Montana is No. 2 in country for deer collisions

If anyone is surprised Montana is No. 2 in the nation for chances of hitting a deer while driving, it’s probably only to wonder why it isn’t No. 1.

Montana placed that high in State Farm’s 15th annual deer claim study, according to an Oct. 2 news release that puts West Virginia at the top spot.

“On average, one out of every 57 Montana drivers will have a collision caused by a deer,” the news release states.

There’s more to glean from the study. For example, the likelihood of colliding with a deer more than doubles during the deer-mating-season months of October, November and December.

In addition, the average repair cost per claim rose $200 over 2016, from $3,995 to $4,179.

To reduce the likelihood of hitting a deer, State Farm advises drivers to slow down, especially at dusk and dawn when deer are most active; remember that seeing one deer means more are nearby; and pay attention to deer crossing signs.