Rockford Drivers Reveal Roads Where Deer Appear Most Often

It's deer season in the Rockford area, and if you've driven down a dark country road lately, you're probably already aware.

After IDOT issued a warning earlier this week, we asked 97ZOK Facebook followers which roads around Rockford seem to have the most deer activity.

READ MORE: Avoiding Deer on Illinois Roads Survival Guide

Rockford Drivers Reveal Roads With the Most Deer Sightings

Some answers were exactly what I expected, while others caught me off guard, including Cathy, who mentioned Mulford Road between Guilford and Spring Creek. I've been on that stretch of road thousands of times and never once thought of or saw a deer, but apparently it's possible.

Other roads mentioned by 97ZOK Facebook followers included Spring Creek, Newburg, South Perryville, Route 173, and the area around 20th Street and Blackhawk Road.

Deer crosses road near pedestrian crossing sign

Rockford Drivers Share Close Calls With Deer

Robin also dropped this in on Facebook: "Saw one this morning, full-grown buck right in front of my car. Saw him in plenty of time to slow down cause I'm always scanning for them."

Robin's right, you really do have to keep an eye on the road and along the shoulders.

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

Why Deer Are Especially Dangerous on Rockford-Area Roads

I learned that this summer when my son and I narrowly missed a deer that darted in front of us on Tower Road off Montague. It wasn't even peak deer season, but ever since then, I've scanned both sides of the road whenever I'm driving that way.

According to IDOT, 41% of Illinois deer-related crashes in 2025 happened during October, November, and December, with November being the worst month.

If there's another road around Rockford where deer seem to show up out of nowhere, let us know. I always want to know where they're hanging out, especially after one nearly introduced itself to the front of my car recently.