A Laid Up Kid With a Big Dream

This is panning out to be something really good!

Bisch

[AWPForester]

Know what you mean.  Had 3 acl, miniscus, and mcl repairs on both knees in the last 15 years.  It will definately humble and ground you.  No cartlidge in the left knee how.  Bone on Bone.  Doc talks about artifical in the next couple years.  I ain't 40 yet!  Good luck with the knee, and tell us the story! 8>)  God Bless

[huskyarcher]

Well i worked and worked and before long they began to take shape.

I hand straightend all of them first. I ran my hand up and down until the friction heated them, and then acted like i knew what i was doing straitening them.

When i was satisfied with the shafts (5 or 6 of them i believe) I got dad to throw some Minwax on them for me. I was laid up on the recliner so i just anxioulsly watched as he wiped it on.

After that, i shaped some feathers from turkey wings of a bird i killed that spring. Oddly i used the same scissors that were used in one of my operations. You see when you spend a month in the hospital flirting with nurses, and interns, you kinda get favoritism and that leads to cool things like that.   :rolleyes:      

What can i say? I was 19, Am i supposed to NOT flirt? Didnt think so. LOL

After the feathers, i then put on some glue on broadheads given to me by several 'Gangers. Thanks again guys!

I got a little stronger and after a few weeks i was walking a little. Which lead to slingin' arrows on the front porch!

Of coarse i had to have some arrow retrievers but you get the idea.

[huskyarcher]

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.

My knee still isnt well, actually it hurts alot. I have cartilage floating all around my knee, but i wont go near a hospital again. EVER. Im just going to have to live with it.

I had gotten a new longbow a beautiful Omega made by Kegan McCabe, out of Pennsylvania. She is 43# and to say i am i love with her would be an understatement. I have never felt so deadly with a bow in my life. I think its partly because after my surgery, i shot lightweight bows, and figured out i was overbowed at 60 ad 65#.

And boom! it hit me one day, Son of a gun i can shoot those dowell arrows! I anxiously took one out and proptly 12 ringed my Rinehart target at 12 yds. Then and there i new, IT WAS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG.

[huskyarcher]

I watched "The Bowhunters of Tradgang" and learned the tricks to shapening with a file. Soon i had those gifted heads razor sharp.

Yesterday, i had the day off of class and work, and new that i was going to get to hunt that evening, so i did what any good TG'er would do, and put about 150 arrows through the ol' girl. ANd man was I confident after that session!

I gathered my stuff and headed towards the woods. On the way to the place i was jammin' to the "High Wild and Free" Cd given to me by Mr. Dannybows (My favorite CD BTW)

[huskyarcher]

Quietly i entered the woods, and was pleased to feel the breeze catching me in the face, perfect wind!

I climbed up a white pine about 30 ft to find my Gorilla treestand, and soon my view looked something like this.

 

[huskyarcher]

It was really slow at first, But i was still grinning because i was so excited just to get in the woods with these arrows.

About 4:45 rolls around and after almost 3 hrs on stand i have just saw a squriell or two. No big deal, i was still having a good time.

At about 5pm i look up from the book i was reading "Into the High Country" by Pastor Jimmy Sites, and Jason Cruise as i hear i stick break above me.

My insticts told me to put that book away and slowly get stood up, I listened directly.

[huskyarcher]

I watched as a pretty little Button Buck headed my way, and decided that if i got the chance, id take a shot.

But seconds later i heard more deer coming, so i thought id give him a pass. Sure enough a donkey o a doe was right behind him. Target aquired.

She walked right in. At 12 yards she steps clear of some brush and picks up an acorn. I start to draw but realize i need to calm down, and pick a spot.

I slowly hit full draw. With my Dowwell arrow ready for ignition, i whisper, "Father, Son, Holy Ghost" (My way to beat target panic) the string slipped from my fingers, and i watched that arrow, Slow as molasses, hit home directly behind the front leg, and slip all the way through her. With an instant fist pump i grin, as i watch her bound away, gracefully i might add which is odd. I was worried or a split second, until i saw her turn cartwheels in mid stride.

[huskyarcher]

Instantly i was flooded with emotion, which is odd.  Im not an emotional person at all, in those 6 surgeries I never once shed a tear. But now i smiled as my eyes watered up. I just bowed my head, i thanked God for all he had done for me, for seeing me through it all, for giving me the strength to make that shot, for making that doe for me to take, for giving me friends like i have on here,  for loving me, for saving my soul.

After that those intense moments, i just sat back and reflected. I thought back on all the stuff i went through, I remembered watching my Mom cry as the doctor told me i was going to need another surgery, i remeber the fear as he, told me that this could kill me.  I remembered the worry and depression i pushed back as i wrapped layer after layer of sinew on those fletchings, i remembered practicing hour after hour just hoping for what had just happened.

Silly as it may seem those arrows, are a big part of that recovery, and in that moment, nothing was more obvious.

[huskyarcher]

I slipped down out of the tree, No i take that back, i pretty much flew down. I headed towards my prize.

As i got closer i was delighted to find this

 


Other side:

 

[huskyarcher]

[huskyarcher]

I called my dad, and he was almost as excited as i was. He couldnt believe it actually happened! and neither cold I!

I got her out of there and rushed home to show him, i was on cloud 9!

This morning he snapped some good hero pics as well.

 

 

[huskyarcher]

So thats my story. How this laid up kid had a dream, and was blessed enough to see it happen.

I must say now that im hooked on these arrows, slow or not, and will more than likely finish the season with them.

I want first to thank God for making all of this possible, and especially you guys. You have no idea what this place means to me. I would have gone crazy in that hospital bed without it, no doubt.

I hope you enjoyed and God bless each and every one of you, i hope you guys have an awesome Christmas, and i hope to spend any years to come around this campfire we call Tradgang.

P.S, I now am the Head Wrestling coach at Ashe County Middle School, and now pursue my passion through my kids. God didnt let all that hard work go to waste.

   

[Razorbak]

That is awesome. Very happy for you. It's good to see a young man like you have goals and dreams like that and to fulfill it is great. Congratulations to you!!!!

[JamesKerr]

Awesome!

[FEIK77]

Absolutely awesome story.. Congrats!!

God usually does not let hard work go to waste!

Congrats to you and great shot. I hope you get your knee somewhat "fixed" and all goes well for you.

Bisch

[Jwilliam]

Congrats !!! Thanks for sharing your awesome story    


Bill

[Jack Ripper]

Congrats, perfect shot. Your story is great and an inspiration.

[chinook907]

That is absolutely awesome.  Thanks so much for sharing your special story, and of course, CONGRATS !