Deer season not going as planned

[Mike Bolin]

It appears that I did jinx myself with an earlier post I made. I posted earlier that I had hopes of killing two does...one with my favorite 2 blade single bevel and one with my favorite 3 blade, then do a blood trail comparison to post here. I figured I had plenty of time since I am retired now.

What I hadn't figured into the equation was how much trouble I was going to have hunting this year. I retired because of both knees being bad and back spasms in my lower left back brought on from compensating for my knees.

I am having a heck of a time hunting. If I set for any length of time, my knees tighten up and if I stand for any length of time they just flat out hurt. I have been alternating between sitting and standing as slowly and smoothly as I can (which is not smoothly at all), but even though I scan the woods and thicket before I make a move, I have been busted 4 times that I know of and probably more that I don't know about.
 
I have a fairly steep hill to climb to access the property which isn't too bad. It's the descent that hurts. I have been limiting my hunts to once a day because I just flat do not want to walk down that hill again. I tried an all day sit one time and both hamstrings cramped up on me...of course there were deer close by then! LOL! They probably wondered what the heck I was doing up there moaning and shaking!! I took the past two days off, yesterday was pre surgery appointments and today there was rain in the forecast and I am unstable enough coming down that hill when it's dry, let alone when it's wet!!

I am not complaining, just disappointed that my first deer season of being retired and being able to hunt as much as I wanted is not what I planned. I know that I am lucky to have a decent place to hunt and I do enjoy what time I get to spend in the woods. Going to hit hard again for the next three days as our gun season starts Saturday. If I don't kill one this week I will still be out with the bow and wearing my hunter orange during gun season up until the 27th. New knees on the 28th!!!

[goingoldskool]

Hang in there!!!  I told my buddy that I'd hunt his place to help save his fruit trees from deer browsing them....  I am batting a big fat 0!  I've never had so much trouble.  It's been a rough season here.

This weekend is gun season and I might have to do your trick and look like a pumpkin with my bow!

Good luck, shoot straight and God Bless,

Rodd

I hope things improve for you, and you get to do all the hunting that you want to!!!!

Bisch

[Bowwild]

I hope the knee surgery solves these issues for  you and returns physical joy to your hunt.  I know several folks who've had knee surgery (rpl) and they all say it worked wonders.

[Pine]

I know how that goes , I've been hunting just 50 yards from my house because of back problem .
Been ridiculed about "Fair Chase " .
You just hang in there , you'll get it done yet .

[CoachBGriff]

Keep after it... remember that it just takes ONE to turn a season around.

I felt like I had an awful season last year, but then this year, one night, and it all turned around.

Good luck!

[SteveB]

Had left knee replaced last year and right coming up in December. Still getting out. Use a good knee brace with metal support and a walking stick for additional balance. Helps the decent greatly.

[highlow]

Very few things in life go as planned.

[abbatoys]

I am in a similar boat. I have a bulged disc in my back that gives me fits at times with long sits. I also had a few knee surgeries a couple years ago do to a work accident and my left knee does not bend past 90 degrees. I have a hard time standing smoothly from my seat and have been busted a couple times because I can not do it slow and smooth. I just keep going out and enjoy the woods. If it happens then great. My plans were to shoot deer with 3 different Bear Bows this season...

[reddogge]

I have knee problems too and I pop two Aleve before I walk for hunting or play golf. Seems to work for me.

My knees still get stiff after a bit of sitting. even though they are new ones! You will have less pain tho, and be able to walk more. It's all a trade-off.

[vintage-bears]

Hang in there!

[centaur]

"The best laid plans of mice and men..."

[Yewbender]

Hang in there, good thing is your getting out and good luck with the new knee's when you get them.