The state of Montana takes 2nd place in the United States for deer-car crashes. The ability to detect wildlife when you are driving is an important skill if you are driving in Montana. Animal collisions which are mostly deer here in central Montana most often happen at dawn or dusk.

You are a rare driver if you have never hit an animal while driving. According to the Montana Highway Patrol driving with your eyes focused fixed on the road ahead of you is the most common driving error. You have to drive making a conscious effort to scan for deer on the road, in the ditches, and on the shoulders of roads. They often are hidden in the tall grasses and shrubs in the ditches. At night deer are also blinded by the lights so they will bolt when they don’t know what else to do. You might be able to catch a slight movement that may indicate that deer are present. If you noticed a slight flicker in the headlights of oncoming cars it could be an advance warning that deer are crossing the road ahead of you.

The Montana Highway Patrol web site also gives the following driving tips. Don’t drive on cruise control at dawn or dust. Deer will often cross the road at the same place day after day. If you’re a country road driver you know where deer are often located. Be aware that deer seldom travel alone. When one deer crosses the road, prepare to avoid others that may follow or those standing at the edge of the road. I did break successfully for two, but the third came out of the ditch and hit the side of my car. Be especially watchful for wildlife along rural roads where roadside brush may obstruct your view. For help, and to report the collision, call the county sheriff, or the Montana Highway Patrol. If the animal is seriously injured but still alive ask law enforcement officers to be sent to dispatch the animal and safely remove it from the road. Do not attempt to tend to an injured wild animal as they can be very dangerous and unpredictable.

Montana Highway Patrol further advised that if you hit a deer, you’re only required to call local authorities if you have $1,000 or less of damage. That can quickly add up however because it doesn’t take much now to have $1,000 worth of damage.

If a MHP or Country Sheriff’s Deputy cannot get to the scene of a car vs. deer crash then you can go to their website, print, fill out and mail the required information report .

Afterward, if you’re interested in the roadkill, make sure you have a permit to transport.

Bob Gibson, of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, said “If somebody hit them with their car, they could pick that up and take it home. Part of the rules on that is that a person has to fill out a permit. You have to have a permit to transport that.” Vehicle-Killed Wildlife Salvage Permit is also on the Montana FWP website. You only have 24 hours to get your permit and transfer the animal.

There is nothing new in this article that anyone driving in our area doesn’t already know, but there have been a lot of car-deer accidents this year. Fixing the vehicles damage by deer collisions are expensive! And lives have been lost when deer go through the windshield. Maybe with this reminder we can all slow down and drive the conditions.