If you don’t want to kill Bambi, you should be careful driving your car during the months of November and December.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people that it is the time to be alert for deer crossing the road throughout rural DeKalb County.

“The months of November and December are pretty high months for deer-related accidents,” said Lt. Van Bomar of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. “The most occur before dawn and dusk.”

In the 14-day period between Oct. 15 and 31 of this year, the county sheriff’s office reported 15 deer-related accidents. In 2001, about 20 percent of the accidents handled by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office were deer-related, accounting for about 180 accidents.

“The best thing to do is pay attention to your surroundings,” Bomar said. He suggested that motorists use their high-beams as much as possible and keep an eye out for deer crossing signs.

Bomar also pointed out that if you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

“All of our squad cars have the deer whistles,” Bomar said. Deer whistles are thumb-sized devices that attach to the front bumper of a vehicle. They emit a high-pitched whistle that is supposed to draw the attention of a deer so they notice the approaching vehicle.

Bomar said that Shabbona Lake State Park in southern DeKalb County is an area where deer frequently appear.

Even the Office of the Secretary of State is advising motorists of the deer increase. In a recent press release, Secretary of State Jesse White released a list of traffic safety hints for motorists.

According to the press release, deer most often are seen along wooded areas and stream corridors, which are their natural feeding and watering grounds.

Randy Nehrt, deputy press secretary for the Office of the Secretary of State, said most of these areas are marked with deer crossing signs.

“The best thing a motorist can do is to be extra alert and cautious,” Nehrt said.

The sheriff’s office also is reminding citizens of the upcoming shotgun deer season, which is from Nov. 22 to 24 and Dec. 5 to 8.

Hunting on private property is a violation of Wildlife Statutes, as well as criminal law, according to the sheriff’s police. It also is against the law to hunt on railroad property or within 300 yards of a residence.

Sheriff’s police are urging hunters to obey all conservation laws and safety rules.