Stupid Deer

The dam fished like the dam yesterday and then the wind came up and blew us off the river. My guys were very happy, even though we got off a little early.

So having to work early the next day I figured I call it an evening at around 7:30 pm and transport my truck to MRO in Wolf Creek. It's about a 6 or 7 mile run from Craig to Wolf Creek. For some reason I decided to take the Recreation Rd along the river. Just before I got to the Wolf Creek Bridge, I rounded a corner and yep; damn deer right in the middle of the road.

It's interesting to me how the mind works and my initial thought was to just hit the deer and deal with the damage later. I was trailering my boat and if I lost control it could be bad. I hit a deer last year in a similar situation and just did my best to slow the rig down before before impact but I didn't swerve and everything worked out for me--not the deer however. There wasn't even any damage to my truck on that occasion. But this time, I remember thinking I had a guide trip the next day and I didn't want to wreck and not do the day. With the deer standing in the middle of the road, I made the quick estimate of room I had and decided to swerve. I should have hit the deer.

I remember seeing the deer's eyes looking at me through the windshield. I remember passing by her on what little shoulder there was and thinking, "Oh man, I just made it." And then I remember feeling the back end of my Durango swinging around as if the weight of the boat was whipping it like that game we used to play at the roller rink as a kid. I felt completely out of control. And then I remember flipping upside down much quicker than I imagined I could in a 1.5 ton vehicle.

So hanging upside down by my seat belt, I struggled to find my phone in my pocket. The first call I made was to Headhunter's. Out of breath and a little shook up, I'm sure it kind of wigged Julie Arnold out. Fifteen minutes later, I heard Mike Kuhnert's voice asking my if I was alright. I was pinned in the Durango and couldn't open the door. I could however, roll down the window but I couldn't crawl out. Mike pretty much single handily ripped the door open. Then I hear Pat Hunter asking if I could move.

Quite honestly, I wasn't really all that scared and was absolutely fine; not a scratch. But I was hanging upside down and I couldn't move. Pat crawled into the truck and supported my weight by kneeling underneath me so I could release the safety belt without dropping. I crawled out of the rig and almost immediately, we all started picking up gear from my boat.

I have to say a big thanks to Julie, Mike, Pat, and Kurt Michaels and his brother for responding so quick. It took a trooper about an hour to get there. I can't imagine if I was really hurt. I also want to thank Sara and everyone else at Headhunter's for their generosity in letting me borrow their rigs and boats. I'm going to work today still because of them. Thanks. Really! Thanks.

And the other thing, WEAR YOUR DAMN SEAT BELTS. I walked away from this without a scratch.