I've been here since 2004. I've been very active at times... "Gone" at others...
As I have posted many times over the years... TradGang is a FAMILY...
Sooner or later, they all come back "home" to the campfire.
I feel at this time, that I need to share something with my family....
In June of 1995, just a few days before Father's Day, I sustained a traumatic brain injury.
While working undernieth a train, I hit the trolley lead taking the 3rd rail currant to the traction motor with my head.
660 Volts went in the top of my head, and exited both of my arms. I was checked from "head" to toe (mainly my feet) looking for exit burns, and the Doctors conclusion was, that the currant entered one arm, across my chest, exiting my other arm. After being released from intensive care, I asked my wife (now ex-wife) if she had a hair brush.
While brushing my long hair (i.e. ponytail lol) I had a sharp pain on the top of my head??
My ex-wife looked at it, and told me that I had a burn the size of a quarter, right smack in the center of my melon!!
It then became clear, that the currant had entered my head, and exited both of my arms.
2 years out of work, and numerous neuroaligical exams, EMGs and a SPEC scan of my brain, the Neurologist concluded that I had nerve damage in both of my arms and hands, and my brain was covered with scar tissue.
To quote him exactly "It's like you fired a bullet into a concrete box, and it just bounced around in there"
Over the years, I have developed tremors in my hands, mainly my right hand. About 15 years ago, I made an appointment with the same Neurologist, for a follow-up and discuss the tremors. He ran the same tests that he did years before, and compaired the results....
He told me "I told you before, that things are not going to get better, and they are probably going to get worse. Well, they are" The last several years, they have progressed very rapidly, to the point where it is very difficult to do anything with my right hand... The tremors and shaking, seem very similar to Parkinson's Disease.
I thank the Good Lord each and every morning, and every night, for another blessed day on this Earth!!!
I look at everything as a challenge, and do my best to overcome them. When things get bad? I just smile and tell myself that I should be taking a dirt nap right now!! LMAO :readit:
I have been shooting bows and arrows since I could walk, and bowhunted since 1976. I started with an old Bear recurve and cedar arrows, and still use them to this day!!! Last summer, I shot every day!! It was so nice to be able to shoot more than 10 yards lol. I put a block target out in the yard, and shot anywhere from 5ft to 50yds.
It was GREAT!!! But, I noticed something....
At times... The fingers of my string hand "lock up"
For years... I would draw a breath as I drew my bow, hold it while I picked a spot, then just relax my fingers as I exhaled... My entire life, I had a perfectly smooth, consistent release..... Not anymore!!
I would put arrow, after arrow, in the center of the target, Only to have my fingers "lock" forcing me to "try" to release, and always resulting in a "flyer".... As the summer progressed, things didn't get better. They didn't get worse!!!
Just enough to shake my confidence to take a shot at a deer....
I hunted almost every day last season. I loved every minute!!!
I had a few shot opportunities, But I never drew my bow.
I have always called myself a "2 Season Hunter" after the Bear Archery advertisement.
Now I'm starting to re-think things.... I'm a Hunter!!! I've been a hunter my entire life!!!
When I was a kid, I was constantly in the woods... With a bow, or a gun, it didn't matter!!
Big Game, or Small Game, it didn't matter!! Fur or Feathers... It didn't matter!!!
What did matter...?? That I was HUNTING!!! Maybe it's time to "re-think" things....
I have a collection of old Bear recurves... Old classic shotguns.... Classic Deer Rifles... Old Orvis fly rods....
Maybe it's time to just enjoy life?? Just enjoy each day afield.... To just be a hunter...
Maybe it's time to just be a kid again...??
Thanks for listening!!!! :notworthy:
Nothing wrong with taking one of those shotguns or rifles out for a spin if that's what you're thinking...or just go fishing.
"Maybe it's time to just enjoy life?? Just enjoy each day afield.... To just be a hunter..." Nothing wrong with doing what brings you enjoyment.
amen bro :pray: one day at a time :archer2:
Get out there and enjoy. :archer: :campfire:
All of us are going to hit a day when we can't do this anymore. Most of us dread that day and don't know how we will handle it. I say you are right!!! Go out and do what you can do, and what you can have fun doing. There will come a day when you (and me and everyone else) won't be able to do any of it anymore!!!!!
Bisch
Did anything and everything within your capabilities. Hunt hard!!! Bisch is spot on.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
There will come a time when we can't do this anymore. One of the cruelest truths is that nobody can tell you when that day will be. Don't wait for tomorrow. Do what you feel is right while you can.
May God Bless you, and I hope you do anything you want to.
Murray
Brother I'm sorry for your issues and am glad you can stay positive. Awesome.
I've said this before but maybe it bears mentioning again just to add some personal insight.
6 years ago yesterday I underwent brain surgery for a tumor 4.6 cm.
Took 2 neurologists to perform surgery and they weren't sure I'd make it.
This is your story not mine but I lost hearing in one ear, most sight in dominant eye. Had to learn walking, talking, even simple swallowing again.
6 years later I still have numbness in my tricep, down one leg to my foot, on my face on anchor side, balance and dexterity issues. Man who cares right? We get to be involved in what we love.
Listen I can't tell direction by sound or see to my right. Makes hunting super challenging. Imagine a bird gobbling, deer steps approaching or hounds chasing something and I don't even know where to look?
One thing I've done is learn to just hunt again. I'm not as fussy and just enjoy the walk in, the stars as I look up through frosty breath, bet you've all done that, the sunrises, etc
I've always mentored pretty heavily and the excitement to helping a new hunter to a successful hunt is super awesome. Lately it might be more necessary Actually takes my mind a break. Imagine the bird gobbling and the kid is looking down yonder, I look at him/her and know which way to look too.
Anyhow I commonly film these hunts as a momento for the kid. These could be some things you might consider.
If you ever need someone to talk to I'm always available.
God bless you buddy
God bless you Woodchuck and great post I truly admire each and everyone one of you that fight to stay in the woods doing what we love and the Good Lord has blessed us with. I have seen a lot of folks give up and sit at home.
Do what you enjoy and have the most fun with your capabilities :archer2:
Woodchucker....I have been a traditional bowhunter all of my life. My Dad handed me a York green glass static recurve when I was 5. Longbows and recurves have been my main focus ever since.
That said....I have never been shy about doing it ALL. I hunt with rifles, shotguns, and flintlocks. I compete with AR's, shotguns and pistols. I fish most days in the summer. I trap when I get the urge. DO IT ALL!
Ron LaClair was a great friend and mentor to me. We talked almost every day, and spent a ton of time together. It might be interesting to some to find out what we discussed and shared most was HANDGUNS.....not longbows.
Enjoy life. Enjoy it all. We are all here for a short time......make the most of it.
You have the right attitude Chuck! Just enjoy life and use what you got! As far as fingers locking up with your bow, have you ever tried a release? It might be worth a try! Good luck to you sir! :thumbsup:
Many thanks to all, Brothers!!
I really mean't to write this as an opoligy I guess? I grew up with a bow in my hands. Started bow hunting as soon as I was legal. Killed deer my first 2 years bow hunting... (Missed out on gun hunting both years. 1 tag a year)
It always just came naturally to me?? Pull it back, let it go, hit the target...
At times over the years, I've been "opinionated" (to put it nicely)
I never really played with my gear. I just used what worked. Folks would be asking questions about trying or changing things, or messing with their arrows... I'd usually post something smart assed :readit:
They were struggling... I was ignorant. NOW, I get it!!!! I'm SORRY!!!!
Now, I've learned to count my blessings... I am truly blessed!!!!
I have 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 hands, and 2 feet. Who cares if my 2 hands just can't seem to git it together?? :banghead:
Think of all the kids who came home from the war without them!!!!
I've learned to laugh at myself... You want to see something REALLY comical!!??
Just watch me trying to tie a fish hook on!!!
I will keep shooting my bows and arrows until the day I die...
Who cares if I have a flier now and then!!?? I always joked around, "I couldn't hit water, if I fell out of a boat"
I'll probably even go hunting... Of coarse that slammer buck will never give me a clean shot!! :dunno:
I miss just hunting... I dug out my old bird vest, and realized it's over 25yrs old!!!
Last time I wore it was at the TradGang JLMBH in 2008??
Yup!!! It's time to count my blessings, and enjoy the days....
Just sent you a private message with an idea.
Man, I hate to think about the day I can't shoot an arrow.
Are there more important things in my life? Absolutely. My God, my family for instance. Almost every year I tell my wife that I don't much care what we do all year, but don't schedule anything in October and early November. And every year something comes up in October, mostly with my grandkids these days, that I don't want to miss.
I have come to realize that I am blessed just to be alive after surviving three blockages in my hearts arteries a couple years ago. My widow-maker was 100% blocked, and two more were 90% and 80% blocked. My surgeon said he would guarantee me another ten years if I had the bypasses. We will see about that, but the point is eternity is just around the corner.
I really like fly fishing for sunfish. I really like walking in the woods,
in the fall with my lovely English double looking for ruffed grouse. And I get to do those things a few times a year.
Only thing I've given up that I really enjoyed so far is riding my Harley Road King.
But I really, really love taking one of my bows out for the day. I know it will come to an end one day, but until it does I'll enjoy the day that God has given me.
Thank you all, for your replies!!!
This old woodchucker is FAR from done chucking wood!!!! Probably just hunting...
I guess I could always stump hunt?? Who cares if I miss!!?? Stumps don't bleed :archer:
After thinking about everything you said, it is obvious you get it. God bless.
Quote from: Hud on June 24, 2023, 06:19:53 PM
After thinking about everything you said, it is obvious you get it. God bless.
+1
Health issues can take you down regardless of age. As said I'm well aware of the fact I have a shelf life in this adventure. I also understand I'll never be a world class shooter or a long-range sniper with a trad bow either. So I'm just content doing it as long as I can and when it fades I'll have good memories just as I do with playing ball, climbing mountains and all the other stuff I once could do.
In the end Wood it's about the fulfillment you get out of it. You've nothing to prove to us internet archery blokes. Just stay in the hunt/fish as long as you can the ways that you can. If you lose traditional bow hunting then do it some other way. Meat tastes the same and when you're sitting beside that animal being thankful for it the gratitude is just as sincere.
May God grace and comfort your journey.
God Bless you. Prayers from WV. You don't need to apologize to anyone . Just get out there. With whatever weapon you can use .
Lots of us are realizing we can't do some of the things we used to. It's a fact of life that if we live long enough we will have to deal with. I've come to realize that most of the things I've done or have in this life really aren't important. It does sound like you have a solid plan, get out and do what you can when you can, but keep it prioritized.
Good luck with the future.
Love your positive attitude and God bless you enjoying life.
WELL....??? :dunno: Seems like I'm starting to git that itch again!!! :archer2:
Just ordered some stuff from 3Rivers :readit: I've taken a break.... Maybe get out and "relearn" things??
I put my camo Mag-handle together... Switch to an Eichler 3under tab... Drop my anchor point to my index finger...
We'll see what happens...!!?? Keep ya posted!!! :archer:
Don't overthink it. Live right, Live well, LIVE!
Glad I re-read this. Keep at it!!!
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
:jumper: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Well folks.... I'm back at it again!!!! I think? :archer:
Last year, I sat out bow season... Never even strung a bow. It hurt!! I missed it!! A LOT!!!
A few days ago, I strung up my Bear T/D with it's 40# limbs and tried to pull her back... I've lost a lot of strength, from literally not using my right arm at all. I got her back to full draw, but holding it there was a chore!! Even for a couple seconds... I'm going to keep it strung up, and keep working at it.
Maybe...?? Next month, I might dig out a few arrows and start shooting it again :archer2:
That's awesome Chuck! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Do what you can, while you can. I try to draw all my bows throughout the year to keep some muscle tone. Shoot the ones that are the most fun at the time.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
As I near 80 years on this blue orb I thank my God that I can still get up each morning with a pulse and a purpose. Achieving good outcomes of purposeful interests is the icing on the cake of life.
I had heart surgery and shoulder surgery last summer, and I was determined to pick up a bow again no matter what. I couldn't even string it the first time I tried, but I got some exercise bands from Amazon and had an old garage sale 30# recurve that I would draw nearly every day. I kept plugging away and by the end of the season had spent many enjoyable hours on my farm. I had nothing concrete to show for it other than a couple of clipped oak twigs, but I did get the memories which is mainly what I went for.
Keep plugging away, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised by your progress by opening day!
Hopefully I can get my strength back enough to start shooting again..... :pray:
I don't know about actually hunting again? The tremors and shaking in my right hand make me look like
John Voight in "Deliverance"
Kinda a rainy crappy day, so I figured it might be a good day to dig out some arrows and get them ready to try and do some shooting. I have a strung up 40# 1969 Grizzly that I have been drawing, trying to get my strength back. I dug out the big "arrow tote" where I packed away all of the arrows a couple years ago.
There were 9 dozen arrows in there!! :o Although most of them are over spined (55-60#) all boxed up and ready for someone to shoot them. I gave my nephew 3 dozen of the 45-50# arrows last summer when he was just getting into this "Traditional" thing :archer2:
I brought down a dozen, and some odds and ends, about 20 total. They're all 55-60# but I can put 160gr field points on them and they'll be fine! Hell, I don't even know if I'll be able to hit the target?
I figure I'll spend the next week swapping the points over to 160grs and put the block target out in the yard, and see what happens!!??
Something to think about and maybe look into. My uncle had tremors so bad in his right hand he couldn't feed himself or drink. He is a otherwise healthy man. He recently had a electrical device implanted in his brain.
When the power is on the tremors stop and he is stable. When he turns the power off his hand shakes violently. Your situations are different but might be worth asking the doc. Admire your attitude!
Jed, Thank you for your thoughts Brother!!
At this time, at my age, I think I'm just going to go with what the good Lord blesses me with...Wakeing up every day!!!
I retired and moved up in the mountains, to a small town of about 400 folks, for a simpler life. Any serious medical care or specialists, are HOURS away....
I'm greatful for everything that God has given me. Every day, is a blessed day!!! :pray:
Well folks, I've been working with my bows every day, and it seems like I'm getting some strength back!!?
I have them hanging downstairs, and every time I take the hound for a walk, I draw the bow back and try to hold it steady at full draw... As of now, I can draw my bow about 10 times, and hold it for about 8-10 seconds. The hound really likes to go for walks!! I do this about a dozen times a day...
I'm really getting the itch to start shooting, but I don't want to rush things!! Soon!!? :archer2:
Lately I have been doing a lot of re-thinking... I REALLY missed bow hunting last year!!!
I had a physical issue, and it shook my confidence. What was really troubling,was the fact that there was no ryme or reason as to why or when my fingers would lock up? I could be out shooting for an hour before it happened, or maybe 10 minutes? Some days, it might not happen at all?
I have always been a firm believer that one must have confidence in both his abilities and his equipment.
If you can't make a 30 yard shot EVERY time, You don't take a 30 yard shot. Period!!!
My fingers locking up, and the fliers, bothered me!!! I felt like there was an issue that I could not control and if that was the case, it would b e iresponsable and unethical, for me to take a shot at a living breathing animal. SO... I decided not to bow hunt last year. It was a hard decision to make, and a harder one to live with!
Which brings me to... "Fate"
I think all of us agree,that Fate is something that we just cannot control. Sometimes bad things happen, no matter how hard we try to prevent it. I, like I'm sure most of us here that have been at this for a while, has made a shot that did not go as planned, resulting in a bad hit, and possibly/probably resulting in an unrecovered animal. We practiced, we tuned, we did everything we could to make sure that any shot we took, would result in a quick clean kill. But still... Something happens.... Fate
An unseen branch or twig... A step or turn, the moment we released... Something unexpected just happend.
That got me thinking... NEVER, have my fingers locked up on the very first shot?
If I practice, and practice, to be the best that I can possibly be. To control the things that I can control. To have the confidence that unless my fingers lock up, EVERY arrow will be a good arrow. I cannot control Fate. But, I can do what I can, to control what I can.... Whatcha Think...??
Aging can be, and usually is, a test of endurance, will power, and compromise.
Sometimes physical limitations can be overcome, and when they can't, then the will to persevere can be accomplished with alternative thinking and compromise.
A noted gunsmith and percussion muzzleloading rifle long range (1000 yards) multi time World champion began to have serious vision issues with his dominant shooting eye as he moved past the 70 year old age mark. Nothing worked or helped and it got to the point where he was about to give up shooting altogether. He thought long and hard to try to find a way to continue his long range shooting game. He's a left hand shooter and decided to try shooting right hand as his right eye vision was quite normal. That worked reasonably well but not for world class competitions as he couldn't acclimate to right hand shooting form. Being a first class machinist, and thinking lots more, he built a rear sight for his percussion muzzleloader that allowed holding left handed but aiming with his right eye. That was an epiphany and now he's back in the game.
There are other methods of gripping a string to full draw that don't rely on a direct finger release and most of them date back thousands of years and thus are perfectly "trad" acceptable.
Never give up, never yield to the ravages of time.
Hoping the best for you, Chuck.
My take...go hunting and don't worry about it. Every shot you take a million things can go wrong. Do your best and go hunting.
R
I have gotten a lot of strength back in my right arm/hand, and I decided today was the day to start shooting.
I took my 1969 Bear Grizzly (43# @ 28") and my Jack Bower Side Stalker quiver, with 6 arrows, and a new somewhat broken in Fred Eichler 3under tab. I set up the block target against the bank, anticipating the "flyers" that I was sure to come... I must say, that for somebody who has done this from about the time I could walk, It was a very humbling experience!!! Long story short, I managed to keep every arrow in the block target at 10 yards. I shot 5 sets of 6 arrows, 4 actually hit the 4" center bull. I did manage 1 "Robin Hood" but that arrow was in the top left corner of the block target, and I certainly wasn't aiming for it!! BUT!! I nailed that nock clean as a whistle :archer2:
I was out here for about a half hour. I was able to hold at full draw for 4-5 seconds while I settled into my anchor. My release was about as good as can be expected, however I did not have a single time where my fingers locked up!? I will say this though.. After about 30 arrows, I was EXTREMELY fatigued!!!
Baby steps, I told myself... I'm gonna call this one a win!! :archer:
Great to hear Chuck. Keep at it
Thanks, Glen!!! Shooting every day (weather permitting lol) is going to be part of my daily exercise routine
I am hell bent on hunting this year!!!! :archer2: :pray: :archer:
Been shooting every day... I've been shooting my Kodiak T/D as that is the bow that I will be hunting with this year. I strung it up with the stock fast flight (replacement) that comes with the bow that was set up a few years ago. It has brush Buttons and Bow Jax Silencers. The nock point is at 5/8" and the brace height set at 8-3/4"... I've been using a Fred Eichler 3Under tab, and I really like it!! I moved my anchor point down to my index finger at the corner of my mouth and I'm actually starting to get "groups" in the center of the block target at 10 yards. However... the bow seems noisier than it was before??
Now I understand that I have not shot in about a year, and that I'm actually "re-learning" things...
My release is far from consistent, and the tab is a change. I also understand the shooting 3under, little things tend to be more critical. I figured that when my body figured everything out, the noise would settle down.... Today, I tried something different. I had just put a new endless loop Dacron string on my 56" Grizzly. I took the string off the Grizzly and put it on my Kodiak T/D. I got my bow square and the nock height was 3/4" and the brace height was about 8-7/8". There is nothing on the string but 2 brass nock sets.
I took it out and shot about a couple dozen arrows and it is considerably quieter than the other string.
Now I understand that a Dacron string will always be quieter than a fast fight string!! I'm thinking that I'm going to run with this for a while?
Maybe as my release gets smoother, it will go from a soft "twang" to just a bump... :archer:
Well folks, I've been shooting every day!! A little at a time... Couple dozen arrows, then quit.
I'm just getting back into it and I don't want to hurt anything? More so, I don't want to develope any bad habits!! So, I've been tinkering with things to see if I can put the puzzle together again....
I have been trying to tone the noise down on my bow. The other day I tried the Dacron endless loop string off my old Grizzly. It was noticably quieter than the Bear D-97 string that is supposed to be on my T/D.
Today I was rummaging through one of my gear boxes that has a bunch of old strings, and I found an old string with a single nock set on it, from when I was shooting split finger years ago.
I strung it up, checked the brace height (8-3/4") and the nock height 1/2" to the bottom of the nock set, and 5/8" to the top. SO...? I nocked an arrow and crimped on another nock set above the arrow nock.
I took my bow out back to shoot it, and it was like you put a muffler on the dang thing!!!?? :dunno:
It appears.... That the "magic number" is 7/8" !! :archer2:
Glad to "hear" you are back to doing what you love and continuing to progress Chuck! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thank you, Randy!!! I must say, that for years, when folks were playing with their gear.... That said "Stop playing around and just shoot it!!" Being the guy, who always did everything the same way because "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!" For being the guy who has done this for 60 years... Just as natural as walking, "Pull it back, let it go, hit the target".... This has been a very humbling experience!!!
Last year my confidence was shaken... I just hung it up. Gave a bunch of arrows and broadheads, a Bear recurves and a Howard Hill longbow to my nephews. Last year, I planned on bird hunting, but the drive just wasn't there... I shot my bow a little, and not very well :banghead:
Over the winter, my hand got very bad from just not using it, and I had practically no strength in my right arm. I decided that I needed to just shoot my bow. If for no other reason than to try and maintain some strength in my right arm and hand.... I started shooting, and I was surprised how fast my strength came back!! Hitting the target? After all the years of this just coming naturely, I finaly understand how had it must be for my fellow TradGangers who are just getting started :help: