Updated

Southern Illinois University is rolling out a public-awareness campaign about the hazards deer pose to humans, and it apparently couldn't come at a better time.

A year ago, deer threatened or injured at least seven people on the university's Carbondale campus during fawning season. Now — with fawning season soon to reach its peak — campus police say three people were injured by a female deer Tuesday.

The latest victims were pedestrians on a path along Campus Lake, near the school's law building.

Police say they received minor injuries. A university worker sustained a gash on her forehead that required stitches. A student got a scratched jaw, while another worker escaped with a sprained wrist, cuts and bruises.

Experts blame much of the problem on protective mother deer.