SOUTH POINT, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Consider the following warning from the Ohio Department of Transportation about deer: last year they caused more than 26,000 accidents.

Furthermore, deer populations are at their peak. In fact, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is estimating about 600,000. Locally, the cars are coming into local body shops. In fact, the last few weeks of October into November are like Christmas for body shops -- all because of deer.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol in Lawrence County reported that it has logged eight car versus deer reports since Oct. 1. Officers cite deer overpopulation as the main reason.

"I've hit two in the last year, and one jumped on the hood of my vehicle, said Ohio State Highway Patrolman Randy Boggs. "The other hit directly in the front; I had no choice but to hit it."

Boggs advises motorists not to swerve if they’re about to hit a deer. He said swerving can lead to a more serious accident, including hitting a tree or another vehicle head on.

More than half of all deer accidents happen between 6 p.m. and midnight, with the other peak time around dawn. If you see a deer near a road, expect others to follow because they usually roam together.