HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – As deer enter their annual breeding season, known as the rut, collision risks may increase in Horry County.
Deer mating season peaks in South Carolina from mid-October through mid-November, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Across South Carolina, there have been roughly 4,100 deer-related collisions so far this year, according to state Highway Patrol numbers. Since 2021, there have been over 6,000 deer-related collisions per year in the state, according to SC Highway Patrol. In 2025, almost half of the 6,500 incidents happened between October and December.
Horry County provides around 450 of those deer-related collisions each year, and 285 collisions have already happened in Horry County this year.
A majority of deer collisions happen between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., because deer tend to move more at those times.
Those hours also usually coincide with when most people are commuting to and from work. Reduced daylight and visibility during those hours compound the risk.
Marty Connor, owner of Myrtle Beach Collision Center, said the shop has already seen a few deer-caused collisions for the season.
“It usually starts about deer season. Because people run dogs and it scares and spooks the deer and they run out. You will get some in the summertime because they’ll graze on the side of the road, but it’s usually during deer season,” Connor said.
Connor said the damage from deer collisions varies.
“It varies; normally it’s like bumper covers, headlights, grill, hood, maybe a fog light, and then sometimes the fenders involved. That’s about 80 to 85% of them. The other 15%, usually the deer runs out and just runs into the side of the car,” Connor said.
Connor said drivers should also check for internal damage after a collision.
“Just keep an eye on your fluids, keep an eye on the temperature, and make sure the car’s not starting to get hot. If it is, that means you’re losing coolant somewhere,” Connor said.
What to do after a collision
AAA advises drivers not to approach a deer after a collision, since injured animals can be unpredictable. AAA also recommends taking photos of the scene, filing a police report, and contacting an insurer as soon as possible.
Connor said drivers should keep their insurance up to date following a collision.
“If you want to pay it out of your pocket, you can, but contact the insurance company because that’s a comprehensive claim. That shouldn’t affect your policy, which means your rate shouldn’t go up,” Connor said.
Avoiding a collision
Wildlife officials say drivers should not swerve if a deer crosses their path. Instead, officials advise braking firmly and staying in the lane, saying it is safer than risking a bigger crash. If a collision is unavoidable, officials say it is safer to hit the deer than to risk losing control of the vehicle.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources advises the following:
If a deer is spotted well ahead, sound the horn, flick headlights if there is no oncoming traffic, and reduce speed.If a deer is spotted close by, skip the horn and lights, since it can spook the deer into running into the road; drivers should instead slow down.Deer travel in groups, so if one crosses the road, drivers should expect more to follow. Officials say not to expect the deer to get out of the way.
Connor said reaction time is limited when deer come out of wooded areas.
“The problem with deer is when they come out of the woods, they’re running, so you don’t have a whole lot of time to react. But if you’re going down the road and you see them grazing on the side of the road, just move over — try to get away from them,” Connor said.
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