Hitting a Deer

[Luke]

Has anyone discovered any device that is effective at scaring away deer from running out in front of you? In this part of the world, we have millions of white tail deer running all over the place. They have a huge population.

About five years ago I was on an R100R and had one jump out right in front of me while doing about 60 mph on a rural backroad in upstate New York. The short story is that I got a helicopter ride to Albany Medical Center and spent four days in the hospital with a collapsed lung, broken ribs and shoulder blade. Fortunately I healed 100%. The deer died a horrible death, which was some consolation.

Since then I've used these electronic deer whistles. I use two simultaneously. The frequency they emit is not exactly the same, so you hear beats in addition to making the sound twice as loud. The deer do notice when I approach --- usually they look up and watch me go past. I just hope they run AWAY rather than toward the noise.

But seriously, I'd really like to know if anything can help avoid having a deer run out in front of you. It can be deadly. I got very lucky.

--Luke

[Pastor Passum]

Luke, I've seen all kinds of gizzmos promising wonderful results and for each there are studies that refute that they do any good at all. A friend gave me a pair of deer whistlers and I mounted them on my GS. Don't suppose they can do any harm but...I really don't believe they help. I've always heard that the deer you hit, you'll never see until you've hit it. I've been lucky. In 45 years of riding, I've seen lots of deer here in NC and surrounding states but have never hit one. Some close calls (even with the deer whistles) so I'll just knock on wood and stay alert and try not to ride at the more dangerous times but that's about all I can do. Good luck to you too.

Jim

[scootertrash]

Jim's right. The one that get's you is the one you don't see, but I have found that for the ones you do see, the horn "usually" will get them to turn and run.

[snowpig]

I hit a deer last June or rather a deer hit me. I was able to drive through the strike and lay the bike (05RT) down. No damage to me but the RT had all the plastic damaged. I replaced the RT with a 07 GS thinking it would be a tougher bike to damage (wishful thinking). The only defense to deer strikes is to not ride after dark and be very alert all the time, but if the forest rat wants to get in your way there is not much you can but hold on tight and cuss.

[bionicflite]

Had a couple of mule deer at the edge of the road in the evening this weekend...area south of Osooyos in BC....heading to Rock Creek.Been recommended the following.

go to www.xp3hornet.com for the best $$ you will spend...get the black one not chrome for sake of radar detection.

[mikec]

I was in Ft. Davis, TX back in February having a beer with a few locals. I was just 'passn' through' and we were having a nice time. One old boy from Shafter said he had the cure for frightening wildlife out of his path. I, of course, inquired and he whipped out a single action Ruger .44, saying, "touch one of these off every mile or so and there are no problems." There you have it but, if you live in Westchester County, you may want to reconsider this method.

Mike