About a year ago one of America's finest Motorcycle Safety Advocate, and a friend to anyone who rides lost his own life when a dear ran out in front of him. He went from place to place and all over the country on his bike to promote motorcycle safety and awareness. I am sorry I can't remember this man's name, but the only thing that comes to mind is, if a deer can run out in front of him with all of his knowledge and ability to quickly react to just about any situation, there is nothing any of us can do but just enjoy the ride, this should teach us all a lesson. Apparently he was speaking at a motorcycle safety seminar. When he finished he wanted to get a room for the evening, he found the Motel he was going to stay in was already booked, so he made arrangements at another Motel close by. He left on his bike to make this short trip, it was during this ride a deer , jumped out in front of him, and the rest of the story is history. Like I said, if it can happen to him, it can happen to the rest of us.
I wouldn't want to think about nailing any size deer on my motorcycle, but the odd's are someday we may have to confront this very situation, so be ready and keep a sharp eye out for them. I can say I have hit deer in a full size van, the deer lost but the van took quite a hit. I had mounted these deer devices on this very same van and thought I had accomplished something, I did notice when I saw deer near the road they always took off into the woods (that was a good thing), these things always made them move, this seemed to work until that fateful morning. The morning I mashed this deer, she came flying out of the woods like her ass was on fire, so there was absolutely no way to miss her. Because of this I try not to ride after the sun goes down, I know I miss some of the best time there is to ride, but I also miss the deer I know are around here waiting to run out in front of me at any time.
One other little note, when I hit this deer I was so out of it I didn't even know the name of the road I drove on every day. I was about one mile from my home and know these road names like the back of my hand. After this happened I couldn't think at all. I would advise when a group does go riding, have a cell phone and some type of map information at your fingertips for road names, north vs south ect. Accidents will get us all messed up to the point we don't think straight. Remember this, if someone is in an accident there is such a thing as the Golden Hour, this means a victim has the best survivability if taken to a hospital within this time period. If this accident has rattled you to the point you are unable to tell emergency operators where you are, it could mean the difference between life and death for yourself or that person. All I can suggest is Be Prepaired at all times, you just never know.
Ride Safe,
clutchless1