With deer moving more, here’s what to know if you hit one with your automobile in Pa.

Motorists are being urged to watch out for wildlife moving more frequently this time of year.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reported Oct. 27 that deer are becoming increasingly active this time of year and motorists should be alert to animals moving near roadways.

With daylight saving time ending Nov. 2 and deer becoming more active in their fall breeding season, there are higher chances for drivers to see deer crossing highways.

“The months of October, November and December are when deer are moving around the most, and for longer durations during the day,” Game Commission executive director Steve Smith said in news release. “We encourage all drivers to practice safe behaviors and be especially mindful of intensified deer movement at this time of year.”

The agency reports Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest chances of a collision with a big-game animal. While the national average for animal collisions is 1-in-139, Pennsylvania drivers, according to a report, more than double that with a 1-in-62 chance.

What to do if you hit a deer in Pennsylvania

A driver who hits a deer with a vehicle is not required to report the accident to the Game Commission. If the deer dies, only Pennsylvania residents may claim the carcass. To do so, they can call the Game Commission at 833-PGC-HUNT or 833-PGC-WILD and an agency dispatcher will collect the information needed to provide a free permit number.

A resident must call within 24 hours of taking possession of the deer. A passing Pennsylvania motorist also may claim the deer, if the person whose vehicle hit it doesn’t want it.

Those taking possession of road-killed deer also are advised of rules related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that prohibit the removal of high-risk deer parts — essentially the head and backbone — from any Disease Management Area (DMA) or Established Area (EA). Those parts must be removed before the deer is transported outside a DMA or EA. For maps of these areas, the complete list of high-risk parts and other information on CWD, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.

To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.