Deer alerts do they work?

[cptngym]

I have searched and searched and found nothing as far as an independent test on dear alerts /whistles and to their effectiveness if any. I have already hit one on my Katana :huh: and had several near misses on the FRJ. If there was something that actaully worked I would gladly purchase and install this product. I travel through the country on a daily commute to work and past several areas where deer are present. To many times I have had the anti-locks chirping trying to avoid the deer that come out of nowhere. Any ideas?

 

[MrTwisty]

If they are standing on the side of the road, it makes them look up when you go by.

Personally, I would rather they keep grazing because you don't know which way they are going to run if they get spooked.

 

[jestal]

Deer conversation overheard:

"What's that funny whistling sound..??"

"I dunno, let's go find out..."

 

[madmike2]

They absolutely DO work!

They alert the deer you are coming so they can time their leap..... :dribble:

 

[2WheelTiger]

If you have a Gen 2, the windshield probably whistles enough to alert them....... It's a FEATURE, not an issue. :lol:

 

[phil]

I know by experience, that if you see the forest rats in time to sound your horn, the sons of ******* will head for the ditch. They seem to understand an audible threat more than a visual one. Phil

 

[Nikk]

I operate on the theory: "I don't KNOW if they work, but if there is a chance they help I'll take em."

They are cheap and easy to hide under the headlights.

 

[Knifemaker]

All this kidding aside...

No , they don't work. Save your money for extra lights and louder horns.

See:

https://tinyurl.com/9m4f3

KM

 

[LAGO RUNNER]

THE TICK ON MY ENGINE SCARES EVERYTHING AWAY! :angry2:

 

[Charlie Hoss]

The Maine State Police did a test with these a few years ago and concluded they don't work. Surprised?

 

[Mooseonagoose]

WTF do we need a device called a "deer alert" for? They're already extremely alert by their very nature, duh! What's needed is a device called a "deer asleep", a whatchamacallit that instantly induces temporary narcolepsy in the little beggars whenever they're in range, ...say about a 1/4 mile in any direction would be good!

 

[Bull]

the only reports I've read where they were found to be somewhat effective was when the vehicle carrying them was driving directly towards a deer (or herd of deer) in the middle of a field. Apparently, if the vehicle was driven at above about 40 mph, the deer would scatter as the car/truck approached.

... but the question was never answered - was it the whistles - or the fact that there was a speeding truck approaching them that made them scatter?

I'd second Knifemaker- save your doe (no pun intended) for better horns and lights.

I'd also second Phil - that most animals' fight or flight reflex (or startle reflex) fires more strongly by audible alerts than visual ones. That's why they play the scarey music suddenly in movies to scare the be-Jesus out of you.

Bottom line - if it makes you feel safer - I'd say, fill your boots. I wouldn't recommend that you place a great deal of faith in them doing anything though. If the daft buggers (deer) can't / won't respond to the noise of an in-line 4 at nominal speeds, why would they bother with a little whistling tone played atop the same in-line 4 whine?

PS - I read a note recently that said, if you clip a deer with your bike/vehicle in the States, it's perfectly legal to eat the bugger. Only fitting end to an other wise bad day if you ask me. A little olive oil, some fresh cracked black pepper .... hm-mmmmmm! If you do have to finish him off with the old AlpineStar motocross boots, make sure no-one sees you.

 

[cptngym]

the only reports I've read where they were found to be somewhat effective was when the vehicle carrying them was driving directly towards a deer (or herd of deer) in the middle of a field. Apparently, if the vehicle was driven at above about 40 mph, the deer would scatter as the car/truck approached.
... but the question was never answered - was it the whistles - or the fact that there was a speeding truck approaching them that made them scatter?

I'd second Knifemaker- save your doe (no pun intended) for better horns and lights.

I'd also second Phil - that most animals' fight or flight reflex (or startle reflex) fires more strongly by audible alerts than visual ones. That's why they play the scarey music suddenly in movies to scare the be-Jesus out of you.

Bottom line - if it makes you feel safer - I'd say, fill your boots. I wouldn't recommend that you place a great deal of faith in them doing anything though. If the daft buggers (deer) can't / won't respond to the noise of an in-line 4 at nominal speeds, why would they bother with a little whistling tone played atop the same in-line 4 whine?

PS - I read a note recently that said, if you clip a deer with your bike/vehicle in the States, it's perfectly legal to eat the bugger. Only fitting end to an other wise bad day if you ask me. A little olive oil, some fresh cracked black pepper .... hm-mmmmmm! If you do have to finish him off with the old AlpineStar motocross boots, make sure no-one sees you.

 

[cptngym]

the only reports I've read where they were found to be somewhat effective was when the vehicle carrying them was driving directly towards a deer (or herd of deer) in the middle of a field. Apparently, if the vehicle was driven at above about 40 mph, the deer would scatter as the car/truck approached.
... but the question was never answered - was it the whistles - or the fact that there was a speeding truck approaching them that made them scatter?

I'd second Knifemaker- save your doe (no pun intended) for better horns and lights.

I'd also second Phil - that most animals' fight or flight reflex (or startle reflex) fires more strongly by audible alerts than visual ones. That's why they play the scarey music suddenly in movies to scare the be-Jesus out of you.

Bottom line - if it makes you feel safer - I'd say, fill your boots. I wouldn't recommend that you place a great deal of faith in them doing anything though. If the daft buggers (deer) can't / won't respond to the noise of an in-line 4 at nominal speeds, why would they bother with a little whistling tone played atop the same in-line 4 whine?

PS - I read a note recently that said, if you clip a deer with your bike/vehicle in the States, it's perfectly legal to eat the bugger. Only fitting end to an other wise bad day if you ask me. A little olive oil, some fresh cracked black pepper .... hm-mmmmmm! If you do have to finish him off with the old AlpineStar motocross boots, make sure no-one sees you.

Well I did add a nice pair of PIAA lights to this bike. I does give me a better view and more time to react and slow down. Lord knows the deer have no clue what they are going to do or where they are going run. I do not recommend hitting the horn. When I hit the first one on the Katana the deer came out of the left ditch in front of me a bit, not too close and I hit the horn as it went past me to speed up it's escape. I looked back to the right to see if it had a "friend" following him. Much to my disbelief the original deer turned around and was right in font of me with no time to brake. $70,000 later my ribs and left shoulder are repaired and working again. If they are running away do not spook them. I have been riding/driving for 40 years and have hit 3 deer in the last 18 months. I have had numerous near misses too. I would appear that we at least in my neck of the woods have a over population problem. I would think that with all of the $ it is costing the insurance companies they would be putting pressur eon the states to manage the deer population better. :angry:

 

[Inlaw1]

Much to my disbelief the original deer turned around and was right in font of me with no time to brake.

Yep, that's what they do. It's part of their defensive mechanism. They dodge and weave, it's just when it comes to bikes / cars / trucks they don't have very good timing. They're like squirrels, they had it made and then turned back into the path.

As stated, deer whistles don't do anything. They are pretty much like a dog whistle, they call the deer to you. They never worked on any of our trucks that ran through the Texas Hill country. The best defense is to slow way down when you see them. Hitting the horn can only spook them, and after that it's anyone guess as to where they will go.

 

[cota95]

I operate on the theory: "I don't KNOW if they work, but if there is a chance they help I'll take em."
They are cheap and easy to hide under the headlights.

Gunny on that. I attached mine to the reflectors on the front wheel. I don't like sneaking up on those critters and all I've wasted is $6.98.

 

[YooperDick]

I've hit seven of the weed eaters, one on a motorcycle and this is what I learned;

You will never hit the deer you see.

The worst time is dusk, dawn and night. Where I live, I just don't ride at night. Too dangerous.

Slow down in known deer areas, especially rural with brush growth near the road.

 

[madmike2]

I operate on the theory: "I don't KNOW if they work, but if there is a chance they help I'll take em."
They are cheap and easy to hide under the headlights.

BUT, mounting them under the headlights may not be the most effective place. IIRC, their optimum efficiency is when they are in CLEAR air with no restrictions, so mounting them in front of a radiator or shrouded place (like under the nosepiece on the FJR) wouldn't be as effective as mounting them on the sides of the fairing or near the mirror mount.That way they will be in the airstream, work better and warn the deer you are coming so they have more time to plan their attack on you.

 

[artistonFJR]

Deer aren't like wolves, where they travel solitary most of the time... this being said when you see One you HAVE to assume the rest are nearby. Bambi's first reaction is to sprint to Mama, Mama's first instinct is to find Bambi, and the road with wellplaced trees on both sides will, of course, be the only thing between them! All their dodging and weaving is random, and even with my tires all warmed up I don't believe I could jink like that! I've seen the baby run right and seconds later the mom darts across to be with it... then they BOTH shot back to square one! Dammit! Make up yer mind...

Just gotta keep the head on a swivel. Years of working on a carrier flightdeck taught me how to do just that, but it'll make you paranoid after enough miles of darting eyes and suspect movements.

Has anyone approaced Skyway about making a "cowcatcher" grill like they had on old-tyme trains? Might work... and a great place to mount lights and another bag!

C