dmhenderson

Of course I used the brakes. I downshifted, braked and turned hard right to attempt to avoid the impact and the deer struck my left front fender dead on. You can pretty clearly see where the point of impact was from the pictures. It drilled my front left fender/wheel well, made a halfassed attempt to jump at the last second (destroying my windshield) then dragged down the side of the car ruining the door panel. ripping off the mirror and dinging the rear quarterpanel

Because the deer literally came charging from off the road to the left (and wasn't already in front of me), I didn't see it until it was on top of me which cost me reaction time. I had maybe a second or two tops to react and I did the best I could to protect the vehicle, myself and my passenger. All things considered, I think I did a pretty good job.

A direct hit to the engine bay or say...having the deer end up in my lap would have been a disaster.

You are correct that you do not swerve to avoid an animal that is in front of you. This deer wasn't standing in the path of the car so that advice doesn't apply here.