Animal Encounters

[BlackLabel82]

Where I live (Chickamauga National Battlefield) we have an enormous deer population, so it's a constant "dodging" game. The oddest thing that nearly got me killed was a large groundhog...lol. I do have a friend that was riding down a back road, one that had large trees canopying it, and a squirrel fell out of the tree and into his lap.....he ran off the road, but suffered no injury to himself or his bike...lol

[Tryvelcro]

Couple of weeks ago, the BF took his new BMW out for a cruise (racking up the early, break in miles).  He called me when he got home to tell him a bird had taken itself out with his chest.  I guess he was cruising along, 75-ish mph when the bird plowed into him - essentially disintegrating.  :gag: Left a nice little bruise.

[fishmeister]

California DOT Responsible For Wild Animal Motorcycle Accident; Awards Biker $8.6M

A California jury awarded a motorcycle rider $8.6 million after he hit a wild pig on the state’s Pacific Coast Highway. The jury ruled that the California State Department of Transportation knew that wild pigs were crossing the highway, but did nothing to warn drivers.

Negligence & wild pigs?

It may seem strange and a bit comical to most of us, but certainly not to one biker who was seriously injured on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) at night after hitting a wild pig. According to news reports, the accident left Adam Rodgers in a coma for several months and he is now confined to a wheelchair.

Rogers sued the California State Department of Transportation and alleged that the Department knew that wild pigs were crossing the highway to feed in a vegetation area created by them – especially at night when drivers could not see the animals.

Although the State argued that Roger’s accident was the only accident to occur over a three year period, his California personal injury attorney was clearly experienced as he was able to prove to the jury that the state created the problem by installing the vegetation area, it knew that many wild pigs were crossing the area at night and that no one would be able to see to see the animals on the road. Even though states are rarely held liable for wild animals, the jury agreed and awarded Rogers $8.6 million. Approximately $6.8 million of that amount will be used to pay for his extensive medical needs. The remainder was awarded for Roger’s loss of earnings, medical expenses already incurred and general damages.

[Moedad]

A California jury awarded a motorcycle rider $8.6 million after he hit a wild pig on the state’s Pacific Coast Highway. The jury ruled that the California State Department of Transportation knew that wild pigs were crossing the highway, but did nothing to warn drivers.

Road hogs.

[Custom82Hawk]

On 4/23 my best friend was on his way home from work, he it a deer at 50... had his gear on, flipped over the handlebars but didnt make it.   He was a great man and will be missed.   Worst part about it is the bike didnt hardly have a scratch on it.

I did this exact same thing a little less than 6 months ago.  Was on my way home from work, I'd seen deer on the road before, but they'd always just stopped eating the grass and stared at me as I went by.  Well, I was too close to the car in front of me to use my brights (about 1/4 mile), so I thought I should slow down so I could.  I was doing about 50 on a 45 (We all speed in Texas), and as soon as I had that thought, a 10 point buck ran right out in front of me.  People always ask me what it was like.  Honestly, I just remember seeing bambi right in front of me, no time to stop, a big THUNK and then rolling around on the ground in pain.  I think I remember bits and pieces about flying through the air and hitting the ground, but it was pitch black out since bambi took out the headlight.  Well, long story short, my buddy showed up in his car, got the bike into it (didn't have room for the fresh venison that the cop offered me so he didn't have to deal with it), and made it to my buddy's house.  Tried to play it off like it was just sprained muscles that was causing my bad limp and not being able to use my right arm.  Took some old percocet and kinda fell asleep.  Next day, got some beer and went back to my house.  Ended up going to the ER that night, found out I had a broken shoulderblade and pulled muscles in my hip (my hip hurt longer than my shoulder, go figure).  Bike ended up getting fixed (dang insurance company wouldn't total it lol).  Insurance also gave me $200 for my helmet So, after getting it back from the shop (it took longer to heal than me), I've been riding it almost daily since then.  Needless to say I don't go that way any more, and when I see any deer on any other roads, I immediately slow down no matter where they are and who's behind me.

I've taken out a bird before.  At least, I think I have.  Was cruising, when all of a sudden my head snaps back due to something hitting my helmet.  I then noticed green goo on my face shield.  Was pretty gross.  Also, here in San Antonio, we get butterflies that like to migrate once a year.  Riding a motorcycle during that time frame is not fun at all.  Leathers and a neck gaitor (which sucks in the summer) are pretty much a necessity.  I went to the corner gas station in a t-shirt once, pretty lumpy.  Killed a few june bugs.  Those are a lil worse than the butterflies.  Assassain bugs.  Those suck hardcore.  Was wearing my leather jacket that doesn't have wrist straps.  Going down the highway about 65, was 1 or 2 cars behind a gravel truck, when I feel something fly up my sleeve and hit my arm.  OUCH!.  So, I try to shake my sleeve while going down the highway to get it out, and then rub my arm on my leg.  Then, it starts burning!!  GRRRRR.  Kept trying to shake it out of my sleeve, to no avail.  Got to work, took my jacket off, and there he was.  Lil bugger.  Had a nice swollen spot for a few days afterwards.  Good thing I'm not allergic eh?

So, there's my story (stories?)  Hope I didn't make ya cringe too much. 

Mike

Still working on getting the pics of the Suzuki put up.  It's the bike I've been through all this on as my 'Hawk is still in the works.  I made a website with some pics taken directly after the wreck of the bike, my helmet and my roadrash if ya'll want.  None of my family lives in my state and were curious how it was.  Easier to make a webpage than to send out multiple emails :D

[fishmeister]

             

              I ran over a drunk and confused squirrel today. While making a turn
              about 30mph, it slid the front tire over about a foot. Little scary the whole
              ordeal, went directly to the powerwash after.

               I'm hoping these critters don't start getting any larger.
                                 

[ROJ]

I've got a new one to add, one that I've never even heard of before. This past friday night, while on my way to my cottage for the weekend I went through a town that had a 4-lane road. I was doing about 50kph (speed limit), and the car in front of me swerved into the empty left-turn lane. I started to follow on pure instinct, not sure of what was ahead of him as it was nighttime. All I see after he moves over slightly is the back end of a skunk, tail held high and the back legs reared up. Just as I'm about to get even with it, it sprays into the traffic at me and the cars behind me. After 20 more minutes of riding, the smell disappears, so I realised I didn't get the full force hit, just a side glance. But man, talk about weird and scary.. I still had over an hour and a half left to ride, and smelling that the whole time would have been horrible. I've never seen a skunk spray oncoming traffic before, but now that I have, I never want to again.

[hppants]

As Loki will not doubt attest, in south Louisiana, the best way to implement animal control is to start a rumor with the locals that they taste good over rice!  Sure as shootin, they will get fewer by the day.

[LOKi]

As Loki will not doubt attest, in south Louisiana, the best way to implement animal control is to start a rumor with the locals that they taste good over rice!  Sure as shootin, they will get fewer by the day.

For some reason we couldn't convince even coonasses that nutria rat was good eating though. Too bad those things are literally eating our coastline (invasive and destructive species). That's because we added the word rat to their name. No one wants to eat a rat. They are vegetarian so should taste pretty good. Greasy like rabbit I hear but taste like chicken. I don't eat them either but murder them every chance I get. Got a few with the cage and shoot on site if the shotgun is handy.

If your ever riding around in Louisiana look out for gators. Those things are big (up to 10 or 12 feet) so they will stretch clear across the road. They are tough. Tough like a tree. We have ran over a few in the boat and it pops engines out of the water like you ran over a very large log. Other animals the same height you have a chance of squishing them and maybe make it out ok. Your not squishing a gator with anything less than an 18 wheeler.

[martian]

I took a bee or some kind of stinging insect up the coat sleeve a couple weeks ago on a ride.  Whatever it was packed quite a punch.  I was red, swollen, and in pain for 3 days.

Most interesting "near miss" was a good sized turtle crossing the road.  I was moving at a good clip and didn't realize what it was until I was right up by him.  I'm glad I didn't find out how much air one can get off a turtle shell that day...

[gammer]

I took a bee or some kind of stinging insect up the coat sleeve a couple weeks ago on a ride.  Whatever it was packed quite a punch.

This exact thing happened to me this weekend. I have a co-worker who got a bee in his helmet and it got behind his ear. He was on a major hwy going very fast when this happened.

[skramer360]

I hit a squirrel the other day going around a corner. It died and I stayed shiny side up.

[teamnaptime]

Well, this is more a case of me being a dumb animal, but...

A month or so back, this awful Canada goose set up nest right near my parking spot at work.  She wasn't so bad, but her husband was territorial, overprotective, and aggressive: a real animal.  Luckily he wasn't around much.

One day he was brooding in the middle of the parking lot when I pulled in, and I knew he'd cause trouble.  I figured this birdbrain could be scared away by charging straight on with 500 pounds of loud bike.  I was wrong.  The gander is very intimidating when he starts running at you with his wings spread, honking and craning his neck.  I chickened out and turned away.  Twice.

Anyway, the eggs finally hatched and they flew south or something.  I am still mocked at work because the goose made me park on the far side of the building.

this is... by far... one of the funniest things i have EVER read.. thank you !! 

[Hangster]

I hit a squirrel the other day going around a corner. It died and I stayed shiny side up.

Murderer   

[ERAU-944]

about a year and a half ago i hit a bird, i think a dove, while riding my ex500.  in those days i'd go down to ft. lauderdale to visit a friend a couple times a month, and on this particular afternoon i was running low on fuel so i stopped about 10 minutes from the destination.  i fueled up, had a conversation with a gentleman with an old cb750, and then was on my way.  getting off I-95, about 2/3 down the exit ramp at about 45 mph, i see a grey blur come from the right.  without time to react, i kept on, and the bird impacted my chest towards my left side, and bounced down and away under my arm (still holding the bars).  i checked for damage on my jacket, nothing.  no blood, no feathers, nothing.  so when i got where i was going i pulled my jacket off, and lifted my tshirt to see a moderate area of redness.  i got pretty lucky i think, that it didn't hit me in the head, but somewhere that really didn't affect my ability to keep the bike upright.

i don't know what happened to the poor bird... though i have to assume the worst for him.

being a pilot, and a flight instructor at that, my daily activities include avoiding turkey vultures around south florida all the time.  they really can cause quite a bit of damage, and i don't feel like seeing just how much firsthand.  a few close calls there, but thankfully no contact yet.

[Custom82Hawk]

the only bird i've had i've taken to the helmet about 60 mph.  it was actually probably better than taking one to the chest.  all it did was rock my head back pretty hardcore, but not enough to give me whiplash or anything.  so i think i'd rather do that than the chest.

[rapta619]

riding home from the girlfriends house 1 night (about 3 am) im going down a back road and a woodchuck ran out to my right, i slowed down (knowing not to lock the tire up) and sumhow the damn thing went under the bike or sumthing. either i missed it by and inch or it got between the front and rear tire fast ( i was doing prolly 30)

btw, it was on MOM'S bike. lol i woulda been dead...along with the wood chuck if i found it lol

[Munkey]

the only bird i've had i've taken to the helmet about 60 mph.  it was actually probably better than taking one to the chest.  all it did was rock my head back pretty hardcore, but not enough to give me whiplash or anything.  so i think i'd rather do that than the chest.

Took a bird to the right shin once years ago. I had to pull over and walk that one off.

[graler]

I knew the day would  eventually arrive when I had to take action to avoid hitting something. I was coming out of work and decided to take a little detour. I came around a corner in a nice lean and spotted something on the road. It was a tarantula about the size of your spread flat hand. I missed him but laughed for the next couple of miles. Deer and birds, I expected, but not a spider.

My other close call was on one of my very first rides. A dove flew right past the front of me. It really startled me. This particular ride was to take my bike for an inspection prior to registration. I was really trying to avoid the local law enforcement (didn't want the ticket for riding an unregistered / uninspected vehicle). Shortly after I missed the bird I was sitting at a stop light and a police officer pulls up right behind me. I took the next right he went straight - I tool the craziest route to keep him from finding me again. That was far more stressful than the bird. New rider - license for two days - unlicensed / uninspected vehicle. I was trying to not rent a trailer.

Joe

[jrj_51]

Couple of weeks ago, 5 of us were on a ride to a friends house. When we were leaving, my buddy on his VTX 1300 clipped a rabbit.  The rabbit must not have been hurt too bad.  It promptly ran under the back tire of my other buddy's XR1200, midwheelie.  After that, it didn't move.  Excellent sight to see...

[hppants]

Excellent sight to see...

Hope you picked it up.  They taste like chicken...

[LOKi]

Excellent sight to see...

Hope you picked it up.  They taste like chicken...

True Coonass.   the real funny part is I was thinking the same thing.

You know the difference between a Cajun zoo and a regular zoo? Regular zoo's have signs that tell you what the animal is, where it's from and some interesting facts about it. Cajun zoo signs tell you what the animal is and how you cook it.  

[jrj_51]

Nah, we left it where it was.  I went by it pretty quick, but it looked like it was in more than one chunk and the only guy with saddle bags would've pistol whipped us.

[piscatorial_phd]

I barely missed a redtail hawk when I was recording one of my rides around campus.

I hit a groundhog and almost lost it.

I had a robin wind up in my lap! It was flying to my right and keeping pace with me at about 20 mph, then it darted left and wound up in my lap uninjured!

The worst was running through a swarm of migrating honeybees. I couldn't see from all the squished buggers, and had multiple stings around my neck and wrists that were uncovered.

Oh, I live in a rural area and worry more about deer than anything else. In fact, I don't ride at night during rut. I typically see 200 head on my way home from work and it is only a 10 mile ride.

[Eville]

At first I was going make fun of you for being so afraid of deer that you won't ride...but that is a lot of deer!

I have never hit an animal on the bike, thankfully.  Though, I have had to dodge a few peacocks and the occasional turkey.  After totaling my new car on a deer a couple of years ago, I probably watch the sides of the road more than the road its self.