On average, 50 deer per year are hit by airplanes during airport operations. Having my own experience with deer on a dark runway in a King Air 90, I speak from experience when I tell you that it is a dangerous event.

According to 2026 data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), deer remain the most hazardous terrestrial animal for aviation, with approximately 300 to 400 reported strikes per year in the United States alone. While this number is significantly lower than bird strikes (which number in the tens of thousands), deer strikes are far more dangerous, with over 85% of collisions resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. Most deer strikes occur between October and January during the "rut" or mating season when deer are most active and prone to wandering onto runways at night or during dawn/dusk. In 2026, many major airports have implemented advanced "Wildlife Hazard Management Plans," including high-tension fencing and infrared "Mammal Detection Systems" to alert pilots to movement on the runway. Despite these technologies, deer strikes still cause millions of dollars in engine and landing gear damage annually, though human fatalities from these specific incidents remain extremely rare due to the size of modern commercial jets.