OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Department of Wildlife Conservation said they believe there's more deer in the state than ever before and around this time of year it's important to watch the road for deer who might jump in front of your car. If you see deer crossing signs, that's a good indicator there could be deer in the area, but even if you're driving and don't see a sign, it's best to still keep a look out just in case. LOCAL NEWS: Former OCDC detention officer arrested for theft facing additional charges As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, deer spotting can be higher. "Every time about this time of year, come late October, in November and sometimes into December, our white tailed deer population here in Oklahoma is very active," said Don P. Brown," said Communication and Education Specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Department said there's a lot more deer this time of year because it's mating season. "What they're doing is chasing each other around. The bucks are looking for does and they're not paying attention to traffic," said Brown. Which means deer could run erratically into the road. Wednesday night, two people were thrown from a motorcycle after a deer ran into the road and hit them. The driver is alert and stable, but is still in the hospital. LOCAL NEWS: WATCH: Moore PD dash cam shows tire rolling off of car The passenger is in critical condition in the ICU. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 1.5 million deer-related crashes happen nationwide every year.              "It's very important for motorists to be cautious, slow down, make sure that you look on both sides of the road, because if you see one deer, there's likely several more around," said Brown. It's important to keep an eye out at specific times of the day when deer are more likely to leap into the road. "Early morning, late evening and even overnight. We always tell folks to go ahead and put those high beams on," said Brown. One more driving tip Brown said is, if you do encounter a deer, hit the brakes rather than swerving, as that can cause more danger.