Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Bloody Deer!

68 replies

Calmyertits · 09/03/2021 02:28

Driving 70mph (at the speed limit i might add!) On the way home and a bloody deer ran out infront of me. Im in a job which means im very aware of how many people roll their cars or end up in serious accidents trying to avoid them by jerking the steering, so i braked and held my line but hit it pretty hard still. Yes very sad the deer is dead and I would of avoided it if i could but now the front grill bit of my bumper is smashed, think im missing fog lights, my radiator is exposed and theres a massive crack in the bumper. Hopefully the radiator isnt damaged and my cars not sat in a puddle of water when i go to do the school run. Im lucky Dp is in the motor trade but i could really do without the expense and im stuffed if my radiator is damaged and cars out of action until it gets repaired. And then there was no where to park either when i got home, got in bed eventually and realised id left some shopping in there i cant be arsed to go back out and get now aswell!

OP posts:
trindi · 09/03/2021 02:55

Poor deer Sad

Mydogisagentleman · 09/03/2021 06:22

We live in an area with hundreds of muntjac.
They are as dim as my dog and just wander aimlessly onto the main roads.

AgentProvocateur · 09/03/2021 06:33

Were you not tempted to gut it and bring it home and put it in your freezer? I love venison.

Seriously though, I’m glad you’re ok. These beasts can cause serious damage. I hope your repairs aren’t too expensive.

Original poster
Calmyertits · 09/03/2021 07:31

Second time it's happened on that stretch of road, it was a bit of hair in the bumper last time. Im always so careful because foxes run out infront the car constantly aswell. Adrenaline kept me up all night aswell so ive had about 2 hours sleep before ive had to get up for the school run

OP posts:
Dinnafashyersel · 09/03/2021 07:35

Are you sure it's a 70mph? Are you in the UK? Don't know of any unfenced dual carriageway routes round our way so I'm surprised this is an issue.

Flaunch · 09/03/2021 07:37

I’d be thinking how much I like venison too @AgentProvocateur! 🦌

NewMumma1819 · 09/03/2021 07:39

@Dinnafashyersel I'm in the UK and there are dead deer all along the dual carriageway around me. Constantly being hit so a very big possibility.

needadvice54321 · 09/03/2021 07:39

I hit a deer on a 60mph stretch near us a couple of years ago, I had slowed down as I'd seen a deer, but not slow enough to then avoid his friend Sad, literally drove over it. Cried all the way home and have always been anxious driving that stretch since Sad

MinesAPintOfTea · 09/03/2021 07:39

@Dinnafashyersel

Are you sure it's a 70mph? Are you in the UK? Don't know of any unfenced dual carriageway routes round our way so I'm surprised this is an issue.
Plenty near us with fences deer can get over. I sometimes see deer on the embankment up to the motorway, other side of the fence, when I’m walking.
Cldashlda · 09/03/2021 07:40

Happened to a friend of mine on the M8. Wrote off the car. Know for a fact there's plenty of fish carriageway in Scotland with no deer fencing.

I thought deer were up there with cows in the "don't hit it head on", because when you take out the legs there's a decent chance it's coming through the windscreen.

Cldashlda · 09/03/2021 07:41

Fish Grin dual!

RuggeryBuggery · 09/03/2021 07:41

Sorry just as a derail - as we live in an area with loads of deer and a dual carriageway (old A road before bypass).
I can imagine my instinct would be to swerve and potentially jerk my steering wheel. I did have one experience with one where I was able to swerve slightly and avoid but was just luck I think. So is that the advice? Hold your nerve and your line? Is that safer?

Damnloginpopup · 09/03/2021 07:42

Muntjac do seem to have a liking for pate. As a lifestyle.

RuggeryBuggery · 09/03/2021 07:42

Oh now I’ve seen the pp about them coming through the windscreen!

Phillipa12 · 09/03/2021 07:43

We have lots of unfenced dual carriageway round this part of the west country! I hit a muntjac a few years ago, no time to break and was only able to confirm it was a deer on the way back from collecting the kids. (Was not safe to stop and it was either a deer or a dog) Car coming the other way was just happy that I didn't try and avoid it, needless to say it took a huge chunk of my bumper out and my 3 year old walked into nursery the next day and proceeded to tell his key worker that "mummy hit a stupid fucking deer".

Original poster
Calmyertits · 09/03/2021 07:45

I always have, jerking the wheel suddenly and hard at 70 isnt going to ever end well. Nope no deer fencing, theyre all over the road in the summer early morning. And definitely 70!

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 09/03/2021 07:45

We’ve hit a deer too

Foggy morning and a whole herd was crossing the road on a bend

They aren’t the cleverest of animals but I was still sad that an animal had been killed

Kayjay2018 · 09/03/2021 07:45

@Calmyertits you can buy deer whistles which fit to the front of the car and work at over 35 mph. The idea is that they hear you coming and stop to the roadside. Not sure if they work or not but for a few quid Ive got one on my car, even if it only save 1 deer and 1 accident it's worth it. I have to admit one of the roads I go on is 50mph limit but there are so many deer spotted crossing (the other day over 20 in one go). That I never get near that speed as I wouldnt be able to stop in time of one ran out).

FedNlanders · 09/03/2021 07:48

I drive down a road like this. Scares me so much they just wander out.

Original poster
Calmyertits · 09/03/2021 07:50

@phillipa12 that made me laugh i must admit!!!

OP posts:
Prestel · 09/03/2021 07:59

@RuggeryBuggery The advice is to not swerve excessively. If you can avoid hitting it by swerving slightly - and safely - then you're obviously ok to do that if you can.

RaspberryCoulis · 09/03/2021 08:01

We have loads of deer around here, one was wandering down our suburban street the other night. You did the right thing though, your life is more important than the deer's.

Dinnafashyersel · 09/03/2021 08:01

I stand corrected. Deer round our way are very shy retiring souls. Hardly ever see them and then it's on the cross country back roads.

lollipoprainbow · 09/03/2021 08:07

Anyone giving any thought to the dead deer while you are making hilarious jokes ??

BrideofBideford · 09/03/2021 08:07

I once did the same as you, the same split second decision I was not going to swerve into oncoming traffic, so just hit it

Was awful and I learned that the 70 speed limit does not mean that all caution can be thrown to the wind. There can always be unexpected things like deer, foxes, debris, a tractor or a cyclist so I have become a much more careful driver

Lots on MN would hate me for sometimes driving below the speed limit, but deer are very active around dawn and dusk so that’s when to be extra careful imo

Grateful for you that it’s just damage to the car, and glad you are ok

Swipe left for the next trending thread