Tips for Deer Avoidance
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
The chances of encountering deer greatly multiplies during the dusk-to-dawn time frame but there are exceptions to every rule.
I also live in a rural area with any deer around and occasionally they do move during daylight hours but usually they don't move as groups .
Riding during those dusk-to-dawn hours on two wheels, combined with more speed greatly increases our chances of a hit and serious injury or death "by deer".
I support the "not swerving" plan, and following a semi or a group of vehicles but from personal experience I can tell you that "safety in numbers" isn't fool-proof.
We were in Colorado in '04 and I was leading three other bikes in a staggered formation well after dark when I saw a deer standing by the edge of the 4-lane, mountain road that we were riding on. As I passed the deer, I was watching my mirrors for headlights and when I saw three still following me I knew that all was well.
When we arrived at our motel, my cousin who was riding in the rear (4th bike) told me that the deer had waited until his wife had passed it then "leaped" right into his path of travel and that it was so close he didn't know if the deer's rear leg was in front of his windshield or between the windshield and his face!
I also live in a rural area with any deer around and occasionally they do move during daylight hours but usually they don't move as groups .
Riding during those dusk-to-dawn hours on two wheels, combined with more speed greatly increases our chances of a hit and serious injury or death "by deer".
I support the "not swerving" plan, and following a semi or a group of vehicles but from personal experience I can tell you that "safety in numbers" isn't fool-proof.
We were in Colorado in '04 and I was leading three other bikes in a staggered formation well after dark when I saw a deer standing by the edge of the 4-lane, mountain road that we were riding on. As I passed the deer, I was watching my mirrors for headlights and when I saw three still following me I knew that all was well.
When we arrived at our motel, my cousin who was riding in the rear (4th bike) told me that the deer had waited until his wife had passed it then "leaped" right into his path of travel and that it was so close he didn't know if the deer's rear leg was in front of his windshield or between the windshield and his face!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 55
From: Madison, Ga
I don't have a 2 route option, it's back roads all the way. I always ride home slower than on the way to work - enjoy the ride and more reaction time. Try to sound the pipes more in places with less visibility.
Mississippi has the highest deer density in the US and second only to TX in total number of deer, so here seeing deer on a ride is an everyday occurrence. The road to my home is about 2 miles down a little country road after turning off the main road and I have had as many as 15 cross the road in different spots on one trip down it.
Although deer can cross anywhere the more you ride a road you will start to see their patterns and notice the places where they are more likely to cross, Typically unless they have been spooked they will stick to familiar routes. During hunting season with more people in the woods that all goes out the window as they are being spooked by people in the woods are more prone to take new routes
Early morning and late afternoons are the prime time for them to be moving as they are going to and from bedding and feeding areas. This does not mean that you won't see them cross in the middle of the day, I see that fairly often
If a deer crosses in front of you, look at where he/she came from for more. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when a deer crosses is to watch that deer all the way across until it disappears into the woods on the other side, they never see the deer that were following until its to late. If a deer crossing in front of you, keep your eyes scanning the area he/she came from there is likely more there ready to cross
Although deer can cross anywhere the more you ride a road you will start to see their patterns and notice the places where they are more likely to cross, Typically unless they have been spooked they will stick to familiar routes. During hunting season with more people in the woods that all goes out the window as they are being spooked by people in the woods are more prone to take new routes
Early morning and late afternoons are the prime time for them to be moving as they are going to and from bedding and feeding areas. This does not mean that you won't see them cross in the middle of the day, I see that fairly often
If a deer crosses in front of you, look at where he/she came from for more. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when a deer crosses is to watch that deer all the way across until it disappears into the woods on the other side, they never see the deer that were following until its to late. If a deer crossing in front of you, keep your eyes scanning the area he/she came from there is likely more there ready to cross
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 166
Likes: 25
From: Virginia
Man there are a lot of folks who have hit deer! I saw one yesterday that was right on the edge of the road standing in high grass and brush up to its back. I was real close when I saw it, going about 30-35, and as my hand squeezed the front brake I saw that it was pointed away from the road and thankfully was headed back into the woods.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: NC
She's usually the one pushing me to get ready on a Saturday morning! She's a keeper!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,510
Likes: 13,752
From: Pa.
Mississippi has the highest deer density in the US and second only to TX in total number of deer, so here seeing deer on a ride is an everyday occurrence. The road to my home is about 2 miles down a little country road after turning off the main road and I have had as many as 15 cross the road in different spots on one trip down it.
Although deer can cross anywhere the more you ride a road you will start to see their patterns and notice the places where they are more likely to cross, Typically unless they have been spooked they will stick to familiar routes. During hunting season with more people in the woods that all goes out the window as they are being spooked by people in the woods are more prone to take new routes
Early morning and late afternoons are the prime time for them to be moving as they are going to and from bedding and feeding areas. This does not mean that you won't see them cross in the middle of the day, I see that fairly often
If a deer crosses in front of you, look at where he/she came from for more. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when a deer crosses is to watch that deer all the way across until it disappears into the woods on the other side, they never see the deer that were following until its to late. If a deer crossing in front of you, keep your eyes scanning the area he/she came from there is likely more there ready to cross
Although deer can cross anywhere the more you ride a road you will start to see their patterns and notice the places where they are more likely to cross, Typically unless they have been spooked they will stick to familiar routes. During hunting season with more people in the woods that all goes out the window as they are being spooked by people in the woods are more prone to take new routes
Early morning and late afternoons are the prime time for them to be moving as they are going to and from bedding and feeding areas. This does not mean that you won't see them cross in the middle of the day, I see that fairly often
If a deer crosses in front of you, look at where he/she came from for more. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when a deer crosses is to watch that deer all the way across until it disappears into the woods on the other side, they never see the deer that were following until its to late. If a deer crossing in front of you, keep your eyes scanning the area he/she came from there is likely more there ready to cross
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,192
From: Maryland
This thread reminds me of this call into a radio station. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCrJleggrI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCrJleggrI
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
Damn Deer ran right into the side of me ! we here in the state of Missouri need to shoot more of these roadrats during the deer season. our conservation dept does not do a good job of managing the herd. shoot them and feed the poor or homeless. way to many deer in this state.
i've been a hunter my entire life and i can tell you back in the day you really had to hunt them. now days you have to shoo them away from you after shooting one and chase them out of your yard. we are over run with deer and they are becoming inbred and sickly.
i've been a hunter my entire life and i can tell you back in the day you really had to hunt them. now days you have to shoo them away from you after shooting one and chase them out of your yard. we are over run with deer and they are becoming inbred and sickly.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
If you're riding at night/dawn/dusk you could consider adding more lighting that widens the light spread. I copy and pasted this from a truck forum I browse... I thought it made sense.
Deer impacts. (studies from the most deer per acre State, or could be the World)
Why in the world are they never spooked by passing cars in the daytime (as long as you don't stop), but at night for no apparent reason, they'll bolt out and commit suicide?
It's the angle of your headlight beam traveling thru the ditch. They see that approaching angled line of demarcation as a wall of black predator approaching and bolt.
The farthest point (in their eye/brain) away from that black predator, is down that angle towards the light source.
Your grille.
Running with a true fog light beam, reaches out to the side of your vehicle, filling in that angle created by your headlights. This Greatly increases your chance of getting past the deer before they can see that dark predator line and spook/jump.
This means, you need to drive fast enough to beat their reaction time. 55 or less,...you're hitting deer and need to invest in a bumper/guard to withstand the impact (Allison loses the cooler, dumps fluid, waits for wrecker).
70mph, you're past 'em before they realize what happened, or they face plant into your rear fender.
(above theory tested with miles of roadside herds in Llano and Mason counties, considered the two deer capitals of TX.)
Why in the world are they never spooked by passing cars in the daytime (as long as you don't stop), but at night for no apparent reason, they'll bolt out and commit suicide?
It's the angle of your headlight beam traveling thru the ditch. They see that approaching angled line of demarcation as a wall of black predator approaching and bolt.
The farthest point (in their eye/brain) away from that black predator, is down that angle towards the light source.
Your grille.
Running with a true fog light beam, reaches out to the side of your vehicle, filling in that angle created by your headlights. This Greatly increases your chance of getting past the deer before they can see that dark predator line and spook/jump.
This means, you need to drive fast enough to beat their reaction time. 55 or less,...you're hitting deer and need to invest in a bumper/guard to withstand the impact (Allison loses the cooler, dumps fluid, waits for wrecker).
70mph, you're past 'em before they realize what happened, or they face plant into your rear fender.
(above theory tested with miles of roadside herds in Llano and Mason counties, considered the two deer capitals of TX.)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
While deer can be a problem, do not forget the other critters, had a coyote run out in front of me last weekend, have had cows, horses, javelina and even cats. Also remember, load pipes also startle animals, they may not do what you expect.
There is no way to prevent animals from crossing your path, you must be vigilant and make decissions at the blink of an eye.
There is no way to prevent animals from crossing your path, you must be vigilant and make decissions at the blink of an eye.