Deer Collision Season in Ohio
1 in 108 odds of an animal collision claim, 20th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Ohio deer are found in every county, thickest in the wooded hills of the southeast, and the State Highway Patrol tracks deer crashes by month.
Odds of hitting a deer in Ohio
1 in 108, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Ohio 20th 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 105 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 Ohio by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 70 fatal animal crashes in Ohio from 2015 to 2024, about 7 a year, with 73 deaths. That is 0.6 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 5th among the states by count. June and October tie for the most fatal animal crashes in Ohio, 13 each of 70 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 Ohio 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.
“Since 2019, there have been 109,507 deer-involved crashes on Ohio roadways. While 95% of deer-involved crashes only resulted in property damage, 44 crashes were fatal and resulted in 45 deaths.”Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), quoted exactly.
Compiled 2026-09-21.
When the deer rut runs in Ohio
The deer rut in Ohio runs October 15 to November 30.
“This behavior can prove hazardous to humans during the breeding season in the fall. Commuters to and from work often encounter deer on the move at this time of year, which can result in serious accidents. Drivers should pay special attention October through December when traveling through zones marked with deer crossing signs.”Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, White-tailed Deer species page, quoted exactly.
Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, White-tailed Deer species page.
Sunset in Columbus when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Columbus moves from 6:24 PM to 5:23 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Columbus, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Columbus and checked against the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department.
What state agencies tell drivers
“Simple tips to avoid an animal collision are: scan the road ahead, use high-beam headlights when able, be extra cautious at dawn and dusk and if a collision is unavoidable, brake – don’t swerve to stay in your lane.”Ohio State Highway Patrol, 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 Ohio
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.