NY Warns Drivers of Deer, Moose Crash Season
The New York State Department of Conservation urges caution as animal-vehicle collisions peak in fall and early winter.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Wildlife
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The New York State Department of Conservation issued a warning to residents about deer and moose collisions for the period from October through the next eight weeks. The agency posted the warning on Facebook.
Why it matters
Crash numbers involving deer and other animals rise sharply in October, November, and December, putting drivers across New York at greater risk during this window.
Statewide in 2024, 32,287 crashes involved deer and 7,616 involved other animals such as moose and coyotes, compiled by the University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research. Roughly 700 moose live in upstate New York, and the extraction does not say how these totals compare with earlier years.
The players
New York State Department of Conservation
The state agency responsible for managing New York's wildlife and natural resources, including deer and moose populations and hunting seasons.
The details
The Department of Conservation said the warning covers the coming eight weeks, when collisions peak. Bow season is expected to help control some of the deer population, with further reductions anticipated once shotgun season begins.
Timeline
October: 4,050 deer struck statewide in 2024.
November: 5,854 deer struck statewide in 2024.
December: 3,624 deer struck statewide in 2024.
The eight-week warning period runs from October through the following weeks.
Seasonal Patterns
The University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research compiled the 2024 statewide totals that anchor this warning. The fall peak aligns with the hunting seasons that shift deer movement across New York roads.
Drivers in New York should slow down and watch for deer and moose on roads during October through the next eight weeks, when collisions are most frequent. Pay particular attention at dawn, dusk, and night, when animals are most active near roadways.
The takeaway
Staying alert on New York roads during the fall deer and moose season can prevent collisions, since statewide crash totals show how consistently animals are involved in accidents each year.
What happens next
Bow season and shotgun season will each affect deer numbers in the coming months, with shotgun season expected to bring higher deer control totals.
Further reading
Explore more on New York Wildlife for context on the state's animal populations and seasonal risks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 106.5 WYRK.
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