Deer warning devices

[Klutch9]

Does anybody use these? They are usually black or chrome and look like little tiny megaphones; usually not longer than 1 inch or so. Do they really work? I usually see them being sold and used in rural areas (makes sense). Supposedly they emit some sort of high-frequency sound wave when wind passes through it that scares off deer.

 

[Nick R]

I dunno, but we get them free through state farm so we have one on each of our cars. Doesn't hurt anything, right?

 

[Kuato]

There will be a lot of naysayers I'm sure, but I have seen deer perk up their heads, and in some cases run off into the woods, when I approach with the "deer whistlers" installed. Prior to having them, the deer would continue to munch placidly by the roadside as I drove by.

We live way out in the country so there are a lot of deer here.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Ny sister in law had them and deer acted as if they were running to mate with her car.

Seriously, they couldn't hurt, but some deer just jump in the road out of nowhere and there's nothing you can do about it.

One totalled my car on 12/6/2011 on a rainy evening. I drove the car home but the chassis damage wasn't worth the insurance company's money.

 

[fsdork]

My grandparents live in a deer-infested rural area, and swear by them. Vehicle vs. deer collisions are common there, but they have only had one minor one in 20-ish years.

 

[tommygunn]

I had a coworker driving a 18 wheeler have a dear stuck in the grill of his big rig and he had those dear warning things on the truck. This trucking company had over a billion dollars in revenue with thousands of trucks, so they had them on the truck because someone proved to them that they worked. My coworkers incident probably happened when a deer was running across the rd and wasn't just hanging out in the bushes.

 

[Quest]

Of all the things/gadgets that I've tried and have confidence with, this is (ultrasonic deer whistles, anti-deer warning device, whatever you like to call it) something that I'm never too sure about.

That being said, however, I had my fair share of encounterings with deers or animals (in general) while travelling along the highways. I had installed a pair of Superex deer device and it seems to work (this is just a subjective observation) throughout my 5+ years of living 1000kms away from the metro....deers would be completely look "dazed" if in your headlights in the middle of the night but with deer whistles installed" they dazed for a second or 2 before they would either hop over to the other side of the road or "retreat".......

I had schoolmates that hit a deer on highway before; I've seen truckers hitting something big on the highway also (gauging by the dried blood trace on the stretch of highway...

I think the air-driven type may work better than those electronic ones...but then again: that's just a guess...

Q.

 

[beechcraftted]

mwr.org/otech/deerw.html

The internet BMW motorcycle guys don't think much of them.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Don't know if they work or not - but I know honking my horn does! Not 100%, about 9 times out of 10, if I climb on my horn the run AWAY from the sound. This has saved my rear many times!

 

[HerrStig]

I have driven over one and had another run right into the side of my car even though I went into the other lane to TRY to avoid it. Stupid rodents. Remember, if you see ONE, there is often another right behind. I find an RWS 177 cal pellet rifle will "dissuade" them from eating the bushes or raiding my bird feeders. Doesn't do more than sting, but they remember.

 

[HerrStig]

Back in Sunny Southeast Asia, a Huey & crew would sometimes be dispached to the "Highlands" to bring back some deermeat. Of course the door gunners, in typical fashion, would never use one round when 20 would do.

 

[Kestas]

My friend had an ultrasonic whistle on his car. Once he drove down farm country, and a dog that was romping around in a yard sat at attention when he drove by.

 

[jcwit]

I have no idea if they work or not, there have been studies that claim they don't but I got a free set and put them on my car and haven't hit a deer since.

What does that prove? Nothing!

 

[edhackett]

I once had a chat with a California Highway Patrolman. The deer whistles on his car came up in conversation. He said the cars with them hit just as many deer as those without.

Ed

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Those have been proven not to work, several times over. Peter Scheifele, an animal bioacoustics researcher, did a study (somewhere around 2001 or 2002) that clearly proved the range and volume produced by the deer whistles were inaudible to deer. Bottom line was, even if they made a sound that was audible to deer, the volume is so low that it's covered up by the road and drivetrain noise of the vehicle.

You're best bet is to simply pay close attention when deer are active.

 

[nixon]

I'm pretty sure that they work . As a bonus,for you hunters out there. Mount them on the car backwards. Deer will follow you home !

 

[jeepman3071]

I've read many studies that show they don't work, but they probably don't do enough to make a difference either way. Scaring deer isn't always a good thing, as they often get spooked and run right into the road. I'd rather have them munch happily as I drive by then have them startled by some loud whistle.

My friend has loud exhaust, and he has hit two deer. My cousin and his family swear by those deer whistles. My cousin had a deer total his car, and my uncle has hit two deer in the last 3 years. I live in the same area and haven't hit any (yet). I have, however, seen a lot of them standing on the side of the road. My tires are louder than highway tires, so maybe they hear me coming down the road. Who knows, either way I don't think they are worth spending the money and time putting them on your car. It is a much better idea to put that money towards better headlights or brakes.

 

[lexus114]

Plus they look stupid pasted to the front of the car anyway. ^^