Deer are a common site around Alpharetta throughout the year, but they will be especially active for the next weeks. November is mating season for whitetail deer in our part of the state, and the habitat provided by our creeks, streams, and forested areas makes Alpharetta one of the hottest places to be for eligible deer looking to make a love connection.
Unfortunately, this is also the time when deer are most likely to be hit by motor vehicles.
Researchers at the University of Georgia and biologists with the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources found a strong correlation between peak deer-vehicle collision timeframes, deer conception dates, and the hourly movement rates of deer tracked by GPS. Based on that information, deer-vehicle collision data provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation was used to map the timing of peak deer movement in Georgia.
This year the peak activity period for whitetail deer in Fulton County is forecast to run from November 10 through 16. You can view a county-by-county map of peak periods throughout Georgia and access the underlying peer-reviewed research at https://georgiawildlife.com/rut-map
With deer on the move, drivers need to be extra careful over the next several weeks to avoid collisions. What does that mean when you are behind the wheel?
- Deer are true party animals that come out at night and sleep all day. They are most likely to be in or near roadways at dawn, dusk, and for the first few hours after nightfall.
- When deer are prowling their hottest clubs, you are most likely to see them on or near two-lane roads bordered by woods or fields and where stream and creeks cross under roadways.
- Because it is mating season, deer are easily distracted by dreamy does and hunky bucks, so drivers need to slow down so you and the deer have time to see and avoid each other.
If you do see a deer near the road, expect there to be others nearby. Slow down and stay alert for other deer that may suddenly dart across the road.
If a deer does enter the road in front of you, brake firmly and calmly and stay in your lane. Swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation into something much worse.