Wow, good stories.

At the time of that "close call" the image that flashed through my mind of the nasty spill that would result from being taken down by a deer (or multiple) was enough to make me think; "later on I'll need to post this on Bike Forums..."

When I started bike commuting I lived in the Salt Lake area, and never had an encounter with large wildlife. Now I'm in rural (very rural) Texas, where evidentally large wildlife is more prevalent. That, and all the cagers suck.