THEY are becoming a serious problem in the countryside, not least to road safety.

Now the growing number of wild deer has prompted the CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, to issue warnings for Hampshire roads in October and November.

CLA South East regional director Robin Edwards said: “At this time of year, there are often deer on the move, particularly at dawn and dusk, and with shorter daylight hours and often poor visibility on the roads, drivers need to be particularly vigilant.”

Deer can appear very suddenly, particularly from woodland, so road users should be aware of the potential danger and slow down, especially in rural areas where warning signs indicate that wild animals may stray onto the roads.

Mr Edwards added: “Accidents involving deer tend to increase in the autumn, during the rutting season, when deer are moving in larger numbers during peak traffic times.

"Between 40,000 and 75,000 deer are killed on the roads every year, according to the AA, and the size of the animals means these accidents can result in serious injuries to car users, as well as creating extensive damage to vehicles.

“If you are involved in an accident with a deer, report the incident to the police, even if there is no damage to your vehicle or passengers, as they can also arrange for a Deer Warden to attend.”

For more safety advice and information on wild deer in the UK, visit www.deeraware.com.