CHICAGO (AP) — Collisions between cars and deer in Illinois were down in 2013 compared to 2012 — though not by much.

Figures released Wednesday show a 1 percent decline in numbers of cars hitting deer in 2013 compared to 2012. There were 15,334 such crashes last year compared to 15,495 in 2012.

However, the number of people killed in vehicle-deer collisions rose from four in 2012 to six in 2013.

State agencies report nearly 80 percent of crashes occur at twilight or at night when deer are most active.

Illinois law requires all accidents resulting in damage of $1,500 or more must be reported to police. Drivers may collect a deer killed by their cars without reporting it. However, they are prohibited from taking the deer to a taxidermist or tannery.
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