Weird deer incident

[RichDoyle]

Yesterday around noon I'm riding back home. I come around a familiar bend and in front of me is a Subaru and in front of it stopped in the roadway is a doe, looking back at us. The Subaru keeps going, right at it. The doe takes the hint and starts walking off to the right. So what does the Subaru do? It veers toward the doe as it's moving. The doe gives a small leap off to the other side of the ditch and the Subaru straightens up and drives on, as do I.

Strange. While many would say that taking out a forest rat would be a good thing, doing it with your car isn't too bright. The only things I can think of is that the driver was texting/talking, really angry (deer rage?), stupid, or was suffering some target fixation.

Anyway, just another example of the unpredictability of drivers.

 

[Ignacio]

It veers toward the doe as it's moving. The doe gives a small leap off to the other side of the ditch and the Subaru straightens up and drives on, as do I.

I don't think it's strange at all. While I shudder to think I might be part of some Friday dogpile thing...I *think* that aiming at a deer *may* increase their innate flight response. Whether it be an FJR or a Subaru I have a suspicion that even in their dumb deer head they say, "It's not just going down the road....it's coming after me! Run faster!"

I've done it many times before and *think* it does help..especially the ones with head slightly towards me. I usually add flashing lights and a horn to the equation and have observed them regularly skedaddling faster than if I don't veer at them or flash lights.

The key point being that the Subaru straightened up after the deer cleared. While I wasn't there my bet is it was intentional.

It absolutely does work with cows. Elk...I haven't had a chance yet. And I don't think I'd try it with a moose.

 

[dcarver]

It's called deer herding.. Cowboyz use quads, city slickers use autos...

 

[Bungie]

I was once told by a state trooper that if you have the time and wherewithall, to aim for it's ass. They are prey animals. Something coming up on their 6, they'll bolt. Course, their stupid ungulates. They're just as likely to jump AT YOU.

 

[RichDoyle]

They're really unpredictable. I didn't mention it wasn't the only deer lurking right there, and one could have been spooked to do something dumb. I've seen a deer run across my lane right into the side of a van in the next lane. And a friend of mine had one run into the side of his car a few weeks ago, damaging it badly enough it couldn't be driven.

I've had deer and antelope (especially - many times) decide to run alongside and then dart across right in front of me, close enough that I have to brake a bit to let them get by.

 

[Bugnatr]

Since I started to aim for squirrels with both my bikes and cars I rarely hit one however this is not what I would do for forest rats.

 

[NBB]

And I don't think I'd try it with a moose.

A few years ago in Northern Mn. I saw a Moose standing in the middle of the road actually challenge a stopped semi tractor/trailer. Guess what, the moose took out the radiator of the truck and did not leave right away even with the steaming coolant drenching it.

 

[bikerskier]

I popped one them Mutha Fukin forest rats with a sling shot yesterday in my garden where it usually destroys my struggling to survive tomatos and peppers. It did get its attention and it bolted over the fence into a neighbors yard out of range. Too many neighbors to use my desired weapons so I am reduced to sling shots and such. I truly hate the bastards.

 

[bikerskier]

And I don't think I'd try it with a moose.

A few years ago in Northern Mn. I saw a Moose standing in the middle of the road actually challenge a stopped semi tractor/trailer. Guess what, the moose took out the radiator of the truck and did not leave right away even with the steaming coolant drenching it.

Sadly, I was first on the scene of a station wagon / moose encounter at night in northern Alberta. The moose was mostly in the front seat of the car, since the car takes out its legs and the body comes through the windshield. Mom and Pop in the front seat were dead and hard to find in the dark. One of the 2 kids in the back seat did not make it, but the other survived. Not one of my favorite nights.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I truly hate the bastards.

How are you cooking them? I find them very tasty! (Edit: I just read your last post. Given the content, please forgive my sarcasm.)

Either the Subaru was doing as Ignacio suggested and aiming on purpose to force the deer to flee, or just as likely this could be a case of "Target Fixation". We are all familiar with this one. If the driver was really focused on the deer they may have driven directly where they were looking.

If this had occurred in South Louisiana I would just assume the driver was looking for some fresh venison. This is actually cheaper than a rifle bullet, the insurance company pays for everything.

 

[ionbeam]

How are you cooking them? I find them very tasty!...

Good point 'Hunter, at least when a deer jumps in front of you dinner is on. Sometimes it just doe-sn't go quite like you would expect.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Had my own weird deer incident day before yesterday. As I turned right out of my neighborhood I spied a jogger running down the sidewalk at the far side of the road. 30 feet behind him was a doe trotting along with him. I rolled along slowly looking at this when the guy stopped and said "What?" The doe stopped too. "Do you know a deer is following you?" I asked. He said "I don't know what's going on with that." He took off down the sidewalk and the deer followed him down the sidewalk and turned left when the runner did at the next street. Seems you never know what these critters might do.

 

[Bungie]

2 weeks ago my buddy tagged a moose just east of here.

Car: Totaled

Driver: Two broken arms, 1 broken hand, 1 broken collar bone (he got off easy!)

Moose: Pranced off the road and gave the car the finger.

 

[majicmaker]

Moose: Is that all you got? You Punk!

 

[Bokerfork]

And I don't think I'd try it with a moose.

A few years ago in Northern Mn. I saw a Moose standing in the middle of the road actually challenge a stopped semi tractor/trailer. Guess what, the moose took out the radiator of the truck and did not leave right away even with the steaming coolant drenching it.

Sadly, I was first on the scene of a station wagon / moose encounter at night in northern Alberta. The moose was mostly in the front seat of the car, since the car takes out its legs and the body comes through the windshield. Mom and Pop in the front seat were dead and hard to find in the dark. One of the 2 kids in the back seat did not make it, but the other survived. Not one of my favorite nights.

Wow, thanks. I mean, I know you probably needed to vent after that(regardless of how long ago it was), but jeez, even as someone who carries the nickname "Heartless Bastard" I didn't need that.

But hey, thanks for sharing.

 

[RichDoyle]

Had my own weird deer incident day before yesterday. As I turned right out of my neighborhood I spied a jogger running down the sidewalk at the far side of the road. 30 feet behind him was a doe trotting along with him. I rolled along slowly looking at this when the guy stopped and said "What?" The doe stopped too. "Do you know a deer is following you?" I asked. He said "I don't know what's going on with that." He took off down the sidewalk and the deer followed him down the sidewalk and turned left when the runner did at the next street. Seems you never know what these critters might do.

OK, you definitely out-weirded my story

 

[DennisJ]

I was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during the late 70's through early 80's and lost a fairly new Scania Cabover and its driver to a camel standing in the middle of the Jeddah - Riyadh freeway about 100 miles west of Riyadh. Camel head and neck went right through the cab, body took care of the front of the engine. Very messy and lots of paperwork to repatriate remains to the Philippines. All the drivers slowed down at night while in desert after that.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I've had deer and antelope decide to run alongside and then dart across right in front of me. . .

They were just playing.

 

[HotRodZilla]

One time, years ago, like maybe 1995, I was dating this girl that had a red Ford Escort. We drove that to my parent's house for some reason.

We left as the sun was going down, and 2 miles from their house we turned at a T - intersection. I was driving and something on the passenger side caught my eye. We both looked and it was a HUGE black bear. I swear it was almost as big as the car and running next to us. I jammed on the brakes, he took a hard right and disappeared immediately. Like he was never tgere, and there weren't many trees there then.

We were only a half mile from my brother's high school best friend's place, so I stopped and told them to watch their sheep and horses. They said that explained the dogs going crazy for the last few nights.

I was very glad he didn't run out in front of us.