Posted on 04/04/2022 5:13:07 PM PDT by SamAdams76
Well it finally happened. After decades of commuting to work during the dawn and dusk hours of the day through heavily wooded areas, this morning, my automobile struck a deer.
I always looked forward to seeing the deer during my commutes, usually standing around in meadows and fields, sometimes crossing the road in front of me. Always took care to avoid them when I could, though I did have a close call here and there when one hurtled across the road right in front of me.
This morning was different. I was near the Easton/Westport line in Connecticut on a rural road when one leaped in front of me with no time to take evasive action.
At around 35mph, my Subaru Outback sent that deer in a total 360 across the road where it skidded on the pavement to a rather inglorious landing, leaving a skid mark of fur.
The deer was not killed (yet) but was rather angry. I came to a complete stop and that deer got up and attacked my car. That is to say, it hobbled, obviously in intense pain, and smashed its body against the driver's side of my car. I had to drive down the road a bit until the crippled deer limped away into the woods.
Unfortunately the deer is probably a goner. If it did not die later of internal injuries, it is likely being made a meal of tonight by the local coyotes.
The damage to my Subaru was surprisingly minor. The grille and front bumper cover was cracked pretty good in several places but no hood damage at all. Headlights fully intact and still working.
The local police had no interest in the matter as nobody was hurt and there was no deer carcass in the road to deal with. I called my insurance company and they told me that this happens all the time and that they are glad there was no other personal or property damage involved. I'm to take my car into a body shop tomorrow morning for an estimate but in the meantime, the car is totally drivable and other than the cracks in the front part, still looks brand new.
I guess I was lucky. Although I can't say the same for the deer. I wish they would not jump out in front of cars like they do.
You hit Bambi? How could you? lol
Oh, dear….I’m glad you are okay.
Poor dear, poor deer.
I’m sure they wish people wouldn’t speed their cars right to them as they do.
I hit a deer once. It was night. I never saw it till it was right in front of the car. I was probably going 45 mph. It bounced off the front of the car and landed at the side of the road. Then it got up and limped off like yours did. It was hard to tell how badly injured it was.
“my automobile struck a deer”
It sounds like one of those SUVs with a mind of its own.
Are you sure you were driving at the time?
Join the crowd. I hit my deer in 1006.
I’m in Montana, you can’t hardly drive out of town and not see one on the side of the road. I had one run into the side of my truck on morning.
When I was in college I was driving with my friend in his pickup truck when we whacked a deer on a dark road, killing it. As we got out to inspect the damage, a car pulled up behind us. A man got out and asked us, matter of fact, “Are you going to take that?” We told him we weren’t and he packed the dead deer into his vehicle and drove off. I imagine it made for a few tasty meals.
Glad to hear you’re okay, Sam. Your car will be okay soon, too.
some State game commissions will harvest the deer and provide to people in need. not sure how ct works.
Slacker. My daughter is up to 6. She got 2 in one weekend. My brother is at 11. I don’t ride with either of them. I don’t feel safe.
Too bad you couldn’t score some road kill.
Cutting the undamaged hind and front quarters free and taking them home is payment for the damage.
And venison is delicious!
Funny, I never see them at the dear crossing signs.
I rounded a curve and nearly plowed into a small herd of does just standing on the road...beside the road...probably having a nice chat.
Luckily I wasn't going all that fast and avoided any collision. They just took their time about moving out of the way. 'Twas odd.
I could swear I heard one of them mutter, "Cheeky bastard."
that should be 1996
Sorry to hear about that, it’s my worst-case scenario. My wife and I commuted from the N Cal Bay Area to Oregon just about every weekend for four years. The I-5 corridor north of Redding would invariably be swarming with deer during the evening and late night hours we’d be on the road. Very tense. Anyway, New Year’s eve 2017, just north of Yreka, hit one going 75 mph. All I saw was it’s shocked face in the middle of my hood. I’m sure there was nothing left of it. Amazing amount of damage for such a little guy.
I can't imagine how the deer didn't get out of the way.
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