protection from deer strikes

I thought the airbags worked by an inertia sensor, most of which is under the driver's side seat?

 

Open your hood and look down behind your bumper area. If you see large yellow cable loom, that's airbag stuff.

OP, every choice is a compromise. The downside to a plate bumper is when you have significant impact with another vehicle or motionless object.

There is no absorption capacity, and whatever it's bolted to (frame) is subject to bending, sooner than it would with an OE bumper.

Same when you get rearended with a good hitch in place.

Bull bar style rigs will work for glancing blows, but they look ugly while you are waiting for your 'I told you it would work' moment.

I think the ARB is a nice choice if you regularly play bumper deer.

OTOH, like an early poster said, just make sure your insurance is right, use good lights and drive alert.