How to hit a deer

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by halfburn, Oct 25, 2014.

  1. halfburn

    halfburn Medium Load Member

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    Feb 22, 2009
    Jasper AL
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    If a deer runs out in front of you try to hit it in the rear quarter.
    Think about it until its automatic.
    We are not really trying to hit it but when a deer flashes out in front of them it seems that most people either wreck trying to avoid it or nail it square on because they swerve into its path trying to miss it. Odds are if you aim for its rear end you are going to miss it. You really don't have time to think about it when it happens so if its second nature to GENTLY steer for its rear quarter with your front quarter you better the odds.
     
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  3. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    Winnipeg, mb
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    Step 1 keep it in between the lines. Nothing more stupid than hitting the ditch or another vehicle because a deer decides to run in front of you

    Step 2 hit your brakes hard. The slower you're going the less damage there will be

    Step 3 Try to hit it where your frame rail is. I smoked one full speed where my aluminum bumper bolts to the frame. Almost no damage. Anywhere else would've been pretty severe.
     
  4. Y2K

    Y2K Road Train Member

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    Yacolt,WA
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    Yup I brake hard in a straight line, had some close calls but have yet to actually hit one which is amazing considering how many I see almost daily.
    Haven't hit one that is unless you count the two I've hit riding motorcycles.:biggrin_2555:
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  5. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    Sevierville TN
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    The airhorn gets them to move pretty quick.
     
    okiedokie and Lonesome Thank this.
  6. SodaDriver

    SodaDriver Light Load Member

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    Sep 13, 2014
    Michigan
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    I had one try to race me by running along side of me. At the last minute he decided to turn towards my truck and try to leap in front of me. I remember looking out of the passenger side window right into the deer's eyes as he was leaping right for my truck. It ended up landing right between the tractor and trailer and I drove right over top of it the whole length of the truck. As I pulled over to access for damage, I looked in my mirror for the deer and saw it laying in the middle of the road. I thought for sure it had to be dead, but it stumbled to its feet and hobbled across the road to the woods.:biggrin_2555:
     
  7. halfburn

    halfburn Medium Load Member

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    Jasper AL
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    And then causes them to run out in front of a vehicle behind you.
    If you are driving down the road and see deer running around someone is ahead of you blowing a horn. Might as well slow down or stop for a minute.
     
    Mr.X Thanks this.
  8. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    PNWET
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    If you didn't know it, Deer will wait for hours in the brush until you come along. Expecially log trucks. Get ready, here he comes........JUMP! Avoiding them by steering to their hind quarters might work. However if there's 1 thing I've learned about critters, it's not the one in front of you. It's the one behind him. I don't keep count but I'm around 10 or 15.
     
    bullhaulerswife Thanks this.
  9. TheDude1969

    TheDude1969 Heavy Load Member

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    Joliet, Il
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    See one, expect a few more running from the same direction.
     
    jbatmick, okiedokie and gpsman Thank this.
  10. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    In the Stratosphere
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    Just get a good Magnum bumper and they bounce right off.
    http://www.magnumtrailer.com/peterbilt/item/161-379-series

    A friend of mine just took a out a moose at 65mhp in Alaska and there was no damage to truck at all. We are sold on the Magnum bumpers for sure. The other two guys who hit a moose lately with the Herd bumpers needed hoods and radiators.
     
  11. Justin Sane

    Justin Sane Light Load Member

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    Aug 21, 2012
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    I have deer 'whistles'(air activated, have to be going 45 mph) installed on my fenders. Their heads pop up with their ears up all the way and they move. Deer, elk and antelope here in New Mexico, especially around Raton Pass.
     
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