Deer Collision Season in New York
1 in 185 odds of an animal collision claim, 33rd of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. New York deer range from the Adirondacks and the Southern Tier to the Hudson Valley and eastern Long Island, and the DMV publishes the statewide deer crash count.
Odds of hitting a deer in New York
1 in 185, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks New York 33rd 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 167 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 New York by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 55 fatal animal crashes in New York from 2015 to 2024, about 5.5 a year, with 58 deaths. That is 0.5 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 11th among the states by count. July and October tie for the most fatal animal crashes in New York, 11 each of 55 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.
Deer crashes New York reports
State counts include crashes that injured no one, so they run far higher than FARS, and each state defines and counts them its own way.
32,2872024 in New York: crashes statewide involving deer (a further 7,616 involved another animal)
“Last year, there were 32,287 crashes statewide involving deer and 7,616 crashes involving another animal”New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (with DEC), quoted exactly.
Compiled 2026-09-21.
When the deer rut runs in New York
The deer rut in New York runs October 1 to January 31. Peak, as the agency describes it: mid-November.
“During the months of October, November, and December, it is breeding season for deer and the animals are more visible. According to the University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, 41 percent of the crashes in 2021 between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month span.”New York State DMV and Department of Environmental Conservation, DMV and DEC Warn Motorists to Watch for Deer and Moose press release, 2022-10, quoted exactly.
Sunset in New York City when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in New York City moves from 5:47 PM to 4:46 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
New York City, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for New York City and checked against the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department.
What state agencies tell drivers
“If you see a deer cross the road, decrease speed. Deer often travel in groups, so expect other deer to follow”New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, quoted exactly.
“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.
Questions people ask about deer collisions in New York
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.