(KFVS) - Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is reminding drivers to watch for deer, which are more active this time of year.

The highway patrol says drivers should be especially careful during evening and early dawn hours. They say deer behavior changes because of mating season, which may cause an increase in road crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting can also cause the animals to be in places they aren't usually seen. Drivers are urged to be alert.

According to the highway patrol, last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 3,420 car crashes where deer-car crashes occurred. One deer strike happened every 2.6 hours in the state. In these crashes, two people were killed and 352 injured.

The patrol says when you see a deer, slow down and proceed with caution.

SCOTT CITY, MO (KFVS) - The First Assembly of God will hold a hunter safety education course on September 17 from 8 a.m. to about 6 p.m.

The church says there will be hands on activities, a live shooting range and many other resources. Lunch will be provided.

The course is free and open to ages 11 and up.

If you would like to attend, you can register online and walk-ins are also able to register.

For more information, you can call 264-2365.

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