Buck up and watch out for deer
The odds: 1 in 91 in
Both states fall into the "high-risk" category.
October, November and December traditionally are the worst months for deer-vehicle collisions.
"We know there is an increased risk of collision with deer around dawn and dusk, and also during the October-December breeding season,"
Busy as ever
By comparison, Game and Fish offered more than 145,000 deer licenses in 2005, when whitetail populations in
"I don't specifically keep track of the number of deer hits that we repair, but this summer has been as busy as any of our busy summers with deer hits," Loscheider said. "I find that fascinating, given I know of only two people that got deer tags. I've been trying to figure that one out--why the number of deer hits and the lack of tags being offered?"
Game and Fish on Wednesday said it had sold the last of this year's deer gun licenses that remained after the lottery.
By the numbers
According to
Based on
"It's the luck of the draw," he said. "It can add up pretty quick."
In
"We get calls every year from people wondering when they're going to get a discount if they shoot a deer," Hovda said. "And I'm all for that if you harvested a deer because claims will go down."
Why the increase?
"With October closely upon us, you have deer dispersing a little bit, you've got rut activity, hunting seasons going on and different types of landscape changes as far as row crops and things like that," Williams said. "There are a number of different variables that make (fall) a little bit more of a time when collisions are more likely."
Low-light periods from dusk to dawn traditionally pose the greatest risk for hitting a deer. Drivers also should be especially alert where deer warning signs are posted.
They're in place for a reason, Williams said. Historically, the
"I know the deer crossing signs are the brunt of a lot of jokes across the countryside," Williams said. "Those signs are placed in those areas strategically with the information they have. For folks when they see those signs, they're not just randomly placed.
"If you are concerned about a deer-vehicle collision, be extra cautious in those areas."
And if a collision is inevitable, buck up and take the hit. As with damage from storms or falling trees, deer collisions are covered under comprehensive auto insurance. Collision insurance commonly kicks in for drivers who roll their vehicle or crash into a stationary object to avoid hitting a deer.
That can result in higher premiums and--worst of all--injury.
"It's always better to hit the deer and keep on driving," Loscheider of Modern
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