Ohio has logged 111,359 deer-involved crashes since the beginning of 2021, and November is the worst month of the year for them, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Of those crashes, 49 were fatal, resulting in 50 deaths, the Patrol said in release 26-139, issued in November 2026.

November sees the uptick because of peak deer breeding season plus the end of daylight-saving time, when more drivers are on the road in low light. Deer are most active between sunset and sunrise, making dawn and dusk the riskiest times to drive.

Motorcyclists face an especially high risk. They are involved in only 1% of deer crashes, but account for 82% of the fatal ones, according to the Patrol.

“We know that deer activity typically increases at dawn and dusk, when visibility is low and many drivers are traveling to and from work… drive defensively, follow the posted speed limit, and never drive distracted,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.

“By staying alert and committing to safe driving practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a crash,” said Col. Charles A. Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The danger is close to home in northwest Ohio. Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn warns November is the county’s worst month for vehicle-deer crashes. The sheriff’s office handled 255 deer crashes in 2025, including 44 in November 2025, and 150 so far in 2026, according to TheNBXpress and the Fostoria Free Press. Those are sheriff’s office numbers only — not city police or Highway Patrol totals. A deer collision is not just dangerous; it is expensive. Per the Ohio Department of Insurance, the average insurance claim for a deer collision is nearly $5,000.

The Patrol urges drivers to be aware of the time of day and to scan roadsides beyond their headlights, watching for deer at the edge of the road. If a collision is unavoidable, brake but stay in your lane — never swerve, which can cause a more serious crash. After a crash, pull off the road safely and call 911 or the nearest Patrol post. Do not approach an injured deer. Drivers can also call #677 to report a crash.

A white-tailed deer crosses a road in Michigan. Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons