Car Deer Crashes In Michigan: Which County Has The Most?

They are everywhere and don't look both ways before crossing the street. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) latest census estimates Michigan's deer population to be around 2 million. This poses a serious safety risk for every Michigan driver and passenger who travels our roads, and new data shows the most dangerous counties in the state.

RELATED: 10-Mile Stretch of Michigan Highway Among Deadliest in America

Each year, Michigan Traffic Crash Facts tabulates car accident data from state, county, and local police reports to give an overview of the past year on the road. The latest data, from 2023, shows several counties with high deer-related accidents and one clear front-runner for the worst county in the state for whitetail-vehicle encounters.

Michigan's Car-Deer Crash Season

It's no coincidence that November is Michigan's worst month for deer-involved car accidents. This is the busiest month for hunters, as it closes out the first archery season and welcomes firearm deer season on the 15th every year.

So, if you're the deer, and a bunch of people came into your home with firearms and a desire to eat you and mount your head on a wall, you'd leave, too. And they do.

How to Avoid Hitting Deer in Michigan

Don't drive. If that's not an option, remember to keep your eyes out for deer at all times. As you scroll through the 83 county ranking of Michigan's deer-related car accidents, be sure to slow down in the counties with the highest number of crashes.

RELATED: The 5 Deadliest Roads in the State of Michigan

Remember, if you see one deer, there's usually more, as they travel in single file. If you find yourself unavoidably on a crash course with a whitetail, hit the breaks, hold on tight to the steering wheel with two hands until you come to a stop, and then do what you can to get to the side of the road. Call the police, as most insurance companies will ask for a report. So, which counties should you be the most cautious in? Scroll on for a county-by-county ranking of deer-related car crashes in Michigan.