[Coldjensens]

ALthgouh I generally drive too fast, I have never hit on, but I did have one jump completely over my car once.

[scolls]

You called 911 after hitting a deer?

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by Perferator

You cant avoid them. Literally. There have been special public service announcements warning motorists not to leave their lane to avoid them.

There is something most motorists dont see in the dark. The deer line up alongside the road and take numbers to see who goes first.

Best I've done is 2 in one year. The bodyshop man told me the avg bill for repairs is 1500.00.

Ya, the night we drove up to see the bridge, they had the big lighted signs over the freeway reminding folks it's deer season, and not to swerve. Good thing too, it was probably just the preparation I needed. Funny, my husband pointed out later I was cool as a cucumber and managed the car very well, while he was the one screaming like a girl.

That's me, great during a crisis, fall apart afterward!

I always say, I'm a mama bear. Don't get between me and my "cubs". If it's my babies or a deer, the deer gets it.

Of course, we passed by it on the way to the body shop. I had to get out and apologize. I was kind of impressed, I managed to land it neatly off the side of the road, unlike some I've come across in the middle of the highway.

I'm guessing I don't get bonus points for neatness?

Took a picture of my car at the body shop today, uploaded it to Facebook with the title Mom vs. Wild. Bad... so bad.

We're in a nice little hotel in Traverse City today, since the cabin is rented for a few days starting tomorrow. I thought being near the water is just what I needed. The soul is a little battered, but the natives are pulling out all the stops today, making me laugh, being kind and generous, and in general making me forget all my woes.

It's a conspiracy, right? y'all are trying to make me fall in love and never leave. Er.... maybe the hunters would like me to leave.

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Did you throw it on top of your car and take it to the closest butcher?

If not then you still have a way to go.

Cooking it in a losw cooker seems to produce the best results. Maybe somone will post a receipe for you for next time.

LOL... that was my son's suggestion. He was outraged I did not bring it home. It appears local wildlife had a nice little snack. Surprised they didn't eat the whole thing, just the.... rear portion. Maybe it's low hanging fruit these days.

Actually, there was a secondary impact, where deer went one way, a leg went the other (actually, I believe in two different others, UGH! THAT was the traumatic part for me)... the meat beyond the skin in that area was gone, and the entrails (?!?!?!?!???!!!) and some other meaty bits. The skin left behind? Strange. Drag marks where some meaty bits were dragged off. Guess nothing wanted to get too close to that roadside, but sure wanted a nice piece of young deer....

Bydand.... lol.... you folks sure do know how to cheer a girl up!

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by darstar

Up here in da U.P. what we fear most , is Moose. Those critters are huge and hitting one will do more damage than you can imagine. Thankfully not many on or near the roadways ...but you never know.
Most of the local big trucks up here have a " moose catcher" guard on the front, saves a lot of damage to grills , radiators , and windshields.
The deer problem is always with us, and , now during rutting season , they are everywhere....all over Michigan. On open roads , I use my high powered driving lights...turned a little to the right towards the ditch. Great for fog and winter white-outs also. Well worth the investment.

Darstar, you need to write Darstar's Encyclopedia of Michigan Living.... You (and your cohorts here) have been a wealth of information.

Wow, didn't realize what a city girl I really was.

The husband suggested one of those things for the top of the car. I countered with encasing it in a roll cage..... I guess that would down the fuel economy a bit.

In less than a week, we've had 3 major car incidents (actually, I woke up to a flat yesterday morning, got that fixed, went to run errands and... yeah)... Maybe Michiganders aren't prejudiced against non-American brands, but I'm starting to wonder if there's some curse on the foreign models! Then again, it's just my luck.

Can't complain too much, had better luck than the deer!

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

ALthgouh I generally drive too fast, I have never hit on, but I did have one jump completely over my car once.

Get OUT. Really? Seriously? What were you driving?

There's more story in there, I'm sure, in the humorous coldjensens style. Don't hold out on us!

[idw2s]

Originally Posted by scolls

You called 911 after hitting a deer?

I called auto club first, but then yeah, I did. I come from LA. They'd never believe you hit an animal unless they saw the proof. I prefer never to see the inside of a jail.

I apologized to the Statie, but he said if it's over $1000 in damage, the law requires you call, and I'm WELL over that mark.... Sadly.

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by idw2s

I called auto club first, but then yeah, I did. I come from LA. They'd never believe you hit an animal unless they saw the proof. I prefer never to see the inside of a jail.

I apologized to the Statie, but he said if it's over $1000 in damage, the law requires you call, and I'm WELL over that mark.... Sadly.

You did the right thing. I'm not sure what Scolls is trying to say. I've hit three deer and totaled one car in the process. My insurance company wanted a police report from the accident, and by calling 911 after my accident I made sure that there was a police report on file. I know people who've made successful insurance claims without calling 911, but I'd rather not take the chance. I pay a lot of money for my car insurance, so you better believe I'm not going to get denied a claim!!

[dori36]

Originally Posted by darstar

Up here in da U.P. what we fear most , is Moose. Those critters are huge and hitting one will do more damage than you can imagine. Thankfully not many on or near the roadways ...but you never know.
Most of the local big trucks up here have a " moose catcher" guard on the front, saves a lot of damage to grills , radiators , and windshields.
The deer problem is always with us, and , now during rutting season , they are everywhere....all over Michigan. On open roads , I use my high powered driving lights...turned a little to the right towards the ditch. Great for fog and winter white-outs also. Well worth the investment.

When I lived in Wyoming, we also drove with considerable attention paid in Moose country. We learned from those who knew way more than I did that if, heaven forbid, one finds a Moose in their path, do your utmost to hit it in the rear part of its body in order to spin it around upon impact. If you hit it broadside, chances are that it will end up flying over your hood and on your windshield. With their huge weight, they'll nearly always go through the windshield causing a fatality to anyone in the front seat. Highway patrol says that a large majority of moose/driver incidents result in the death of the driver.

[stanman13]

Calling the police is the right thing to do. They will issue the "kill" permit so you can legally take it home. Although it sounds like you were going along at a pretty good clip, so there may not have been any good meat left, anyway.

I have seen deer jump over cars in the road, way down here in Oakland Co.

We get pretty used to just watching for them all the time. With rut going on, they are just generally crazy and unpredictable. No telling what a horny guy will do for a little bit o' that whitetail, or what a gal will do to get away from that crazy bastard, eh? (the deer, I mean.) If you are lucky enough to see 'em before you hit 'em, toot your horn. That will generally send them the other way, where your headlights will freeze or confuse them, and they are more likely to cross.

Sorry about your luck with your car, I hope you have enjoyed your time in MI otherwise.