I got a deer instead of some fish

This morning I drove up to Flathead Lake to go lake whitefish and lake trout fishing.  As I was driving along the south side of Big Arm before first light, a deer running at high speed suddenly bolted out in front of me.  I didn't see it until it appeared in my headlights about 15 feet in front of my vehicle.  It happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to let up on the accelerator and/or slam on the brakes, and I hit it going about 65 mph, which banged up the right front corner of my vehicle. 

It was a beautiful day on the lake, but I watched the scenery from the shore while waiting for the highway patrol and the wrecker, and I spent the rest of the day getting the vehicle towed to a body shop in Missoula, getting a rental vehicle, and getting my kayak and fishing gear home.  The rental vehicle is an SUV which doesn't have a roof rack, and while I'm trying to upgrade to a bigger SUV, the car rental company doesn't want its customers to put roof racks on rental vehicles.  And what with parts shortages and understaffing, it could be a month or so before I get my vehicle back, which is going to interfere with my kayak fishing. Dang. The only good news is that I have car rental insurance coverage, so my insurance company will pay my car rental costs.

Did you at least get to keep some of the venison?

Did you at least get to keep some of the venison?

No, I hit it going at highway speed, which usually smashes a deer up so much that it isn't worth trying to salvage any meat. And I don't really need more venison because I shot two dear last fall, and got a roadkilled deer with very little damage last winter. And Montana's big game rifle season starts in about two months.

This morning I drove up to Flathead Lake to go lake whitefish and lake trout fishing.  As I was driving along the south side of Big Arm before first light, a deer running at high speed suddenly bolted out in front of me.  I didn't see it until it appeared in my headlights about 15 feet in front of my vehicle.  It happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to let up on the accelerator and/or slam on the brakes, and I hit it going about 65 mph, which banged up the right front corner of my vehicle. 

It was a beautiful day on the lake, but I watched the scenery from the shore while waiting for the highway patrol and the wrecker, and I spent the rest of the day getting the vehicle towed to a body shop in Missoula, getting a rental vehicle, and getting my kayak and fishing gear home.  The rental vehicle is an SUV which doesn't have a roof rack, and while I'm trying to upgrade to a bigger SUV, the car rental company doesn't want its customers to put roof racks on rental vehicles.  And what with parts shortages and understaffing, it could be a month or so before I get my vehicle back, which is going to interfere with my kayak fishing. Dang. The only good news is that I have car rental insurance coverage, so my insurance company will pay my car rental costs.

Wow. This is truly a Friday the 13th story, although I'm glad your insurance is going to cover the damage. Don't feel bad. Some animals are reduced to roadkill because some instinct in their little brains tells them to bolt at the worst possible moment. Then it's all over in the blink of an eye.

As far as fishing goes, I have a feeling September is going to be excellent all around. Maybe you could get some soft racks? I picked up some for like 50 bucks before I invested in my Rhino Racks.

Ohh I hate hearing this.
It's always on my mind heading to PC.
Too many miles in the dark through the woods.
Please Bambi, not today.