Equus, you live in NJ? yes, you guys Do have a lot of deer, don't you.
Here in the PacNW, there aren't too many deer in the BIG CITY... poor things wouldn' t know what to do.
I ride in the wee hours before dawn to get to work. I have a light on my helmet and two lights on my bike which are powered by the schmidt hub on my front wheel. I wear dayglow yellow and have two tail lights as well.
I am still terrified but it's better to ride with someone else.