2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mule hit by Deer

[Missouri Mule]

Early (before the sun was up) on Monday the 24rth a Buck came out of the darkness running for the street with only one other car in the street I put Mule in the opposite lane hoping for the best. Well it ended up being a hit and run (The buck hit Mule and ran). This happened in the middle of the City of Oviedo.

 

[LBARTLETT]

Dang, 10 years ao the same thing happened to my son's Dakota, I think the bill was $3,600

 

[HBarlow]

A five dollar set of deer whistles from Wal-Mart have protected my trucks and wife's car from deer for years.

I was skeptical about their effectiveness until I started pulling trailers for Horizon Transport in January 2005. The owner and managers @ Horizon believed so strongly in deer whistles they gave each driver who wanted them a new set. I began using them and have encountered hundreds of deer since. The deer always stop on the side of the road and look at my truck.

 

[Missouri Mule]

HBarlow,where do you get deer whistles at? Never mind re-read your post. Hope the Wal-marts in Florida have them.



What do they look like and where do you attach it?

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Rather than air powered deer whistles that plug up with bugs I would suggest (IMHO) you visit my friend (through purchase history) Otto at The Hornet Deer Whistle - Electronic Deer Avoidance System. These seem to be the best electronic deer whistles out there. You could always use the 'semi' unit with the 1/2 mile range!! These have been tested by several state police departments in the past (OH, MI) and have worked for DD for many years. BTW: do NOT honk at bucks in the road and NEVER try to outrun a deer with a Datsun B210 - don't ask - I just know

 

[snuff]

ouch... ..... one of the fd's vehicles got hit awhile back too right there on s. central. dinged up the whole side, wonder if the developer would mind to have a cull hunt.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

My gf used to have a 03 VW bug and I hit a deer in it doing 60 I hit the brakes just before impact and the thing was flying right in front of the car till I stoped and then preceded to fly another 50 or so feet I got out expecting to see the car totaled. Only damaged was a dented hood cracked bumper and missing headlight. I wish I could find pictures, that was a tough but troublesome little car.

I feel very lucky it didnt jump and go thru the windshield.

 

[HBarlow]

HBarlow,where do you get deer whistles at? Never mind re-read your post. Hope the Wal-marts in Florida have them.

What do they look like and where do you attach it?

The ones I've bought and use are small black or chrome finished. They look like a miniature telescope on a stand or an old builder's or surveyor's jig transit used to shoot grades and elevations.

They are about 2 1/2" tall and 2 1/2" long. They come two in a package with a small 1" square base that attaches to the bumper or grill of your truck or car with adhesive. The whistle itself slides into a groove on the base and can be removed by sliding it out again.

The package advised the user to spread them apart 3' IIRC so I always put one on each side of the bumper or in the grille.

A Wal-Mart clerk can probably direct you to them. I've found that all WMs carry them and they are always in stock.

 

[mrtrombley]

Harvey, Horizon beleives so much in these inexpensive whistles that they now give them out for free. I have them on my front bumper and have seen numerous deer (at night) just stop at the edge of the road while I go by or just turn around and go back. I can only assume that they stopped because of the whistles!

 

[jelag]

Hopefully there is some hair and blood on the body... . and the adjuster will get it fixed and not charge you with an accident... We've been there before... we actually had one parked, no driver when the deer slid on the ice across the street into the side of the car...

Slammed into the car enough to dent both doors but left enough blood and hair and with some photos showing the skid marks the insurance guy was satisfied. .

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey, Horizon beleives so much in these inexpensive whistles that they now give them out for free. I have them on my front bumper and have seen numerous deer (at night) just stop at the edge of the road while I go by or just turn around and go back. I can only assume that they stopped because of the whistles!

Yep, I know. That is when I quit being a skeptic and became a believer. I worked for Horizon Transport for over a year through 2005.

I had exactly the same experience you described.

BTW, I received a letter from Horizon a couple weeks ago asking me to come back and offering to reinstate my 100,000+ safety miles. Said they were busy and backed up for need of more drivers.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks, you made a believer out of me. Next trip to Wal-Mart I'll get three sets of them.

 

[McCRam]

I won't say to not get them. I would try anything if it would help. But I have hit dear with the whistles and without. I can't honestly say I see a difference in their behavior when I use the whistles. They are thick around our place and I have one jump in front of me just about every day. The only thing that has helped me is slowing down so it doesn't hurt the truck as much.

 

[mrtrombley]

Harvey, I received a letter from Horizon also. Have been wishing I could go back, but it just doesn't make enough money to support me! Maybe in a couple years when I fully retire I will be able to do it in my "spare" time. I love to travel, but just can't afford to do it on my own right now. Still have to work full time. I really miss the southwest, looking at spending another winter up here in the northeast. Brrrr... .

 

[HBarlow]

mrtrombley,

I understand your feelings about transporting. I also think about it and miss it. The road is addictive. Every new load was an adventure. I had fun, made a little money, and accomplished a couple of goals. If I lived close to the factories and transport companies in IN I'd probably still do a load per month. I live 1400 miles from Wakarusa.

A friend and fellow RV transporter and TDR member visited with his wife several days ago on their way home from Alaska. We talked about transporting. He said the best way to make a little money transporting is to start with a lot of money. I laughed and agreed with him.

It's a lot of fun but you can't support a family doing it.

 

[GAmes]

What do they look like and where do you attach it?

Not 3 ft apart, but they have worked for me. Not only deer, but elk and a moose have stopped next to the road as I went past.

 

[RDHamill]

I was with a friend in a cop car one night, we hit a deer with a patrol car while responding to a call. A buck in the grill at 100mph did a number on the Crown Vic. Another unit went to the call, we got a wrecker! moose are a bigger concern here!

 

[Missouri Mule]

snuff, Central is where he got me (about half-way between Mitchel Hammock and Broadway).



HBarlow, thanks for the info.



jelag,no blood or hair just marks on of something sliding along the side of the truck ( Mule hasn't had a bath in a while).



Luckly in Florida deer don't grow that big but the glance I got of him he looked pretty thick and he was flying.

 

[snuff]

yep same with us...

 

[bmoeller]

I hit a HORSE or 2 with the W9 last Sept. :-laf Tractor and trailer damage. No injured cattle thankfully. Was a bit before 1AM.