{"id":45719,"date":"2025-10-01T08:22:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T12:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=45719"},"modified":"2025-10-01T10:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T14:14:55","slug":"deer-other-wildlife-activity-in-the-fall-increases-maryland-drivers-collision-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/10\/01\/deer-other-wildlife-activity-in-the-fall-increases-maryland-drivers-collision-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Deer, Other Wildlife Activity in the Fall Increases Maryland Drivers\u2019 Collision Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Deer at Sang Run State Park. Photo by Mary Pat Bozel, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dee<\/span>r mating season is right around the corner, and the\u00a0Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a>\u00a0reminds motorists to be vigilant. The shortening of daylight hours, called the photo period, triggers white-tailed deer breeding season.<\/p>\n

During this time, <\/span>deer<\/span><\/a>\u00a0travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day and night in search of a mate. Most other wildlife are also more active at this time of year, as they search for food to prepare for the coming winter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe shortening of days brings not only beautiful autumn colors, but an increase in deer movements as breeding behavior becomes more evident,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Wildlife and Heritage Service<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Director Karina Stonesifer said. \u201cIt is important that motorists exhibit extra caution on the road this time of year and are mindful of deer activity while driving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Motorists are reminded to:<\/span><\/p>\n