Whenever you’re behind the wheel, it’s essential to pay attention. In the fall, however, increased vigilance is crucial because of peak deer season, as noted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources.

“Although the primary goal is to avoid a collision, if one is unavoidable, don’t swerve to miss the animal,” cautioned Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist with the DNR’s Division of Wildlife Resources. “It’s better to hit the deer than risk losing control of your vehicle. Remember, deer often travel in groups, so if you see one crossing the road, be aware that others may follow and don’t assume the danger has passed.”

There are two main reasons drivers may see more deer along the roads in the fall:

• Mating Season – Deer mating season occurs between October and late December, depending on location. The male stag goes into “rut” and begins actively looking for a mate. This behavior increases deer movement, bringing them across roads.
• Time Changes – As we begin to “wind down” for Daylight Savings Time, the peak times for most commuters tend to fall during the same hours that whitetail deer are most active – dawn and dusk.

Here are some tips and information to avoid potential collisions:

• Deer are unpredictable: Always remember deer are wild and therefore can be unpredictable. A deer standing calmly on the side of a road may charge or cross the road rather than move away from it when startled by a vehicle.
• A deer usually means more: Always use caution and slow down when a deer crosses the road in front of you. Deer usually travel in groups, so others will likely follow.
• Time of day: Because deer are most active at dawn and dusk, they are usually seen along roadways during the early morning and late evening—the same times when most people commute to and from work.
• Time of year: While deer-car collisions can happen at any time of the year, the fall breeding season is a peak time for such accidents. During the fall breeding season, deer movement increases, and this often brings them into contact with roads that cross their natural habitats. Road shoulders generally provide beneficial food plants both during extremely dry times of the year and after a long, hard winter. Deer are attracted to these plants in late winter, early spring and late summer. Georgia carb map (GeorgiaWildlife.com/rut-map) is an excellent tool for drivers to determine local spikes in deer movement. Drivers should be especially alert for deer during these times.
• Damage Minimization: If it is too late to avoid a collision, drivers are advised to slow down as much as possible to minimize damage – resist the urge to swerve to avoid deer as this can cause further damage, throwing drivers off the road or causing a collision. with another vehicle.

For more information on deer, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/deer-info.