Jim
October 14th, 2019, 10:22 AM
I've occasionally wondered what would happen if the jeep and deer met on the road - would the whole front end be pushed back, radiator bent with no cooling leaving me on the roadside? On the route back from Moab I found out. The jeep brushed it off with scant little damage. While the deer died it at least didn't show any signs of suffering.
The time of day was typical - sunset. I was in North Park (65MPH limit just after a 60MPH cautioned curve) heading towards Walden - coming back from the Moab long weekend. The jeep was rolling well meaning it was cruising 65 in the flats. This was a slight uphill so it was likely 60, maybe 58 range. Finishing the slight right hand bend a group of ten or so deer were running to cross the road from my right. On the brakes. There was no oncoming (or trailing) traffic. The lead deer was in my way with one right on its tail. I couldn't steer to its right to avoid contact and I couldn't steer left enough so it and the front end of the jeep met square - head to driver's side, tail to passenger side. Jeep and deer met with me straddling the yellow line.
The impact was perhaps 45 MPH. It wasn't as shuddering of a bang as I'd imagine - but a good thud - and then came the jeep hop - front tires up and over then the back. First thought - not the radiator (putting me at the roadside). I pulled over - huh - both headlights intact. Front grill not bent. Radiator not leaking. The fairlead bracket wasn't even bent - and it was heavy into the side of the deer.
Some odd traffic passed by - a couple pickups going my way were looking to pull over to help me (thanks folks!) but I gave'm a thumbs up and waved them by. The jeep was running - no serious damage. The only item I've found as yet is the bracket for the winch's solenoid box is bent - trivial.
I drove back and pulled the deer down into the brush. I imagine animals will be looking for some food and this way they won't be on the road.
In all - sad for the deer - good for the jeep (I appreciate my jeep). I don't need to wonder what would happen if it would have been a moose, I went via Laramie instead of Cameron Pass [high moose area] for the next leg of the trek.
The time of day was typical - sunset. I was in North Park (65MPH limit just after a 60MPH cautioned curve) heading towards Walden - coming back from the Moab long weekend. The jeep was rolling well meaning it was cruising 65 in the flats. This was a slight uphill so it was likely 60, maybe 58 range. Finishing the slight right hand bend a group of ten or so deer were running to cross the road from my right. On the brakes. There was no oncoming (or trailing) traffic. The lead deer was in my way with one right on its tail. I couldn't steer to its right to avoid contact and I couldn't steer left enough so it and the front end of the jeep met square - head to driver's side, tail to passenger side. Jeep and deer met with me straddling the yellow line.
The impact was perhaps 45 MPH. It wasn't as shuddering of a bang as I'd imagine - but a good thud - and then came the jeep hop - front tires up and over then the back. First thought - not the radiator (putting me at the roadside). I pulled over - huh - both headlights intact. Front grill not bent. Radiator not leaking. The fairlead bracket wasn't even bent - and it was heavy into the side of the deer.
Some odd traffic passed by - a couple pickups going my way were looking to pull over to help me (thanks folks!) but I gave'm a thumbs up and waved them by. The jeep was running - no serious damage. The only item I've found as yet is the bracket for the winch's solenoid box is bent - trivial.
I drove back and pulled the deer down into the brush. I imagine animals will be looking for some food and this way they won't be on the road.
In all - sad for the deer - good for the jeep (I appreciate my jeep). I don't need to wonder what would happen if it would have been a moose, I went via Laramie instead of Cameron Pass [high moose area] for the next leg of the trek.