Just for conversation

[Dan-bury]

Last night on my way down RT 7 out of Great Barrington MA just about dusk I watched quite a few Deer cross my path more than once.
 Knowing how active Deer are at this time I stay alert as I am the only vehicle BUT I can see a couple sets of tail lights every once in a while on the longer straight sections. I do not seem to be gaining on them but I am not losing ground either. SO  it pops into my head,,,, hold speed (roughly 45-50 mph) and stay alert or speed up considerably for a short time to catch up so that the vehicles in front of me can act as an escort through the Deer populated woods for the next 40 miles or so????

What do you folks do ?????

[Jess from VA]

Following someone through deer or cop country can be helpful.

But unlike cops, deer have no brains at all, and may turn around and bolt right behind the car ahead, into you.  But I still like the idea of a radar or deer buster ahead.  And that cage generally puts out a lot more light than you do.

Of course, if you come flying up behind that car, they're liable to get worried why someone did that.

My fairing and dual headlight (with Motolights) interstate is often mistaken for a cop bike, so I can create massive slowdowns running up on folks.  Which is entertaining the first couple times... but them I'm just stuck behind a massive slowdown.

What I have learned about deer is:  If you see one or two cross, there may be a shitload more right behind them.  When I see one pass ahead, I slow way down to a roll, and many times, the rest of the heard is close behind the leader.  One having passed, it's a big mistake to gun it after he's off the road. 

And I'll never forget listening to my body shop guys laughing about having to put on a new deer whistle  as part of the insurance front end damage repair.... from a deer strike.  I suppose the occasional deer may be warded off by one... but relying on them is foolishness.

[holmes]

Reduce your speed, hang back and stay alert

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

One other thing to think about: If you're close enough to the vehicle in front of you to really be any sort of help as an escort, you could run into the back of them if they slam on their brakes because a deer did run out. Yes, your brakes are probably better than theirs, but the reaction time may be enough to be a problem. I don't like to tailgate, and I don't want anyone tailgating me. I take my chances being vigilant.

[Crazy Miles]

Well ,  if on the Valk , I slow down, put on the 100 Watt head lite, both spot and fog lites @55 watts  each, get  ready for ANYTHING!          In the truck,    well ,   I stay the course      Deer meat is good! 

[Dan-bury]

I thought I would keep what I do out of the initial post so I didn't sway any comments, but see you all are pretty much as I.
I enjoy the lack of "traffic" around me and I had actually paced myself to stay back but as I was rolling along I wondered what others do.
For me with all four Headlights and LED Driving Lights I can see well ahead and with the lack of foliage looking off into the woods this time of year isn't too terribly bad although I know there is nothing I can do if a Deer comes out of nowhere from the side running from a Buck or Coyote.

Thanks for the input from your experience.

P.S.  As an over the road driver (in years past) I had tried those "deer whistles" and can tell you,,, I lost count on how may deer my old Peterbuilt  kissed along RT 80 in PA just between NY and OH.
If they can't hear a screaming 3406B Caterpillar and 18 howling tires coming up on them, then those "whistles"  probably won't change their mind.