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[Keats]

I was riding down the Highway the other night and I found myself becoming (or trying to) aware of wildlife crossings.
(have always been alert, but the need/awareness has increased at least in my head)

Now I know that the percentage of strikes (mostly deer) are low and most of them seem to be cars and trucks.

The consequence of a deer strike on a bike though has usually more a severe impact.

So the question is (like every year) what do you do?

Ignore it because percentages are really low?
ride like a scared rabbit?
avoid all dawn and dusk riding?
put those whistles on and hope they actually work?

I found myself on the highway, crowding the cage in front of me hoping that I have left enough room for an emergency stop, and thinking the cage can take a hit and protect me.
I also have consciously started to ride away from the side (riding more to center) hoping for more reaction time.

I have already accepted the outcome of a full high speed collision with a deer results in death.

But the question is what else can we do, short of not ride?

[Racerdj]

I try to avoid dusk riding and be extra attentive.

[laylonlor]

stay off the small country roads at dusk till dawn, if possable

[Twolanerider]

Jeff, don't focus too much on the deer that only might be there.  That's a good way to lose track of the cars that definitely are there.

[hogasm]

Install a gun rack so you can use your motorcycle to get to your deer stand

[kraut]

there are just few things you can do:

1. try to avoid the time of 1 1/2 hours before until 1 1/2 hours after sunset and sunrise

2. be extra carefull and slow down when riding through forests or along the border between forest and fields

3. ride more to the middle of the road

4. have shrill music playing as loud as you can (I take ACDC  )

5. turn your lights on low beam

6. whenever you see animals crossing or near the road stop and use the horn - there may be some more to come

7. if availiable follow a truck or bus (the bigger the better) as close as you dare

8. in Europe Autobahn is fairly well protected against crossing animals so I take those if availiable

that's about all I know 

[ottosails]

Be aware but stay focused on the job at hand.  Look for eye reflections off to the sides of the road.  As was said before, if you see one there most likely are more.  Bring a spotter with you.  I ride 2 up a lot and my wife points them out to me usually before I see them.  Don't let them get in your head or you will get freaked out and not enjoy your ride...

[jayray00SERG]

In my area they are everywhere. I hunt every year and do what I can to wipe them out. It is usually the second one that gets you. It is better to hit them, rather than avoid and going into the ditch. I don't ride alone at night.

[Tirpitz]

Been there, done that in 2008, hit a deer running about 55.  Deer took the bike from under me and I slid 150 feet after I left the bike and the bike slid for about 300 feet.   In Illinois, which is broke money wise , the highway maintenance crews are not mowing the roadways as they should so you cannot see the deer standing along the road.  And the farmers are starting harvest which has them on the move.  I just always be on the alert, have installed a Pro Pad Air Horn, ride toward the center of the road and keep the clutch and brake controls covered anytime I cannot get a clear look at both sides of the road.  In my accident I had 11 breaks on 7 ribs, off work for 12 weeks, repaired the bike and the wife and I are still riding. 

[VaEagle]

I want a bike like this for those animals.(Maybe even some cars and trucks!)

[RDWEAVER]

there are just few things you can do:

1. try to avoid the time of 1 1/2 hours before until 1 1/2 hours after sunset and sunrise

2. be extra carefull and slow down when riding through forests or along the border between forest and fields

3. ride more to the middle of the road

4. have shrill music playing as loud as you can (I take ACDC  )

5. turn your lights on low beam

6. whenever you see animals crossing or near the road stop and use the horn - there may be some more to come
7. if available follow a truck or bus (the bigger the better) as close as you dare

8. in Europe Autobahn is fairly well protected against crossing animals so I take those if available

that's about all I know

Number 6 does not always work so well. I had a buddy do this and a deer came up out of the ditch and knocked him and the bike over last year (He was stopped)  best to maintain your course. With deer, once one of them crosses the rest will follow no matter what.                       

[doubledown]

One thing not mentioned is deer carcasses laying in the road at night are hard to see soon enough at hiway speeds, they camoflage real good with the dark road. I almost got one last summer at 70 mph big bastard taking up the entire left lane (Dead) We have parkways here, no lights, no gaurdrails, and to top it all no hunting in the  south western part of the state (big $$) they say "the deer are cute" I counted a record 15 kills on my ride to work, average this time of year is 4-6, thats in a 50 mile ride.

[guppytrash]

They are everywhere and they kill more humans than any other animal. 

1. try to avoid the time of 1 1/2 hours before until 1 1/2 hours after sunset and sunrise

[Indenial]

I have never had any faith in the "deer whistles". Does anyone have any stories that they work?

[Twolanerider]

I have never had any faith in the "deer whistles". Does anyone have any stories that they work?

Barring a universal translator to allow one to talk with the deer how would you ever really know for sure...