Anyone else an unwilling spectator this hunting season thanks to illness/injury?

[glennw89]

I suffered a vertebral end plate fracture at T12/L1 in my spine in mid August. 10 weeks into healing and my limit is to walk 30 minutes on flat ground, no load on my spine, and a few very basic "safe" rehab exercises. It looks as though this injury will wipe out my entire fall hunting season - only a slim chance I'll be healed sufficiently for December deer with the muzzleloader and bow. Currently I'm not allowed to fire a rifle/shotgun or draw a bow.

Last fall I was recovering from reconstructive ankle/foot surgery and missed almost all of that hunting season as well other than a few days sitting near the ATV in a forestry cut for deer. Almost all my hunting is remote/backcountry so it appears I'm pretty much out of luck with my current restrictions.

I should make a full recovery in time, but it's hard to look at the long term positives when my next day of big game hunting will likely be next fall.

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not alone staring down missing out on something we collectively wait all year for. It sucks and my thoughts are with those of you also stuck in this situation ...

 

[Perlodid]

Man, I'm sorry to hear that. I always look forward to your annual big woods reports. Hope the healing process goes well and you can get back out there as soon as it's safe to do so.

 

[JohnCushman]

I should be at elk camp right now, but the lady that watches my dogs fell and shattered her wrist and had surgery. She had a plate and a couple of pins and screws inserted and can't watch my dogs.

 

[TheTone]

I missed about a day and a half of archery elk season to some injury stuff and dealing with some type of infection/ skin stuff now that hasn’t cost me any time yet but hurts like hell. Maybe I’ll get lucky and it will get me some work time off that I can convert to deer hunting

 

[FairWeather]

Sucks you’re going through that. I hope you have a speedy successful recovery!

My situation isn’t so bad, just having to adapt my plans due to injuries. Got a coastal elk tag, but due to my knees and back I’m having to limit myself to pretty flat/level areas. The chances of finding those, especially ones that hold elk, are about null. Still, I’m going to try.

The real kick in the nuts is that my BIL has decided to come visit that week (Thanksgiving week), leaving me with only the weekend before to actually hunt in the week long season. I like the guy, but he’s never come to visit before ever, and of all the weeks in the year, chose the absolute worst one for me. At least the tag was cheap.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Blew up my knee on Sept. 16. Tough getting in but have a good ortho surgeon working with me. Injections are buying my a little time until surgery for a knee replacement. I’m heading to camp in a few days but I’m not going to be effective. Can’t go cross country but can walk a closed road kind of thing and hope I don’t shoot an elk.
The week before my injury I hiked right at 50 miles with a little over 8 grand in elevation gain. I was very enthusiastic about the challenges of elk country. What a bust.
Pales in comparison to your back injuries I hope you can find some relief.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Sucks you’re going through that. I hope you have a speedy successful recovery!

My situation isn’t so bad, just having to adapt my plans due to injuries. Got a coastal elk tag, but due to my knees and back I’m having to limit myself to pretty flat/level areas. The chances of finding those, especially ones that hold elk, are about null. Still, I’m going to try.

The real kick in the nuts is that my BIL has decided to come visit that week (Thanksgiving week), leaving me with only the weekend before to actually hunt in the week long season. I like the guy, but he’s never come to visit before ever, and of all the weeks in the year, chose the absolute worst one for me. At least the tag was cheap.

Rosies?

 

[FairWeather]

Rosies?

You know it!

 

[texwest44]

I was gonna go visit my friend, but he decided to get a minor foot surgery done first to take care of something that was bothering him and they absolutely destroyed his foot!! It will be after spring before we can go do any kind fun outside stuff.

These are the least gross pictures I have.

 

[Dave N]

WTF?

 

[Alabama]

I'm going to miss not one, but TWO NM hunts. After 11 years of being unsuccessful, I drew a 2% odds northern Gila muzzy elk tag and an off-range Oryx tag for November. On August 26th i injured my knee, finally got an MRI in Sept, and had surgery on Oct 13th. Bucket handle tear repair for my lateral meniscus. I'm in a locked braced with crutches for 5-6 weeks. I can't kneel for 2-3 months and can't deep squat for 4-6 months. as long as I don't tear it in the first few months, the prospects for a full recovery are very good.

I've been lucky, this the first surgery I've ever had, but the timing sucks. At least the good deer hunting here isn't until January

 

[Jnasa]

Sorry to hear glennw89 and others it sucks to be out of commission.

I had a surgery get scheduled end of August. I had to swap my archery elk otc for the rifle. Couldn't get out earlier but will be going this weekend for the last weekend. I'm lucky I get to do that. Get to chase Whitetails in November.

 

[Gellar]

Sorry for you all are having setbacks and I hope you all come back stronger. This is a good reminder to us to cherish every opportunity.

This year my focus in my daily excercises is going to be strength and function through the entire range of motion. In hopes that it will stave off injuries as I age.