Deer Collision Season in South Carolina
1 in 103 odds of an animal collision claim, 18th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. South Carolina deer range from the Upstate foothills to the Lowcountry, and the state agency puts the rut in late October and early November.
Odds of hitting a deer in South Carolina
1 in 103, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks South Carolina 18th 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 93 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 South Carolina by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 50 fatal animal crashes in South Carolina from 2015 to 2024, about 5 a year, with 53 deaths. That is 0.5 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 14th among the states by count. October is the month with the most fatal animal crashes in South Carolina, 9 of 50 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 South Carolina 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.
6,5312023 in South Carolina: reported deer-vehicle collisions (preliminary SCDPS data; many are self-reported by the driver)
Compiled 2026-09-21.
When the deer rut runs in South Carolina
The deer rut in South Carolina runs October 18 to November 14. Peak, as the agency describes it: the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November.
“Drivers throughout the state should be cautious of roaming white-tailed deer throughout the year, but especially during the rut or breeding season -- typically from October through November. Studies show that about 45 percent of deer-vehicle collisions occur during this time, and it is related to the fact that deer naturally increase their movements related to breeding.”South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, news release: South Carolina drivers should watch for deer on state roads, 2022-10-17, quoted exactly.
Sunset in Charleston when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Charleston moves from 6:25 PM to 5:24 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Charleston, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Charleston 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 South Carolina
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.