Deer Collision Season in Maryland
1 in 117 odds of an animal collision claim, 24th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Maryland deer live in the suburbs of the Washington and Baltimore corridor as well as the farmland of the Eastern Shore and the ridges of the west.
Odds of hitting a deer in Maryland
1 in 117, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Maryland 24th 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 115 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 Maryland by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 14 fatal animal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024, about 1.4 a year, with 14 deaths. That is 0.3 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 38th among the states by count. January is the month with the most fatal animal crashes in Maryland, 3 of 14 across the ten years. 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 Maryland
The deer rut in Maryland runs October 15 to December 15. Peak, as the agency describes it: first half of November.
“The shortening of daylight hours, called the photo period, triggers white-tailed deer breeding season. During this time, deer travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day and night in search of a mate.”Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Deer, Other Wildlife Activity in the Fall Increases Maryland Drivers' Collision Risk, 2025-10-01, quoted exactly.
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Frequently Asked Questions about White-tailed Deer.
Sunset in Baltimore when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Baltimore moves from 6:00 PM to 4:59 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Baltimore, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Baltimore 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 Maryland
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.