Manitoba Conservation says people aren't doing wandering deer any favours by feeding them. (CBC)Don't feed the wandering deer, and keep your eyes peeled while behind the wheel.

That's the message to Winnipeggers from Manitoba's Conservation Department this weekend as many of the animals are being spotted roaming inside the city.

It's rutting season for deer, meaning many bucks are actively searching for mates at all hours of the day. The season lasts through the months of October and November.

Brian Joynt, a wildlife manager for Manitoba Conservation, said people should resist feeding the deer should they turn up on their property.

"People generally think they're doing the deer a favour, but that's actually not the case … the message we're trying to get out to the public is don't feed them — keep wildlife wild," Joynt said.

He also cautioned motorists to be on the lookout for deer at all times of day.

An average of 1,600 collisions with wildlife are reported to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) each November, the Crown corporation said in an Oct. 26 statement.

Nearly $29 million was paid out in wildlife-related insurance claims in 2008, MPI said.

The public insurer said motorists should keep the following tips in mind while out on the road:

• Use high beams to help locate deer near the road.
• Slow down when travelling in an area known to have wildlife.
• If an animal is spotted on the roadway use the vehicle's horn to alert them.
• Avoid swerving — control of the vehicle can be lost or cause a collision with oncoming traffic.
• Brake hard only if other traffic isn’t following closely.