When a black bear passed through Fayette County recently, it was big news.

But if you think that wildlife is rare here, think again.

"They're here," said Bill Newman, county animal control director. What's here? Just about everything.

Armadillo? "They're here." Coyotes? "They're here." Wild turkey? "They're here."

And as Fayette fills up with human residents, its wild residents are becoming more visible, and more of a problem, Newman said.

"They're just getting used to people," he said. "The coons, the fox, all of them. Even the old coyotes that have come in here the last several years are getting a little bit bold," he said.

Increasing numbers of deer feeding on the tender grass along roadways create a traffic problem, he said, adding that contact with wildlife in general should be avoided.

Deer have gotten so used to people, said Tyrone Police Chief Roger Spencer, that people can often walk right up to one in the back yard.

But don't do it, he advises, especially not now. In the next month or so, deer go into their rutting season, and males are prone to attack. "They go crazy when they're in the rut," he said.

No matter how bold they get, wild animals are still wild, and they can be rabid, said Newman. Stay away from them. "Caution your kids about just running through the woods and not looking where they're going," he said. "We've had more snake calls this year than ever before."

It's especially important to avoid contact if you hit an animal with an automobile. "A lot of people will run up to see about the animal. Their heart's in the right place, but it can be quite dangerous," said Newman.

A male deer can gore you, but even a doe is dangerous. "They'll cut you to pieces with those hooves," said Newman.

If you hit an animal, even a dog or cat, Newman's advice is to phone the police or the county marshall's office. And don't be too put off if they decide to shoot the animal.

"There are very few wild animals that can be saved" through a wildlife rescue service, he said. "I hate to see it because they were here before we were. It's sad," he said.

It's even better to prevent the problem. Spokesmen for all of Fayette's police agencies emphasize that deer rutting season is coming soon and drivers should watch the road shoulders carefully, keep the speed down and be prepared to brake.

"Slow down when you see something," said Tyrone's Chief Spencer. "When you pass them slowly, you don't startle them as much."

If you hit an animal and it comes through an open window or crashes through the glass into the car, get stopped and get out as fast as you can, said Spencer. If it's still alive, the animal is going to start thrashing around and its horns, hooves, claws and teeth can maim or kill.

Newman advises special caution for Peachtree City's golf cart culture as well. Snakes like to crawl onto a warm surface, like a golf cart path, as the air cools in the evening. "Unless you're looking where you're going, you're liable to step right on him."

And with Fayette's penchant for lakes and wetlands, the snake population is growing. Cotton mouth moccasins, copper heads and timber rattlers are the main poisonous snakes in the area. Few people die from snake bites if they get immediate medical attention, he said.