As reported by WYRK in their article, “This Is What You Do If You Hit A Bear In New York State,” hitting a bear while driving is rare but not unheard of. While thousands of deer collisions occur each year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) estimates that up to 100 bears are struck annually.

If you hit a bear, there are four possible scenarios:

1. The bear does not survive: Call law enforcement on their non-emergency line. You may need an accident report for insurance purposes. In New York, the vehicle owner can keep the bear carcass if they obtain a possession tag within 24 hours.
2. The bear is injured and remains at the roadside: Contact law enforcement immediately. Do not attempt to approach or assist the animal, as it could be dangerous. Authorities will handle the situation, possibly involving animal control.
3. The bear is injured but wanders off: Report the incident to the Department of Environmental Conservation so they can track and monitor the bear’s condition.
4. The bear is unharmed, and there’s no vehicle damage: No formal report is required, but it’s certainly a story to tell!

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of WYRK.