Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
The annual car/deer collision study was released by State Farm Insurance Agency earlier last week and the results are not surprising. For the eighth year in a row, West Virginia tops the country with the greatest odds of hitting a deer at 1 in 39, nearly a five percent increase from last year. The state least likely for a car/deer collision remains Hawaii, with odds at 1 in 10,281. In fact, Hawaiians are three times more likely to get struck by lightning in their lifetime than to hit a deer in the next twelve months.
Despite hunter claims of declining deer populations nationwide, according to the new study, U.S. drivers are three times more likely to collide with a deer over the next twelve months than they were over the previous twelve. Those odds have climbed to 1 in 169 drivers and nearly double during the deer breeding months of October, November, and December.
The odds of a U.S. driver colliding with a deer over the next twelve months have increased to 1 in 169 despite hunter reaction to declining deer populations nationwide.
While the results of such a survey may seem insignificant to many deer hunters, it’s important for us all to understand that such studies do in fact have an impact on how our deer herds are managed and ultimately regulated by state and local game officials.
Ron Regan, executive director for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies stated in the car/deer collision study that, “Changes in collision rates from year to year are a reflection of changing deer densities or population levels – more deer in a given area increases the potential for collision. Deer populations are also affected by conditions such as new or improved roads with higher speeds near deer habitat, changes to hunting seasons to manage wildlife, winter conditions, and other related factors.”
The top twenty states for a car/deer collision according to the report include:
1. West Virginia – 1 in 39 drivers
2. Pennsylvania – 1 in 71
3. Montana – 1 in 75
4. Iowa – 1 in 77
5. South Dakota – 1 in 82
6. Mississippi – 1 in 84
7. Wisconsin – 1 in 85
8. Minnesota – 1 in 88
9. Virginia – 1 in 88
10. South Carolina – 1 in 93
11. Michigan – 1 in 94
12. North Carolina – 1 in 103
13. Kentucky – 1 in 107
14. Arkansas – 1 in 107
15. Wyoming – 1 in 110
16. North Dakota – 1 in 120
17. Maryland – 1 in 121
18. Missouri – 1 in 124
19. Ohio – 1 in 127
20. Alabama – 1 in 127
Do your part this deer season. Take a deer for the freezer and off our nation’s highways.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
I missed a yearling this morning in central indiana. I almost hit an Amish who pulled in front of ne. I wounder what the stats are on hitting Amish buggies.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
If you hit a deer and take it in Wyoming you just might go to jail....It's illegal
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
YOU BETTER MAKE IT 21. States add TENNESSEE
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
I disagree with those ratings. Michigan should be at least number two. I hit 7 deer in one winter with my car. 3 of those in one week. And one each year after that for 2 years haha. There's deer on the side of the road all over Michigan.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
i live in souther Wisconsin west of madison, almost everyone but immature and irresponsible drivers avoid hitting deer. drive with caution, and slow down. i am also an avid hunter and constantly look for deer, especially in the headlights because seeing road kill makes us hunters mad around these parts.. i've connected with one deer over my past 5 years of driving, and that deer ran into the side of my car.. on the other hand i know some people who at one point hit and killed over 20 in one year.. simple solution, quit being speed demons and be responsible.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
State Farm needs to look into mass where I live it almost everyday if not twice a day I live on a 7x14 island with ruffly 40-55 deer per sq mile....
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
wheres colorado? he hit deer all the time
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
Weres New Jersey in this.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
I'm not sure how Tennessee did not make the list. I almost hit a deer just about every time I am out lol.
Re: Deer Collision Study Reveals Best State to Bag a Deer with Vehicle
i live in West Virginia and most of these so called deer crashes are really cover ups for other incidents like DUI wreck, bad weather etc.