16ga.com ~ View topic - "Bit the dust"-hard

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2124 Location: Hudson,Wy

Well I may be taking the day off from chukars, had a little boo-boo yesterday. Two inches of fresh snow helped me forget about seeping springs in a draw where I parked. Under the snow I discovered, a little late, an inclined slab of lumpy ice for about 50 yards.

Half way across I went down hard, totally off guard. I don't know how I ever made it that far. Anyway, hurt real bad, made me angry, and the Lefever (that really pretty one that I can't afford to replace) smacked the ice hard enough I was sure the barrels were dented.

No dent, so off I went. Eventually I noticed my elbow was still wet. Hmmm. Blood and hole in shirt. Oh well. I bagged some chukars and went home.

Five hours after the fall I am home cleaning the wound and realize that there is a hole and things are peaking out. Gruesome, so no photo. The edge of the tendon is severed, but only about 10% of the ligament so no biggie. Everything in the arm and hand still functions fine and no numbness. Long story short: not wishing endless financial despair I spent ten minutes stitching everything back together myself. Not fun.

I don't look forward to removing the stitches, I used a baseball stitch so the wound would seal tight to prevent infection.

The lesson here? Watch out for hidden ice and remember where the hillside springs are!

Joined: 15 Dec 2016 Posts: 44 Location: Socorro,NM

Glad you're fine or will be in a few..been there done that...not always easy but necessary.... no dents eased the pain somewhat I'm sure and of coarse a few birds..

Bottom Line Very Glad YOU are in one piece.... top the stitches with a little good bag balm seals the wound and keeps the stitches somewhat soft

Doug

Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Posts: 567 Location: wheeling, wv

wow, putting in your own stitches, especially in your elbow, that would be tough. I have put sutures in dogs, and yes a few friends. I carry a couple suture paks in my doggie first aid kit just in case. Might need a little medicinal brown liquor just to ward off infection. On the bright side, the Lefever is apparently ok. I have broke a couple stocks falling on steep hill sides before. What kind of Lefever do you have?--I have a nice G 16 Damascus and 2 DS 20's. Hope you get back out there soon

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

Took my Lefever out snipe hunting this morning , no ice here and no falls , Your one tough SOB , glad your all right.

Joined: 05 Nov 2016 Posts: 189 Location: Montana

And you're gonna let that stop you from chasin' birds?
I once fell off a 100' cliff in the Gravellies while hunting blue grouse............ Razz

Joined: 19 Apr 2014 Posts: 429 Location: Maine

Put your own stitches in? You've got to wear a stetson and smoke Marlboros. Good thing you didn't break a leg, that never worked out well for the horses in the old westerns. A good alcohol rub of fine lineament from the inside out will work wonders.
Take care.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

You play hockey, too, right?

When consulting with prospective clients, who sometimes would ask whether they could do the legal work themselves instead of laying out money for a professional, I would usually be able to turn them away from that path by asking "do you do your own surgery?" I see in your case that wouldn't work.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1113

You da man! I hunted out west enough to know you guys are tough, but that story is over the top. I'm just surprised you didn't get your dog's staple kit and go after it. That ice scares me walking or driving. Just got back from the Oklahoma panhandle on a late season pheasant hunt and along highway 64 heading into Guyman looked like a war zone following that big ice storm they had. Just about every power pole was snapped off and and every tree had an unbelievable pile of broken off limbs surrounding it. Glad I missed that storm.

Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 962 Location: Minnesota

There are ways to cut corners. Avoiding a doc on a situation like you described is not one of them.

Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 827 Location: N. Shore, mn

Those Chukar Hunters are some tough Sum Bitches!

Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 989 Location: Las Vegas

WyoChuckar: Sorry to hear that! It's a young mans game!

Best, Matt

WyoChuckar
WOW!!! Quite the adventure
How are you now????????????????
Mike

Chukars. Badass rocks. Sews himself up. Sleeps inside the carcass of a freshly killed deer. Grizzled for sure. Wink

Gil