RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Totaled Ford, Killing Elk and Judging Pikes Peak

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
#21 ·
Wowee! Susan, I'm glad you guys are OK. You were definitely being watched over by some guardian angels.

After this, plus Ted's incident, I'm thinking my GMC may not be such a bad ride to take on mountain drives, as opposed to a Ford. (yeah, like I drive near mountains since moving to the flatlands!)

Seriously, glad you are OK.

Chris
 
#22 ·
Driving in the high country in Colorado at night, early light, and sunset is a crap shoot. Too many critters on the move to be a casual drive. Deer, antelope, elk, moose, etc. in harms way.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#24 ·
Agreed, elk are a common occurrence on roads in the high country here. They're as big as horses and cause a tremendous amount of damage. You guys were lucky, lucky, lucky!!!
So glad you're o.k., eyes open and extra caution at sunrise and sunset!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#25 ·
WOW that had to be so scary, sure glad Dave and you came out on the better end than the elk.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#27 ·
Geez, Susan, scary stuff! 3 elk, even juveniles, yikes. I smucked a deer on the way to the HT this morning, had to return home for another vehicle, didn't need any more coffee for the rest of the day. Glad you guys were okay!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #30 ·
Rainmaker said:
Geez, Susan, scary stuff! 3 elk, even juveniles, yikes.
Click to expand...
they were as big as horses. The Bull Elk had been pushed 41 feet. The 2 girls were lying in the opposite lane of traffic, heading away from the herd, so they must have been spun.

I really thought we'd roll because of the ditch on the side of the road. Once we got out of the car, the car slid another 25 feet further into the ditch.

It was very creepy being out there. Dave couldn't get his door open at first. I opened mine to get out to try and flag down a car (I saw headlights in the distance), and herd the most odd sound........ we were told that it was the herd "mewing"..... but they sounded very unhappy. I got back into the car, and told Dave I thought they were mad! As the headlights got closer, I jumped out of the car, and ran up the side of the ditch to the road.......

I can't believe that little Ford Escape held up so well, and we definitely had guardian angels on our side.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#32 ·
JusticeDog said:
they were as big as horses. The Bull Elk had been pushed 41 feet. The 2 girls were lying in the opposite lane of traffic, heading away from the herd, so they must have been spun.

I really thought we'd roll because of the ditch on the side of the road. Once we got out of the car, the car slid another 25 feet further into the ditch.

It was very creepy being out there. Dave couldn't get his door open at first. I opened mine to get out to try and flag down a car (I saw headlights in the distance), and herd the most odd sound........ we were told that it was the herd "mewing"..... but they sounded very unhappy. I got back into the car, and told Dave I thought they were mad! As the headlights got closer, I jumped out of the car, and ran up the side of the ditch to the road.......

I can't believe that little Ford Escape held up so well, and we definitely had guardian angels on our side.
Click to expand...
That is amazing, very lucky you didn't get hurt. I think I would have been a tad concerned myself standing out there with the rest of the herd mewling around, better off in a smashed vehicle than out with a bunch of pissed off animals. :)
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
What would have been really creepy was if the bull did his scream. I don't blame you for jumping back in the car! lol Again, glad you are ok!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#35 ·
Big as horses ;) hahaha

It made for a long night, I thought about claiming the meat, but if I had I wouldn't of gotten the 3 hours of sleep!

This was one crazy FT, I swear PPRC is cursed.

And add on the fact Aaron H. Got t-boned on the way home....geeze.

Just happy everyone was safe.

Lainee
 
#36 ·
I am sensing a trend with traveling to these events lately. Everyone BE CAREFULL!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#37 ·
Hey Susan, we had a bear run across the road in front of us on the way home from Drifters last night!

Glad you and Dave were not hurt.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#38 ·
JusticeDog said:
Well, the judging weekend started with a bang. Co-judge Dave Harter and I were coming back from dinner when an Elk herd ran in front of our vehicle. The skid marks were 25 feet. Killed 3 elk. Lainee says they were babies, but I think they were HUGE. (I think she's just jealous, cause she only gets one on a hunting trip).

Ford Escape went into a ditch about 25 feet down, airbags went off, but we didn't roll and nothing came through the windshield.

Dave Harter and I are both grateful that we are OK, just a little stiff and sore. We were definitely being watched over.

A very nice couple came along and I flagged them down, and gave us a ride back to the ranch. Nice people who helped us out.

Now on to see some great dog work!
Click to expand...

Around 10 years ago I had to go and deliver a paper that wrote for an IEEE conference in Banff. When I picked up the car in Calgary I was warned about the Elk. They said that it's nothing like hitting a deer, that the fatality rate is high because they stand pretty tall. I guess when you hit them you take the legs out and they end up going through the windshield.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#39 ·
Buzz said:
I guess when you hit them you take the legs out and they end up going through the windshield.
Click to expand...
That is EXACTLY what happens!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #40 ·
Shayne Mehringer said:
Thank God you both are ok!!!!!

Did you buy the rental insurance???????????

SM
Click to expand...
No, Dave Harter's rental. He hadn't taken out the insurance, but his carrier will cover it with his deductible, of course. There's going to be a huge tow bill to get it from Rand to Denver. Budget will continue to charge him until the wreck is back in their lot. (We told them it was totaled - not sure the guy at the counter understood what totaled meant = no engine!). I told Dave to check the credit card company he rented the vehicle with. Some gold and platninum cards have some coverage.

The "Brights" weren't working on that Ford........ Dave and i had been talking about it.

Those "babies" were a few hundred pounds, and staring that herd in the face was something else!

Just before we hit, the only thought I had was "who is going to take care of my dogs?"

I was glad to get home to see my babies!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
About this Discussion
42 Replies
34 Participants
Last post:
Melanie Foster
RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF
posts
1.5M
members
36K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to retriever owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, training, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Retriever Training Forum Event Information AKC Field Trials Equipment, Gear & Miscellaneous Classifieds Training