Fall is prime breeding season for deer across Georgia. It’s also when drivers are more likely to hit deer that run into the road, according to a new UGA study.
Researchers in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources have completed an analysis of when motorists should be more aware of possibly hitting a deer. They looked at breeding data and then compared it to deer-vehicle collision statistics across Georgia.
According to the study, between 2005 and 2012, there were 45,811 reported deer-vehicle collisions across all Georgia counties.
Deer-vehicle collisions increase during “rutting season” because white-tailed deer move around a lot more looking for mates, according to James Stickles, lead researcher on the project. Stickles, who led the study while earning his master’s degree, said researchers were able to create a map that more accurately reflects when motorists are in greater danger of hitting a deer. The new map lists specific peak dates for each of Georgia’s 159 counties.
“Now we can warn drivers in a more relevant time frame than in the past,” said Stickles, who is now assistant deer coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Depending on your location in Georgia, peak rut may occur anywhere from October to December,” he also said. “By knowing deer movement dates in specific areas, email blasts and other warnings to be more vigilant of deer can be distributed before, and during, times when deer-vehicle collisions are most likely to occur.”
For example, the peak time in Athens-Clarke County is Nov. 10-16.
Recently published in the Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the study analyzed deer-vehicle collisions and then compared the timing of those wrecks with available conception data, deer movement information obtained from deer wearing GPS collars in Harris County and the old “rut map” from Georgia Outdoor News. The project was funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources already is using the new map created by UGA to inform hunters of peak rut dates. The Georgia DOT also is considering using the map to develop specific motorist warnings for each region.
The map can be found online and downloaded at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ website, http://www.georgiawildlife.com/rut-map.
