I hit a deer this afternoon 2 up in N. AZ

[ript]

My wife and I were out for an afternoon ride to the high country here in Arizona to do some day hiking today on my '00 r1150gs, when a mule deer interrupted our plans. We were riding south on Lake Mary road, nearing Happy Jack. Rounding out of a long elevated sweeper with an equally long guard rail around 60mph, I spotted a group of 6-7 deer off below us off right as we neared the end of the turn. I never saw the one in the shadows a bit further down hiding at the end of the guard rail. Luckily, I did not hit him as much as he hit me from the side, in the right front, starting with my fog lights. He bent one fog light back (adjustable), put a dent in the fuel tank (not 'too' big, adds character), and collided with mine and wife's knees. How he missed the cans strapped on the back is beyond me, or they are deer impact proof (this is my suspicion). Upon later review of my gopro, I can just barely make him out in the shadows as he begins to charge across the road, I do not remember seeing him at any time, only feeling the impact. After the impact, the bike took a slight list to the left but quickly righted itself. As I slowed down, Steph assured me she was okay, and we headed back around to see what had happened.

The deer did not fare so well, and we procured a salvage game tag when the Sheriff came. I called some family and they came up to assist with this.

Next deer I see, I'm grabbing all the brake I can until I'm good and clear of them. I'm not a fast rider, and I pay attention to the road. It was scary how invisible he was, broad daylight, with minimal shadows. I won't make this mistake twice, falling for the decoy group.

We got incredibly lucky this afternoon. We both know this. Had he started his charge half a second sooner I would have t-boned him, and this would almost certainly have had a different outcome. We both wear gear, and after this we're going out and investing in better gear. Ride safe folks, things move fast out there.

[ScEd]

Good to hear neither of you were hurt. Did you say you had a video of the ride? Post it if you can.

[Hootowl]

deer in the shadows are always very hard to see

[Wolfgang55]

Your vid will be a learning lesson for all.

Most glad you will be eating your kill.

[c munch]

Glad both of you are ok.
We have alot of deer in our area also, i'm always on the lookout for the them. We need to stay alert out there, not saying you weren't.
It's good to be reminded how quick a deer can get you!!! Thanks

[revis]

Glad your ok. I was on Mormon mtn yesterday hunting muleys and turkey.

[ript]

I'll upload the video as soon as I get it shrunk down to a manageable size. It was the camera's maiden voyage, so I'm new to all of this. Of all the rides to break it in on, this was a good one.

revis, any luck? We came across Stoneman from 1-17, and didn't see anything all day until this group. I'm curious if it may have been hunters in the area that had them moving in the middle of the day, there were several vehicles parked off shoulder near our location. We'll never know for sure, i'm just super thankful it ended well for us... and I got mine, albeit the hard way!

[Robus]

If you see one deer, assume there are others around.

[patj]

deer.....i hates em.

[Rob.G]

I heard of a guy a few years ago who took an old pickup truck and welded a bunch of armor on it, and went out running down all the stray deer. He took video of it and actually sold DVDs. I think he called himself, "Deer Commander" or something. As I recall, they sold like mad until the feds shut him down, probably because of complaints from PETA I'd bet.

I never saw any of the videos (I'm not into gore), but I have to admit he had a pretty good idea. :)

Rob

[WhichWayNow]

Originally Posted by Robus

If you see one deer, assume there are others around.

This is well worth repeating. When one is startled and starts running, others will usually follow in the same direction, even if that direction is straight into your path.

[xuare]

Originally Posted by WhichWayNow

This is well worth repeating. When one is startled and starts running, others will usually follow in the same direction, even if that direction is straight into your path.

I second. We were driving down a road in MD and I had commented to the Mrs that I didn't like driving this road because of deer. Immediately the Mrs goes like those, pointing off to the right 10ft off the road to 3 deer. As I fixated on that target one came from the left and ended up under our right side. I even remember thinking "there's an oncoming car so he'd hit the deer...that driver had slowed down and the deer was lost in the glare of his headlights...

Fortunately, we were in the cage and I had begun to slow down for the first set of deer. The infant didn't even wake up.


The other bit of info is an insurance company (State Farm?) Releasesa probability of deer collision by state. I recommend taking a look at it as there is some interesting bits inside. One I remember is HI does apparently have deer...

[rickrwh]

I saw the videos. Some wide-eyed surprised ass deer as homeboy sped up to ramming speed.

Anyways, to the OP, this is at least the 4th GS/GSA that I've heard of hitting a deer in the past 2 years and not going down. These bikes are tanks.

[easyrider88]

Originally Posted by rickrwh

I saw the videos. Some wide-eyed surprised ass deer as homeboy sped up to ramming speed.

Anyways, to the OP, this is at least the 4th GS/GSA that I've heard of hitting a deer in the past 2 years and not going down. These bikes are tanks.

i hit a deer with my 94 harley ultra in 2005.also with my 97 honda valyrie in 2006.my experience is the heavier the bike the better.didnt get knocked off either time.

[seniorasi]

Originally Posted by rickrwh

I saw the videos. Some wide-eyed surprised ass deer as homeboy sped up to ramming speed.

Anyways, to the OP, this is at least the 4th GS/GSA that I've heard of hitting a deer in the past 2 years and not going down. These bikes are tanks.

That's good news!