KansasMarine87
Training Wheels
I've had several riders ask me how I seem to know when to be on the look out for deer, raccoons, skunks, etc while we're out riding. I live in Northeast Kansas so we've got a pretty good deer population and I have a couple of riding friends that have had to deal with a deer strike while riding, as well as several friends and family that have hit them with cars.
Most of it is actually knowing the animals. I've hunted since 1981 so I have LOTS of experience around wild animals. And i'm not talking about shooting a deer out of the window of a pickup truck, but actually getting within 50 yards of a deer, in his own backyard, without him knowing i'm there. Below are some things to keep in mind while you're out riding the backroads.
Whitetail Deer
1. Early morning and dusk are primary movement times.
2. The first two weeks of November is breeding season. The bucks get stupid and move constantly. Most accidents involving male deer happen during this time of year in Kansas.
3. Early Spring (Feb-Apr) The does have broken away from the group and are having their babies. They don't cover as much ground and you'll see the same couple of deer, in the same area on a consistent basis.
4. Summer - The hot weather in Kansas keeps the deer moving almost exclusively at night. The fawns are old enough to be out following Momma and haven't learned to fear the roads so a lot of little guys meet their end during this time of year.
5. Full Moon - The deer usually follow the lunar cycle and tend to be out moving during the full moon. The extra light helps them see, and if you're cautious , it can help you see them quicker as well.
6. Know the area you're riding. If you've got crop fields on either side of the road, theres a better chance of seeing deer. And in the Spring/Summer months that tall corn can hide them until the very last minute.
Raccoons
1. These critters seem cute, but they can sure cause some damage. I hit one on my Yamaha Venture a few years back and it cracked the oil filter cover, leaking oil all over my rear tire. ZERO fun. They tend to be nocturnal and are small enough to escape notice until the last minute.
2. Trash Day. These guys love people. We feed them without even knowing it. If it's trash day and everyone has their barrels out to the curb, beware. Same goes for Opposums.
3. Breeding season is usually in February in Kansas (January in southern states). That means you're more likely to see them during daylight hours since the males are out looking for a hot date.
Skunks
1. This can be the worst experience on a motorcycle, next to an accident involving another vehicle. If you think that skunk stinks when it sprays the car, imagine it covering your bike, AND YOU, with that wonderful odor. Good luck finding someone to hang out with for the next couple of weeks.
2. Like raccoons, skunks tend to be nocturnal, so nighttime rides are the biggest time to be on the look out for them.
3. Also, like raccoons, their breeding season starts in February in Kansas (January in southern states) and you're more likely to see two or three males chasing around a receptive female at this time, which raises the chances of hitting one, or more at a time.
4. May - Momma and her new babies are usually getting out for their first ventures at this time. Like most critters, young skunks have to learn the hard way about roads and humans, so be on the look out during these time periods.
Ride safe and enjoy the views!!!
Most of it is actually knowing the animals. I've hunted since 1981 so I have LOTS of experience around wild animals. And i'm not talking about shooting a deer out of the window of a pickup truck, but actually getting within 50 yards of a deer, in his own backyard, without him knowing i'm there. Below are some things to keep in mind while you're out riding the backroads.
Whitetail Deer
1. Early morning and dusk are primary movement times.
2. The first two weeks of November is breeding season. The bucks get stupid and move constantly. Most accidents involving male deer happen during this time of year in Kansas.
3. Early Spring (Feb-Apr) The does have broken away from the group and are having their babies. They don't cover as much ground and you'll see the same couple of deer, in the same area on a consistent basis.
4. Summer - The hot weather in Kansas keeps the deer moving almost exclusively at night. The fawns are old enough to be out following Momma and haven't learned to fear the roads so a lot of little guys meet their end during this time of year.
5. Full Moon - The deer usually follow the lunar cycle and tend to be out moving during the full moon. The extra light helps them see, and if you're cautious , it can help you see them quicker as well.
6. Know the area you're riding. If you've got crop fields on either side of the road, theres a better chance of seeing deer. And in the Spring/Summer months that tall corn can hide them until the very last minute.
Raccoons
1. These critters seem cute, but they can sure cause some damage. I hit one on my Yamaha Venture a few years back and it cracked the oil filter cover, leaking oil all over my rear tire. ZERO fun. They tend to be nocturnal and are small enough to escape notice until the last minute.
2. Trash Day. These guys love people. We feed them without even knowing it. If it's trash day and everyone has their barrels out to the curb, beware. Same goes for Opposums.
3. Breeding season is usually in February in Kansas (January in southern states). That means you're more likely to see them during daylight hours since the males are out looking for a hot date.
Skunks
1. This can be the worst experience on a motorcycle, next to an accident involving another vehicle. If you think that skunk stinks when it sprays the car, imagine it covering your bike, AND YOU, with that wonderful odor. Good luck finding someone to hang out with for the next couple of weeks.
2. Like raccoons, skunks tend to be nocturnal, so nighttime rides are the biggest time to be on the look out for them.
3. Also, like raccoons, their breeding season starts in February in Kansas (January in southern states) and you're more likely to see two or three males chasing around a receptive female at this time, which raises the chances of hitting one, or more at a time.
4. May - Momma and her new babies are usually getting out for their first ventures at this time. Like most critters, young skunks have to learn the hard way about roads and humans, so be on the look out during these time periods.
Ride safe and enjoy the views!!!