With deer mating and hunting seasons in full swing, Illinois drivers should be on alert for increased deer activity along roadways. Illinois is approaching the time of year when most deer-related crashes occur, with 41 percent of crashes involving deer in 2025 occurring in October, November, and December. November was the highest-risk month.
It is important to stay alert while driving, especially during daily commutes and at night, when eight out of 10 collisions involving deer occur. Drivers should also be particularly cautious in rural areas, where 69 percent of deer-related crashes occurred last year. However, deer can also be found in urban and suburban areas, especially during mating season.
To reduce the risk of a collision, drivers are encouraged to buckle up, scan the sides of the road for deer and their reflective eyes, and slow down if they spot a deer near the roadway. If a deer enters the road, drivers should avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the roadway.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 14,529 crashes involving deer in Illinois in 2025. Of those, 13,846 resulted in property damage, while 677 caused injuries. Six crashes resulted in seven fatalities. Cook, McHenry, and Kane counties recorded the highest number of deer-related crashes, with a combined 1,322 incidents in 2025.
For information about reporting possession of or claiming a deer killed in a vehicle collision, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website at dnr.illinois.gov.
Comments are closed