The Missouri Department of Conservation and the City of Osage Beach are working together to control the deer population.

The deer population is growing alongside the concerns of lake area officials.

"A good manageable deer population is around 25 deer per square mile, that's good deer manageable population," according to compliance officer Bob Chatham. "Right now they estimate is around 60 to 65 deer per square mile"

More deer means more collisions with cars. There were 200 in the last year alone. Deer often cross the highway from the park to people's backyards where the automatic feeders are, and that's when the accidents happen.

So, officials are urging lake area residents, and they're keeping an eye on the number and locations of accidents.

Conservation agent Sean Ernst says it's not surprising that people and deer are seeing more of each other...

"As we continue to develop these little undisturbed habitats, we are starting to see interacting with all different kinds of wildlife and with those interactions such as white tail deer," Ernst said.

And deer aren't the only animals residents are seeing more of. Numbers of raccoons and other pests are also growing. The deer problem will be on the Osage Beach City Council agenda tomorrow. Members will try to pass a no feeding ordinance for deer in the city limits.