What You Should Do Immediately After Hitting A Deer In Minnesota

While you can hit a deer with your vehicle at any time of the year, November is deer mating season, which means it's very close to the time of year when deer are most active, and when the most deer-vehicle crashes occur in Minnesota.​

MnDOT says that the number of reported deer-vehicle crashes in the state is around 1,200 per year, while State Farm Insurance estimates the number is closer to 35,000. The large discrepancy is because an estimated two-thirds of deer-vehicle crashes are not reported to authorities.

Deer-vehicle crashes not only can cause significant damage to your vehicle, but they can also be very dangerous. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety says that over seven years, from 2016 to 2022, there were 27 deaths and 1,483 injuries as a result of deer-vehicle crashes. It's worth noting that motorcyclists accounted for a significant number of deaths and those who suffered serious injuries.

Therefore, before we get into what to do if you hit a deer in Minnesota, it's important to know the things you can do to avoid even getting into a deer-vehicle crash.

Get our free mobile app

Actions That Can Prevent Deer-Vehicle Crashes

While accidents can still happen to the most cautious drivers, the following tips can help reduce the chances of a deer-vehicle crash:

• Drive at safe speeds and always buckle up.
• Be especially cautious from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., when deer are most active.
• Use high beams as much as possible at night, especially in deer-active areas.
• Don’t count on deer whistles or deer fences to deter deer from crossing roads.
• Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down.
• Slow down in areas known to have a large deer population, such as areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land, and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.
• Remember, deer do unpredictable things. They stop in the middle of the road when crossing, cross, and quickly re-cross back, and move toward an approaching vehicle. Blow the horn to urge the deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road, and don’t try to go around it.

How you should handle a deer in your path depends on what you are driving. If you're in a car or truck, do not swerve. If you swerve, you're more likely to drive into oncoming traffic or go off the road. Instead, brake and hit the deer. It may go against your instincts, but it gives you a better chance at survival.

Motorcyclists should avoid night and low-light riding periods altogether. A rider’s best response when encountering a deer is to use both brakes for maximum braking and to keep their eyes and head up to improve their chances of keeping the bike up.

What To Do If You Hit A Deer In Minnesota

If, despite your best efforts, you hit a deer on a Minnesota road, authorities say you should do 2 things immediately:

1. Contact law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1
2. Contact your insurance company

These two calls are important as having a police report of the incident will help with any insurance claims you need to file for the damages sustained. Once safe, take photos of the incident.

SEE NOW: Only One Minnesota City Now Ranks Among The 100 Safest In America

If the deer is still in the roadway and it is safe to do so, block the lane to keep other drivers from hitting the deer and turn on your flashers. Never approach an injured deer, as it may hurt you.

Even if the deer is dead, it is safer to wait for the police to arrive than to attempt to remove the deer from the road yourself.

If you're a Minnesota resident and want to keep the deer carcass, it will be necessary for you to first obtain a permit. The responding officer will issue you one at the scene for free.

Lastly, if a deer is struck but not killed by a vehicle, keep a distance as the deer may recover and move on. If a deer does not move on or poses a public safety risk, you should report the incident to a local law enforcement agency.