You can get those 'ultrasonic' deer repellers and put them on the front of the car. I have heard that they work quite well.

As to the tires, I had purchased Pilot Sport All Season tires before my trip even though I had ContiTouring tires on there and I think they were All Season too.

PS2s or any other summer/rain tire with no appreciable snow traction would just ruin your day in the snow. Put it in park, call a cab and wait.