Ten months ago, the doctor told me grimly that I may never shoot a hunting weight bow again... Apparently med school doesn't take into account the stubbornness of a bowhunter. I bit the bullet and hung it up for a few months, allowing my right shoulder and elbow time to heal, hoping to be ready in time for September. Long story short, I simply couldn't manage a hunting weight stick even after intense rehab (Word to the wise; Don't overbow and over-do it).
Ever hardheaded, my recurve came with me to Kansas this past November wearing 45 pound limbs. Though my deer hunting was relegated to "other means", I found shooting, with a floating anchor mid-chest (and a draw length of a mere 23") yielded acceptable accuracy out to twenty or so yards with the curve.
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs007.snc3/11460_1281432832983_1144944213_30857366_4167798_s.jpg)
Just one of many pheasants that fell to my Hex Blunts.
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16646_1281433032988_1144944213_30857371_8362788_s.jpg)
A 'yote that came charging by in time to take a Magnus through the chest.
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs027.snc3/11460_1281430072914_1144944213_30857354_4457042_s.jpg)
Which brings us to this morning. For the first time in nearly a year, I managed to tote a hunting weight stickbow into the woods. My longbow and I ended up a mere 13 yards from a sage old gobbler, who came across nearly 300 yards of open field to investigate my turkey pillow-talk. As he closed the distance, my arm never felt stronger as those limbs came back in that graceful arc we all know and love. In the end, he never gave me just what I wanted, and left me there at full draw. But damn it felt good to be there, both in the woods and at full draw...
Long story short; its good to be back Gang.
Wahoo!
Congratulations and welcome back!
:bigsmyl:
Kirk
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congradulations welcome back.Good shooting
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Keep that poundage as low as you can and take care of that frame work,
Congrats !
Jack
Well-done!
Congrats! You'll get that gobbler next time!
Keep up the positive thinking...your mind is a powerful thing!
:archer2:
Good for you Matt. Way to stick with it!
Glad your back!!
But you really never left?
Fantastic, welcome back. I'm sure you will enjoy every experience a little more now. I know I take for granted sitting out in the wilds.
Thanks
T.J.
As Ben K said, Well done!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
Glad your back. I need to take heed as I think i am overdoing it. Good luck gettin a gobbler next time.
awesome, glad to hear you can still enjoy the sport.
I'm with you brother and understand what kind of stubborness it takes to plow thru pain....Way to go !! You are an inspiration to others...
Excellent! Never bet against Human Willpower and Determination, you'll lose everytime. Good on you!! Congrats!!
Way to go! :clapper:
great - never give up the fight
Nice
Congrats...rest can be everything but it might be the hardest thing for us to give it..BUT
I was in th same boat kinda....tendonitus so bad I couldn't lift a 2 litre jug of milk without some major pain.
So I did Physio and rest for the first 2 months then it was time to get my strength back - work it ICE it - HEAT IT rest it..work it..rest ICe etc.
Did all the things he told me to do...now my arm is as good as new...my new BW PCH will be 57# too and that will help lots.
Jer Bear