Before I began riding Motorcycles again. Now I cringe when I blow past those deer x-ing signs at dusk. I know it's gonna happen, I just have to be super vigilant. Slow down and scan, scan, scan. Seeing and not hitting is the plan...

Also be extra diligent in the mornings.   The deer x-ings are usually where they are because it's a natural path to food or water, and animals will tend to cross at both dawn and dusk.   Besides slowing down, tend to ride as close to the center of the road as safely possible as this increases your avoidance options.   It's much better to have two directions to swerve rather than just one if you are riding near the side of the road.  Lastly, deer can appear in mere seconds, so basically try to rehearse in your mind what you WOULD DO should a real event happen.

The only time I have been down was due to a deer at June Lake, CA at about 6AM.   I had no option but to to lay the bike down because I had the lake on the right side of the road and the steep mountain side on the other shoulder.  Luckily I was only going about 50mph, but even then, both myself and the bike slid for a long way.   The "coulda, woulda, shoulda" remorse afterwards is painful in both the literal and figurative sense.

verslagen1 wrote on 07/29/12 at 07:53:01:


I seem to remember reading a report years ago where deer whistles actually had a negative effect, because the deer would stand in the middle of the road trying to figure out what all the whistling was about.    

As far as the rifle crack, what about the old trick of turning the ignition off for a second in gear, then back on?

Of course, this is all predicated on assuming you have time.   After analyzing my crash I figured I had less than 1 second to make an plan and execute it.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 07/29/12 at 08:16:56:


+1
Used to do that on my first Savage just to screw with people. Mostly people walking side by side, almost or in the roadway. Out grew that phase & always wondered if I did it for too long I might do some engine damage.

Spook'em with a deer whistle, backfire, or horn, and they are even more unpredictable than if you didn't...

I say slow down and go stealthy... hope you don't disturb...

...

Took this on Friday morning from my driveway as I was heading out to work.  There was a doe and 3 fawns behind the buck.  



Then, took this of the same buck Saturday morning out my back door.  It was about 8 a.m.  The doe and 3 babies came back and followed the same path this buck did later yesterday morning.  And the buck came back yesterday evening.  They are out and about alot more at this time of year.

Definitely be on the lookout for them when riding!!

Not always but often deer travel in groups of  3-5 so if you see 1, slow down and prepare.  

A shot like crack will have em looking for where it came from. Standing right in the middle of the road.
Best bet is hit the horn and flash your light.
Regardless of your attempt to clear the road keep one thing in mind. Deer got the right of way and your VERY best bet is braking and avoidance.
The bucks are in velvet and even with the heat their moving more lately. That and food is a bit harder to find with the drought so their ALL moving more right now.

And screw the marked crossings, deer can't read. Their liable to pop out anywhere. High point on a ridge or low spot along a creek or draw.