Does anyone use these and do they really work? I have recently seen two deer collisions, one with a car and the other with a bike. To be honest its in the back of my mind everytime I ride in the early morning or early evening. So much so it takes some of the fun out of it. If nothing else it might just give me a little more piece of mind when riding. Any suggestions on brand or best place to mount them to the bike?
Deer Whistles
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We used to put them on our cars. My grandparents swear by them. I am not sure if they really work or not.
I know I have been riding a seen deer stop and turn the other way when they hear my exhaust (or at least acknowledge that they see me), I assume if they can hear the deer whistles they would do the same thing.
The only thing that sucks about them is that they can't be heard by the human ear, so who knows if they are working or not?
I would just mount them in a place that gets good air flow. Not sure which model you have, but I have a retro model. I would probably mount some under where the frame mounts to the floor boards. I would think that the air flow if pretty good right there.
But then again would the deer even be able to hear the deer alerts over my exhaust noises? I doubt it.
I know I have been riding a seen deer stop and turn the other way when they hear my exhaust (or at least acknowledge that they see me), I assume if they can hear the deer whistles they would do the same thing.
The only thing that sucks about them is that they can't be heard by the human ear, so who knows if they are working or not?
I would just mount them in a place that gets good air flow. Not sure which model you have, but I have a retro model. I would probably mount some under where the frame mounts to the floor boards. I would think that the air flow if pretty good right there.
But then again would the deer even be able to hear the deer alerts over my exhaust noises? I doubt it.
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The best thing that I have been told that works is flashing your headlight. If you notice on a train, the lights move back and forth. There has never been an incident of a train hitting a deer.KWGVTX said:
I came across a deer, flashed the headlight, and it ran off!!
I'm not convinced they work. One of the bike magazines (can't remember which one) did an article on them last year. Bottom line was they were not effective. I bought a used bike a few years ago that had one on it and I kept hearing this weird whistling noice and couldn't find the source till I found the deer whistle. Took it off and the noise went away. Don't recall that it scared any deer, but it did annoy me a lot 
I took a ride through Bridgeton a couple weeks ago at sundown and I know I saw at least 100 deer, probably more! Every time I looked around there was a pack of 10, passed a few that where right beside the road. I dont think I ever went over 20mph LOL.
I have thought about using them, but I agree that with the sound of my bike I really doubt that they could hear them.
The flashing the headlight is an interesting thought. I have considered getting one of the headlight "strobe" things as I have passed a few bikes lately that have them and it made them really stand out. If it moves the deer away that would be a big added bonus!
Woody
I have thought about using them, but I agree that with the sound of my bike I really doubt that they could hear them.
The flashing the headlight is an interesting thought. I have considered getting one of the headlight "strobe" things as I have passed a few bikes lately that have them and it made them really stand out. If it moves the deer away that would be a big added bonus!
Woody
Kinda thought the same thing. But the old saying of deer in the headlights makes could make a point. Seems that when the lights are shining in the deers eyes they just stand there, so flashing them could be just enough to get them to move?CruXer said:
Dont know, sounds like another job for mythbuster
After we get them to test the car tires of course LOL.Woody
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An Uncle of mine who has been a train engineer all his life told me that. He drove a train for 35 years, never hit a deer.CruXer said:
They get mezimerized in the headlight, flashing it gets there attention. Lights on trains actually move back and fourth, two lights working opposite of each other.
As for exhaust scaring them, not sure if that works? I had a small deer run right along my Cobra Slash Cuts on the Sabre I had while riding on Skyline Drive!! Kept up with me into third gear! Its ears right near the exhaust!!
I did my graduate research in a deer refuge in Oklahoma so I know their biology and behavior quite well. Deer whistles do not work!!!KWGVTX said:
I would take it a step further and say that they are even more dangerous if they make you feel confidant and you drop your guard a little.
Deer are prey animals...when they see movement or hear an unfamiliar or alarming sound they look up and get ready to run. Anyone who says deer whistles must be working because they saw the deer look up as they went by isn't really paying attention to their normal behavior.
Stay vigilant...a deer /motorcycle collision will never end well for either participant.
One last comment...once, as a teenager, I was standing at the railroad station of our small town when the train came through. The engine had big brown splat mark on the front and brown stains running down both sides...Think a 175 pound bug!! That deer may have been the slowest, stupidest on the planet but it sure lost the battle with the train.
Ride safe...and watch out for everything!!
Termite
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I have to agree with Termite. The best defense is keeping alert , expecialily during times of High deer avtivity. Early mornings, evenings, and sometimes arround noon, and of course during the mating season in fall. Bucks just have one thing on thier mind :wink:
Having said that I do have an electric deer whistle. It's like the one made by Kuryakyn only much cheeper. I got it at the local bike shop , Finks, in New Albany. I use it mainly in times of low visibility. Its to noisy to leave on. I have noticed that they seem to move away sooner when its on than off. I think it just gets thier attention.
Its kinda like riding with your horn on, most things move out of your way.
For this reason I only use it when I am alone or leading a group.
Hey Termite a 175 pound bug should win a bug-run even if it misses the spot. :lol:
Having said that I do have an electric deer whistle. It's like the one made by Kuryakyn only much cheeper. I got it at the local bike shop , Finks, in New Albany. I use it mainly in times of low visibility. Its to noisy to leave on. I have noticed that they seem to move away sooner when its on than off. I think it just gets thier attention.
Its kinda like riding with your horn on, most things move out of your way.
For this reason I only use it when I am alone or leading a group.
Hey Termite a 175 pound bug should win a bug-run even if it misses the spot. :lol:
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