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Eastern pa. Heavy deer area. Have had 3 crossings in front of me this year so far. Looking for them on roads I know they frequent and riding expecting them helps but they are still what they are. I will avoid certain areas and roads based n time of day to reduce the opportunity for a backstrap dinner. Twice the f’rs waited til i glanced down at the radio to show themselves, the brown blur in peripheral vision makes for a good pucker... needless to say I do that much less now.
defensive riding, luck and skills all have kept me upright so far... think you don’t need hard braking and swerving skills? Ride in critter country. It’s an equal hazard to me as distracted cagers.
I've had a few close calls but never hit one on a bike (did hit one with a car once). A buddy of mine was not so lucky recently. He was riding his CVO Road Glide Ultra on a state highway in broad daylight, running about 55-60 when all of a sudden this huge deer just dropped out of the sky and landed on his front fender. He never even touched the brake. Totaled the bike, killed the deer on impact, and my buddy went rolling down the highway like a bowling ball and ended up in the ditch. He actually was pretty lucky in that he got away with a severely sprained wrist, a concussion and some light road rash but no broken bones or serious injuries. A split second later and it would've been a different story. The deer would've landed on the gas tank instead.
I too have experienced a deer strike, but fortunately in a car. Totaled my 2008 Pontiac G6, bought it back from the insurance company for next to nothing, and rebuilt it for my son for his 16th birthday. I have only had one close call on the bike, but I was at low speed and it was easily managed.
I live in north-central PA, the former big deer capital of PA, Potter County, God's Country. There have been 21 deer/motorcycle collisions near here since May; one fatality that I know of. It is worse this year than it has been for 25-30 years! The deer are everywhere on the roads, not just the known hazard areas. I think it is partially due to the deer population recovering a bit compounded by cell tower and fracking sites reducing their habitat. I have slowed to 45 MPH in response to this; I was getting half afraid to ride this year.
Today I am in Wyoming without a bike and this morning I saw plenty of antelope not far from the road. Add the fact that there is no helmet law I wonder how that impacts the people here?
I think there are a fewer hunters nowadays as well. Used to have to hunt for a deer 30 years ago, now I could get my limit off my back deck.
They are too protected in my part of the world. One poster above called them rats with antlers. I could't agree more. My son and daughter will be putting a few in the freezer this coming fall/winter.
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I hit three with that truck.........