Deer season - aarrgghhhhh

[happylabs]

That is unfortunate. I can relate to that whole scenario. I live in a rural area too. I have seen a lot of deer in the last couple weeks.

Glad your DIL is okay and not much damage to the vehicle.

[caseysmom]

I live in the suburbs, definetely not the country and we have deer, turkeys, raccoons, coyotes all over.

Hubby hit a dear once, the deer ran off but the car had lots of damage.

Someone gave me the idea of driving with once finger ready on the horn, not sure if that would help or not...

[chocolatepuppy]

Someone gave me the idea of driving with once finger ready on the horn, not sure if that would help or not...

Caseysmom, I was told never to beep at a deer, it might panic and charge right at you! Not sure how true, but was told that.
I also hate driving certain places this time of year, always afraid one will run out in front of me!

[cassiesmom]

I also hate driving certain places this time of year, always afraid one will run out in front of me!

Me too! The deer blend in well with the trees along the road. I try to avoid certain stretches of road where it's not too well lit. I've swerved to avoid squirrels, too.

[IRescue452]

I'm glad she's ok. Been there done that. I work 2nd shift so I'm driving through rural areas at night every night. Some roads I have to go like 15mph on because of the deer.

[dab_20]

That is always a scary thing, especially if your an animal lover and you kill the deer.

I lived in Minnesota when I was younger, and there were TONS of deer at all times of the year. One winter night my mom was driving, I was in the back seat. I was around 8 years old. A deer came out of no where and it was icy and we hit the deer and went into the snow filled ditch and hit a tree. We couldn't get out of the car because the snow was so high. This is very dangerous in MN considering how cold it gets there. Luckily we were equipped with blankets and hats and gloves, and it took about an hour before someone drove by and called the police. I remember bawling my eyes out because the deer was dieing and kept kicking my door. I felt SOO bad for it.

[sparks19]

It's awful for both the deer and the driver. I hope people will drive slowly and be alert on roads with forests around.

It happens here, too.

Fences along the roads, at least in some places, might be a good idea.

fences don't really work... deer can easily jump them. there is a 6-7 foot fence lining this one cornfield here and they jump over it as if it isn't even there lol

I've luckily never hit one but I've seen many that have been hit... one was right down the road from our house. not even any forest there. and this was in the middle of the day. During this time of year they can be really unpredictable... especially when they ladies are in the mood lol.

I avoid driving at night as much as possible. My night vision stinks and I know I just wouldn't see one until it was too late.

[sasvermont]

I saw a truck with a buck in the back, just today. I am not a hunter but do believe herds need to be controlled by thinning them each year. I could never do the deed. I hope everyone uses the meat for food and takes care to kill them quickly and not just wound them.

Pennsylvania really does have a deer problem, as do many states. Whenever I drive to PA, I try to avoid the back roads because the deer are grazing in the middle of roads etc. etc. There are deer everywhere. And of course, more and more houses are being built in areas that deer had as their habitat.

I live in a rural area, with lots of places for deer to hide and live. They do wander into my yard and field quite often. I love seeing them in the field. Many of the fields are "posted" so no one shots them in my part of town. I still worry when I am walking my dog. I usually wear a bright colored coat and stick to the edge of the woods.

[sasvermont]

I hate driving at night this time of year. The deer are all over the place where I live. It is not uncommon to find a herd in my back yard. Prue, the dog is terrified of them and will run in the opposite direction if she sees them. So much for the dog protection I thought I signed up for when I got Prue!

I have never hit a deer, but know lots of folks who have. I drive SO slowly, at night, expecting a deer to run into the road! I try to NOT be out at night or early morning. Of course, sometimes I have to drive, but make sure to keep my eyes looking at the side of the roads!

Glad to hear your relative is unharmed. She will relax about it eventually, I am sure. She did nothing wrong. Things like this happen all the time. I am glad someone was able to use the deer for it's meat. Many just stay there in the road or side of the road, and spoil.

We all need to use this as a lesson and take care when driving at night.

Thanks for sharing the story. It will keep me a little more alert.

P. S. One night I was walking Prue and we headed for the back of the property. I had a flash light and shined it to the very back, near the woods. There was a herd of deer and their eyes glowed in the flash light. Prue was horrified. She barked and ran in the opposite direction, away from the deer, pulling me along with her. It took her days to get over it when I walked her outside. I think she thought they were aliens that had landed. Their beady eyes were dotted all along the wood's edge....two here, two there. It was funny - well sorta. She nearly pulled my arm out of the socket!

[Randi]

It's awful for both the deer and the driver. I hope people will drive slowly and be alert on roads with forests around.

It happens here, too.

Fences along the roads, at least in some places, might be a good idea.

[Grace]

Been there; done that. I'm glad she's okay and the car is usable.

What's worse, I'm told, are the moose in Maine. About a month ago, a police officer in Maine was critically injured after a collision with a moose. And that was in the daylight hours.

[Karen]

Wherever moose are, in northern New England, they are a big problem, especially give their size and build. Their eyes are above the level the headlights may strike, and their darker color makes them even harder discern at dawn and dusk, when they are most active. They are tall enough that cars generally hit just their legs, and their massive bodies then strike the car, and people are often killed.

One thing to remember is "always watch for the second deer" - often if you see one bounding across the road, another will be right behind it.

[pomtzu]

If this thread makes even just one person more vigilant and aware of the unseen dangers out there - especially at night and in areas where potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife can occur - then it has served it's purpose. Be careful out there, everyone.