First it was Thumper, now it's Bambi

[Big Wallaby]

You all remember my post about the time I was walking at FIW, felt myself hit something soft, and saw a bunny on rollout from being punted, right?

Well, the other night I was working the Fort Wilderness internal routes, when a couple deer jumped out in front of me. I had some guests on board, but I was able to slow down enough to miss them. Then, another deer came across the road, I had just let off the brake, so there was no way I was going to be to full braking power in time. My bumper and right front panel hit that deer onhis back right leg (about 20 mph) and spun him around off to the side. I stopped the bus, got out and looked back to see the deer get up and start limping away.

Before I was fully stopped, what had I already heard?

"Oh, my god! You just hit Bambi with a bus at Disney World!"

You will all be happy to know I saw the deer tonight. He seemed to be fine except for a bit of a limp.

Of course, the bruise'll be around for awhile. Still better than getting a nice up-close view of my tire and providing everyone on the bus with a bit of venison.

[Randy B]

Yea, you gotta be careful on the purple route. From the Meadows Group campsite to the Settlement I regularly saw deer. And while I was there they were not just out at Dawn and Dusk like I used to see, but Almost every bus trip I took durring the 3 weeks I saw at least one deer. There were several times that I saw two or three family groups including small spotted fawns browsing within feet of the road. One trip the bus going the opposite direction to mine had stopped, opened the door and riders were standing in the door taking photos of the family of deer standing about 6' off the side of the road. Totally unconcerned by this bus and the people.

Randy

[sean1966]

On one of our trips driving into Wilderness Lodge I saw about 7 deer by the side of the road. Since then I always keep an eye out when I'm driving around WDW. Glad to hear Bambi was OK.

[vixen101485]

Ok...first you step on Thumper, Next you almost squish Bambi with a bus. I really would not want to be around when you try to take out Flower. PEE-YOO! LOL
Donnie wants to know what you have against the movie. LMMEO

psst...glad it was not more serious

[CBeilby]

Don't worry. I think that Flower's safe unless he wanders into KSR. Now, Simba, on the other hand... :twisted:

[ktulu]

I saw plenty of downed bambi's during our trip to and from the Texas Hill country. So far I've only hit one, actually it ran into me.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Is that area a game preserve? or a protected habitat?

[Kwahati]

We have wild rabbits and deer that live near my house outside DC too. I'm kinda used to seeing downed deer by the highways, but this weekend we saw a bunny that had been hit in the street near my house. I don't know why it's different, but somehow that broke my heart a little. I think I just feel a little bit of friendship with our local bunnies. Probably because they like to play with my dog. I think they've figured out that my dog is a herder, not a hunter, so they're not afraid of her. I was worried that my puppy had lost a friend. Happily, about a half hour ago, I was out on the back porch smoking a cig and throwing the frisbee for Kwahati (yes, she'll chase a frisbee even at night) when a bunny came over and stood in front of my porch for a couple of minutes. I guess there'll always be more where that one came from, but it's nice to see them still stopping by...like they know it's not our fault that one of their brothers passed away. :)

But good lord, why would you give your driver shit for something like clipping a deer? As though you did it on purpose. Some people just can't seem to get into the spirit of Disney. It never occurs to me to give anybody shit at WDW except my roommate, but that's just a running thing no matter where we are... :p:

[Randy B]

Is that area a game preserve? or a protected habitat?

If you are asking about the FtWilderness area, not exactly. But the area bordered by World Drive, Ft Wilderness, Bay lake/Wilderness Lodge, and Vista Blvd is a huge wooded area (and lots of swamp). So wildlife finds it an island of non-human area in the midst of chaos. And the road that was mentioned before runs around the outside edge of the campground. So wildlife occasionally wanders onto the road. In addition there is a streach of this road that has wooded/swamp on both sides of the road which entices the wildlife to cross the road when browsing.

As to Deer in particular they frequently are seen in that "wooded on both sides of the road" area as it is also adjacent to the Tri Circle D ranch where the Main St horses are stabled and the deer are regularly seen, at about sunup, gathering around the stables to help themselves to some of the fresh hay brought out for the horses, before the horses are turned out into the paddock. I don't know for sure but the horses may even be used to the deer and are willing to share, as I know I have seen the deer in the paddock area even after the horses are let out there. Either way the deer have learned that people tend to treat them kindly in that area and so are not overly skittish. I have a few times been riding on the exercise trail (which is in that area) about sundown and had deer on the trail that are in no hurry to get off the walkway to allow me to pass them. It can be a bit strange to be riding along and have a deer block your path and have to practically get off the bike and shove them out of the way to continue down the trail. :)

Randy

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

O.K. Thanks, BTW I have heard of deer attacking people!! Usually when they feel they are "trapped" in their little fuzzy minds!!