So, on my way to work this morning, a deer runs out in front of me. It's a country road, coming into town, and I had slowed down to about 45ish MPH (it's a marked 40 zone right there) and this pretty large doe runs out in front of me. I locked it up and tried to stop, but of course, ended up hitting her. Truck was driveable, so I went ahead and came on in to work, since the night-shift guy was due to be off in 10 minutes. Everything ran ok, and I didn't get out to look until I was at work.
The front bumper of my Tahoe is a little pushed in, and the drivers'-side fender is slightly turned in, with the wheelwell internal fascia (?) buckled. Aftermarket halo/HID headlights busted (but still functioning), bumper lights (with the DRLs and turn signals/parking lights) busted (I JUST replaced these last week!), grill obviously busted. I can't tell if the bumper is pushed back much if at all, but I am assuming since the dang fender is bent, it must be, at least a little.
And worst of all... I'm leaking transmission fluid. Ugh. Brackets pushed back into the transmission cooler, which sits in front of the radiator. I believe the radiator is ok (thank God, I've already replaced that thing twice!).
Overall, it's not that bad, but it'll probably run a couple of grand and I'll be out of a truck for several weeks, since the local body shop I will use is always behind. I have good insurance coverage and a great relationship with my agent (who is also a hunter and shooter), so I have no doubt I'll be taken good care of. But it just irks me... damn deer.
Oh, since I know this is what ya'll REALLY want to know about.... the big ol' girl got up and ran off.
No deer sausage for me!
I know, I know... a minor event in life, and I wasn't going very fast (probably only 20 or less by the time I hit her), so I'm just venting. Of course I am ok, was wearing my seatbelt and paying attention as always, but it was that early pre-dawn light where you can't see stuff well and she came out of the brush next to the road.
Jeez.... feels like Monday all over again.
The front bumper of my Tahoe is a little pushed in, and the drivers'-side fender is slightly turned in, with the wheelwell internal fascia (?) buckled. Aftermarket halo/HID headlights busted (but still functioning), bumper lights (with the DRLs and turn signals/parking lights) busted (I JUST replaced these last week!), grill obviously busted. I can't tell if the bumper is pushed back much if at all, but I am assuming since the dang fender is bent, it must be, at least a little.
And worst of all... I'm leaking transmission fluid. Ugh. Brackets pushed back into the transmission cooler, which sits in front of the radiator. I believe the radiator is ok (thank God, I've already replaced that thing twice!).
Overall, it's not that bad, but it'll probably run a couple of grand and I'll be out of a truck for several weeks, since the local body shop I will use is always behind. I have good insurance coverage and a great relationship with my agent (who is also a hunter and shooter), so I have no doubt I'll be taken good care of. But it just irks me... damn deer.
Oh, since I know this is what ya'll REALLY want to know about.... the big ol' girl got up and ran off.
No deer sausage for me!
I know, I know... a minor event in life, and I wasn't going very fast (probably only 20 or less by the time I hit her), so I'm just venting. Of course I am ok, was wearing my seatbelt and paying attention as always, but it was that early pre-dawn light where you can't see stuff well and she came out of the brush next to the road.
Jeez.... feels like Monday all over again.
But I was surprised, she wasn't even limping... saw her rolling and thrashing, figured she might end up with a broken back and I'd have to put her down (with one of the 4 handguns in the truck, lol) but she sure showed me! 
