People asked to follow signposted advice when visiting Wyre Forest at 'sensitive' time of year for deer
Deer rutting season takes place towards the end of September and throughout October, with the males 'fighting' for the attention of the females
People across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being urged to take extra care around forests and woodlands this October in a bid to not disturb deer rutting season.
Areas tend to see an increase in the number of deer towards the end of September and into this month as the males aim to show their dominance for female attention.
The Forestry England team at Worcestershire's Wyre Forest have identified spots and have displayed signage in certain places to advise visitors where they can and can't go to make sure them and the deer stay safe.
Graham Haw is one of the community rangers in the forest itself, he says it is important people listen and follow that advice through the mating season.
"We just ask that people just avoid them areas for that period of the last couple weeks of September and all of October as it just gives the dear a chance to kind of perform this natural phenomenon without being disturbed," he said.
"It's just a really special time of year, it's kind of changing from summer to winter but for the deer it's just getting kind of more and more active for them, their summer's not over.
"This is their summer, and it's just so great to see these animals use their antlers for what they're designed for."
Forestry England say prior to and during the rut, people may see "male deer (bucks) groaning, walking parallel to each other and even fighting".
They add that while it can be "quite a sight", it can also be dangerous as the bucks are full of testosterone.
"If there's a wood that you walk in regularly and you start hearing those noises, if you've got a dog with you, just pop that dog on a lead, even if they're usually fine with being off lead the last thing you want is that dog interrupting these deer which could be duelling," Mr Haw said.
"At this time of year you're going to start getting deer crossing roads a lot in dusk and dawn so if you see one deer or two deer cross the road in front of you, there could easily be 30 behind it.
"So if you just see one or two deer cross the road and you think that it's okay to go, just hover over those brakes, slow down and make sure that they are all across, because odds are that there'll be another 10, 20, perhaps even 30 more in the herd waiting to cross."
Visitors are being told to stay out of small areas of the Wyre Forest by Forestry England from 16 September–31 October to give the deer population some space.