Bend, OR – As winter conditions deepen across Oregon and nights grow longer, drivers near Bend are being warned about a seasonal danger that spikes sharply this time of year: wildlife collisions after dark.
According to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and transportation officials, winter forces animals to significantly alter their movement patterns, bringing them closer to roads and highways—often during evening and early morning hours when visibility is lowest. Shorter daylight hours mean more drivers are traveling in darkness just as wildlife activity increases.
Officials say mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, coyotes, and other wildlife are pushed toward roadways as food becomes scarce and snowpack limits movement in forested and mountain areas. In Central Oregon, animals frequently migrate from higher elevations and forest land into lower valleys and high-desert areas near Bend, placing them directly in vehicle travel paths—often along U.S. 97, Highway 20, and rural highways.
Wildlife biologists note that winter intensifies migration and feeding pressure, causing animals to move earlier in the evening and later in the morning. This overlap with commute times and nighttime travel significantly increases the likelihood of crashes. Deer collisions are common statewide, while elk collisions—though less frequent—can be especially dangerous due to the animals’ size and low nighttime visibility.
The Oregon Department of Transportation urges drivers to slow down in areas marked with wildlife crossing signs and remain especially alert between sunset and sunrise. High beams should be used when possible, but officials caution drivers not to swerve suddenly to avoid animals, as that can lead to loss of control or secondary crashes—particularly on icy or dark rural highways.
Drivers are also encouraged to watch roadsides carefully near forest edges, open rangeland, river corridors, and less-developed stretches outside the Bend area. Wildlife often travels in groups, meaning if one animal crosses the road, others may follow moments later.
As winter continues and daylight remains limited, officials say wildlife-related crashes will remain a serious risk across Oregon. Drivers are urged to use extra caution during evening and early morning travel, when animal movement is at its peak.
