With deer breeding season underway and the end of Daylight Saving Time approaching tonight, Georgia wildlife officials are urging motorists to be especially careful on the roads.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources issued a warning Thursday, October 29, reminding drivers that deer movement increases significantly during the fall months, raising the risk of collisions.

The warning is particularly important for motorists traveling rural roads throughout Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, where wooded areas, farmland and highways frequently intersect deer habitats.

According to the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, deer breeding season generally occurs between October and late December, depending on location. During this period, male deer become more active as they search for mates, often crossing roads without warning.

The time change early Sunday morning adds another concern. As clocks move back one hour, evening commuters will be traveling during hours when deer are especially active.

Kevin Rose, assistant state deer biologist with the Wildlife Resources Division, says drivers should remember that deer often travel in groups.

If one deer crosses the road, others may be following close behind.

Wildlife officials recommend reducing speed in areas where deer are commonly seen, paying attention to roadsides and avoiding distractions while driving.

Drivers should never swerve sharply to avoid a deer, since doing so could cause a head-on collision or send a vehicle off the roadway. Instead, motorists should brake firmly while maintaining control of their vehicle.

Deer are most active around dawn and dusk, making early morning and late afternoon travel especially hazardous during the fall.

The DNR says extra caution now can help prevent serious accidents as deer activity increases throughout November and December.

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Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, October 29, 2026.