehicle collisions in November than in any other month, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

New Road Signs
States such as Maine are experimenting with seasonal warning signs in high-crash locations. These temporary road-side signs may better grab the attention of drivers, who experts believe ignore permanent signs. Another idea with promise: motion-sensitive signs that light up when deer are nearby.

If You Hit a Deer
Know when to notify the authorities: In most states, you are not obligated to call the police. If your vehicle is drivable, you can usually leave. However, if the deer is obstructing the road or is a hazard to other drivers, call 911.
Safety first: Don't approach an injured deer. "If the animal is still alive, be very careful," says Rosenberry, whose family has had five accidents involving deer. "I've seen the hooves on a deer cut through clothing."
Call us: Move your car to the side of the road, if possible. Contact MetLife Auto & Home Claims as soon as possible at 1-800-854-6011.