Deer Encounter!

[Sunrayman]

Well, my son and I were off to Florida from Chicago for his summer vacation. he wanted me to drive most of the way as he doesn't have much long trip experience. So I got into the Windstar and headed out for Florida. I TOLD HIM I didn't like to voyage too much at night, especially this time of year.

So when we hit South Indiana, near sundown, as I was chatting with him, kinda facing him occassionally, I saw in my peripheral vision for the first time in my life a DEER coming right onto the road, almost exactly in front of my vehicle! The vehicle has a bad balanced left front tire, so I had about 1/3rd of a second to make a decision. The deer looked to be about a few months past Bambi, (and you know how one "imagines" outcomes in split second timing) so I controlled a hard swerve to the left hanging on with both hands with white knuckles, (so as to not go off the road to the left) and then a hard return swerve to the right, while missing the deer by inches as it (in panic? or stupidity) hesitated a split second, to continue on across the road behid me while my son saw it leap into the front of the oncoming traffic - to get slammed by a huge semi! WOW! It took me a few minutes to mentally recover, going over the scenario of having the radiator smashed to failure and stopping our trip at once.

My son then got a taste of the dangers of night driving. Later the following day, as I drove nearly 12 hours, he took the wheel while I prayed to trust his driving while I nodded off. Woke up to the sound of the tread separating from the tire as I split second "coached" him to hang on and get off the highway to the left, controlling the steering with all his might. That tire and subsequent starter failure separated me from nearly $600.00 of roadside assistance - courtesy of the good 'ole boys near Atlanta. Yes, I was grateful we got "r" done, but my trip was greatly subdued owing to my initial bankruptcy. Good to be home now, while he enjoys the summer in Florida.

 

Sunrayman:sun:

[Guest seuadr]

wow.

 

glad everyone is ok! i bet he'll remember both those incidents for a looooooong time!

 

sounds like your checkbook will, too.

[MiCarl]

It can happen any time of day. We saw one standing along I75 South of Florence KY Thursday midday.

[N3FOL]

+1 on Bambi sightings and it can be any time of the day.

 

(Now that school is over for most kids, I am tempted to get to work earlier...my conscience is telling me not to head our too early especially before sunrise.)

 

Glad to hear nobody got hurt. It definitely is a moment to be remembered and learn from it. Ride and Drive Safe. Regards.

[sarges46]

Deer are my worst fear while on the bike. Not so much when in the cage. They are a matter of life here in rural Manitoba. I will not drive the bike at night because of way too many close calls over the last few years.

 

We are glad you encounter wasnt worse.

[Hazenson]

Hit one at about 10:30 - 11:00 am, one bright summer morning. Had the radio loud and even had chrome deer whistlers mounted on the bike. Was traveling about 65 mph when I saw it, didnt get a chance to slow down hardly at all. Needless to say I was not as lucky as you. Killed the deer- totaled my Venture

 

 

 

My point is they dont only come out at night, here michigan ya can hit one almost anytime.

[Monty]

Our last Ops Manager hit one two years ago, the morning of Fathers' Day. He was riding his new bike over to see his sons. The deer hit the road at full speed, jumped and took him right off the bike, knocking him into the path of a car and truck, which killed him instantly. The bike kept rolling, until it just fell over in the ditch, without a scratch on it.

 

He never even saw it coming.

 

 

There was another one about 15 minutes later, on the other side of town. This guy was lucky...only a broken leg.

[jemorrisonjr]

I was always scared of them when out on the bike, but after hitting one 2 weeks ago I"M really spooked........

[Flyinfool]

+1 on anytime of day.

I have been hunting deer for over 30 years and most of the deer that I shoot are close to noon.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

+1 on anytime of day.

I have been hunting deer for over 30 years and most of the deer that I shoot are close to noon.

 

You're not killing nearly enough of the damn things!

[Flyinfool]

You're not killing nearly enough of the damn things!

 

Your just not noticing it cuz my bullets don't quite make it to Texas from here.

 

We've got the deer population whittled down so far the the state of WI has started to restrict deer tags to try to INCREASE the heard size.

 

But I will keep on shootin um and eatin um just as fast as I can.