Illinois Drivers Warned as Deer Crash Season Hits Its Peak

If you've driven down a rural road in Boone, Ogle, or Winnebago County lately, you've probably spent as much time watching the ditches as you have the road.

That's because October, November, and December are deer mating season, and it's also peak deer-crash season for Rockford-area drivers.

READ MORE: Avoiding Deer on Illinois Roads Survival Guide

Illinois Deer Crashes Peak During the Fall Months

The Illinois Department of Transportation is warning drivers to stay hypervigilant on the roads this time of year. According to IDOT, 41% of all deer incidents on the road occur during the last three months of the year, and there were more than 14,000 accidents in 2025, with evidence pointing to November as the worst month.

In Winnebago County, 237 crashes were reported in 2025, up from the previous year, while Ogle County went the other direction, dropping from 157 crashes to 122.

READ MORE: Why You Should Be On High Alert For Deer This Fall In Illinois

Two young deer crossing a paved road with yellow lines

IDOT Warns Rockford Drivers: Don't Veer for Deer

Everyone has a near miss with a deer, and IDOT's advice is: Don't veer for deer. As in, if a collision is unavoidable, swerving into oncoming traffic or off the roadway can create an even more dangerous crash.

While I think that's solid from IDOT, the real issue is if you see one deer getting ready to cross the road, there's a really good chance you're gonna see another waiting to make that same terrible decision.