GEORGIA (WTXL) - Over the next few months Georgia drivers need to be aware that there is extra danger of hitting deer on roadways, according to the University of Georgia.
A study released by the school says that deer mating season is the peak time for drivers to collide the animals because this is when they are on the move, searching for a mate.
When researchers compared deer-collision data to previously known deer movements, they were able to make a map that shows when peak "rutting season" takes place in every county in the state of Georgia.
"Depending on your location in Georgia, peak rut may occur anywhere from October to December. 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, "said James Stickles, lead researcher on the project and assistant deer coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Below is a list of counties in the area and when drivers should be on the lookout for increased deer movement according to the study.
Baker - 11/24-11/30
Berrien - 11/03-11/09
Brooks - 11/17-11/23
Clinch - 10/20-10/26
Colquitt - 11/17/11/23
Cook - 11/17-11/23
Decatur - 12/08-12/14
Echols - 10/27-11/02
Grady - 12/08-12/14
Lanier - 10/27-11/02
Lowndes - 11/03-11/09
Miller - 12/15-12/21
Mitchell - 11/24-11/30
Seminole - 12/22-12/28
Thomas - 11/24-11/30
Tift - 11/17-11/23
The full study titled "Using Deer-vehicle Collisions to Map White-Tailed Deer Breeding Activity in Georgia" can be read here.
