Statistically speaking your odds of dying from an encounter with an animal in the United States is pretty low.  

How low?  Very low.  Only a chance of 1 in 1.6 million.  I'll take those odds.  According to our friends at Stacker, you have a much better chance of croaking from a good ol' heart attack, or the C word getting you, than you do of dying from a snake, alligator, spider, or any other animal encounter.

When it comes to hitting an animal with your car by far the most dangerous animal in America is a deer.

Pascal-L-Marius
Pascal-L-Marius
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Deer crash encounters cost drivers at least $4,000 dollars on average in the United States.  In 2023 there were close to two million vehicular accidents with deer in our country.

Stacker analyzed recent data from State Farm's annual animal collision study to determine which states you are most likely to run into an animal with your vehicle.

How likely are you to run into a deer or other animals in North Dakota?

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David De Lossy
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The odds are pretty good compared to other states in our country. North Dakota comes in at #12 (odds are 1 in 82). This is down a few spots over the last couple of years. North Dakota was previously in the top 10 at #9.

Minnesota came in at (#11) with a 1 in 81 chance of hitting an email.  

Our friends in South Dakota came in at #8 with a 1 in 69 shot at hitting an animal.

Montana and Big Sky Country came in at #2 with a 1 in 53 chance at hitting an animal. 

Once again, West Virginia comes in at #1 with a 1 in 38 chance at hitting an animal.

The most common time of year for hitting a deer in America is during the mating season.  That falls between October and December.

Rick Rider
Rick Rider
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My son found that out firsthand this past November as he hit a big buck that did extensive damage to my pickup truck. Thankfully, he was okay. My truck, not so much.

Rick Rider
Rick Rider
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You are also more likely to run into deer when it's dark or early morning when deer are most active.

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Gallery Credit: Elisa Fernández-Arias

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