I'm not familiar with the undercarriage of the Matrix ..... but is there a way to mount them under the front cowling? There must be tow hooks or something solid you could mount a hardware store-off-the-shelf bracket to. Just don't mount them so low that the first snow drift will claim them.

I used to weekend commute on back highways and roads when I was in the Navy. I had a deer run into the side of my truck in the middle of the night, the deer ran into ME! Shortly thereafter I started using deer alerts. I can't really say they actually work though. I've had *lots* of near hits since then.

I was looking at the '09 Matrix though and have to say that the best places that I can see to place them would be on the horizontal surfaces of the lower part of either the upper or lower grille, or under the front bumper. They seem to be good flat surfaces where you'd expect heavy airflow.

Toyota dealership should be willing to help with this!

They are a waste of your money and don't work. Spend your money on a lucky rabbits foot instead ; )

What metal said.... just put "deer whistle" in search and you will find lots of studies on how effective they are.

Just FYI. The deere in upstate NY are more of a problem than in NE, per our experiences in last couple of years. We see a number of deere carcasses every time we drive from Boston to Rochester However, the Moose are becomming a much bigger threat in Maine (at least) and are harder to see and do much more damage. There was a totalled 18 wheeler in the garage we use above Bethel, ME last summer, from a moose hit. Moral: don't rely too much on the deere alerts up there.

I have never relied heavily on the deer alerts; they are just there in case they do attract a deer's attention. It has long been my experience that a deer by the roadside will turn and look toward me when I have the alerts on my car. That doesn't mean they will stay where they are. They usually turn and run back into the grass or woods but they sometimes choose to run directly in front of me. I have been very fortunate for many years now at avoiding deer accidents and I want to continue doing all I can to prevent hitting any deer. Since I retired three years ago I have been able to choose not to drive between dusk and dawn. However, when I vacation in Maine at this time of the year I sightsee right up until dark and then head back to the motel. This means I will be driving after dark and taking a greater risk. My question regarding mounting the devices stems from the fact that I can't find a clear place to mount them where there will be some open space behind them to allow air flow into and out of the air chambers.

If you are only using them as a placebo (to make you "feel" safer), try tossing them in the glove box. I bet the deer will still turn to look at you as you drive by. You might also try playing some really loud Mexican Oompah music with your windows down. I know that would chase me away ; )

I feel the deer alerts work well.
I mounted two right next to the cooling air intake on my BS 25hp engine.
This position provides maximum air flow through the alert.
I mow next to a bean field and so far haven't hit a deer yet.
They work so well that when I'am out mowing ,my neighbor's LA 120 doesn't even come out of the garage.

I usually stop, roll down the window and try to talk to them about their self esteem. Sure a life of booze and pills is not for everyone but it sure beats the finality of prancing out in front of a semi. But then the turkey buzzards need something to eat as well. I can't make up my mind.

I never heard my deer thingies make a sound.Must be like the noiseless whistles only dogs can hear.My Great Dane pays no attention to them either.tbk

Maybe do like one lady did...contact the county and tell them they should move the deer crossing signs because too many deer are getting hit by cars there....true story

I worked on some people's van one time, it was a Montana or Silhouette (looks like a dustbuster). These folks had mounted their whistles on the dash at the base of the windsheild INSIDE the car. We had a good laugh at that one.

Mount one on each antler of yer favorite lady deer! That way, when she runs, the fellow deer will chase her instead of yer car, thereby saving the expense of a lot of body work, and the worry of where to put them!

Rusty Jones:

God love ya', where did you get that stuff you'd been sippin' last eve? I want some!!

I's in PA too, and my lady deers don't got no antlers to attach dem thingies to. Oh, uh, I's confused now...I thunk. Do dem whistles attract deers, or are they s'posed to shoo 'em? Help me out here, ole bud! I's scratchin' my head on dis one!

(just kidding, Rusty)

Take care,
Hal in Pa, too!

Hal: Thanks fer the reply! Yeah, i wasn't thinkin when i said to put those things on the antlers of a lady deer! Then again, the lady driver would be too busy trying to find a lady deer's antlers, that she'd stay off the roads, thereby protecting us from her driving!
Not that i have any problems with lady drivers--there's certainly a big bunch of lady truck drivers out there, who seem to have it all together!
Its just that some folks fall fer those things, like deer alerts. I had a friend who swore by them, but he hit more deer than i ever did. I kind of figgered the deer would be out on the roads looking fer whatever was makin' that goofy noise, then when they'd find it, they'd cozy up to it! My friend got mad when i told him where to put them. (On the bottom of the oil pan, or in the glove box--not that other place)
Well, back to work winterizing my motor home. Have a bit more to do, then i can sit down with a brewski and relax!
Rusty

Hello. Are they effective if you put underneath your outside mirrors? I have two underneath the front bumpers. I was just curious if they would work in the outside mirrors.

Thanks,