Deer Collision Season in Delaware
1 in 152 odds of an animal collision claim, 29th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Deer in Delaware favour the farm fields and woodlots of Kent and Sussex counties, where rural roads run between cover and crops.
Odds of hitting a deer in Delaware
1 in 152, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Delaware 29th of 51 (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), in the medium likelihood category, against a national figure of 1 in 145. That is a lower likelihood than 1 in 136 in the 2024-2025 edition.
Source: State Farm, How likely are you to have an animal collision? (2025-2026). Compiled 2026-09-21.
Fatal animal crashes in Delaware by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 3 fatal animal crashes in Delaware from 2015 to 2024, fewer than one a year, with 3 deaths. That is 0.2 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 47th among the states by count. Delaware recorded 3 fatal animal crashes across the ten years, too few to form a monthly pattern. FARS counts crashes with any animal; the insurance claim season, October to December, is shaded.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), first harmful event Live Animal, 2015 to 2024. Compiled 2026-09-21.
When the deer rut runs in Delaware
The deer rut in Delaware runs October 1 to December 15. Peak, as the agency describes it: middle of November.
“DFW informs the public about DVCs and the methods that can be used to avoid collisions through the media, via news releases and the DNREC website, especially in emphasizing when DVCs are the most prevalent. This peak usually occurs during the deer breeding season, or “rut,” that takes place in November. During this time of the year, deer are most active while seeking out potential mates.”Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC), Delaware Deer Management Plan 2010-2019, 2010, quoted exactly.
Source: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC), Delaware Deer Management Plan 2010-2019.
Sunset in Wilmington when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Wilmington moves from 5:55 PM to 4:54 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Wilmington, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Wilmington and checked against the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department.
What state agencies tell drivers
“If you cannot avoid hitting a deer with your vehicle, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Avoid sudden swerving, which can result in a loss of control and a more serious crash.”Wisconsin Department of Transportation, quoted exactly.
“If a deer runs in front of you, do not swerve. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.”Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security / Tennessee Highway Patrol, quoted exactly.
“Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.”Missouri Department of Transportation, quoted exactly.
Questions people ask about deer collisions in Delaware
Fatal animal crash counts compiled 2026-09-21 from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). State Farm odds, agency counts and quotes compiled 2026-09-21 from the pages linked above, quoted exactly.