Motorists are reminded to drive with extra vigilance as white-tailed deer mating season gets underway, and darkness arrives earlier. Deer are more likely to run out onto roads during this time of year – known as the fall rut – as bucks pursue does, risking the possibility of collision with a vehicle. Increased deer activity is more likely to occur in the early morning and around sunset, when visibility may be more limited.

Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October into mid-December in most areas of the state.