Cruising at 2500 over the GOM in a Twinstar. Gull descended from right, I nosed up and banked to pass behind, above and away from his target (shrimpboat culling catch). It hit my 355 bang on the nose cone, punching a disk 12 in. high by 18 wide into the cabin.
If I have a choice, I'll wear a helmet. Won't guarantee surviving a strike, but improves ones chances with managable downside. That's how one survives to be a crusty old aviator, isn't it?