As fall mating season for white-tailed deer arrives, property owners in Middle Tennessee are being advised to review their landscaping protection, with state data and academic research underscoring a sharp rise in deer activity from October through December. Deer Solution of Middle Tennessee, which provides professional deer repellent services, is calling on residents in Nashville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Franklin to prepare for the rut, the period when deer movement intensifies and vehicle collisions spike.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance notes that peak mating and migration seasons for many animals, particularly deer, occur from October through December. During those three months in 2023, half of the state’s deer-related crashes took place, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol crash statistics. In 2024, Tennessee recorded 8,036 deer-related crashes, including 465 injury crashes and five fatal crashes, and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security identifies November as historically the peak month for such incidents.
Research from Georgia reinforces the connection between rut timing and collision frequency. A 2015 study by researchers from the University of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources analyzed 45,811 deer-vehicle collisions recorded between 2005 and 2012, comparing that data against conception rates and deer movement patterns. The study found strong alignment among peak conception timing, peak rut movement, and peak collision frequency. UGA Today reported that lead author James Stickles noted peak rut can occur anywhere from October to December depending on geographic location. An article from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute further cautions that deer may enter a roadway from any direction during the rut.
Taken together, the Tennessee data and this body of research characterize fall as a period of heightened deer movement, making it a practical time for property owners to assess how their landscaping is protected. Deer Solution of Middle Tennessee provides a professional deer repellent service designed to protect shrubs, flowers, and garden beds from deer damage. A Certified Deer Damage Expert® evaluates each property and recommends a customized treatment program based on the specific plantings present and the level of deer pressure observed. The company recommends year-round service, including during winter months when natural food sources for deer become scarce.
“Fall is a period of increased deer activity in Tennessee, and it is a good time for homeowners to look at their landscaping,” said a representative at Deer Solution of Middle Tennessee. “We build a customized program around each property’s plantings and deer pressure, then work with the homeowner to adjust it over time when appropriate.” Property owners in Nashville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Franklin can schedule a free consultation and estimate online or by calling (615) 258-7108.
