DEER HIT-a preventable accident??

This is true. Good for them.

 

You will see most animals on the side of a road at dawn or dusk. Also know the terrain the animals like. Deer like wooded areas as do Moose. Carnivores like open areas. If you understand the habitat animals like then you should be prepared in advance. If you hit a big bull moose with your truck you may be killed. I have had many very close calls with all types of animals over the years, and knowing there habitat works best. I do agree that a hit with an animal is non-preventable. Hope this helps. This also works if your a hunter.

I think us Canadians know this more then most and deal with it all the time.

 

As for me I will not ditch a truck to miss any animal on 4 legs. I will back out if possible and do all I can except for rolling the rig and putting my life in the line for dinner meat.

 

Ive hit so many deer ive forgotten how many, its not really preventable, but it is better if you slow down in areas where deer are more likely to be around. I live in montana and there are deer everywhere, if one crosses the road be ready another is on the way. but often times you dont see them untill its too late. I just slow down to enable myself to stop or slow down if i see one before its too late...

 

I only live and hour south of the ND/Manitoba line. We have plenty of deer around here to deal with.

I have only bumped one deer, Was not really paying attention until it was too late. It was a small doe so it did not even bend my bumper.

I know that I pay alot more attention to areas that I have seen deer cross the road. I know most of the areas were this happens and I remember them. I drop about 5 mph which really helps.

 

Living in the south we are in an area that has a large deer population and is a constant problem on the roads for all. But the company that I worked for new policy was that if you hit more than three deer's you would be terminated.Company policy not a law thats in the books. Driving a big rig who knows who knows what an animal is going to do by darting from the woods along the roard? I thought of the stupidy of this policy but nothing I could do about it.

 

If you're out where I am, it's not so much if you hit a deer, but when. Sooner or later you're going to whack one. You can throw the occasional bear [four legged kind] in there as well.
Around about May and June the brand new Bambis are hatching, so not only at dusk, but about mid day as well the does will be about. I've hit them with no damage at times, and other times, took off a bumper, headlight, and a side skirt as well. The key is to just hold on, do not swerve or lockup the brakes. It isn't going to be a major explosion of truck parts, but sometimes deer parts, all over the place, on the truck, under the truck, and maybe even you if the window is down, or by the slim chance Bambi decides to jump straight up and over the hood. Usually a deer is low enough below the hood it won't become a Flying Walenda, it can happen though, but not like in a '74 Pinto.
Once you smack it, pull over when safe, check out your truck. Pay attention especially to under neath, things like airlines get ripped out at times, and check out the tires as well. It's been known to sometimes get a bucks antler through a tire, sounds strange, but it does happen. Some states, IIRC, require you to call the LEO's and let them know about it, Cali comes to mind [of course, if you hit a person there, it doesn't matter], I could be wrong about the calling. If the thing is still laying in the road, it might be a good idea to drag it to the shoulder, so someone else doesn't hit it. Only if it's a SAFE thing for you, that is.
People here sorta/kinda joke in a way about it, it happens so much it's no where near out of the ordinary.
It's either them or you, make sure it's them, it is a form of warfare you know! Deer are known to send the rookie out on the road to see if it's safe for the rest of them, at least that's what the treehuggers think!

Now the companies that think it's a preventable? Put your pencils down kids, ignore Walt Disney, and come up here for a dose of reality.

 

next time lock up all 18 and put it in the ditch. tell them you only tried to prevent an accident.

 

Almost got me one today... err - the #### unhorned, large rodent jumped out to try to nail a 4-wheeler, but then decided it was better to commit deeri-kari on a big truck.

Outsmarted him... already had slowed down, so he missed!

Yeah!

 

If there are deer signs posted then, yes, it's preventable. Technically speaking, you may be also cited by an officer for hitting a deer in a stretch of highway where deer signs are posted. Basic speed law requires that you drive the speed appropriate for the road conditions, so even if you are at the speed limit, you can be cited for excessive speed where deer signs are posted, if you hit a deer. Also, within a national park or state forest, you might be leveed additional fines or fees.

Slow down, use your high beam headlights, and horn. As noted be careful about swerving as truck safety does come first.

I've had to use the horn many times, but I've never hit a deer. I can't afford the damage to my truck--I own it.