Is a Deer Guard worth it?

I hit a deer with my relatively new truck. Managed to clip it on the side of the truck so thankfully damage was minimal. I got an Ali Arc bumper shortly after which was about 2 1/2 years ago. I have not hit a deer since but the peace of mind alone is worth it in my opinion.

 

The drawback is you need to keep the inside clean from rocks and dirt. Otherwise they jam up and you struggle to get it unlocked.

I have to wash mine out once a month.

 

I’ll take the added weight, and all that. Especially since I go to a lot of farms and residential drops in central ND.

Not all of our trucks have one, but they make sure those of us who go out to the rural areas have one.

 

^^That's definitely the way to go.

 

That's the key and also reply to those who suggested "slowing down to drive in lights range"..... Those of us driving two lane rural highways and farming areas, often at night have much higher chances of meeting the wildlife that decides to run the road out of ditches, trees, and crops with no chance of seeing them till they enter your lane. Even doing less than 45 mph. Not that I've personally experienced it, but see plenty of carcasses even in the middle of the city on 6 lane freeways with sound barrier walls Get a guard.

 

I got a slam latch. Doesn’t take any extra time.

 

I almost met a cow the other day. IF I wouldn’t have been able to stop, I would’ve put that guard to a BIG test.

 

Last time I rolled out predawn in Oklahoma I was the only truck in the lot without one. Sometimes you get an omen about things like that and I made sure to keep it throttled back until the sun was up good and bright. I never hit a reindeer but had some close calls in Virginia a couple times and it’s probably just a matter of time.

 

Reindeer? How far north were you going, driver?