OHIO — November 2025 — Deer mating season, known as the rut , is in full swing across Ohio, and wildlife officials are warning motorists to stay cautious as deer activity spikes through the next several weeks.

Running from October through December , the rut reaches its peak in early to mid-November , when deer are most active — particularly at dawn and dusk . This heightened movement dramatically increases the risk of vehicle-deer collisions , which already account for 17,000 to 20,000 crashes each year in Ohio. Roughly half of those incidents occur during these three months.

“The rut makes deer far more unpredictable,” officials note. “Bucks are focused on chasing does, not traffic, and they often dart across roads without warning.”

During courtship, bucks pursue does for

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