Driver alert: Peak deer rut season is fast approaching

Motorists in Floyd and other Northwest Georgia counties are urged to use caution as peak deer rut season approaches.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimates Nov. 3-9 as the height of activity in the region, based on studies correlating with incidents of deer-vehicle collisions. It’s later in November on the northeastern side of the state.

“Motorists should be alert and pay close attention to roadsides as we are nearing the annual peak time of year for deer movement,” said Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist with DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division.

“Keep in mind that deer often travel in groups, so if a deer crosses the road ahead of you there is a good chance that another will follow,” he added. “In many cases, that second deer is the one hit as the driver assumes the danger has passed and fails to slow down.”

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

Mating Season – Deer mating season occurs between October and late December, depending on location. Male deer go into rut and begin actively searching for mates.

Time Changes – As we begin to “fall back” for daylight savings time, our days become shorter and nights become longer. Rush hour for most commuters tends to fall during the same hours in which white-tailed deer are most active – dawn and dusk.

Following are some tips and information to help avoid potential collisions:

♦ Deer are unpredictable: A deer calmly standing on the side of a road may bolt into or across the road rather than away from it when startled by a vehicle.

♦ One deer usually means more: Always take caution and slow down when a deer crosses the road in front of you. Deer usually travel in groups, so it is likely that others will follow.

♦ Time of day: Deer are typically seen along roads during the early morning and late evening.

♦ Time of year: While deercar collisions can occur at any time of year, the fall breeding season is a peak time for such accidents.

♦ Minimize damage: If it is too late to avoid a colli

sion, drivers are advised to slow down as much as possible to minimize damage.

Resist the urge to swerve to avoid the deer, as this may cause further damage,

sending drivers off the road or causing a collision with another vehicle.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources November brings the greatest probability for often-costly vehicle collisions with deer in Northwest Georgia counties because it is the height of breeding season for the animals, according to the Georgia DNR.