A Bowhunter's Worst Nightmare...

[Heinz57]

With archery season just around the corner I foolishly shattered my clavicle in a mountain biking accident! Treated myself to some nice titanium hardware last week. Went from shooting daily to being completely out of commission...talk about a depressing feeling. Here's to hoping I'll be all healed up by August 22nd! Take it easy boys and girls - don't want to end up in my predicament!

[Guest oneshot]

OUCH, that will put a damper on your hunts...Hope you heal-up good and quick...

[tjhunt2]

I definitely hope you heal enough to get this hunt in but most of all take care and forget this hunt if you're not healed by then. There will be more hunts to come and getting back to somewhere in the 100% range is more important than this year's hunt.

 

TJ

[trphyhntr]

hope you dont have a bull tag. but, maybe youll be decent by then

[rschaumb]

With that kind of surgery and depending on how bad it is around the time of the hunt, maybe you would be able to get a crossbow permit.

[Heinz57]

hope you dont have a bull tag. but, maybe youll be decent by then

Fortunately I only put in for a preference point for elk this year- just have my OTC archery deer tag to fill. Doc says 6-8 weeks so if all goes well I should be able to get out in August. Haven't drawn an elk tag in AZ yet, but I have 3 pts so we'll see next year.

[Little Creek Calls]

Drawing a bow is allot of stress to be putting on a newly healed clavicle. I had a bad clavicle break about 12 years ago and I dont think I would have tried it but I didn't get the titanium hardware. Doctors were back and forth on what they wanted to do and ended up just letting it heal naturally.

My recommendation would be to get your doctor to write you a letter not recommending the draw a compound bow take it to game and fish and get a crossbow permit.

[Heinz57]

Drawing a bow is allot of stress to be putting on a newly healed clavicle. I had a bad clavicle break about 12 years ago and I dont think I would have tried it but I didn't get the titanium hardware. Doctors were back and forth on what they wanted to do and ended up just letting it heal naturally.

My recommendation would be to get your doctor to write you a letter not recommending the draw a compound bow take it to game and fish and get a crossbow permit.

I considered applying for a crossbow permit, but after looking at the regs, it doesn't sound like an option for me:

 

"A statement from an M.D., doctor of medicine,

with a valid license to practice issued by any state,

or a D.O., doctor of osteopathic medicine, with

a valid license to practice issued by any state, that

affirms the applicant has a permanent disability of

at least 90% impairment of function of one arm and

provides the physician’s typed or printed name,

business address, and signature."

[singleshot]

T.J. hit the nail on the head. I tore my left pectoral off last mid July and had to have it reattached with 4 screws to my left humerus. If I would have had an archery bull tag last year I probably would have eaten a bullet. Get healed, up the future years are more important than causing permanent damage for one hunt. Drew my bow back for the first time in over a year just the other day. Felt pretty good.

[scoutm]

I broken my collar bones (left 1 time Right 2 times) multiple times and mine combined weren't as bad as yours. The good thing is the tend to heal pretty quickly.

[MT. CAT]

Have your Dr. fill out the crossbow permit. Mine told me he would sign it no problem. I had a torn labrum repaired last year and wasnt sure if I would be ready by September, surgery in April. Had a co-worker who went through major shoulder repair, same Dr. as me. Dr signed the papers on Monday following week G&F had mailed his crossbow permit. Have it just incase you cant pull your bow back, you can always use your bow if you are ready.

[Guest 300ultramag.]

you know what they say The hardest part of Mountain Biking is.....................

 

 

ha ha! jk

 

 

 

rest up!! the body heals pretty quickly but like others said... let it heal and don't force it early on..

[naturegirl]

Ouch! That sucks!

 

I've been through similar situations the last 2 out of 3 archery seasons but for a broken wrist with hardware and now a rotator cuff tear. The best advice I can give is LISTEN to your doctor, do what the doc says, and do the therapy. This year's hunt isn't worth hurting the rest of your life. I know it's easier said than done, but I believe if you let things heal properly now, you'll have a much better long-term outcome.

[capoeirajosh]

Ouch!! Man, that sucks. Hope you can shoot by archery season. Good luck to ya.

[Xforcebaby]

I wish you a healthy and speedy recovery.i too mountain bike and have had close calls on the trails!! Good luck!