Bowhunting question

[Scout]

I would like to know the answer to this question. If you were a die hard bowhunter and were faced with a disability that would not allow you to bowhunt anymore but could get a crossbow permit would you do it?

[soccerref]

For a person who loves being in the woods and loves bowhuntning, but can't draw the bow, I say go for it. The rules are there for that reason. Assuming your shoulder is the issue, we've known each other a long time and I know the love and passion you have for bowhunting. Losing that time for you would be a hard pill to swallow! There are options to explore, ranging from xbow permit, to getting back into bird hunting to fill the time, but if sitting in the tree in the warm weather, with the foliage changing is something you can't replace with ducks/grouse/pheasants, then I say go for it!

[regnar]

I dont know your problem scout, but I would first explore all other possibilities first. I would hunt with a 40# draw bow if I had to but it I could not I would get a xbow as a last resort. If it is a permanent issue you can get a permit that would allow it during the archery season.

Good luck with it.

[Scout]

My problem is this: Four years ago I had to have an operation on my left shoulder to rep[air a rotator cuff with impingement. I came out of the operation which I had after the spring turkey season and by August I was shooting my bow and hunting by the Sept 15 opener. Two years ago my right shoulder develop what appeared to be the same problem. I went in for surgery again after the spring season, only this time they had to repair my bicep tendon and rotator cuff. After the surgery the surgeon told my wife that the tendon looked like a a rope if you unravel it and the rotator cuff had a slight tear. He repaired that but the pain never went away and the strength never came back. I manage to get thru the hunting season and in December he put another cortisone shot in it. February 4 of last year I was back in the operating room. The repair was done and by July I had no pain. August they started the strengthening and had me shooting a 30 pound bow and I have increase it out to 40 pounds. It does not hurt when I shoot but the next day it does so my practice is limited. I use to shoot almost every night. Well, the pain is back so they want to give it another shot and see how it does, but he told me he just doesn't know how long I will continue to be able to shoot a bow. Not something I want to hear. I hunt almost every night after work and both days of the weekend. I spend all summer scouting and setting cameras. Not to be able to archery hunt is just something I cannot imagine. I thinking of trying a new orthopedic surgeon, but I'm told this guy is the best in the area. He offered me a note to get a cross bow permit last year but I refused it and elected to have him try and repair it again. As it stands right now I can shoot but my limit is about twenty yards. The question is how many of you would opt for a crossbow permit to archery hunt given the same circumstances?

[getsome]

Just a idea..... What about that thing called draw-lock...system.. or some thing like that??

[soccerref]

Scout, PERSONALLY, if it where me, I would get more into bird/duck hunting (assuming gun shooting works for your shoulder). Deer hunting to me came later in life, I grew up on pheasant and grouse and woodcock, I loved it and miss it. Archery came even later in life, actually about 2 years before we met, you actually where with me on my first bowkill.

that's me, personally!

You, you said it yourself, "Not to be able to archery hunt is just something I cannot imagine" from the post above. If you honestly feel that way, which I have no doubt!, then you have two choices:

- xbow permit
- 40 lb bow and hope your shoulder doesn't fall apart (and don't tell the wife I suggested that).

Not sure how you will react to this cause I know how dedicated you are, but you could easily cut back on practice, you're a good enough shot to do so, practice is important, but so is health. I've been with you setting stands and helped track/drag deer, the longest shot I remember you taking I think was 26 yards. It's all in the stand setting, which you are good at.

If the shoulder effects hanging/pulling stands, dragging deer etc. CALL ME. After all the help you've been to me and my boys, we owe you a few! The boys are big enough now to drag any monster you care to shoot! You shoot it, I'll get it out of the woods (just don't bring the wife and the "goolies" remember that Halloween drag?).

Draw loc and shooting left handed are also options to explore, if possible.

[Scout]

I agree with you Ken. I think if they tell me no more bow than I will get the permit, but it will be my last resort.

Socerref, I know your going to find this hard to believe but I only practice once a week shooting only a dozen arrows. I have always setup for close range shots. I believe bow hunting is a close range sport. No one believes me when I tell them that you and I had a deer so close to us in a completely wild setting that you could have slapped it, and that it was almost stepping on my bow. I have 8 stands set right now and all the shots are tight 20 yards max. I have two climbers that I set for the gun season that I can see 50 plus yards. The shoulder didn't take shooting the gun all that well that is what has me concerned. I sighted in my 308 and muzzle loader. The day after that I thought my bow hunting for the season was over. Thanks for all your input guys.

[firestormhtr]

I'm think of myself as a die hard bow hunter,would rather hunt with bow then anything else,answer to your question,in a heart beat.They shoutl make it a perminate catagory of hunting,extra money in there pocket to.Good luck all.

[regnar]

Scout,

I exact same problem. I have a partial tear in the bicep tendon and an impingement. I did pt for 7 months with no relief and then I had a cortisone one year ago last week. I had 100% relief for about 6 months then it has slow gotten worse. I planed on doing surgery in January but I am going to go until I need another shoot, get that and then get the surgery. Mine is work related. I started doing my work left handed almost 2 years ago and I can feel the same thing happening in the left shoulder now.

I ended up with Dr Cassey out of Concord Ortho. I went to the derry office. He is one of the docs for the Fischer cats and is a shoulder specialists. I would get a second opinion for sure. This injury is very common in my line of work and most all of the guys who have had the surgery have has at least an 80% recovery if not better with a few having to stop doing dents to keep the pain from coming back.

Good luck to you and if you have any question about my injury send me a PM and I will get a hold of you.

[MK-M-GOBL]

Oct 23, 2009 13:34:13 GMT @ken said:

How about shooting left handed...drawing the bow with the good (less messed up) arm?

If I wasn't able to draw a bow, I would most definetely go the xbow route...and piss on anyone that had a beef with it.

I agree 100% Try lefty or even crossbow for a year or two and go from there. I for one would never look down or give you (or anyone that needs to use one) crap for using hunting with one.
Now I'm not trying to open a debate on here or off the subject at hand (and I will lock/delete any post goes in that direction) but I just don't get the whole crossbow debate. If someone needs it to be able to bow hunt, go for it and wish success with it.

[thunderchicken]

Now wait a minute, I thought if your were physically unable to pull a bow back and you have a doctors note sayint that then you can hunt during bow season with one!

Am I wrong?

[regnar]

no you are correct.

[Scout]

I have called on this. Last year I was given the green light to start shooting my bow in September. I wasn't sure if I would have enough time to get in shape for shooting a bow the way I would want to. I called fish and game and asked about the crossbow permit in case. They told me that I had to have a permanent disability in order to apply for a crossbow permit to be used in the archery season, and I have to have a note from the doctor saying it is permanent.

[regnar]

They make it seem a lot more difficult than it is. I know several people who have them and they are able to shoot a bow. It does not say how much disability only that that it is permanent and the docs not has to say that and that it prohibits you from pulling a bow back.