I'm A Lucky Boy

[Red Beastmaster]

Rather than watch the Steelers beat the Browns with their second string I decided to take the Brackenbury for a walk.

I went to the woodlot behind the house and shot my bag course then gave the stumps a good pounding. I was very impressed with how well my cedars were flying as I drilled one stump after another.

As I drew back to shoot again the last thing I remember was the shaft looked weird then BAM!

The arrow exploded and the string hit my arm HARD. I was afraid to look. I was sure I had run the shaft through my arm or hand. No parts sticking out.

Then I checked my bow and gently flexed the limbs with eyes squinted. Whew. No apparent damage.

I got home and took off my coat and shirt to find a heck of a welt on my elbow. It was already turning  colors. It's going to be a doozey.

I am very lucky I didn't end up in the ER and also that my Brack survived the near dry fire. I've shot a million stumps in my life but this is the first time I ever had this happen.

I will be checking my arrows after each shot from now on!

[Warden609]

Glad your okay and your bow survived the event. Good reminder for everyone to check their arrows.

[mcgroundstalker]

Very happy you are OK... Checking (flexing) shafts after each shot is a good thing to do always... Even carbon can do the same thing...

... mike ...    ...

[Red Beastmaster]

I have a faint scar on my index finger from another wood arrow 20 years ago. I knew it was cracked and put it back in my quiver. I soon forgot about it and shot it again. It blew up real good.

I learned that day to snap them in two as soon as I discover a crack.

[South MS Bowhunter]

 glad your OK!

[Sam McMichael]

I'm glad both you and your bow came out all right. Whenever my wood arrow takes a really hard hit, I always check the nock. Next I tap the shaft against something hard while holding it very loosely. A cracked arrow will often make a sort of a rattle sound instead of a solid tap.

[Pine]

[BlacktailBowhunter]

That's a stark reminder.

[Michael Arnette]

I just about had exactly the same thing happen in yesterday with a Cedar arrow, luckily I caught it as I was putting the arrow on the string

[Friend]

Pleased to hear you should be fine.

[jackdaw]

Close one...!!!! Good lesson for us all...!!! Glad you are OK

[Roy from Pa]

Glad you are ok, Dave...

[Doc Nock]

Smooth move, Exlax!  Remember that one, Dave!?  

The bruise will heal...lets hope the Brack stays healthy...Those indignities don't always show immediately, or so I've heard...

My friend carl in central PA had that happen to him many years ago...said it took him a while to "pick a spot"...seems his mind was elsewhere    :eek:    

[hawkeye n pa]

Good to hear your okay Dave.  

Had that happen on the first day of ETAR quite a few years ago.  Had a T shirt on and had small cedar cuts along with the bruising.  Hurt with a armguard and to scared to shoot with out one.  Bow shy I was!

Glad you and your bow are OK!

Bisch