It’s late. You’re in the middle of nowhere. Your headlights are cutting two tunnels through the dark. Then—sudden movement. Something large. Brown. Antlers? You hit the brakes, heart pounding.

Welcome to driving in Wyoming.

This isn’t something that “only happens to other people.” Here, wildlife does not follow lanes, speed limits, or travel plans. Mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose have been walking the same trails for centuries. The problem is, we built roads directly across them.

And those roads? They are long, dark, and often so empty you could count the cars you pass on one hand. That feels peaceful until something steps in front of you.

So let’s talk about it. Not just how to avoid collisions, but also what to do if you hit an animal.

Why This Happens So Much Here

Wyoming is big, very big. It’s one of those states where the land far outnumbers the people. That’s good for animals, because they have room to roam. It’s a problem for drivers, because the animals roam right into traffic.

The migrations are extensive, hundreds of miles. Pronghorn move swiftly across the plains. Elk travel steadily, as if they own the place. Mule deer somehow look both graceful and clumsy at the same time. They don’t care if there’s a highway in the way, they are going where instinct tells them.

Then you have tourists. Many are from areas where “wildlife” means squirrels in a park. They aren’t prepared for a bull moose to walk into the road at 45 mph. And the roads themselves don’t help. Many rural highways have no streetlights and pass through long stretches where it’s just you, the asphalt, and whatever is in the sagebrush.

Certain times of year bring even more risk. Fall means mating season, and that means animals are distracted. Winter pushes them down from the high country to find food, and spring brings young ones learning the ropes (and making a lot of mistakes).

The Numbers Are… Not Pretty

Every year, more than 6,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions happen in Wyoming. Mule deer make up the vast majority, over 5,500 incidents, or roughly 80–85% of the total. That averages to about 21 big-game collisions every single day.

An estimate is that wildlife–vehicle collisions currently cost  $54–$56 million per year.

These are not minor fender-benders. People are injured, sometimes fatally. Families lose loved ones. For the animals, survival after a collision is rare. Enough of these accidents can damage entire herds over time.

You Hit an Animal. Now What?

This is not a situation anyone wants, but you should know what to do in advance.

Step one: Get to safety. Pull over. Hazard lights on. Do not stop in the middle of the road unless you must.

Step two: Do not approach the animal, even if it looks hurt. Wild animals in shock can be dangerous—hooves, antlers, and teeth can injure you.

Call law enforcement. In Wyoming, you are required to report it if you hit big game like deer, elk, or moose. Officers or game wardens will handle the scene. Sometimes they will salvage the meat if it is fresh enough, but that is not your responsibility.

Then there’s insurance. If you have comprehensive coverage, animal collisions are usually included. But just because it’s covered does not mean it will be easy, and claims can be denied, payments delayed, or settlements offered for less than the repair cost.

If you or a passenger is injured, the challenges multiply. You get medical bills, lost work, and possibly rehabilitation. This is when calling a good Wyoming car accident attorney makes sense.

This is not about pursuing lawsuits for the sake of it. It is about not being left with bills for something beyond your control. Attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies, secure fair settlements, manage paperwork, and protect your rights.

What’s Being Done to Fix It

Wyoming is not relying solely on “Deer Crossing” signs.

At Trapper’s Point near Pinedale, the area used to see hundreds of collisions every migration season. Now there’s a wildlife overpass, a bridge covered in dirt and grass so animals can cross naturally. The result? Collisions dropped by more than 80%.

There are also underpasses for species like pronghorn that avoid elevated crossings, plus miles of fencing to guide animals to safe spots, and seasonal speed limits in high-risk areas.

Yes, these projects cost millions. But when compared to the cost of the accidents they prevent, they are worth it.

Technology to the Rescue

It’s not all about construction. Scientists are fitting animals with GPS collars to track exact migration paths. These studies show that migration routes are consistent, with the same choke points used year after year. That data guides where to build crossings and place warning signs.

There is also technology for drivers. Some navigation systems and apps now alert you when entering a high-risk wildlife collision area, and you get a warning before you round a bend and find a moose in your lane.

Also read: Coyote Vs Wolf: Spot The Differences

What You Can Do Behind the Wheel

Even with new crossings and technology, much still depends on how you drive:

• Slow down at dawn and dusk, when animals are most active.
• Scan the road edges for movement or glowing eyes.
• Avoid distractions—no texting, no scrolling through playlists.
• Use high beams on empty rural roads, dimming for oncoming cars.
• If you see one deer, expect more to follow because they travel in groups.

These sound simple, but they work. A few seconds of extra reaction time can mean the difference between a near miss and a collision.

Why This Matters Beyond “Not Crashing”

It’s easy to think about this only in terms of vehicle damage or personal injury. That’s reason enough to care, but there’s more to it.

When a pregnant elk is hit, that’s two lost animals. When a young deer doesn’t survive a crossing, that’s one less adult in the future. Over time, this takes a toll on populations.

Road safety here is about protecting people and preserving the wildlife that makes Wyoming special.

Final Words

You cannot eliminate the risk of hitting wildlife in Wyoming unless you stop driving. But you can reduce the risk, know what to do if it happens, and support road designs and protections that make it less likely.

Drive as if something could be around the next bend, because here, it probably is.

And if one night you are on a quiet stretch of road, stars overhead, mountains just a shadow on the horizon, and a mule deer steps out of the dark, you will be ready. Maybe you’ll avoid it completely. Maybe not. But you’ll know what to do.