Deer strike

[PaulD]

Just finished 2 days on Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Dr thru NC and VA as part of a 3 day drive from Oklahoma to Wash DC on business. Fantastic drive and weather was perfect. Saw lots of wildlife including a very big black bear, wild turkey, woodchucks as well as a large number of deer. I was almost to the northern end of Skyline Dr when a small deer decided to suddenly cross the road in front of me at the last minute. It did not make it and I nailed it dead center on my front end. Fortunately, it was very small and I was only going about 35-40 MPH. It flipped him to the side of the road and then he disappeared. I checked for damage and there was none but he left a lot of hair on my front end. I am sure I would have a dent if our front end was not build with soft plastic. Other than that, it was a great trip.

Biggest surprise was that I did not see a single TBird the entire trip (1600 miles) until I got to DC (Yellow one with hardtop on headed west on I66).

[merlot4]

Re: Deer strike

What a beautiful drive, the Blue Ridge area is just wonderful; your trip sounds memorable. It appears that you got very lucky -it could have been the bear! Here in Georgia there are lots of deer and while they're nice to look at, they'll really make a mess of your car! Watching a buck flow through the early morning mist is breathtaking, but scary when it's in front of the car. Thanks, you've graphically reminded me to be extra careful!

[Treken]

Re: Deer strike

They can run in front of you real fast.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=51f_1283881966

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Deer strike

PAUL, SORRY WE MISSED YOU, WE WERE IN THE AREA, AND WE DID NOT SEE A THUNDERBIRD ALL WEEKEND. RON/CHARLOTTE

[AZTB]

Re: Deer strike

They can run in front of you real fast.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=51f_1283881966

We almost hit one in our '02 back in 2004 while coming down Oak Creek Canyon...we missed it by only a couple of seconds...and we had the top down!

[blue731]

Re: Deer strike

I had my car 3 days and a deer ran out from some tall brush and hit me on the driver's side door. My window was up... and the head crashed through the glass, narrowly missing my face. Luckily I was wearing wrap around sunglasses so all of the shattered glass was deflected away from my eyes. Car didn't even feel it, but it trashed the door and it had to be replaced. Darned deer. Car looks like new though after being fixed.

[PaulD]

Re: Deer strike

Upon further inspection, I discovered I did have some damage. I think I will need to get front bumper and bra replaced. At first glance, everything looked OK but when I saw it from a different angle, I noticed that the plastic bumper had some lines in it just forward of the hood. I looked closer and saw that it had a bunch of long surface cracks. Does not appear that the cracks go thru the plastic...looks more like the kind of cracks that show up in a piece of plastic when it has been flexed too far and developed surface cracks. I also noted after I took the bra off, it had some tears in the mesh fabric that covers the grill so I will need to get that replaced also.
Looks like I need call my insurance agent.

[merlot4]

Re: Deer strike

Too bad Paul, it's distressing to see marks like that. The paint used on the new flexible type bumpers (post chrome) is a more flexible sort, so needs special paint and probably skilled application. At least that was the explanation given to me when my Acura became an accident magnet for a while and the bumper sported similar marks. The fracture marks which may not have been visible at first will spread and are likely from the sudden flexing of the plastic. There are also collapsible structures under the bumper that while not outwardly damaged, could need replacement as well. You'll only know that when you speak with your body shop. I'm glad you weren't injured; you have a great attitude.