Drivers beware of deer season ramping up

JOPLIN, Mo. — As the leaves turn crimson and gold across the Ozarks, a less picturesque sight looms for motorists in Southwest Missouri: white-tailed deer darting into traffic. 

With archery deer season underway since September 15 and firearms season set to kick off on November 1, local officials are ramping up warnings about the heightened risk of deer-vehicle collisions, which claim vehicles, wildlife, and too often, human lives.

“This time of year, it’s the start of mating season for the white tailed deer population here, which is why you see so many on the roads, they move a lot,” Missouri State Trooper Sam Carpenter said. “And then also, at the end of November, they get a lot of hunting pressure. Honestly, the best advice we can tell people is just focus on the road ahead of you. Put those distractions aside, phones down, and make sure you’re buckled up.”

Missouri ranks as the 17th-riskiest state for animal strikes, according to a recent State Farm analysis, with drivers facing a 1-in-97 chance of colliding with wildlife—far above the national average of 1-in-139. From July 2024 to June 2025, insurers handled over 10,700 such claims in the Show-Me State alone, predominantly involving deer. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that 2024 saw 2,952 deer-related crashes statewide—a dip from 3,591 the previous year, but still averaging one every few hours. In Southwest Missouri counties, rolling hills and dense woodlands meet busy highways like Interstate 44.

“Especially in the early morning and evening hours, just take your time, slow down a little bit, maybe go a little slower than normal because these deer around here, if you’re not paying attention, they seem like they come out of nowhere,” Carpenter said. “If you can keep your eyes focused on the road, a lot of times you can see them coming.”

Peak hours for incidents? Dusk to midnight, when shorter days and active deer overlap with rush-hour commutes.

The human toll is stark. Last year’s crashes led to four fatalities and more than 400 injuries across Missouri, many from drivers swerving to avoid a leaping doe only to veer into oncoming traffic or fixed objects. 

“We like to teach people and talk to people about threshold braking,” Carpenter said. “Get on the brakes as hard as you can without locking up your tires. That way you’re still in control of your vehicle. Most cars do that for you. …  So we encourage you to brake as hard as you can while staying in control of your vehicle. Speeding up wouldn’t be a good solution as far as we’re concerned because there’s no predicting where the deer is going, and they get kind of spooked when they see the car. So, breaking as hard as you can while staying in control of your vehicle is your best bet because the slower you’re going, the less the damage is going to be.”

A Calendar of Caution: When Deer Hit the Highways

Missouri’s 2025-2026 deer seasons, approved by the Conservation Commission in December 2024, span months of potential peril for drivers. Archery hunting opened September 15 and runs through January 15, 2026 (with a break November 16-25). Firearms antlerless season hits October 10-12, followed by the high-stakes November 1-2 youth portion and the main event: November 8-18 for antlered bucks. Late antlerless hunting resumes December 6-14.

All southwest Missouri counties are open for these portions, but the real spike in deer traffic comes during the rut—mid-October to mid-November—when bucks chase doe across any path, including paved ones.

Tips from the Pros: How to Steer Clear of Trouble

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and MDC aren’t leaving drivers in the dark. Their joint safety campaign emphasizes vigilance over heroics. 

Key prevention pointers for southwest Missouri roads:

• Scan and Slow: Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs, especially near woods, creeks, or fields along routes like Highway 13 or 160. Deer travel in groups—spot one, expect more.
• Time It Right: Drive extra cautious at dawn (5-7 a.m.) and dusk (5-9 p.m.), when deer feed and frolic. November tops the charts for collisions, but October’s no slouch.
• Buckle and Brake: Seat belts save lives in sudden stops. If a deer appears, brake hard without swerving—hitting a deer at 55 mph is survivable; a head-on crash isn’t.
• Lights On, Phones Off: Use high beams on rural stretches to spot eyeshine, but dim for traffic. Distracted driving amplifies risks—put the phone down.
• Vehicle Check: Ensure brakes, tires, and headlights are road-ready. Comprehensive auto insurance covers deer strikes, unlike collision coverage for other crashes.