Delaware Drivers Urged to Watch for Deer

Take extra precautions as deer are travelling farther and can find themselves in the roadways in their pursuit of a mate (Stock image / Adobe)

Shorter Days Mean More Deer are on the Move

Delaware drivers are spending more of their morning and evening commutes in the dark and the days will get even shorter when clocks turn back on Nov. 1. At the same time, white-tailed deer are becoming more active and more likely to cross roadways, making now the time for drivers to slow down, watch roadsides and stay alert at dawn and dusk.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Delaware State Police (DSP) urge motorists to start safe driving habits now, before deer activity peaks later this fall.

"Starting in early October, we remind Delaware drivers to take extra precautions with rut activity approaching. Bucks (males) chasing does (females) will soon begin repeatedly crossing Delaware roadways, unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and to motorists," said DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Sam Millman, adding that bucks will start expanding their home ranges as the rut nears, "especially when traveling on dark backroads and roadways lined by woodlands and forests, where white-tailed deer are more likely to cross."

The deer rut, or mating season, generally runs from about mid to late October through late November and into December. Adopting safer driving habits now can help motorists prepare for the weeks when deer activity surges.

The average white-tailed deer in Delaware weighs about 140 pounds, but larger bucks can top 200 pounds or more, according to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. To put that in perspective, a deer-vehicle collision is equivalent to hitting a small top-load washing machine, or in the case of a large buck - a mid-sized refrigerator. Colliding with an animal that size can result in severe injury to those in the vehicle, while other motorists can become collateral damage and the vehicle itself may be totaled or need major repairs.

The latest figures from OHS confirm that most deer-vehicle collisions in Delaware occur between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and again between 5 p.m. and midnight. From 2021 through 2025, Delaware recorded 8,401 deer-related crashes, resulting in 312 injuries, 20 of them serious injuries. OHS data also finds deer-related crashes to be most common in October, November and December, representing 47% of all Delaware vehicle-deer collisions from 2021 to 2025.

"OHS is reminding drivers to remain alert for deer, particularly during dawn and dusk when deer are more active," said Sharon Bryson, director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. "With the end of daylight-saving time bringing changes to morning and evening commutes, we urge drivers to take precautions against sun glare. Motorists should slow down when direct sunlight obstructs their vision, increase following distance to allow for additional reaction time, and wear polarized sunglasses to help reduce glare."

Delaware State Police investigated 2,067 animal-related collisions in 2025, with deer accounting for 1,977, or 96%, of them. Of that number, 906 deer-related collisions occurred during the deer mating season. (Deer mating season is defined as October, November and December.)

"Deer mating season is here, and with it comes an increased risk of deer collisions across Delaware," said Lieutenant Tyler Wright, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. "DSP encourages drivers to slow down, stay focused, and be prepared for the unexpected, especially during dawn and dusk when deer are most active, and to remember that where there is one deer, there may be others nearby. If you are involved in a collision, pull over to the side of the road if you can, then call 9-1-1. A trooper or local officer will respond and take a report."

DNREC, OHS and DSP offer these safety tips to promote safe driving during the rut and all year long:

• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Slow down at night, on curves and in bad weather.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to spot deer eyes along the roadside.
• Watch for "Deer Crossing" signs and slow down in those areas.
• Expect groups. If you see one deer, more are likely nearby.
• If you spot deer, slow down and honk 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.
• Never swerve to miss a deer - brake and stay in your lane. Swerving increases the risk of hitting an oncoming vehicle, tree or utility pole.
• 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 can cause serious injury.

For more information on roadway safety, visit the arrivealivede.com website.

For more on white-tailed deer, visit the de.gov/deer webpage.

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 more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Alyssa I. Kolakowski, [email protected]; Michael Globetti, [email protected]

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