Map: Abby Peacock • Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources • Created with Datawrapper
Commission Chair Jay Paul has picked up 38 dead deer from collisions with vehicles since the start of his term in 2021.
Oglethorpe County’s Code Compliance Office is responsible for maintaining the safety of property and buildings within the county, but in addition to concerns like stormwater management, the department also disposes of deer killed in collisions.
Jeff Sharp, director of planning and zoning, said the department only picks up deer when there is a road obstruction or threat to resident safety.
“If the deer is out of the road, and it’s not causing any problems, then they’re fine to remain where they are,” Sharp said.
Both Sharp and Paul pick up deer when needed.
Sharp said if someone hits a deer, they should call the compliance office at 706-743-5270 if it presents an immediate threat to safety.
The Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources reports that during breeding season, deer are more active and susceptible to being hit by motor vehicles. This time for Oglethorpe County is approximately Nov. 3-9; however, there remains a risk year-round.
Researchers at the University of Georgia, alongside biologists with the Wildlife Resources Division, “found a strong correlation between peak deer-vehicle collision timeframes, deer conception dates and the hourly movement rates of deer tracked by GPS.”
This information was used to create a map of peak deer movement in Georgia to show dates for increased awareness of roadside hazards.
The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division recommends the following tips to avoid potential collisions with deer:
- Be aware that deer movement is unpredictable.
- Take caution that one deer usually means more will follow.
- Make note of the time of day, as deer are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Minimize damage by slowing down and not swerving if a collision is unavoidable.
“I would caution people to slow down,” Paul said. “If you come up in the summertime, you can count on deer being in the fields by the road.”