The Four and a Quarter Finger Salute

[Over&Under]

The experts say that you should grip your bow with less fingers and/or with a loose grip, so if anything, and with your attitude you will become an even better shot!!!    

In all seriousness, as many have noted, I will bet you will find that adapting to it will take very little time, and your body will find a way to make it work.  

I lost most of the vision in my left eye(right eye dominant) back when I shot a compound (Damn peep sight tubing!) and I have been able to adapt to it with hardly any noticable adverse affects.  I have to wear glasses now, but again the body adapts.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[von]

Originally posted by pup:
I'll be there and if you drop buy,the first PBR is on me!You know your missed at the club!See you soon Jay.Bring Pop with ya!I could use a good bigfoot story.   PUP

Might come down Pup , Been huntin' hard for 1 good bow ! gonna be hard to replace 13 ! That kid of mine will be back shootin' in no time I'm sure . finger or no finger! I do have some new Sasquatch stories too! Pops

[blueline]

I would think it would be hearder to type that shoot a bow! Looks like you are on your way!!

life is a highway

Enjoy the journey

I don't see how going to a wheelie bow  would help, anyway, you've still got to hold it. You will do fine--just remember that there is a learning curve in all new endeavors and keep at it!

[b.glass]

You GO with your bad self!!

I've noticed in the Bill Langer videos that his dad has a missing finger and draws with one finger over the nock and one finger under. And that Bill shoots that way also.  

   

Yes, please keep us updated on your progress.

[Keefer]

Jay,
   I just read your post and had something done that I don't share often and that's my right hand was SEVERED all the way through to the other side mid palm area All bones cut completely through in a log splitter accident in 1985...I had my hand reattached so to speak with two pins to each finger,Nerve grapths from my wrist and from my left leg so I could have feeling once again and about 100 or more trips to therapy and about 24 splits...I had the same mind set as you and you will make it through this time...I pull anywhere from 40 to 50 # bows and used to shoot heavier with this same hand...I can keep up with most but at times I have problems with my release but that is because my hand doesn't open fully do to scar damage and my hand's a little shorter then what I was borned with...Hey if you miss at least ya got a good excuse...I pull that one on my buddy's all the time but they quickly remind me that I shot like that before my hand injury.When I had my splints made up at the hospital the lady made me a splint with a hook and a rubber band went to each of my fingers with a piece of leather that my finger tips went through and I would have to try and pull my fingers to my palm and this was good therapy..Work with all the clay and do whatever the therapist recommends to do cause it got me back to hunting in about 3 years...Don't over bow yourself and let your tennons mend...Give me a P.M if you need to talk about anything...I had my back turned as I loaded a log onto the splitter and my brother in law hit the hydrolic lever right as I laid the log down and the log pushed my hand through the wedge...I was very Blessed to have it reattached...God Bless , Keefer's <")))><

[ksbowman]

Just looked at this post again Pissant. Yeah, the tingle and numbness goes away for the most part, but where they pulled the skin back over the end of the nub it always has a tight feeling.The working pad has feeling in it although it took a while for nerves to all re connect. I use to only hold the grip with my thumb and index finger, but now I make good contact and lightly grip the bow or I'll drop it when I release.To this day when I go to pick up  things with my left hand my mind forgets the thumb is missing and I'll miss picking it up the first time.If I can answer anything else send me a pm.  Ben

[von]

Jay aka Pissant is my son . I bust him a bit about the loss of the fingers but its all in jest . He shot at our local club last night w/ a self bow he had made himself . I have no idea how his hand feels today BUT he shot well last night considering its the first time since the accident and the fact he was shooting a selfbow. He'll be back to normal in the future I reckon.

[Covey]

Here I'm frusterated and I have all of my didgets! Excellant attitude, keep at it and you'll do just fine! Jason

[cacciatore]

Jay,congrats for your strong and positive attitude.I am a lefty like you,several years ago I cut my tendons of my left wrist,I had asurgrey and lot of problems for a year;but the body is a perfect machine and it adapts to the worst.after one year I was able to shoot my bow again and i never felt anything was ever happened.Good luck.Felix

[coaster500]

Jay with your upbeat attitude you'll be back in no time!!!

I don’t know how your thumb moves but maybe with all the talented bowyers on this site, one of them could modify a riser with a thumb hole (like a rifle stock) or rest that would help your grip.

[NDTerminator]

You have a darned sight better attitude about it than I would (and I'm a fellow lefty).  You need some support on your road back, PM or email me...

Frankly, given the "colorful" life & career I've had to date (I'm 52) I'm more than a little surprised I haven't lost an important part or two.

I will, however, match anyone here concussion for concussion.  I had more than Troy Aikman before I hit my teens..