Deer...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,207
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Unpredictable for sure. I've had deer standing in my front yard bolt off as my wife walked past a window inside the house. Others will stand and watch me mow the yard. I've seen two or three deer in a group take off while others just stand in the field, or continue eating.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: lone grove, oklahoma
The only device I've seen work on getting deer to turn tail and run every time is the horn on a locomotive. 13 yrs and countless horses, cows,dogs,cats and a few people, I've never hit a deer. Might be kinda hard to mount one though.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
I had to stop one night in the middle of the highway. This buck was just standing there looking at me. I yelled "get the f$%ck out of the road!" he then trotted off into the wood. Wife asked me how I saw him. I said I could see his beady eyes from a quarter mile away.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,708
Likes: 2,120
From: Central, Ca.
Hey, if it works for you I'm gonna try it. Just back from a Co. Wy. trip and deer were a constant worry. Saw some standing eating at the shoulder, I slowed way down and no reaction on their part. Had a group from here riding to Sturgis last year and a deer jumped on the front fender of one of the trailing bikes sending rider and passenger to the hospital. Unpredictable is right
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 181
From: Texas
Unpredictable for sure. It probably won't be long before someone will come on here and swear by their deer whistle or some other bike-mounted, deer-scaring device. Fact is, none of them have ever been verified, not one. Just a bunch of hearsay. But if it makes them feel better....
Red Lodge, Devils Tower, Sturgis and back to Austin.
Had 8 encounters with single deer (only saw one deer, maybe more) and a group of 8 to 10.
They were all within 10 feet of the road on our side.. two motorcycles.
Within 30 to 50 yards they looked straight at us...turned the other direction and ran.....
And YES,, I have Deer Alerts installed....
and no, maybe "I" can't verify that it was the Deer Alerts that
alerted them to us... but for $12.00 I will continue to install them
on my bike as long as I ride a motorcycle.
Or maybe it was just God protecting us...did say a few prayers on the trip
after my horn crapped out the first day of the trip and had no way to alert cagers...
Last edited by agapsdiver; Sep 28, 2011 at 05:09 PM.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
I spend a lot of time riding the Blue Ridge Parkway and have had many encounters/close calls with both deer and turkey. I have dodged a few and had some close calls but I always keep close to the speed limit and on constant alert. One good thing to say about em' is they sure are tasty!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: ohio
we have deer everywhere down here, my experience is you don't have a clue what the little bastards are gonna do. some guys use the deer whistles some don't I've never seen any results different with 'em or without. Just slow way down ( when you see them) & hope for the best.I play my radio loud as hell ... does it work ??? have had deer stop, turn & go the other way & bolt right out in front of me so I'm guessing no doesn't work anymore than anything else.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Deers, Geese, Goats, Squirrels, Turkey buzzards, Turtles, Snakes, Bears. Come close but have not hit any yet. But bicyclers and their little spandex shorts, I've smashed into a few.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Clifton, KS
I've came across thousands of deer and "to date" haven't hit one. Now when i started driving big trucks, an old timer told me to "TRY" to act like i don't even see the deer(unless it is running toward the road)! He claimed that even letting off the throttle would make enough of a change in sound to "spook" a deer. Now if it's already running, letting off the throttle(or hitting the horn) would likely make the deer STOP. These tips served me well in a big truck, however on a bike....it's a bigger gamble! If i think i can get slowed down in time...i do!
