List: Which Minnesota Counties Have the Most Deer Collisions?

In Minnesota, drivers are intimately familiar with deer crossings, and most of us know at least one person who's suffered a deer-related accident.

According to a new study released by State Farm, Minnesota has the seventh highest risk for deer collisions, and Minnesota motorists have a 1 in 80 chance of hitting a deer.

The likelihood of colliding with a large animal more than doubles during the months of October, November and December, during deer mating season, the study finds.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota saw 2,141 deer collisions in 2015, and six people died as a result.

Dakota County had the most deer collisions with 158 reported in 2015. View the entire list of Minnesota deer collisions, organized by county, below.

Deer collisions in 2015, by county:

Dakota: 158
Hennepin: 146
Stearns: 133
Carver: 126
Sherburne: 111
Anoka: 88
Washington: 82
St. Louis: 74
Benton: 65
Scott: 63
Otter Tail: 52
Goodhue: 51
Douglas: 45
Mcloed: 44
Ramsey: 38
Houston: 35
Nicollet: 35
Le Sueur: 31
Beltrami: 30
Clay: 29
Crow Wing: 28
Wright: 28
Olmsted: 27
Cass: 24
Waseca: 24
Carlton: 23
Todd: 23
Aitkin: 22
Chisago: 22
Pine: 22
Blue Earth: 21
Brown: 21
Becker: 20
Winona: 20
Dodge: 19
Lincoln: 19
Morrison: 17
Nobles: 17
Sibley: 16
Wabasha: 16
Cook: 15
Itasca: 15
Mille Lacs: 15
Hubbard: 14
Isanti: 14
Lake: 14
Polk: 13
Wadena: 13
Grant: 12
Rice: 12
Wilkin: 11
Fairbault: 9
Martin: 9
Freeborn: 8
Meeker: 8
Kandiyohi: 7
Norman: 7
Kanabec: 6
Koochiching: 6
Steele: 6
Fillmore: 5
Pennington: 5
Rock: 5
Watonwan: 5
Big Stone: 4
Pipestone: 4
Traverse: 4
Clearwater: 3
Cottonwood: 3
Lyon: 3
Mower: 3
Pope: 3
Stevens: 3
Jackson: 2
Lake of the Woods: 2
Murray: 2
Redwood: 2
Renville: 2
Chippewa: 1
Mahnomen: 1
Kittson: 0
Lac Qui Parle: 0
Marshall: 0
Red Lake: 0
Swift: 0
Yellow Medicine: 0

So what can you do to avoid serious injury during this time of year? State Farm released the following tips to keep drivers safe:

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Always buckle up, every trip, every time
• Use your high beams to see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
• Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
• Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead

According to State Farm, the national average cost per claim for 2015-2016 was $3,995.08, down just slightly from $4,135 in 2014-2015.

Image via Greg Gjerdingen, Flickr, used under Creative Commons