Montana ranks second in deer-vehicle collisions

A new report shows Montana drivers have a 1 in 65 chance of colliding with a deer at some point in the next year — the second highest rate in the nation.  

Only West Virginia has a higher rate of deer-vehicle collisions, according to a recent study by State Farm Insurance.

While the odds of hitting a deer in Montana far exceed the national average, the rate is actually down 6 percent from last year.

For the seventh year in a row, deer-vehicle confrontations are most probable in West Virginia (1 in 41), followed by Montana, Iowa, South Dakota and Pennsylvania.

Drivers are least likely to hit a deer in Hawaii, Arizona and Nevada.

State Farm’s data shows that vehicle-deer collisions are most likely to occur in November, the heart of the deer hunting and mating seasons.

Deer-vehicle collisions are three times more likely to occur on a day in November than they are on any day between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31. 

October is the second most likely month for a crash involving a deer. December is third.

The average property damage cost of these incidents is about $3,414.

Here are tips from the Insurance Information Institute on how to reduce the odds of a deer-vehicle confrontation:

• Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds — if you see one there is a strong possibility others are nearby.

• Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas.

• Remember that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.

• Use high-beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.

• If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

• Don’t rely on car-mounted deer whistles.