Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 24/05) - Ted Kidston isn't sure about the old adage that lightning never strikes twice, but he now knows that deer do.

Ted Kidston recuperates in Stanton Territorial Hospital after swerving to miss a deer while riding his motorcycle in May, 2003. After his latest deer encounter, he says at least this time he doesn't have any injuries to his legs.

For the second time in little more than two years, the Yellowknife motorcycle enthusiast has landed in hospital after a run-in with a hoofed critter.

Many of his injuries from two weeks ago - including four broken ribs and a collapsed lung - are nearly identical to those he sustained in May 2003 while riding with his family near Jasper, Alta.

"This time I'm just so happy to have two legs underneath me," he said, referring to his previous injuries that included a broken ankle and tailbone on top of everything else.

Kidston's second deer encounter came while riding with a group of more than 20 other bikers near Grand Prairie, Alta., on June 7. Unlike the first time, when he flipped after swerving out of the deer's way, his latest encounter was a direct hit.

The deer leaped out onto the road right in front of him.

No time for a decision

"This time there was no decision to be made," said Kidston. "It was like, 'I'm getting hit and that's all there is to it.'"

The deer - he couldn't tell if it was a stag or a doe - fared much worse. The animal was killed instantly. His Harley Davidson Decker was also damaged beyond repair.

After spending some time in a hospital in Beaver Lodge, Alta., Kidston returned to Yellowknife on Monday.

He isn't sure how long he will be out of commission. It took him several months to heal enough to return to work in 2003. "I'm up and around, but I just got to build the lungs back up again," he said.

According to the Alberta government, collisions between vehicles and wildlife increased 80 per cent between 1992 and 2003 for a total of 11,623 strikes two years ago.

Peak collision time

The peak collision time is in October/November when deer are at the height of their mating season.

When Yellowknifer spoke to Kidston in 2003 he vowed to ride again. Nothing has changed after his latest mishap.

"I'm already looking for a new (bike)," said Kidston.