Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Five states where you're most likely to hit a deer this fall
Here are the five states where you're most likely to wind up with Bambi on the hood of your car if you aren't careful (with the likelihood of doing so):
1. West Virginia: 1 in 42 (I didn't see this one coming!)
2. Iowa: 1 in 67
3. Michigan: 1 in 70
4. South Dakota: 1 in 76
5. Montana: 1 in 82
What's particularly surprising is that none of the states usually considered to be leaf-peeping destinations made the top five, let alone showed high risk of deer collisions. Massachusetts and New Hampshire are low-risk, with New York, Vermont and Maine only showing medium risk. You're more likely to wash venison off your hood in Arkansas than you are in New Jersey, a state where deer corpses are not uncommon on the side of the road.
Interestingly, the number of miles driven by U.S. motorists, according to State Farm, has grown only 2 percent in the past five years ... while the number of deer/car smacks has surged 20 percent. From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, there were approximately 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles. The average cost for an incident was $3,013.
[Chart via Terms + Conditions: Insurance Industry Blog]
Related:
America's best drive: the Beartooth All-American Road
Ten most badass animals native to the US
7 of the craziest, most dangerous, most dizzying hikes in the world (VIDEOS)
The 10 countries with the world's worst drivers
Interestingly, the number of miles driven by U.S. motorists, according to State Farm, has grown only 2 percent in the past five years ... while the number of deer/car smacks has surged 20 percent. From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, there were approximately 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles. The average cost for an incident was $3,013.
[Chart via Terms + Conditions: Insurance Industry Blog]
Related:
America's best drive: the Beartooth All-American Road
Ten most badass animals native to the US
7 of the craziest, most dangerous, most dizzying hikes in the world (VIDEOS)
The 10 countries with the world's worst drivers
Filed under: North America, United States, Transportation, News, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Aglaia761 Oct 4th 2010 4:52PM
In Maryland, the deer are so bad that hunters are allowed to come into the suburbs to kill them.
Our overly manicured gardens and lawns are like an all you can eat buffet for deer
BTDT Oct 5th 2010 2:00PM
Maine is a medium risk state, but they don't mention the Moose.
Paul Oct 5th 2010 6:21AM
"1. West Virginia: 1 in 42 (I didn't see this one coming!)" Didn't see this one coming?! (Pun intended, no doubt). But, c'mon - heavily forested, lightly populated - it's a natural deer breeding ground. The deer, like anything else in nature, is funneled by the valleys where the roads and highways are.
"What's particularly surprising is that none of the states usually considered to be leaf-peeping destinations ..." Stupid remark number two. Take a drive across US Route 50 from Parkersburg, WV through Grafton, WV or US Route 33 from Parkersburg through to Harrisonburg, VA, and you'll see some serious "leaf-peeping" destinations.
Seriously, Tom, you either really need to get out from behind your desk or THINK before your type.
Cyndi Oct 5th 2010 8:55AM
Very true, Paul. Not only that, but the WV mountains are a tourist destination for viewing fall foliage. In fact, there is a road there called the Scenic Highway that most definitely lives up to its name. Maybe Mr. Johansmeyer needs to pay us a visit so he can see what we're talking about. Oh, and might I add I am one of the 42 unfortunate people here who have hit a deer with their car.
Abraxus Oct 5th 2010 9:01AM
I totally agree, WV is one of the most scenic and heavily forested areas - we love to drive through there and go camping etc and you see a ton of wildlife in general. Has the writer never been there? Does he not listen to John Denver? "Almost heaven, West Virginia.."? It's gorgeous!
Also, I live in heavily populated Virginia, I'm talking not far out from DC, buildings everywhere, apartments etc, and we have deer walking in the middle of all that - usually see them most around schools because the playing fields are always so nice. It's not unusual for me to stand on my deck taking photos of 6-8 deer grazing behind my house - we also get beaver, racoons, chipmunks, squirrels and snakes - it's wild kingdom in suburbia!
scjumper Oct 5th 2010 11:14AM
I agree! I've never seen as many deer anywhere as in WV. Day or night, they are in the woods, on people's lawns, crossing highway bridges... everywhere!
Just this past weekend we visited WV and brought my New England-resident parents and they were FLOORED at how beautiful the state was. These are world-travelers who had heard all of the stereotypes but hadn't visited the state and they loved it.
WV didn't call itself "Wild & Wonderful" for nothing. It's lovely. AND lightly populated with people, therefore VERY heavily populated with deer!
JOHN Oct 5th 2010 1:47PM
I UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU HIT IT, DEER, RACCOON, SKUNK, ETC IN WEST VIRGINIA, YOU CAN TAKE IT HOME AND EAT IT. THE ROADKILL LAW.
dan31gw Oct 5th 2010 8:16PM
Live in West Virginia and yes the comment "didnt see this coming" is very idiotic, obiviously the author does no research, but what do you expect from aol articles. Pretty much every time you drive on a road outside of a town, and sometimes in town, you are going to encounter a deer thats already hit on the road, or see them crossing the road. Im extremly lucky and only hit one, only 24 though, so still have lots of time left(hopefully). It totalled my Honda accord, it jumped off a road bank and right into my car, there was no avioding it. Beautiful state with lots of beautiful wildlife.
i love wv Oct 5th 2010 9:04PM
I live in West Virginia and i am a avid hunter i kill at least two deer a year and my wife has a higher kill record than i do with our Volkswagen. West Virginia is the most beautiful state in the country in my opinion, i moved here from New Jersey years ago before it got completely communist. I love that i can go to walmart buy guns ammo beer diapers and a gallon of milk. talk about the American dream and yes it is legal to eat road kill here. why not it f-ed up your car eat it instead of letting it rot what a waste.
Mark Oct 5th 2010 9:27PM
Paul, I am with you. Hmmmm, what is the likelyhood, do you think of hitting hitting a deer while driving aross NYC's Cetral Park? Do you think over 5 MILLION PEOPLE IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THESE NUMBERS??????
How about the fact that New Jersey is the MOST densely populated state in the Union with most in tightly packed communities or innr city settings.
NICE Statistical analysis! There is a place for you in Government Reporting on the economy!
Sean Oct 5th 2010 7:03AM
I think I have most people beat when it comes to deer collisions, I live in Michigan in suburbia, so far this year, I've hit at least 4. Thank god I drive an old solid truck, Kinda need it with this record.
donalee Oct 5th 2010 7:23AM
Gee, Sean seems like you would have learned by this time. SLOW DOWN! North Michigan is notorious for deer waiting until you are on top of them then they run into you. Driving the speed limit gives you no time to get out of their way.
Leila Oct 5th 2010 5:23PM
Donna, until you live in state with a large population of deer, shut up. It doesn't matter how fast you're going because sometimes the deer end up running AT your car.
steve Oct 5th 2010 7:29AM
i see dead deer in connecticut many times,........esp. the ones that get ''whacked'' by tractor-trailer trucks on the highway to mohegan-sun-ca$ino !............sick-sight seeing a dead deer blown to pieces by a rig !
David Oct 5th 2010 7:59AM
Also the number one State were your most likely to hit a Hillbilly
Ihatemorons Oct 5th 2010 11:06AM
Shut up moron. If that's all you can think about when some of the most beautiful states are mentioned, you are a bigger redneck than any in the south.
Northeners make fun of the south, yet where do they run for vacations and retirement????
Joe Oct 5th 2010 8:20AM
Gee all the LOW RISK states are were it dosen't cost an ARM and a LEG to go hunting and fight you all the way to own a GUN, some of those states, you may not even need to jump throu hoops to hunt at all. IT'S COMMING TO THE POINT WERE EVERY ONE WILL NEED TO CARY A GUN TO EQUAL THE FIGHT WITH YOUR LIFE....THIS IS FOR REAL MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED EVERY DAY,JUST THIS MORNING I HEARD A NEWS STORY ABOUT A GUY BEING SHOT IN BROAD DAT LIGHT AT A BUS STOP, THERE WAS ALSO A LADY THERE WHO WAS NOT SHOT.....BUT WHATS GOING ON IN HER HEAD RIGHT NOW......POLICE CAN'T DO ANY THING TO STOP THE KILLING ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS TAKE THE GUNS AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE TO PROTECT THEM SELFS....I MEAN THE PEOPLE KNOW WHO THE BAD GUYS ARE, BECAUSE THEY LIVE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THEM.. MAKE IT LEGAL TO BOUNTY KILL THE RIGHT PEOPLE....COPS COULD THEN HAVE A DAY OFF..............
Mich Oct 5th 2010 8:24AM
My husband & I drove on route I-80 thru Pennsylvania (I think thats the rte from NJ to Ohio). I saw approx 25 deer dead on the aside of the road many in pieces because 18 wheelers hit them This was Mid-June. It looked like a killing ground. The blood was all over the road. At first it looked like I entered a war zone till I saw heads & legs. I could only imagine what the rest of the months are like. I cannot believe this state did not make the list. It was the most upsetting thing to see since we had 2 of our 4 kids with us.
James Oct 5th 2010 5:27PM
That is because interstate truckers don't take their kills home with them to eat like all the rest of os Pennsylvanians.
Longino Oct 5th 2010 8:27AM
If you think hitting a deer in a car or truck is bad, try it on a motorcycle. Actually, I was very lucky. The deer ran into me instead of me running into it. Makes a big difference when 100 lbs. runs. into 1,000 lbs. instead of the other way around. Especially when the 1,000 lbs. is traveling around 60 mph. Where I live in GA, we have an abundance of deer along our county road, so you always have to watch for them. However, I also drive across country in a tractor-trailer rig and I know than no matter where you go, the hazard is always there. Deer are everywhere, but you will not see them if you are not paying attention (such as talking or texting on a cell phone, reading while driving, or just generally having your head up your azz) Also, if you see one cross the road in front of you, there is a strong possibility that there is another following it.