Officials are warning Orange County drivers to be aware of deer.

They say Orange County leads the state for the most car collisions with animals, with the region averaging almost 1,400 vehicular crashes with deer every year.

From now until November is also the worst time for hitting a deer because it's their mating season, when the animals are less likely to be scared by traffic.

Warwick police say they can see up to several dozen car-deer collisions in one day alone at this time of year. They say those crashes can be deadly if drivers don't know what to do.

"If one does dart out in front of you, brake to avoid it but we don't recommend you take evasive action. Many times people do that and end up losing control of the vehicle to avoid the deer," says Warwick Police Lt. Thomas Maslanka.

Local auto body repair shops say deer collisions account for up to half their business for the next two months.

Warwick is reportedly one of the worst municipalities, along with Newburgh and Wallkill, for deer-car accidents.

Officials say a driver who hits a deer should call police from the roadway or file a police report with the local police department.