Deer breeding season heating up: How it impacts roadways

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — A very important period for the future of the white-tailed deer population is coming, the rut.

The rut is about a month-long period where deer are able to breed, with males chasing the females, marking their spot, and fighting with other bucks for the right to breed.

It all starts due to the day’s length.

“Shortening days come with longer nights and that is the trigger for deer to this time to start to get into reproductive mode,” said Dr. Don Cipollini, Wright State University biology professor.

Reproductive mode means higher testosterone in bucks but also an increased chance of interacting with humans.

“They kind of lose their wily, secretive nature at this time of year. And so that that leads to them being doing riskier things, being more, you know, just simply moving more, moving more quickly, less cautiously. That means they cross roads more. They’re just more visible. And that leads to more interactions with humans,” said Dr. Cipollini.

The shortening days also increase the chance of deer-related car crashes. About half of the deer-related crashes in the state occur in October, November and December.

“Well, we know that they’re more active at nighttime, there. They’re out looking for their food. They’re out foraging around. So we are just tell people be be very careful that, you know, days are getting shorter, and actually we’re going to be going into a a time change pretty soon. So that’s going to increase[likelihood] as well,” said Kara Hitchens, AAA public affairs manager.

Hitchens also said if you encounter this situation, hit the brakes and avoid swerving in the other lane as it could result in a more serious crash with oncoming traffic.

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