Wildlife Encounters: South Dakota’s High Road Kill Collision Ranking

What's the one of the busiest departments this time of year for the South Dakota Department of Transportations? It might be the crew picking up road kill along our states interstates and highways.

With cooler temperatures and Fall Harvest starting soon, wildlife will be changing their accommodations and headed for winter cover. With that in mind, it would be a good idea for you to keep your eyes peeled while driving South Dakota Roads, especially at night.

According to Power Nation TV.com South Dakota is at the top of the charts nationwide when it comes to road kill collisions.

South Dakota is a rural state with a lot of natural land that is home to all kinds of wildlife. South Dakota drivers have a 1-in-53 chance of experiencing a roadkill incident.

Sure, you can witness a deceased deer along the road in South Dakota almost anytime of the year, but the action really picks up in September and October. Over the years, I see raccoons start the movement first, then the deer. When you pair 'rut movement' with the fall harvest things can really get interesting and you best be driving with bugged-out eyes at night.

So if South Dakota is number 4 on the list? Who's at the top of the charts?

5. Michigan

Michigan drivers had a 1-in-54 likelihood of being involved in an animal collision.

3. Pennsylvania

Drivers in more rural communities have a 1-in-51 chance of hitting a large animal with their car.

2. Montana

Montana drivers have a 1-in-47 chance of experiencing a roadkill collision. For comparison, the national average in 1-in-116.

1.  West Virginia

The state of West Virginia ranks at the top of the list where drivers have a 1-in-37 chance of running into a large animal on the road.