Deer Collision Season in Oregon
1 in 223 odds of an animal collision claim, 37th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Black-tailed deer live west of the Cascades and mule deer east of them, and U.S. 97 south of Bend has wildlife undercrossings built for the herds.
Odds of hitting a deer in Oregon
1 in 223, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Oregon 37th of 51 (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), in the low likelihood category, against a national figure of 1 in 145. That is a lower likelihood than 1 in 219 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 Oregon by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 23 fatal animal crashes in Oregon from 2015 to 2024, about 2.3 a year, with 25 deaths. That is 0.5 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 29th among the states by count. September is the month with the most fatal animal crashes in Oregon, 6 of 23 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 Oregon
The deer rut in Oregon runs November 1 to November 30.
“Vehicle collisions with deer and elk tend to peak in October and November, when migration and breeding puts them on the move, making them more likely to cross roads.”Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, news release, October 16, 2024, quoted exactly.
Source: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Black-tailed Deer Management Plan.
Sunset in Portland when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Portland moves from 5:51 PM to 4:50 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Portland, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Portland 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 Oregon
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.