Avoiding Hitting Deer?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 1,490
From: Black Hills of SD
Part of my local issue with deer has to do with changing human ways. Our 120 acres used to be surrounded by working farms, clean fences and very little brush. Now those farms and properties are grown up and no longer farmed at all. They are deer havens and the owners mostly don't have hunters asking to hunt it seems. The deer are free to reproduce as desired. Hunters largely don't care about does and yearlings. They only want bucks in their trucks. This is a pattern repeating itself all over whitetail country. As the population increases in prime habitat areas, deer are pushed into marginal areas near highways, housing developments and business parks. Anyway....our farm is simply getting the extreme pressure of too many deer.
I did my part again last evening. 2 very large does killed 3 minutes apart. They are at my deer processor as I type this. That makes 14 taken. There will be more. This morning I had no fewer than 6 within easy range of the house.
I did my part again last evening. 2 very large does killed 3 minutes apart. They are at my deer processor as I type this. That makes 14 taken. There will be more. This morning I had no fewer than 6 within easy range of the house.
- You better have a lot of freezers! and like venison. 
It's what's for Breakfast. Doe are the best. I'm envious of that 120 acres. Nice.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,410
From: Jackson, OH
I just picked up the meat (2 does) from my processor friend this afternoon. He has people wanting any additional deer I kill. Just 15 minutes ago I looked out our French doors and there were 4 antlerless deer 20 yards away. 3 of them casually walked around my archery target. I thought about killing a couple with the rifle but didn't feel like handling them this evening. I've now taken 15 and still, they insist on coming to our house to eat landscape items. I know I'll end up killing a total of 20-25 by end of winter. I am not killing any antlered deer at all.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 982
Likes: 526
From: USA
Deer are just dieing to get hit
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 1,490
From: Black Hills of SD
I don't know about that - One of the scariest near-misses was two bull elk and a female that came up and over a guard rail from a steep drop-off. Really steep. Not sure how they did it so damn fast. Over the rail and into the road in a flash ! Just barely missed both of them. Whewwwww, that was a close one. Late Sept......there is that "time" again.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,410
From: Jackson, OH
Simple fact: The larger the animal hit, the more serious the damage and injuries on average. But deer are super dangerous due to their sheer numbers and difficulty to spot. They have an annoying habit of rocketing out of nowhere with impeccable aim and timing. You simply cannot miss the one that's unavoidable.
I've been to Alaska many times and seen firsthand the results of car-moose collisions. Typically the car is totaled and the occupants hospitalized or possibly deceased.
I've been to Alaska many times and seen firsthand the results of car-moose collisions. Typically the car is totaled and the occupants hospitalized or possibly deceased.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 218
From: Lowcountry
Elk population is out of control in the Smoky Mtn area. They’re majestic and mesmerizing to watch durning rut.
They reintroduced Elk early 2K in the area. Wildlife is a draw for tourist and that equates to monies is the only reason I see to do such.
I’d sure hate to hit one while on a bike. Strangely enough I’ve never heard about that happening.
They reintroduced Elk early 2K in the area. Wildlife is a draw for tourist and that equates to monies is the only reason I see to do such.
I’d sure hate to hit one while on a bike. Strangely enough I’ve never heard about that happening.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 479
Likes: 491
From: Chicago
Elk population is out of control in the Smoky Mtn area. Theyre majestic and mesmerizing to watch durning rut.
They reintroduced Elk early 2K in the area. Wildlife is a draw for tourist and that equates to monies is the only reason I see to do such.
Id sure hate to hit one while on a bike. Strangely enough Ive never heard about that happening.
They reintroduced Elk early 2K in the area. Wildlife is a draw for tourist and that equates to monies is the only reason I see to do such.
Id sure hate to hit one while on a bike. Strangely enough Ive never heard about that happening.
Last edited by mltdwn; Nov 20, 2025 at 10:21 AM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
Originally Posted by mltdwn;[url=tel:22160861
22160861[/url]]Good question why Elk dont seem to get hit. Elk must be much more self aware than deer
Elk seem far less willing to hang out near people, as a general statement.
Ive almost hit an elk myself, on my bike. She was bedded down in a ditch alongside the road, and had probably been there all day. I was moving slowly, which likely spooked her. She lumbered into the road in front of me, and I just snaked around behind her.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 523
Likes: 406
From: So Western Ohio
Go slower, avoid riding at night through areas where you can't see far off the edge of the road and keep your fingers crossed.
I had a buddy named Pappy (he was the oldest in our circle of friends) who rode a trike. He used to ride a chopped panhead but hit a deer, lost a leg and his lovely wife, a sweet lady that used to make the best deviled eggs for us. It was a long time ago now.
Deer suck for bikers. Hunting should be open season until their numbers are under control, not just deer season.
I had a buddy named Pappy (he was the oldest in our circle of friends) who rode a trike. He used to ride a chopped panhead but hit a deer, lost a leg and his lovely wife, a sweet lady that used to make the best deviled eggs for us. It was a long time ago now.
Deer suck for bikers. Hunting should be open season until their numbers are under control, not just deer season.
