DEER WARNING DEVICE
Does anyone know if these devices really work? I would like to know! Until this summer I have not thought much about these small devices seen once in a while on the front of cars, trucks and some motor homes.
But, even if you are driving at a reasonable speed and within your headlight beams when you see the animal, there just isn't time for any avoidance. Look at this example from a police car dash cam! The driver was lucky the car had a strong brush guard on the front and this wasn't an elk. The front of the car would have swept the legs out from under an elk and most likely the animal would come through the windshield. This is a short movie clip of what can happen. Keep watching the left side of the roadway. We have all seen pictures of elk going through the windshield and ending up half out the rear window of a car. "It can't, it won't, happen to me!"
This September I am at an RV park near Lake Mary, South of Flagstaff. I am told there are about five elk accidents within a nearby ten-mile stretch of highway each year. One place pointed out has a very high and steep bank. I am told the elk come bounding down as such a speed they can't stop without crossing most of the highway. Last week I gave Kathleen a pair of deer warning whistles that mount
on the front of her car. I bought a pair for my tow vehicle and another for my motor home.
After So, the second pair was also mounted on the front of my Durango, pointing more toward the oncoming wind. See the picture. Installation is simple, pull off the backing material and stick them on the car. Once on, they are going to stay. The most likely time to encounter an animal is near or after evening darkness sets in. But, how effective are these devices? I intend to research this further. In the meantime at about $7.00 a pair from your local automotive store, I consider this inexpensive insurance.
I installed these warning devices late Sunday afternoon. Then I left Payson for the hundred-mile drive through early evening and darkness to Lake Mary. This is mostly on highways through heavy forest. I saw a number of roadway warning signs. I didn't see any deer or elk. Perhaps I wouldn't have in any event. But, having these on my vehicle did make me feel better. The theory is this: "When mounted to a vehicle; car, truck, or motorcycle moving at 35 mph or faster, the deer whistle makes a sound that alerts deer, moose, elk, and antelope of the approaching vehicle and assists with accident prevention. Animals are very unpredictable, but they will usually respond by freezing along the side of the road avoiding a vehicle collision. Occasionally the animals will perk their ears and look over at the vehicle." I have found a number of user comments and conflicting test results. Most of the comments by users are positive. Many people feel having a deer alert saved them from an accident. Time and again reports are of deer coming toward the roadway, then suddenly stopping and not crossing. In contrast, university tests and use by police agencies negate the effectiveness of the devises. The wind powered devises at best emit a sound level not much higher then the engine and road noise sound. So what makes the animal take notice? Is it the alert or is it the sound and sight of the vehicle?
November is the height of the mating season. Often deer and elk have just one thing on their mind. Anything outside of this is just ignored. Having a warning device may keep you aware of the possibility of a deer or elk collision. My memory is jogged whenever I see the units on my Durango. If having them help you remember to drive a little slower and remain alert, they are worth the money. If the device gives you a false sense of security, keep your money
in your pocket. Gene Redman |
What can happen without such a device? All
around Arizona from around the 5,000 - 7,000 foot elevation I see roadside
signs warning to be on the lookout for deer and especially for elk.
This was brought home to me last week when
a small deer ran into the side of my daughter's car. Kathleen has lived
in Payson, Arizona for a number of years with no problem.
installing the pair on the Dodge a
neighbor told me the wide end of the "horn" should be pointing
more into the oncoming air to be most effective. 
Hunting season is about to begin and
the animals are plentiful. They do disappear as soon as hunting opens.
Powered devices were developed and
claim to overcome this lack of volume. Some are tied into the horn or another
switch. Look at the above movie. There often isn't time to activate such
a switch. Then the animal is often moving at a run and doesn't have time
to react and stop before colliding with the vehicle. 
©2008 Gene Redman