Worst 10 states for auto-deer collisions

Amused

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Worst 10 states for auto-deer collisions
Pennsylvania has the highest number of accidents, according to a survey by insurer State Farm.
November 4, 2005: 12:59 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Pennsylvania ranks first among the top ten worst states for vehicle-deer collisions, according to an insurance survey published Thursday.

Citing claim statistics, auto insurer State Farm said that drivers in Pennsylvania experienced more deer collisions than any other state between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005.

State Farm estimates that 1.5 million vehicles collide with deer every year, resulting in 150 motorists deaths and $1.1 billion in vehicle damages.

With deer migrating and mating season occurring between October and December, the auto insurer says a higher number of deer are near roads this time of year.

Coming in second and third were Michigan and Illinois, followed by Ohio and Georgia. Minnesota and Virginia ranked sixth and seventh respectively, while Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin rounded out the list at eighth, ninth and tenth.

The insurance company said it based its rankings on the total number of deer-accident claims filed with State Farm and did not adjust for population.

The auto insurer says that attentive driving is still the best deterrent for such accidents.

In order to avoid such collisions, State Farm says drivers should use their high-beam headlights as much as possible to illuminate deer hiding on the side of the road and to not rely on car-mounted 'deer whistles,' which studies show not to affect the animal.

If a collision with a deer is unavoidable, according to the company, it is best not to swerve, which could increase the risk of injury and could cause you to lose control of your car.

Cliffs for those with ADD:

1. Pennsylvania
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Ohio
5. Georgia
6. Minnesota
7. Virginia
8. Indiana
9. Texas
10. Wisconsin
 

Xyo II

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Oct 12, 2005
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I thought for sure Wisconsin would be there........

Edit: higher up on the list, I meant.
 

rahvin

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All states that severely restrict hunting (or make it so inconvient that noone participates) if I'm not mistaken.
 

Ronstang

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I had a deer hit me one night. Yes, hit me. There were a group of them running out of the woods to cross the street and several went right in front of me like a flash but one smacked right into my driver's door. All I saw was the deer's face smashed up against the glass for a split second. The damn deer didn't even miss a lick and ran off with the rest. I had a nice dent in the door and deer slobber on my window.....luckily it was mom's car. :D
 

Amused

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Originally posted by: rahvin
All states that severely restrict hunting (or make it so inconvient that noone participates) if I'm not mistaken.

Texas? Georgia?
 

Ronstang

Lifer
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Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: rahvin
All states that severely restrict hunting (or make it so inconvient that noone participates) if I'm not mistaken.

Texas? Georgia?

Yeah, give me a break. They have upped the limit this year in quite a few Texas counties because of the growing deer population. I would like to see the breakdown on the number of hunters per state because I am sure Texas would rank way up there....just about everyone I know is a hunter.
 

rahvin

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Texas would be the exception I imagine. Georgia makes it very inconvient. All the rest made is so inconvient for so many years that everyone quit hunting and now the population is way to large.
 

FeuerFrei

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I guess this list only refers to State Farm policy holders. Otherwise, I'm sure New York would score higher in deer-auto accidents.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
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Oct 28, 1999
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Originally posted by: rahvin
All states that severely restrict hunting (or make it so inconvient that noone participates) if I'm not mistaken.

In Illinois, if you have a pulse and $40 you can get a deer permit. Deer hunting (especially shotgun season) is HUGE in Illinois. In must rural areas of Illinois, and outside of Chicago, that's most of the state...the high schools are half empty during shotgun season because kids skip class to hunt. Same thing for workplaces. They vacate the first shotgun season.
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
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I'm surprised Cali isn't on that...well, if we had Nor cal and So Cal, i'm sure Northern cali would be..
 

mdchesne

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Feb 27, 2005
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michigan most definately! that area by Bruce Crossing in the UP...horrible. and people driving the Sceny(spelling?) Stretch going back downstate for christmas break... i hear at least eight people colliding with deers. no joke! those little buggers are everywhere up here :)
 

tw1164

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Dec 8, 1999
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I live in PA, and I know that alot of the high schools still have off the first day of Buck and Doe seasons. I do think that PA does need to increase the hunting limits.
 

mercanucaribe

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The insurance company said it based its rankings on the total number of deer-accident claims filed with State Farm and did not adjust for population.

GREAT JOB STATE FARM.
 

vi edit

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And I think at least a *significant* part of the problem is that we are simply starting to develop in more and more areas that were traditionally wooded areas. We are condensing deer into tigher spots and they are hopping more roads with more traffic than they did in the past. As the urban sprawl keeps pushing further and further into what was once timber and shelter areas we just make the problem worse.

And it is compounded by the fact that hunting as a whole is starting to lose it's appeal to many. It's not due to state regulations...it's just that people would rather sit and play Cabela's big game hunter on the computer and not get their hands dirty and sit in a treestand anymore like they used to.
 

vi edit

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Originally posted by: OulOat
That's 1.5 million dead deers per year!

Mmmm...that's a lot of deer jerky, deer sausage, and shoulder roast!

 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: rahvin
All states that severely restrict hunting (or make it so inconvient that noone participates) if I'm not mistaken.

Well that is completely wrong, but anyways...

I say kill more of those stupid things.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: mdchesne
michigan most definately! that area by Bruce Crossing in the UP...horrible. and people driving the Sceny(spelling?) Stretch going back downstate for christmas break... i hear at least eight people colliding with deers. no joke! those little buggers are everywhere up here :)

I hit one on I75 north of Bay City. $8,000 worth of damage :shocked:
 

Xyo II

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Oct 12, 2005
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Originally posted by: Ronstang
I had a deer hit me one night. Yes, hit me. There were a group of them running out of the woods to cross the street and several went right in front of me like a flash but one smacked right into my driver's door. All I saw was the deer's face smashed up against the glass for a split second. The damn deer didn't even miss a lick and ran off with the rest. I had a nice dent in the door and deer slobber on my window.....luckily it was mom's car. :D

At least you didn't get hit by a motorcycle I can't wait until after college, I am definitely going to get a crotchrocket.
 

MBony

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Sep 16, 2003
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Well I hit one from GA a few months ago. Took the front left quarter off my van.
 

K1052

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Aug 21, 2003
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Originally posted by: Amused
3. Illinois

I could hunt them sitting on my porch using a rock where I used to live.

...or using the front of my 1500 as the case more often was.
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: rahvin
Texas would be the exception I imagine. Georgia makes it very inconvient. All the rest made is so inconvient for so many years that everyone quit hunting and now the population is way to large.

explain the georigia makes it inconvient part. the limit per year is 10 doe's and 2 bucks. Season runs from October to Januaury. I just don't see the inconvient part you are talking about?