Motorists are reminded about increased deer activity this time of year.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forest Wildlife Research Biologist Jim Coffey says they see more deer movement in the first couple of weeks of June, due to does moving to more secluded areas prior to giving birth. He reminds everyone to slow down and drive defensively. This time period also coincides with hay cutting operations in farm fields.

Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams says anyone that hits a deer should also contact law enforcement as well as their insurance provider.

“If the damage is $1,500 or more, you’re mandated to notify law enforcement. If you don’t have a case number from a sheriff’s office, police department or the Iowa State Patrol, most of the time the insurance company will not pay for the damages because there’s been no police report.”

However, Sheriff Williams says if you see a deer being hit or hit one yourself, you can get a salvage tag to take the animal.

“A salvage tag gives the person the right to take the deer for consumption and we issue the salvage tags and then in return, we forward them onto the DNR.”

Williams adds if someone takes a deer without a salvage tag, they can be cited for possession of illegal wild game.

June is the second busiest month, behind November, for deer-vehicle collisions.