Boone County recorded 94 deer-vehicle crashes in 2025, the fifth-highest total in Kentucky, with nearly half striking in the final three months of the year.
Deer mating season runs October through December. That window is the most dangerous stretch of the year for drivers in the county, according to data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), reported by LINK nky.
Statewide, deer collisions hit a seven-year high of 3,411 in 2025, according to Kentucky State Police data. No fatalities were reported in 2025.
Neighboring Northern Kentucky counties also saw significant numbers. Campbell County ranked eighth statewide with 80 crashes, and Kenton County came in 18th with 57.
Joe McDermott, deer program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), said male deer roam farthest during mating season as they search for mates.
"Drivers should be aware that they could see deer crossing quiet lanes and busy highways at any time during the season, particularly at dawn and dusk," McDermott said.
Fall conditions compound the problem. Cover foliage disappears, crops are harvested and natural food sources thin out, pushing deer across roads, according to KDFWR.
The KYTC is urging drivers to take several precautions:
- Stay alert in wooded areas, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Wear a seatbelt and put the phone away.
- Use high beams when no other drivers are approaching.
- Apply the brakes and come to a gentle stop
- Do not swerve. Deer movements are unpredictable, and swerving can cause collisions with other vehicles or roadside objects.
- Slow down carefully when approaching a crash scene.
Deer often travel in groups, the KYTC noted. Drivers who spot one deer on the road should watch for more.
