Deer

[kbuchanan66]

Wow and still alive when it hit the ground.....sad

Ya i think the truck hit it more in its hind quarters than the vitals but there was no way it was going to make it and I really didn't want it to suffer. (Which probably sounds really weird coming form a hunter)....

 

[raechiemay]

Here is my oldest with the buck I got in Nov.

Jealous!!! I'm still waiting for my buck.

 

[mx5055]

Ok, guys serious question since I"m officially out in "deer country" if by chance I have no time to stop. Do I hit the deer while speeding up? Slow down while bracing for impact? Or swerve?

I read slowing down actually pushes the "nose" of the car down thus making the accident worse. Is this true? Granted I don't want to hit anything but I've had a couple of close calls. Would like some opinions from those who have been there done that, compared to the "textbooks."

Don't know what kind of car you have DD (sry..haven't read the whole post yet), but we lived in California we did a lot of camping etc up in the mountains, and were always driving home late at night through heavily populated deer areas. Over the years we hit two deer, and both cars were "totaled" according to the insurance companies. One car was a large one, and one car a smaller one. We were just grateful each time that no one was hurt. I am not sure there is any "correct" way to drive except to go slower in areas that you are worried about so you have extra reaction time. It happens very, very fast, and you never realize how "big" those deer are until you hear the huge "bump" and see them coming at your windshield! Not sure if this helps, but it was our experience; slower is the best

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I drive a PU Cindy, again I read/hear various things but I'd rather get it from people who have "been there done that" I'd prefer not to hit a deer at all and brake if I see them. But in their panic and flight response it doesn't always happen. I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it accordingly

 

[mx5055]

I drive a PU Cindy, again I read/hear various things but I'd rather get it from people who have "been there done that" I'd prefer not to hit a deer at all and brake if I see them. But in their panic and flight response it doesn't always happen. I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it accordingly

Believe me DD, avoidance is the best possible scenario; which is why I advise the slower driving in areas you know to be highly populated. They do panic and are unpredictable. We also hit another deer by our house when we lived out in the country, but because we were driving slower the damage was minimal. It's especially difficult when it's foggy, or they have salted the roads because of snow...the deer are drawn to the salt. Good luck

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

How slow? Where I live at now the roads are very winding with sharp turns and corners. There are some idiots that try to fly but for most part I do 35 -50 (higher speed limit for with straight aways) Otherwise I drive with sense and leave room for passing, not driving in the middle of the of the road. I hate when people do that.

 

[mx5055]

How slow? Where I live at now the roads are very winding with sharp turns and corners. There are some idiots that try to fly but for most part I do 35 -50 (higher speed limit for with straight aways) Otherwise I drive with sense and leave room for passing, not driving in the middle of the of the road. I hate when people do that.

Sounds like you're doing good, just be sure you give yourself plenty of reaction time when going around the sharp turns....I can't tell you how many times I was driving in the mountains and came around a curve to find a deer in the middle of the road...and sometimes a bear (which I definitely did not want to be hitting!). Let the idiots go past you, and they can be the ones to deal with whatever comes dashing out or pops up in the middle of the road

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Haha, yeah, I don't do well with tailgaters. Made a person swerve yesterday as he was riding my a$$. You can only go so fast with semi in front of you....

Oh, lord don't want to hit a bear, lol. I know my neighbor said we have them, but highly unlikely compared to dear. Thanks for the tips Cindy and everyone else for your contributions. I'll keep those tips in mind and be safe, lol.

 

[raechiemay]

Ohh tailgaters are my favorite. I love giving them a brake check & watching them flip me off & cuss me out. Get off my ass buddy or you're gonna be eating my camaro's back end

 

[Dakota Kid]

I don't know if this has been said already, but NEVER swerve. Insurance companies will not pay for it. My friends mom works for insurance and that was one thing she has always preached to us. When you swerve, you most likely will miss the deer but you will hit other cars driving, or the shoulder and that will cause you to roll your vehicle. Way better to slow down, hit it, stay in your lane. The slower you go, the less chance the meat will be bad = free food!!!

 

[STEVSH]

NEVER swerve out of the way. Drive straight! And yes, I would speed up or maintain your speed. And if I do hit the deer, then I call my hunter friend who loves me for it.

 

[DennasMom]

While driving in Scotland (on the wrong side of the road), I saw a deer at the side of the road... I started sending him telepathic messages.... he decided to try and cross the road anyway (far in front of us). He got across one lane of a 4-lane highway, saw a car coming and WENT BACK to the safe side of the road without crossing. I've never heard of a deer actually looking out for cars before. I guess the deer in Scotland are smarter than our N. American versions... LOL.