If You Hit One Of These 12 Animals In Montana, It’s Important To Report It

Wildlife Collisions in Montana: What You Must Report

When it comes to driving in Montana, we're all pretty aware of being on the lookout for deer.

It's not just deer that we need to keep our eyes peeled for, and depending on what you hit, you're legally required to report it.

The Legal Risks of Hitting Wildlife on Montana Roads

I've been lucky, and I've only ever hit one animal in my driving career, and that was a raccoon, who didn't have such good luck, it seems.

Guess what? I didn't have to report that I hit it, because not all wildlife has been deemed necessary to report.

That said, there are some animals that can land you in some deep legal trouble if you hit them while driving and neglect to call the proper authorities.

Why Are Some Animals Required To Report While Others Aren't?

There are 3 main reasons you have to report certain animals, and they are as follows:

1. Public Safety
2. Conservation
3. Legal Consequences

First up, public safety: by reporting the roadkill, authorities can remove the carcass (or, in the case it's not dead yet, euthanize it) to prevent more accidents.

Conservation is another reason, as it helps track animal migration and perhaps shows a need to build wildlife crossing structures.

Finally, the legal consequences: yes, it's true that by not reporting these animals, you could be fined.

Plus, reporting the collision can help with your own insurance claims, so there is another reason to report your accident when hitting the animals you'll see in the gallery below.👇