People In Wisconsin Now Hit The Most Deer In These 10 Counties

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reached out this week to remind motorists that deer crash numbers typically increase in May and June in Wisconsin because this is when does look for places to give birth and young deer separate from their mothers.

Whenever a vehicle hits a deer, it has the potential to be a dangerous and even deadly situation. According to WisDOT, there were more than 17,000 crashes involving deer in Wisconsin in 2024, killing 9 people and injuring 708.

Knowing how best to avoid hitting a deer, and where in Wisconsin you're most likely to encounter deer while driving can go a long way in preventing a crash.

Tips To Help Avoid Hitting A Deer

Experts acknowledge that deer are unpredictable and may freeze or change directions, but there are steps you can take to help prevent hitting them:

• Drive at a safe speed, eliminate distractions, and make sure everyone is buckled up. Crash injuries are less severe or can be avoided when everyone wears a seat belt.
• Scan the road ahead carefully. If one deer crosses, watch for more. If you see a deer, honk your horn to urge them to move away from the road.
• Most deer crashes happen in the early morning and evening hours. Be sure to use your headlights as daylight transitions to dusk, and deer become more difficult to see.
• 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.

It's also worth noting that there is about a 37% chance that a motorcycle deer crash will result in a fatality or serious injury, compared to less than 0.1% in auto or light truck deer crashes.

Of the deer crashes in 2024, 221 involved a motorcycle, resulting in seven fatalities and 87 serious injuries. If you cannot avoid hitting a deer with your motorcycle and there is enough space to swerve around it without leaving your lane, brake and adjust course as needed.

As you travel through Wisconsin, you'll also want to be extra cautious in the following counties, where most deer-related accidents occur.

The Top 10 Wisconsin Counties For Hitting A Deer

According to WisDOT statistics from 2024, here are the top 10 Wisconsin counties for crashes involving deer.

#10 Winnebago County: 532 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#9 Walworth County: 550 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#8 Manitowoc County: 645 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#7 Outagamie County: 666 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#6 Fond du Lac County: 683 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

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#5 Sheboygan County: 763 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#4 Dane County: 770 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#3 St. Croix County: 791 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

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#2 Washington County: 798 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

#1 Waukesha County: 937 Deer-Related Crashes Reported

While those are the counties where you're most likely to hit a deer, the truth of the matter is that it can happen anywhere. So, it's important to know what to do should it happen.

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What To Do If You Hit A Deer With Your Vehicle

If you hit a deer, the experts say the first thing to do is get your vehicle safely off the road if possible. Then, follow these tips:

• If someone is hurt or the deer is in the active portion of the road, call 911.​
• If no one is hurt and your vehicle and the deer are off the road, contact local law enforcement.
• Stay buckled up inside your vehicle and wait for help. Getting out of your vehicle and walking along a road is always dangerous. Never attempt to move an injured deer.​