BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — You now have a chance of one out of 199 to hit a deer in Illinois, says Missy Dundov, spokeswoman for Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance, adding that’s up slightly from last year, and noting that they’re seeing the likelihood increasing in Illinois, so it’s important for drivers to be safe out there.

Still, Illinois is 33rd in the nation in likelihood to be in a car-deer crash, with West Virginia the perennial leader and Hawaii 50th.

November, October, and December are the top three months for Illinois car-deer crashes. Illinois’ firearm deer season is the weekend before Thanksgiving and the weekend after.

Dundov’s tips:

  • Use extra caution in known deer zones
  • Always wear your seatbelt
  • At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams
  • Avoid swerving when you see a deer
  • Scan the road for deer and other danger signs
  • Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles

Also, Dundov says, damage caused by a collision with a deer is covered under the comprehensive – as opposed to the collision – portion of your policy.

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