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.

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!

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!

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.

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 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.

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!