In 2016, 11 people died in Wisconsin in crashes caused by an encounter with deer.

All were motorcyclists.

Deer can be a hazard for all drivers, no matter what the size of the vehicle. But there’s no denying motorcyclists can be especially vulnerable when a deer leaps the wrong way.

This is the time of year, too, when motorcyclists and deer both are especially active.

Does are looking for a place to give birth — and ditching their yearling fawns in the process. These young deer, on their own for the first time without the guidance of their mother, can be skittish, confused and jumpy in all the wrong ways.

At the same time, more people are taking to the roads, at speeds unchecked by snow and ice.

“And that’s a dangerous combination for all motorists, but especially for motorcyclists,” said David Pabst, Director of WisDOT’s Bureau of Transportation Safety.

While deer collisions peak in the fall months, in the past five years, June ranked as the worst or second-worst month for motorists’ injuries from deer crashes, according to the Wisconsin DOT.

So how to best navigate through this time to fear the deer?

The DOT offers these tips:

— Be extra vigilant in early morning and evening hours, when deer are most active.

— Slow down and eliminate distractions.

— Always wear a safety belt and insist any passengers do as well — it results in fewer and less severe injuries in crashes.

— If a deer is along the road, slow down and blow the vehicle horn with one long blast to frighten the animal away.

— When one deer appears, look for more. Deer seldom run alone.

— If a deer looms in the headlights, don’t expect it to move away.

— Headlights can confuse a deer and cause the animal to freeze.

— Brake firmly when a deer appears ahead or nearby.

— Do not swerve. Swerving can confuse the deer as to which way to run, and can also cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a much more serious crash.

— One important exception: If operating a motorcycle, slow down, brake firmly and swerve if necessary to avoid hitting the deer. Try to stay within the correct lane if at all possible to avoid hitting other objects.

— If you do hit a deer, get the vehicle safely off the road if possible, call law enforcement and stay inside the vehicle, buckled up for safety. Walking along the highway is very dangerous because of the risk of being struck by another vehicle.

— Don’t attempt to move an injured deer. Leave that to police or the Department of Natural Resources, if the deer survives the collision and either needs treatment or, more likely, to be put down as humanely as possible.

“The best way to avoid deer crashes and injuries is to slow down, buckle up, and if you’re motorcycling always wear a helmet and other protective gear,” Pabst advised.