Top States You’re Most Likely to Hit a Deer: No Texas??

The fall is the favorite time of the year for a lot of people for many different reasons.  For us in the south, the fall means cooler temperatures... usually. It's football season, the changing of the leaves, the state fair comes to town, and of course, the fall means the holidays are just around the corner.

Fall is also when various hunting seasons begin.  And in the "Sportsman's Paradise," people gear up all year for squirrel, turkey, and deer seasons.  This is the time of year when deer are most active, which also means that as they are moving through the woods, they are moving across roads and highways.

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Between the months of October and December, drivers in rural areas need to be extra cautious, as it’s not uncommon to see deer leap onto a busy road, especially around nightfall. New data shows U.S. drivers on the average have a 1 in 128 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm® annual analysis. The company estimates there were over 1.8 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. 

What States are Animal Collisions Most Likely? 

The top 10 states for animal collision, with their odds for an animal collision, are: 

1. West Virginia – 1 in 40 
2. Montana – 1 in 54 
3. Michigan – 1 in 59 
4. Pennsylvania – 1 in 61 
5. Wisconsin – 1 in 63 
6. Mississippi – 1 in 65 
7. Iowa – 1 in 68 
8. South Dakota – 1 in 69 
9. Virginia – 1 in 73 
10. Rhode Island – 1 in 75 

The months drivers are most likely to collide with a large animal in the U.S. are (in order) November, October and December. 

State Farm Offers Tips to Drivers to Help Avoid Animals on the Road

• Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and "wildlife crossing" signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water. 

• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on an animal in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads. 

• Don't swerve. If a car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and stay on the road. 

• Brake, as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard. 

• Remember peak season. Animal collisions happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. 

• Remember mealtime. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn. 

• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby. 

• Don't use a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work. 

• Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.