How many times have I written, and lectured, and warned people about deer this time of year? I thought I was doing a good job at cautioning people and advocating for the deer. Apparently, the deer did not think so.
While driving with my daughter the other night a doe leapt in front of my car. This is one of the stories I always hear, about how the deer jumped right in front of a moving car and in the back of my head I am thinking that this person was speeding, not paying attention, or was otherwise distracted. A deer would not jump right in front of a moving car, would they? They can't be that dumb can they? They sure seem to be able to avoid most of the hunters I know.
I slammed on my brakes, steering straight ahead, not wanting to hit the oncoming car in the opposite lane. Fortunately, my car stopped about a foot away from her, I can still see the details of the fur on her face and the white of her eye. As I sighed with relief that I missed the deer, my car shuddered from a slam on the passenger side as one of this doe's older fawns (there were two, one managed to stop and dart away) ran into the car and then ran back into the woods.
Don't worry, it did not even have a limp when it ran away.
My car, however, was not as fortunate.
I really cannot complain though. I think everyone in Wisconsin either has experienced a deer vs. vehicle situation or knows someone personally who has. A former neighbor lost her stepmother when her father was driving and hit a tree while trying to avoid a deer. I have insurance, so I will pay my deductible, and get my dent removed. I am just thankful that my daughter was not injured.
When animals do things like that I always think of Gary Larson and his Far Side cartoons. How the animals were always smarter than the people. I can conjure up in my head the two young deer back in the bushes panting with one of them mocking the other for being so clumsy. Humans always tend to personify the animals.
That is why I yelled into the woods at the deer while inspecting the damage to my front passenger side fender. I know he feels contrite after my verbal tongue lashing, and I am sure he will never do something so dangerous again. But just to be on the safe side, I will take the long way from now on to avoid the roads more wooded.
I am not looking for a rematch.
