23 replies to this topic

[Sporty87]

Having just got out of the hospital last night and seeing all the concern and especially prayers that have been lifted up for my wife and myself, I see it is time to come forward with the whole story so that others can learn from my mistakes.  First of all this was a new stand I'd just put in this fall with the help of a friend of mine (my hunting buddy and next door neighbor).  Let me describe it to you.  Tree goes up about 5 feet to first fork, there's a short 4' ladder strapped to the tree to get you to the first fork.  Then the left fork goes up about 5' to a fork on that limb (the right side of the fist fork is gone after a foot or two (lightning looks like).  There is a 4' section of strap on ladder on that limb leading to a 2x2' platform.  No problem hooking safety vest to tree in stand.  However I was already planning on (but had not yet added a static, safety) line for assent and descents.  STUPID!!!!  I already have the carabiner and prusik knot set-up, just needed to buy more safety line.  I already have this set up on one of my other stands and this one and one other will have it before anyone else gets hurt.  Had vest/harness just didn't have static line for ascending/descending.  I'd shot my first archery deer, gone down and verified the kill, gone back up and lowered my bow and my gear when on the way down the upper ladder shifted to the right and down I went.  Apparently I landed on my left heel and the force of impact was transferred straight up into the hip socket and pelvic bone, all of which basically were shattered.

I guess that's the long and the short of it for now.  I'm wearing out fast.  Be back later.

[maad]

Rest up and know are prayers are with you and your wife.

[Ranger]

Hey Sporty87,

I sure hate what happened to you.  Just rest and take it easy.  Getting better is the only thing you need to worry about now.  Have been, and will be, saying more prayers.  Give us a shout when you feel like it.

[Rev300]

You will be on our prayer list...............Get well soon my friend......

Rev Doyle

[beervo2]

Best if luck to you Sporty and a speedy recovery..

Mike

[Rockin' G Ranch]

Get your rest and have a speedy recovery!

[Guide Girl]

Get well soon and by the way, what soap operas are you going to start watching? General Hospital is pretty good. LOL! Kidding. Hope to see you up and away to the field as soon as you can do it! Take good care of yourself.

[saxman]

Just learning of this.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Get well soon

[ridgehunter]

Soak up all the TLC that you can get;)  Will keep you and yours in prayers for the long haul.

[ryno]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Get plenty of R & R so you can heal up and get back out there.

[Cyclonic]

Along with everyone else, I hate to hear about these things. I am really glad it wasn't worse...... As bad as it is, it could have been worse. Hope you heal up quick, buddy. Let's all be careful out there.

[Pineywoods Killer]

I'm very sorry for your misfortune Sporty. Congrats on your first x-bow kill. It would have been a lasting memory anyway. You just spiced it up a little...but unfortunately not in a good way. Don't rush your recovery. My brother tried to and I think it cost him in the long run.

[Rev300]

Pineywoods Killer said:

I'm very sorry for your misfortune Sporty. Congrats on your first x-bow kill. It would have been a lasting memory anyway. You just spiced it up a little...but unfortunately not in a good way. Don't rush your recovery. My brother tried to and I think it cost him in the long run.

Exactly, take your time and listen to the Doctor and the theraphy people.........

rev Doyle

[fmrleatherneck]

Glad to hear you'll be well given enough time.  Listen to your Doc's!  Too often they know better than we do!

[Buddly]

Same here, Sport. I'll pray for swift healing. In the meantime think about a pop-up blind to hunt from while recooping!

[Sporty87]

Initial round of home visits by RN and PT are now over.  Probably start some PT next week.  Don't know how much they will have me do since I cannot put any weight on that left leg at all.  Trying to back down on the pain killers.  Have just about cut them in half at this time.  Some pain all the time.  As stuff wears off it peaks pretty good.  Still having trouble getting comfortable, can only stay in one position for about an hour.  Makes sleeping difficult.  A little here, a little there.  My wife and I really appreciate all of the concern and support ya'll are giving us.  As Rev said "You are all absolutely WONDERFUL........."  I know I messed up - should have run the static line.  Had I done that I would have been out hunting last week end and the many more coming up.  So take a lesson from an old fart and use your harness any time you can esp going up and down.

[mopar1969]

Sporty87 said:

I know I messed up - should have run the static line.  Had I done that I would have been out hunting last week end and the many more coming up.  So take a lesson from an old fart and use your harness any time you can esp going up and down.

I just put a static line up in my sons stand yesterday. I'll take your warning rather than learn from experience! Take care so you can get back out soon.

[Sporty87]

Ok folks, News Flash.  PT tech was here today - took me outside Whew - Ho-o-o-o-w!!!!  He showed me how to load myself into and get out of our truck, ran me through increased paces and said next time we'd try some archery, Yea!!!!  Talked to him about getting out to hunt, he wants me to wait until I see the Dr's next week but figured if I didn't have to move too far or climb a tree he figures I might make it out for opening weekend of gun season (11/7).  Hunting buddy already has plans for the ground blind - now I gotta get him to go out and set it up.  Keep your fingers crossed, say your prayers and hopefully I'll be able to sit in a blind on the 7th.

[maad]

Wow that sounds great hunting on the ground is ok tough to get use to.

[TRG3]

Sporty87...Three years ago, I broke my right ankle descending a tree with my climber when it slipped, sending me to the base of the tree some 15' below. About a month later I took one of the best bucks I'd seen in years only 50 yards from my truck because that's all the further I could get on crutches. I'd never had been hunting in that location had I been healthy. My son had to load the deer in the truck since that was beyond my capabilities at the time. I ended up filling three of my deer tags that season, all within sight of the truck. Even last evening I watched from some 300 yards away as a small eight-pointer munched on acorns not 20 yards from my parked truck. You just never know where deer will show up. Hopefully you will have enough mobility to get to the deer woods yet this season, even if you can't get any further than arm's length from your truck. (And oh yes, I now use a safety harness both going up and down the tree with my climber.) Hang in there.