I thought this was another motor broke thread.
SO SORRY to read of this crash, Fred. Please give Melissa a hug for me.
Wishing you both full and speedy recoveries.
OUCH!! That sux. Glad you and the Mrs. didn't get seriously hurt.
We have an abundance of deer around here so I rarely ride at night. Worst time is at dusk, especially during the rut. A year or two ago a town not far from me, Fayetteville NY, actually hired shooters to "thin" the deer population. It helped, lots less deer related accidents reported.
Glad you both are sort of OK, touch wood I have never hit anything on a motorcycle,but I have squished almost everything that walks, ,hops ,crawls or slithers on the outback roads ,it pays to have a heavy bull bar if you are hitting a big Kangaroo let alone a bull or donkey