Deer Collision Season in Massachusetts
1 in 106 odds of an animal collision claim, 19th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Deer are common in suburban Massachusetts, and a small moose population lives in the central and western parts of the state.
Odds of hitting a deer in Massachusetts
1 in 106, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Massachusetts 19th 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 higher likelihood than 1 in 117 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 Massachusetts by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 3 fatal animal crashes in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2024, fewer than one a year, with 4 deaths. That is 0.1 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 47th among the states by count. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
The deer rut in Massachusetts runs October 25 to December 5. Peak, as the agency describes it: November 6 to November 20.
“MassDOT data shows that 25% of all reported collisions from 2018 – 2022 occurred in November; 48% occurred between October and December.”MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife), Drivers, brake for moose and deer, 2025-09-18, quoted exactly.
Sunset in Boston when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Boston moves from 5:32 PM to 4:30 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Boston, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Boston 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 Massachusetts
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.