Watch Out for Deer During Mating Season, Delaware Authorities Caution Drivers

As the days shorten and white-tailed deer mating season nears, Delaware drivers are advised to be alert around dusk and dawn when deer are typically most active. /DNREC photo

Extra Vigilance on Roads Called for as Days Shorten and Deer Become More Active Morning and Evening

As clocks are about to fall back to Eastern Standard Time and the days and daylight shorten, it’s also a dangerous time of year to be on the road because of the annual white-tailed deer mating season known as the rut. During the rut, which lasts from late October through November and into December, males (bucks) go about their annual pursuit of females (does) in the First State. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Delaware State Police (DSP) are again urging extra caution at the wheel during this time – especially after the Nov. 5 change from Daylight Saving Time to EST.

From that day through much of the holiday season, the busiest times for motorists on Delaware roadways will be around dusk and dawn, times when deer also are typically most active. Driving unlit rural roads without heavy traffic or traveling busier roadways bordered by woods are the most common scenarios for deer-vehicle collisions in Delaware. The reason is simple, according to DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Sam Millman: “From late October to mid-December, Delaware’s white-tailed deer population explodes into a flurry of activity known as the rut, the once-a-year deer breeding season. Throughout the rut, bucks are actively searching for and chasing does to mate with them.”

The danger for motorists, he said, is that “white-tailed deer frequently cross Delaware roadways. That’s why we remind Delaware drivers to take extra precautions this time of year, especially when traveling on backroads and roadways lined by woodlands and forests, where white-tailed deer are more likely to cross.”

The latest figures from OHS also show that most deer-vehicle collisions in Delaware occur between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., spiking again between 5 p.m. and midnight. In 2022, the state recorded 1,619 crashes involving deer on the roadway. To date in 2023, there have been more than 860 deer-related crashes. OHS data also finds deer-related crashes to be most common in October, November and December, representing 46% of all Delaware vehicle-deer collisions from 2017 to 2021.

Driver cautions from OHS include “using high beams during low-light situations to spot deer along the roadside, reducing speed in areas known for deer sightings, staying attentive while driving, avoiding distractions, and always wearing seatbelts,” said Office of Highway Safety Director Sharon Bryson. By following these precautions, she said, “Motorists can decrease the likelihood of deer-related crashes and ensure a safe journey during the autumn and winter months.”

Although the average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs about 140 pounds, larger bucks can tip the scales at 200 pounds or more, according to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hitting an animal that size may cause injury to drivers or passengers or trigger an accident involving other motorists – besides doing costly damage to vehicles involved in such a collision.

In 2022, 1,710 or 95% of the 1,801 vehicle-animal collisions investigated by Delaware State Police involved deer. Of that number, 746 collisions occurred during the deer mating season, when drivers are advised to be most attentive.

“During this time of the year, deer collisions typically increase, so it is essential for drivers to remain vigilant,” said Sergeant India Sturgis, DSP director of public information. “Deer are active during daylight hours as well as at dawn and dusk, when many drivers are on the road. Protect yourself and your vehicle from deer-related crashes by taking precautions. Buckle up, slow down, use high beams when appropriate, and scan for groups of deer. These measures may not prevent all crashes, but they can significantly reduce injuries and vehicle damage in the event of a crash.”

Based on reported insurance claims from July 1, 2022 to June 20, 2023, State Farm Insurance ranked Delaware 33rd nationally, with drivers having a 1-in-148 chance of being involved in an animal collision, and with deer accounting for the great majority of animal-related crashes and vehicle damage claims. Also, Delaware drivers rank 44th in the nation for the number of animal collision claims, with nearly 6,000 estimated animal collision claims filed during the same timeframe. State Farm statistics over the past five years show declining risk and increasing collisions claims, including 2018 to 2019, when Delaware ranked 26th with a 1-in-132 risk of animal collisions with 5,800 estimated claims.

DNREC, OHS and DSP, along with all police agencies and auto insurance companies, are unanimous in naming attentive driving as the best way to prevent or lessen the severity of deer-vehicle collisions. Attentive driving entails avoiding distractions that can take a driver’s eyes off the road, such as mobile phones, adjusting the radio or in-car computer screen, eating while driving, and engaging a driver in passenger activities. Results from a State Farm survey indicate that just one risky driving behavior, such as speeding or using your phone, increases the chance of an animal collision by 23%.

Additional safety tips from the three Delaware agencies promoting safe driving not just during the rut but any time deer might be active 365 days a year include:

Always wear your seatbelt to reduce your risk of injury in a collision.
Reduce speed at night, on curves and in bad weather.
Switch to high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to better reflect the eyes of deer on or near the roadway and scan the sides of the road as well as what’s directly ahead.
Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs marking commonly-traveled areas by deer on the road ahead. Slow down immediately and proceed with caution until past the crossing point.
Be aware deer usually travel in groups, so if you see one deer, there are likely to be others.
When deer are sighted, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten them away. Do not depend on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Do not swerve to miss a deer – brake and stay in your lane. Losing control of your vehicle, crossing into another lane, hitting an oncoming vehicle, or leaving the roadway and striking a tree or utility pole will likely result in a much more serious outcome than hitting a deer.
If you hit a deer, and your vehicle is damaged, stop at the scene, get your car off the road, if possible, turn on your vehicle hazard lights – and if you or anyone in your vehicle are injured, call 911.
Do not touch the animal or get too close to it; an injured deer may bite or kick and are capable of causing serious injury.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be answered at ArriveAliveDE.com. You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by visiting us at: ArriveAliveDE.com, OHS, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov, Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
OHS: Jason Coleman, jason.coleman@delaware.gov
DSP: Sergeant India Sturgis, india.sturgis@delaware.gov

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Delaware Authorities Caution Drivers to Watch Out for Deer During Mating Season

Onset of peak deer activity in Delaware during mating season calls for vigilance by drivers at dawn, dusk and overnight. /DNREC photo

Extra Vigilance on Roads Called for as Days Shorten and Deer Become More Active Morning and Evening

Use extra caution on the roads during the deer mating season is the warning to Delaware drivers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Delaware State Police (DSP). Late October through November is the peak period for deer-related crashes, as that’s when white-tailed deer males (bucks) are in their annual pursuit of females (does) in the First State. That pursuit leads to more deer crossing roadways in the shorter days ahead – especially after the Nov. 6 change from daylight saving time back to Eastern Standard Time.

White-tailed deer breed only once a year. The mating season, which carries on from late October sometimes into mid-December, and peaks from Nov. 11 to 20, is referred to as the rut. “During this timeframe, deer activity increases substantially as bucks search for mates,” said DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Environmental Program Manager Joe Rogerson. “If a buck’s pursuit of a doe takes them across a roadway, it doesn’t matter if it’s a rural road or Route 1, a collision with a vehicle could occur. Delaware drivers need to pay particular attention while behind the wheel this time of year, especially when driving on roads bordered by woods or agricultural fields, since that’s where deer are more apt to run out onto the roadway.”

With the end of daylight saving time, more motorists will be traveling to and from work and school around dawn and dusk, when deer are typically most active. According to the latest Delaware Office of Highway Safety data, deer-vehicle collisions occur most often between 5 and 7 a.m. and spike again from 5 to 10 p.m. – which includes the timeframe when many people are heading home for the evening. “With shorter daylight hours during the fall, we see an increase in deer along our roadways,” said Kimberly Chesser, Office of Highway Safety director. “We remind drivers to be alert, pay attention to the road and surroundings, and be more cautious during these times. Slow down and watch for deer crossing signs that indicate areas where deer are known to cross the road. Never drive impaired and always buckle up, every trip, every time.”

The average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs about 140 pounds, with larger bucks going 200 pounds or more, according to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hitting an animal that size may cause injury to drivers or passengers, or trigger an accident involving other motorists – besides doing costly damage to vehicles involved in such a collision.

In 2021, 1,849 or 95% of the 1,945 vehicle-animal collisions investigated by Delaware State Police involved deer. Of that number, 821 collisions with deer occurred in October, November and December, the months spanned by the deer mating season in Delaware, when drivers are warned to be most attentive. “Deer collisions typically increase during this time of the year, so it is essential for drivers to remain vigilant,” said Sergeant India Sturgis, DSP director of public information. “Although deer are more active at dawn and dusk, they are also active during broad daylight. Wearing your seatbelt, reducing your speed, and driving alert may not prevent all deer-related collisions, but can certainly reduce injuries and vehicle damage if you are involved in a collision.”

Based on reported insurance claims from July 1, 2021 to June 20, 2022, State Farm Insurance ranked Delaware 32nd nationally with drivers having a 1-in-122 chance of being involved in an animal collision, with deer accounting for the majority of animal-related crashes and vehicle damage claims. To avoid a large out-of-pocket expense, AAA Mid-Atlantic, which provides coverage for Delaware motorists, recommends purchasing a policy that includes comprehensive coverage for collisions with deer or other animals. AAA Mid-Atlantic also notes the average claim submitted for a deer strike is more than $5,000.

DNREC, OHS, DSP and other police agencies and auto insurance companies all agree: the best way to prevent or lessen the severity of deer collisions is attentive driving, which includes avoiding distractions that can take a driver’s eyes off the road, such as mobile phones, adjusting the radio, eating while driving, or passenger activities.

Additional safety tips include:

Always wear your seatbelt to reduce your risk of injury in a collision.
Reduce speed at night, on curves and in bad weather.
Switch to high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to better reflect the eyes of deer on or near the roadway and scan the sides of the road as well as what’s directly ahead.
Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs marking commonly-traveled areas by deer on the road ahead. Slow down immediately and proceed with caution until past the crossing point.
Be aware deer usually travel in groups, so if you see one deer, there are likely to be others.
Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten deer away. Do not depend on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Do not swerve to miss a deer – brake and stay in your lane. Losing control of your vehicle, crossing into another lane, hitting an oncoming vehicle, or leaving the roadway and striking a tree or utility pole will likely result in a much more serious outcome than hitting a deer.
If you hit a deer, and your vehicle is damaged, stop at the scene, get your car off the road if possible, turn on your vehicle hazard lights – and if you or anyone in your vehicle are injured, call 911.
Do not touch the animal or get too close; injured deer may bite or kick and are capable of causing serious injury.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

About Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be answered at ArriveAliveDE.com. You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by visiting us at: ArriveAliveDE.com, OHS, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov, Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
OHS: Jason Coleman, jason.coleman@delaware.gov
DSP: Sergeant India Sturgis, india.sturgis@delaware.gov; Senior Corporal Jason Hatchell, jason.hatchell@delaware.gov;

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Motorists Urged to Watch Out for Deer Crossing Roadways

Onset of Peak Deer Activity Calls for Vigilance at Dawn, Dusk and Night

Late October through November is prime time for increased white-tailed deer activity in Delaware, leading up to their peak mating season in mid-November. With more deer crossing roadways in the shorter days ahead, especially after the Nov. 7 change from daylight saving time back to Eastern Standard Time, motorists are urged to be on high alert to avoid collisions with these large animals.

“Bucks are very single-minded in their pursuit of does during the rut, their mating season, which lasts from October to December and peaks from Nov. 10 to 20. If that pursuit takes a buck or doe across a roadway in front of your vehicle, that’s where they’re going to go, whether it’s Route 1 or a rural road,” said Wildlife Program Manager Joe Rogerson with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “Drivers should pay particular attention on roads bordered by woods or agricultural fields, since deer typically cross between areas of cover, but not always.”

Although deer in roadways are a year-round hazard, national and state statistics indicate the last three months of the year are the most likely time for accidents. In 2020, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) reported a rise in collisions between vehicles and deer on Delaware roadways starting in October with 218 crashes. That number peaked in November with a total of 337 crashes, followed by 153 in December.

From September 2020 through February 2021, there were a total of 1,004 crashes throughout the state involving deer. And along with property damage that comes with a deer collision, 3.7% of those crashes also resulted in a personal injury.

Deer tend to be most active in the early morning and at dusk. According to the latest OHS data, deer-vehicle collisions occur most often between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and spike again from 6 p.m. to midnight — including the timeframe when many people are heading home for the evening.

“We know this is the time of year when deer are out along the roadways in higher numbers and we have shorter daylight hours,” said Kimberly Chesser, director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “That means drivers need to be more cautious around dusk and dawn, slow down and use your high-beams when possible to see further ahead and illuminate deer along the road.”

According to Delaware State Police (DSP), more than 1,700 crashes involving animals occurred on Delaware roads in 2020, 74 of which caused personal injuries. No fatalities were reported.

“Deer crashes are more prevalent this time of year and drivers must maintain full attention while driving,” said Master Cpl. Gary Fournier, Delaware State Police. “Deer will dart across any of the roadways on a frequent basis, especially in the fall, but keep in mind they may also cross during the day or in areas where there is ample lighting at night. Be cautious and scan the sides of the roadways as you’re driving. This may not always prevent a deer-related crash, but it can certainly help minimize damage and/or injuries.”

The average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs about 130 pounds, with larger bucks tipping the scales at 200 pounds or more, according to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hitting an animal that size can do serious and expensive damage to vehicles. Such a collision may also cause injury to drivers or passengers or trigger an accident involving other motorists.

To avoid a large out-of-pocket expense, AAA recommends purchasing an auto policy including comprehensive coverage, which covers collisions with deer or other animals. AAA Mid-Atlantic notes the average claim submitted to AAA Insurance for a deer strike is more than $5,000.

Based on reported insurance claims from July 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021, State Farm Insurance ranked Delaware 27th in the nation, with state motorists having a 1-in-105 chance of being involved in an animal collision. Deer account for the majority of animal-related crashes and vehicle damage claims.

DNREC, OHS, police agencies and auto insurance companies all agree: the best way to prevent or lessen the severity of deer collisions is attentive driving, which includes avoiding distractions that might take a driver’s eyes off the road, such as mobile phones, adjusting the radio, eating or passenger activities.

Additional safety tips include:

Always wear your seatbelt to reduce your risk of injury in a collision.
Reduce speed at night, on curves and in bad weather.
Switch to high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to better reflect the eyes of deer on or near the roadway and scan the sides of the road as well as what’s directly ahead.
Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs marking commonly-traveled areas by deer on the road ahead. Slow down immediately and proceed with caution until past the crossing point.
Deer usually travel in groups, so if you see one deer, there are likely to be others.
Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten deer away. Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer, as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Do not swerve to miss a deer — brake and stay in your lane. Losing control of your vehicle, crossing into another lane, hitting an oncoming vehicle, or leaving the roadway and striking a tree or utility pole will likely be a much more serious outcome than hitting a deer.
If you hit a deer, and your vehicle is damaged, stop at the scene, get your car off the road if possible, turn on your vehicle hazard lights and if you are injured, call 911.
Do not touch the animal or get too close; an injured deer may bite or kick and are capable of causing serious injury.

Motorists are reminded that it is unlawful to take possession of a deer that has been struck by an automobile without first obtaining a vehicle-killed deer tag, which can be provided by any law enforcement agency in the state. For more information about deer in Delaware, visit de.gov/deer.

About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and more than 148,000 members in Delaware. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov
OHS: Veronica Marshall, veronica.marshall@delaware.gov
DSP: Master Cpl. Gary Fournier, gary.fournier@delaware.gov; Master Cpl. Heather Pepper, heather.pepper@delaware.gov; Cpl. Jason Hatchell, jason.hatchell@delaware.gov
AAA: Ken Grant, KGrant@aaamidatlantic.com

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