While it's true that deer hunting season doesn't officially begin until November, 21 here in the eastern half of South Dakota, anyone that has lived in the state for quite some time already knows it's deer season pretty much anytime on South Dakota highways.

Especially during the months of October and November as pheasant hunting season and harvest time forces more animals out of the fields and onto the roads.

The state commonly records the highest percentage of deer related roadway accidents during the months of October and November because of those two reasons.

As most South Dakota drivers know, animals seem to have a nasty knack of coming out of almost nowhere.

So the question becomes what to do when you come face to face with a deer or another large animal on the highway while traveling at a high speed? Should you strike or swerve?

In most cases there's typically no place to go. It's either you, the deer, or the ditch.

Sorry Bambi, but picking the deer is the way to go, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

According to Captain Alan Welsh, South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Commander, "As far as evasive or defensive maneuvers we would never encourage anybody to swerve and avoid a deer. So I, along with all the other troopers, understand that hitting a deer is unavoidable. The golden rule would be if there aren't any people on the other side, you just stay, and you hit it."

While deer damage to a vehicle can be costly, vehicles are much easier to repair than people.

Welsh said, "Cars can be fixed, but by swerving, you can do a lot more damage to the car, and yourself."

State Farm insurance company ranks South Dakota fifth in the nation for deer-related car accidents according to claims data.

South Dakota drivers need to remember that state law requires drivers to report any accident involving a deer that causes more than a $1,000 worth of damage.

Source: KDLT TV

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