Alpharetta, Georgia – Alpharetta residents could expect to see more deer in the next several weeks as the annual whitetail deer mating season reaches its peak. These animals are a natural and often welcome aspect of the city’s forested areas, but local officials and wildlife specialists advise drivers to be careful because deer are more active on roads at this time of year.
November is the peak of the breeding season for whitetail deer. The mix of creeks, streams, and thick forested regions in Alpharetta makes it a great place for deer to travel around. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that Fulton County will be most active between November 10 and 16. During these days, deer will move around more, especially around dawn and dusk when it’s hard to see them.
Drivers should be extra careful on two-lane highways near woods, open fields, or water crossings. These are frequent places for deer to pass when they are going from feeding grounds to mating sites. During mating season, wildlife authorities say that deer can be hard to predict. They are less likely to warn you before they run across the road because they are distracted. If you slow down in certain regions, the risks of a crash go down a lot.
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If a deer appears near the roadside, experts advise motorists to assume others are close by. Deer normally move in groups, and after one crosses, another one usually does too. If a deer unexpectedly crosses the road, safety rules say to brake hard and stay in your lane instead of veering, which could cause more serious accidents with other cars or obstructions.
The DNR has a thorough chart that shows the busiest times of year for each county, based on peer-reviewed studies on how animals migrate around during different seasons. People can find out more about when and where deer are most active in Georgia by looking online.
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Alpharetta residents love the city’s natural surroundings, but this time of year is a good time to remember that living with animals also requires awareness and tolerance. A few extra minutes of care behind the wheel will help keep both drivers and deer safe on the roads in the area.
