Deer Season on Wildwood Roads: Avoiding a Deer Crash
Why deer crashes peak in fall on Highways 100 and 109, how to lower your risk, and what to do and who to call if you hit a deer in Wildwood.
Fall is deer season on Wildwood roads. Deer are on the move from October through December, and Wildwood’s mix of woods, creeks, and fast state highways puts a lot of drivers in their path, especially at dawn and after dark. This guide covers when and where deer crashes happen, how to lower your risk, and what to do and who to call if you hit one.
Information below comes from MoDOT, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the City of Wildwood, and is current as of October 2026.
Why fall is peak season for deer crashes
The short answer is the rut, the white-tailed deer breeding season. A Missouri Department of Conservation deer biologist, quoted in MoDOT’s 2024 deer warning, says deer move more during the breeding season, which begins in October and peaks in mid-November. Hunting seasons and crop harvests also push deer into unfamiliar areas, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Statewide numbers from the Highway Patrol’s October 2025 release:
| Fact (Missouri, 2024) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Crashes involving deer | 2,951 (about one every 3 hours) |
| People killed | 4 |
| People injured | 420 |
| Share of deer crashes in urban areas | 21.1% |
| Peak months | October–December, most in November |
MoDOT says most deer strikes happen between 6 and 7 a.m. and between 6 and 9 p.m. In other words, the morning commute and the drive home after dark.
How often deer are hit in Wildwood
Deer crashes are common in Wildwood. The city publishes an annual vehicle crash report based on St. Louis County Police data for the Wildwood Precinct. The 2024 report, the most recent one posted as of October 2026, has a deer strike section. Because many deer strikes are never reported, the police count them using crash reports, dispatch records, and the number of injured deer officers had to put down.
| Year | Deer struck (with crash report) | Deer struck (no report) | Total deer struck | Deer euthanized by officers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 44 | 223 | 267 | 66 |
| 2021 | 34 | 194 | 228 | 48 |
| 2022 | 41 | 181 | 222 | 45 |
| 2023 | 37 | 211 | 248 | 51 |
| 2024 | 34 | 204 | 238 | 40 |
| Total | 190 | 1,013 | 1,203 | 250 |
The report also found that more deer strikes happen in the fall and winter months.
Where deer crashes are most common
According to the 2024 crash report, several segments of Highway 109, Highway 100, and Clayton Road have had elevated numbers of deer strikes for the past five years. The report’s maps show the exact segments. Two more findings from the report:
- On Highway 100, animals in the roadway were the top contributing factor in crashes in 2024.
- On Wildwood’s other main roads (Fox Creek Road, Strecker Road, Wild Horse Creek Road, and Highway T), animals in the roadway were one of the top causes of crashes in 2024.
The Highway Patrol also says to be extra watchful near streams and wooded corridors next to open land, which describes a lot of Wildwood.
The city has its own deer management program, started partly to reduce deer-vehicle collisions. As of October 2026, the city’s page says the culling program is paused after the City Council didn’t pass a 2026 agreement in December 2025. The city has also run a resident survey on deer management and says no policy decisions have been made. For more about the animals you’ll see around town, see Wildlife in Wildwood.
How to lower your risk
These tips come from MoDOT, the Highway Patrol, and the Missouri Department of Insurance:
- Slow down at dawn, dusk, and after dark, especially from October through December.
- Expect more than one. Deer often travel in groups. If one crosses, slow down and watch for others.
- Scan both sides of the road, not just the lane ahead, and watch for eyes reflecting in your headlights.
- Use your high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic, and dim them for other drivers.
- Don’t swerve. Swerving can make you lose control or cross into oncoming traffic. Slow down and stay in your lane.
- Slow down at deer crossing signs.
- Put the phone down and buckle up. The Highway Patrol says everyone in the car should wear a seat belt.
What to do if you hit a deer
- Get to a safe spot. If your car can be driven, pull well off the road and turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay away from the deer. An injured or frightened deer can hurt you. Don’t try to move it in traffic.
- Call for help when needed. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if your car can’t be moved, or if the deer or debris is blocking traffic. Police service in Wildwood is provided by the St. Louis County Police Department’s Wildwood Precinct. For non-emergencies, the city’s police page lists 636-458-9194 or 314-615-5601.
- Document it. Take photos of the damage, the roadway, and any injuries. The Missouri Department of Insurance also suggests checking for fluid leaks, broken lights, and loose parts, and calling a tow truck if you’re not sure the car is safe to drive.
- Call your insurance company. The Department of Insurance says damage from hitting an animal is covered by comprehensive coverage, which is optional. If you carry only liability or collision coverage, your insurer won’t pay for it. Your own policy and agent are the final word.
Keeping the deer
Missouri law allows a driver who hits and kills a deer to keep it, but only with written authorization from a Missouri Department of Conservation agent. According to MoDOT, the permit is free, but you have to contact MDC to get it. The MDC St. Louis Regional Office is at (636) 441-4554.
How to report a dead deer: who to call
Who removes a dead deer depends on who maintains the road. The city’s Streets page explains which roads belong to which agency.
| Road | Examples in Wildwood | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|
| State routes (MoDOT) | Route 100, Route 109, Route T (St. Albans Road), Route BA (Babler Park Drive), Route CC (Wild Horse Creek Road from 109 to Kehrs Mill) | MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or the online road concern form |
| County roads (St. Louis County) | Clayton Road, Old State Road, North Eatherton Road, Kehrs Mill Road, Kiefer Creek Road | St. Louis County roadway service at 314-615-8504 or its online service portal |
| City streets (City of Wildwood) | Most other public streets and rural roads | The city’s Report a Dead Animal in Public Right-of-Way request, or City Hall at 636-458-0440 |
A few things to know:
- On state highways, MoDOT focuses on hazards. According to MoDOT, crews clear deer in the driving lanes and drag them to the roadside. Deer on the shoulder are handled during normal weekday work hours, and crews aren’t called out after hours unless the animal is a hazard in a driving lane. MoDOT generally won’t pick up a deer that’s completely off the road unless it blocks mail delivery or is in a neighborhood, especially near a bus stop.
- Don’t drag a deer off a busy highway yourself. MoDOT asks drivers not to put themselves at risk in high-traffic areas.
- The city can’t help on private property or state and county roads. The city’s dead animal request notes it can’t service dead animals on private property or on certain state and county roads.
Sources
- Missouri State Highway Patrol: “Oh Deer! More Deer Activity This Time of Year” (October 9, 2025)
- MoDOT: Watch Out for Deer Along Roadways in October and November (October 1, 2024)
- MoDOT: Report a Road Concern
- City of Wildwood: 2024 Annual Vehicle Crash Report
- City of Wildwood: Deer Management
- City of Wildwood: Streets
- City of Wildwood: Police
- City of Wildwood: Public Works service requests
- Missouri Department of Insurance: Drivers urged to be alert during November when deer are most active
- Missouri Department of Conservation: Regional offices
Frequently asked questions
When are deer most likely to be on the road in Missouri?
Fall. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says most deer crashes happen from October through December, with the most in November. Deer move more during the breeding season (the rut), which the Missouri Department of Conservation says begins in October and peaks in mid-November. Dawn, dusk, and evening hours are the riskiest times.
How many deer are hit by cars in Wildwood?
A lot. The city's 2024 annual crash report counts 1,203 deer struck by vehicles in Wildwood from 2020 through 2024, or about 240 a year. That includes 238 in 2024. Most of those strikes never had a formal crash report.
Where are deer crashes most common in Wildwood?
The city's 2024 crash report says several segments of Highway 109, Highway 100, and Clayton Road have had elevated numbers of deer strikes for the past five years. On Highway 100, animals in the roadway were the top contributing factor to crashes in 2024.
Should I swerve to avoid a deer?
No. MoDOT and the Missouri State Highway Patrol both warn that swerving can make you lose control or hit oncoming traffic, which is often worse than hitting the deer. Slow down and stay in your lane.
What should I do after hitting a deer?
Pull to a safe spot if you can, turn on your hazard lights, and stay away from the deer, since an injured animal can hurt you. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if your car or the deer is blocking traffic. Take photos of the damage and the scene for your insurance company.
Who removes a dead deer from the road in Wildwood?
It depends on the road. On state routes like Highways 100 and 109, call MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636). On city streets, use the city's Report a Dead Animal in Public Right-of-Way request. County roads like Clayton Road and Old State Road are maintained by St. Louis County (314-615-8504).
Can I keep a deer I hit with my car in Missouri?
Yes, but only with written authorization from a Missouri Department of Conservation agent. MoDOT says the permit is free, but you must contact MDC to get it before taking the deer. The MDC St. Louis Regional Office is at (636) 441-4554.
Does car insurance cover hitting a deer?
Usually only if you have comprehensive coverage. The Missouri Department of Insurance says animal strikes fall under optional comprehensive coverage, and drivers who carry only liability or collision coverage won't be paid for that damage. Check your own policy or ask your agent.
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