Posted on 09/14/2015 9:56:58 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Yep, I avoid driving on 2 lane highways at night because of deer or worse, cows.
Have a cousin that years ago totaled his almost new Datsun 280Z when he ran into a cow on the road.
I could hit one every time I leave or arrive at my house if I drive fast enough. I have more deer than jack rabbits.
There is an especially dangerous time of the evening, just after the sun sets and it is still light, but everything has that ‘grey’ quality about it before it gets really dark- The deer are nearly invisible in that and the stupid things run right out in front of you.
You would think they would at least try to avoid hitting the big moving thing coming right at them. They don’t run into trees or other deer...
Safety rule of thumb for deer crossing into your path while driving:
Just hit the damn thing!
The stories are legion of those who tried to avoid hitting the deer and they ended up dead.
I was getting ready to post that audio if you hadn’t beat me to it. Funny stuff!
Double ping to SJackson for the outdoor list and to th Wisconsin list where deer and cars seem to be drawn together - even in the city.
We have found that deer whistles (available at your local auto parts store for about $5 per pair) are very effective. Just glue them on your grill and watch the deer run AWAY from you. Also wild turkeys, racoons, etc. We acquired our first pair on a used car we bough that had been brought into Wisconsin from Indiana. We fitted our other cars and haven’t had an animal/car collision since. Prior to that, my husband had done thousands of $$$ worth of damage to his car.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
And I just started riding a motorcycle again, too. The roads that would normally be fun to zip through, leaning through the curves, now I’m riding slow, watching for some kamakazee bambi to harsh my ride.
Last year I was putt-putting through Gruene in a 20 mph zone. A deer jumped out and hit me on the left front fender. They have to be the stupidest animals alive.
“Safety rule of thumb for deer crossing into your path while driving:
Just hit the damn thing!
The stories are legion of those who tried to avoid hitting the deer and they ended up dead.”
About 20 years ago I went off the road to avoid hitting a beef calf that had gotten through the fence. Totaled the truck. Would have been far better off hitting the dang calf.
“And I just started riding a motorcycle again, too. The roads that would normally be fun to zip through, leaning through the curves, now I’m riding slow, watching for some kamakazee bambi to harsh my ride.”
I was riding out of town heading home about 5 years ago at dusk. Curvy mountainous road. Bambi ran out in front of me and did the back and forth dance as I swerved one way and then the other while braking. We collided. Bambi went flying thru the air into the shoulder upon impact. To this day I give full credit to God for me walking away from that wreck! I hit Bambi doing about 55 and not a scratch on me or the bike. Frigging unbelievable, thank you Jesus!
I used to watch for deer near the roads but now it is the hogs that can destroy your vehicle and possibly kill you. I’ll take the deer any day.
Indeed it would have. Glad you’re ok though!
My buddy hit a deer at 70 MPH on the interstate 79. He was on a motorcycle and broke all of but 5 bones in his body. He did survive but send 1 yr. in the hospital.
I know how you feel. I broke off a crown below the gum line and face surgery. Impact on wallet is the most painful.
I hit 3 of them within 7 years while living in Lapeer county. It was either a rock in the windshield while driving behind a gravel truck, breaking some suspension component on a pothole the size of a buick, of trying to turn a deer into a hood ornament.
Last Fall Beau broke all records and hit 3 deer - AND A STEER.
The deer were small, so were ground into dog food. The steer was insured (owner had a fence down and the thing was in the road) but that was $1,500.00 worth of free meat, just for our effort to butcher it.
One headlight lost and a dented fender on his POS work truck.
I have never hit ANYTHING in my 39 years of driving, so I’m pretty much due. Grrrr!
Got one the other day. Had just picked up my new F150. Had it for 3 hours and 89 miles on it.
I swear the following is true; I witnessed it.
A doe and a fawn were standing alongside HWY US30 just north of Columbia City when the doe, after looking both ways, crossed the highway between cars. She waited on the side of the road until the fawn had looked both directions, waited until cars were passed, then the youngster darted across the two-lane road and joined its mother.
During the fall in deep East Texas, the shoulders of the interstates are littered with deer carcasses. In my neck of East Texas, drivers must be careful of both deer and feral hogs. Both of these can total a passenger vehicle.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.