Montana ranks No. 3 in deer-vehicle collisions

A new report shows Montana drivers have a 1 in 75 chance of colliding with a deer at some point in the next year — the third highest rate in the nation.  

Only West Virginia and Pennsylvania have 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 15 percent from last year.

The state where drivers are least likely to hit a deer continues to be Hawaii, with odds of 1 in 10,281.

The report says, drivers are most likely to hit a deer between October and December, mostly due to mating and hunting season.

The average property damage cost of these incidents is about $3,888, up 14 percent from last year.

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

    • Use extra caution in known deer zones

    • Always wear your seat belt

    • At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams

    • Avoid swerving when you see a deer

    • Scan the road for deer and other danger signs

    • Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles