Deer Population WAY Down - Thump!

[Foiled Again]

I've been on the lookout for deer this year, and except for my trip to the mountains earlier this fall, haven't seen a lot locally. Some of this I attribute to the long cold winter and late spring, but locally at least, to the higher population density in areas of VB that were formerly farm land.

So last night THUMP. The good news was that the THUMP was caused by my coffee thermos cup which flew into the dash board. Missed the buck by at least 8 inches. I've never known for a fact that deer whistles work, except for the lack of close encounters on country roads in the old Chevy. Now off to the auto parts store tonight.

Paula

[AWCHIEF]

When i lived n Maine my Saab had deer whistles installed by previous owner. Still managed to hit a 10 point buck dead center. Messed us both up.

[terryV]

The Iowa Highway Patrol did a study several years ago, and their conclusion was deer whistles do not work.

A very close friend of mine owns an auto body shop. He says he fixes as many cars with deer whistles as without on deer damage.

Personal opinions may vary.

[afneill]

Y'all misunderstand deer whistles. What does a dog whistle do? It attracts dogs. I think that deer whistles attract deer. At least that has been my observation.

[FCloud9]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I've been on the lookout for deer this year, and except for my trip to the mountains earlier this fall, haven't seen a lot locally. Some of this I attribute to the long cold winter and late spring, but locally at least, to the higher population density in areas of VB that were formerly farm land.



So last night THUMP. The good news was that the THUMP was caused by my coffee thermos cup which flew into the dash board. Missed the buck by at least 8 inches. I've never known for a fact that deer whistles work, except for the lack of close encounters on country roads in the old Chevy. Now off to the auto parts store tonight.



Paula

Paula,
The Virginia herd may have moved due north to PA. We live in an area near protected state forest land for 24 years and they are more plentiful this year than any previous years. In fact for the first time we have four beautiful buck that visit our property near daily. In fact, they are kind enough to "organically trim and fertilize" my hydrangeas and herb garden despite the presence of the shiny new Flying Cloud parked on our landing strip nearby.

[richinny]

i didn't know deer could whistle. :-)

[GCinSC2]

Paula,

Glad no major issues.

I googled deer whistles too and found a pretty extensive write up that concluded, save your money.

My commuting car is a 2000 VW Beetle. Buck jumped into the road pre-dawn, cleared the weeds along the side of the country road and put his racked head into my RF headlight. Ripped it out of the socket. Made a mess of the headlight.

That at least was a known driving risk. But the unknown risk was that two times now my car at work has had squirrels get into the engine and eat wires. First time just two wired to a solenoid the second time 6 sensor wires and a diesel fuel return line. Fixed the fuel line in route and the wiring at home each time, kept it running.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by afneill

Y'all misunderstand deer whistles. What does a dog whistle do? It attracts dogs. I think that deer whistles attract deer. At least that has been my observation.

Funny.

Glad you missed that deer, Paula, or that it missed you.



Maggie

[slowmover]

The consensus down here and is that a full replacement RANCH HAND front bumper assembly is the way to go. Not the bolt on guard. One will pay out as much in the event of a hit but the RH bumper prevents the sort of damage so hard to later account for. And with engine still running be able to make choices immediately and later one cannot sans RH style bumper


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[GCinSC2]

That Ranch Hand would look awesome on the front of my VW Beetle TDI. But I'd need to add a counterweight to the trunk.

[BAB]

Was in MO last week (minus trailer, since it's not due until late next month). Driving between the KC Airport and Fort Leavenworth, a beautiful 8 point buck jumped right in front of the rental car -- around 7:30 am. Hunting season is upon us and it was probably headed for a safe area.

[kposey]

I barely missed a doe coming home from the Falluminum Rally. Luckily she saw me just as I saw her and we were able to avoid each other. I think the shiney thing following me got her attention.

Went home and told hubby that he got a 6 pointer on Saturday and I almost got a doe on Sunday!

[Goal15]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

That Ranch Hand would look awesome on the front of my VW Beetle TDI. But I'd need to add a counterweight to the trunk.

I'm not sure, but I thought that's what the AS was for..... just run on up to CanAM and they can have that set up for you in no time.

(It's humor, folks.... nothing to see here, move along)

[GCinSC2]

Oh boy 44MPG while towing my 9,000 Lb + trailer! Beep Beep!

Can't wait.

Thanks for the grin.

I did hit a deer that part is for sure.

[pappy19]

Ranch Hand bumpers ar OK, but if you want the "Airstream" of bumpers, you need one of these:

www.southtexasoutfitters.com

They are THE best bumpers made. I have them on all 3 of my rigs and have hit deer with no damage but to the deer.

Pap

[noreen&sal]

Once upon a time deer would be scarce after a bad winter or shortage of feed. But now they have the buffet of landscaping in suburbia to keep them pretty well fed. OMHO. Sal

[Frank's Trailer Works]

They are doing very well in my area. Many does had triplets this year they are doing that well. Please come up here and take some out with those fancy cow catchers.

[Foiled Again]

When I was looking for my first Airstream, my sister and I visited the factory and took the tour. Last place we went was through the repair facility... Where a big pickup truck towing a Classic had JUST pulled in. The deer slid up over the hood, up over the windshield of the truck, through the front windows of the Airstream... and it bled out on their ultraleather couch.

I believe they removed the carcass before coming to the factory, but there was so much blood and guts and gore that I kept expecting to see yellow crime scene tape and CSI's gathering evidence.

And moose are worse - they will join you IN the car or truck. You will not win the encounter. You will be highly unlikely to be around to talk about it either.

Paula

[wahoonc]

I got a good deer story for ya! One of the guys at work rolls in on a late fall morning with a decent sized buck in the back of the truck... seems is jumped off the embankment as he was driving by and landed in the truck, snapped it's neck against the ladder rack. He stopped and called the SHP and they called DNR to issue him a tag for it. Helluva way to get a buck, but had to believe the story, there wasn't a mark on the buck.

Saw a Ford Ranger pickup in the body shop at the local Ford dealer, hood, both fenders, windshield, cab and driver's door were torn up. Heard the driver telling the service manager he got hit by a deer, the service manager's reply... How many times did he hit you?

We haven't noticed an increase at our place, we usually see 12+ every year, but they also opened up the property behind ours for hunting this year for the first time in several years.

Aaron

[Frank's Trailer Works]

We see multiple herds of 20+ daily