From: Gun
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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So, I've had quite the last 3 1/2 yrs. In August 2018 developed some nerve damage to my right shoulder, upper back, arm and hand. Neurologists can't explain why. Two weeks later my right index finger curled up tight and my right thumb bent at 90 degrees. I could not even begin to draw my Bow because of pain.
I thot initially that I had done something at work while moving some heavy shelves around. To make a long story shorter, I filed a Workman's Compensation Claim just so I could get faster treatment and physio. I never missed any work other than Doctor appointments. By end of November that year WCB rejected my claim of work related injury. Two days later I was called in to HR and terminated.
We ended up selling our acreage and moving south so my wife could deal w her mother who was in a nursing home.
Spring of 2019 I was able to get into a hand clinic with the local hospital to eventually straighten my thumb and finger and thru lots of physio get some dexterity back.
I was able to teach myself to shoot left handed that summer and draw 47#. Last week of the season I managed to kill a yearling 3x3 whitetail.
In 2020 I was able to increase my range of accuracy. I was able to harvest a decent 3yr old Bull Moose.
End of March 2021 I hiked up w a friend to pull a stand to pull a Elk stand on a wallow that was just not practical to get to. I ended up slipping on some snow covered ice and landed hard on my bad shoulder under a metal pack frame. I felt something pop and instant extreme pain. My buddy helped me up and I ended up in the hospital where x-rays didn't show much other than no broken bones. A month later I finally had an ultrasound which revealed two torn tendons w one complete. In May I was able to get a cortisone shot in the shoulder which started working after two weeks.
Then I started looking into learning to draw and shoot with some kind of mouth tab. I knew it had been done. I found what I needed w Jeff Fabry on YouTube. With the help of the local in door range I was able to come up w a system that eventually worked for me.
My accuracy improved so much that I could put every arrow in a 3" bull at 10 yds. In July at a trad only shoot I beat out 15 other guys in a baby bottle liner water seesaw novelty shoot and won $50 pot. Ha
This past Thursday it came together w this nice doe from a tree stand in a small drainage funnel going towards a hayfield. After we found her it felt like my first bow kill all over again.
I used Bear TD B mag risers. I have matching Left and Right hand and a half dozen limbs. Old Pariot carbons w Cutthroat Broadheads. I currently pull 40# @26" and got a complete passthru.
I'm currently waiting for two surgeries. So far over a year for tendon transfer to my right thumb from my index finger to give me more dexterity. Also for tendon repair. I might be selling my truck and going with private clinic to get the shoulder done as the wait is unreasonable because of Civid BS.
Thanks for looking and never give up!
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From: bowhunt
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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Very inspirational.
Like Jim Valvono said.Never give up.Never ever ever give up!
Congrats to you and best of luck on your surgeries and rehab!
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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Awesom buddy. Congrats
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From: Hot Hap
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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Congrats-hope everything works out for you.
Hap
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From: Krag
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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Inspirational story for sure!
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From: Deno
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Date: 19-Sep-21 |
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Wow Gun,quite an accomplishment. Congrats.
Deno
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From: Mike E
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Damn straight,, good for you. Nice deer there,,,Congrats!
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From: Biathlonman
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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You’re an inspiration and have been a wealth of knowledge for my upcoming moose hunt! Keep after them and never give up.
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From: Hunter Dave
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Gun, I greatly admire your tenacity. A lot of men would have given up when presented with the obstacles you've faced. Congrats on harvesting that fine doe. Best of luck with your upcoming surgeries.
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Quite a story and what a accomplishment! Prayers for the surgeries.
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From: 1/2miledrag
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congrats on a fine deer and you have my utmost respect for fighting through all that adversity.
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From: Briar
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Incredible.
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From: Mtquiver
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Well Done Gun. Congratulations on a fine Deer. Prayers for successful surgeries. Great accomplishment but even more so considering all that you have had to endure. Excellent fortitude. Blessings to you and yours.
Stay Safe/Shoot Straight. MT
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From: Shakey Jake
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congrats. Great accomplishment
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From: carpenter
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Awesome job! You are a inspiration.
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From: Yellah Nocks
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Powerful testimony. Reminds me of one of my favorite verses, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Betcha THEM backstraps taste extra sweet.
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From: soap creek
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Good for you congrats. It would have been easy to give up but you never. Will be praying it all works out for you.
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From: Surveyor61
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Determination is the key to success in everything we do. Well done Sir.
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From: Seneca_Archer
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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A great story. Truly inspiring.
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From: Ken Schwartz
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Gun, I know it has been a rough road , and through perseverance you have done a very good job and have a trophy,to prove it! Well done! Ken
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From: HRhodes
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Outstanding! You have inspired me this morning. Never quit!!!! Best wishes for your continued healing, and know that you are in my prayers.
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From: Supernaut
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congrats and way to stick with it and find a way! Hope your upcoming surgeries get you fixed up good as new.
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From: Pa Steve
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congratulations.
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From: lowrider
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Gun what an inspiration to those of us who struggle with our shooting and have full use of our extremities. Hope things work out well on your surgery. God bless.
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From: curve51
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Outstanding and great accomplishment, so glad you found a way around the adversity you faced. Great looking doe.
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From: keepemsharp
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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If you need further help contact the Physically Challenged Bowhunters Assn.
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From: selstickbow
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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wow GUN applause, applause.....thanks for shring this, and I hope you get the surgeries you need & they do the trick for you. Steve
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From: ottertails
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Just awesome! Truly inspiring. Best of luck on the surgeries.
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congratulations, and sticking with it, you need more good Luck, Prayers sent
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From: Popester
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Gun, I greatly admire your sticktoitiveness!! Truly inspirational!
God bless you, and I'll be praying that your surgeries are successful.
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From: fdp
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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WOW....just WOW!!!
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From: Jegs.mi
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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I met another archery named Chris who did this exact same thing with a broken collar bone. My hat's off to you guys. I love the determination great job.
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From: elkster
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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I hope you have good results from surgery, congratulations and thanks for the inspiration.
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From: Buzz
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congratulations.
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From: buckeye
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Way to stick with it. Inspirational for sure! Thanks for sharing and I hope the doc will find a way to fix you up buddy.
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From: Verdeburl
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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An absolutely awesome story. My hat is off--my hand is extended in congrats to you, and your accomplishment. Very inspiring to all of us.
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From: JHPope
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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I admire your determination and success. It just expresses your devotion to archery. May you have the best of results with your surgeries. Enjoy those back straps.
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From: tinecounter
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congratulations! Inpressive achievement.
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From: scndwfstlhntng
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Hardcore!
WOW!
Congratulations on a nice reward for so much an investment of time, and energy
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From: Tucker
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Good job Gun! Now go get this year’s moose…but get someone to help cut it up and carry it out.
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From: deerhunt51
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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That's awesome, congrats!
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From: reb
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Congrats! That sure is something.
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From: Lefty38-55
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Dayum, "NEVER give up!" And you Sir, are truly living that motto!
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From: smrobertson
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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You stuck with it and all turned out well. Good luck on uour future surgery!
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From: Brittman
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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You are the man !!!! Thank you for the inspiration to keep going no matter what your going through. I really needed that right now ....
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From: BRIBOWl
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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God Bless!
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From: BRIBOWl
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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God Bless!
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From: Silverback
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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Awesome, great story.
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From: Flinger1
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Date: 20-Sep-21 |
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One word,,,,,perseverance! I look forward to reading about future successes from you!
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From: Geezer
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Where there's a will . . .
You are an inspiration to all archers.
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From: Frisky
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Super! You really worked around your injuries!
Joe
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From: Gun
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Thanks all.
Hopefully my journey can inspire someone else to persevere. When I showed up to my doctor after the initial diagnosis he asked if I wanted a note to get a crossbow permit. I basically told him that if the day ever comes I can't shoot Trad, there's always fishing.
I have some pretty decent bucks in the works. Plus a few more doe tags. Stay tuned.
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From: Clydebow
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Great effort! Congrats
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Congratulations on your perseverance. Lots of folks would just hang it up but there are those who will push through about anything. Well done sir.
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From: Irish Archer
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Major congrats! That’s impressive.
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From: Jason H
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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That’s fantastic! Send us a picture of you shooting.
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From: benzy
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Sorry to hear you went through all this, but DAMN! Way to keep going and get it done!!!
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From: Gun
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Wish I could load the video clip but here is a screen shot.
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From: Gun
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Date: 21-Sep-21 |
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Whoa! That's huge. I used to shoot 3 fingers under, now I shoot 4 molars under. ;^)
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From: Jason H
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Date: 22-Sep-21 |
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That’s great, keep up your courage!!
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From: RonG
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Date: 23-Sep-21 |
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Man that has to be a tooth rattler.
Way to go, my respects to you.
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From: Gun
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Date: 29-Nov-21 |
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Doe #2. shot thru heart at 6 paces. 23 paces recovery. Out in less than a minute. Same equipment as above.
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From: Gun
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Hi Brad Cortisone wore off mid October. Saw a surgeon a month ago. Had a MRI Saturday. Hoping to get fixed up soon.
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From: Buzz
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Congrats.
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From: shade mt
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Story's like that show us what it means to persevere.
Very commendable.
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From: Shakey Jake
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Congrats Never give up
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From: Yellah Nocks
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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That is freekin' AWESOME.
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From: Wapiti - - M. S.
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Amazing story & never say no attitude,your lots of hunters that are ready to give up. Praying for your health & healing.
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From: Sawtooth (Original)
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Doing what it takes no matter what. We could use a lot more of you. You have my respect man.
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From: reb
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Congrats and good luck with everything.
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From: GUTPILEPA
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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WOW THATS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
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From: Supernaut
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Outstanding and inspirational!
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Second Congratulations
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From: Papadeerhtr
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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That is cool congrats!I guess it's like the old saying, where there's a will there's a way
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From: austkare
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Man that is inspirational in a time of victim mentality. Good to see there are real men still around! You the man!
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From: goelk
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Relentless inspirational! Keep going Im rooting for you
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From: Justcut
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Way to go, and not give up on something you love.
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From: TB
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Fantastic story of determination! I think you must be one tuff son of a gun!
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From: Quickfeather
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Yes Yes Yes I love it. I'm so sick of hearing stories from people like " I stubbed my toe when I was 12 so my Dr. got me a Xbow permit" you are an inspiration.
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From: tinecounter
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Gun congrats, you're an inspirational hero! Prayers for successful future surgeries. Thank you for sharing your impressive journey.
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From: Ken Schwartz
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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A Huge congratulations Gun! First on your sticking to it! Secondly on persistence! In doing it with a stick bow. ????
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From: MikeT
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Thats pretty awesome,congrads, did better than me. I didnt take a deer this year with my bow, but had a great season just the same. I would need a bow cut 3" past center, so my dentures would clear the riser on the way downrange ;)
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From: jdbbowhunter
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Congrats and very impressive.
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From: Silverback
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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A very inspirational and impressive achievement. Congratulations.
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From: cut it out
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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That is so cool to hear. Very inspirational like others have said. And congrats to you sir!!
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From: iowacedarshooter
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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WOW YES SIR TO ALL ABOVE! I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD HIS RIGHT ARM TAKEN OFF AND HE SHOOTS HIS BLACK WIDOW WITH HIS TEETH AND A TAB! HE DOES VERY WELL ALSO AND IS A GREAT SHOT! AS HAS BEEN SAID "NEVER" GIVE UP!
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From: BRIBOWl
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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You rock keep it up.
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From: Ollie
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Good job Gun. It was a pleasure to meet you at moose camp. Glad to learn of your success.
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From: Toby
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Inspiring!
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From: Gun
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Well I'm human too. Missed my #1 Buck yesterday at 10yds. I had to rush the shot in my defense. He was going past behind me and was waiting for him to hit the opening. Then he stopped and did a 180 for whatever reason. I had to get the bow and arrow back around the trunk and just blew it. Arrow passed just in front of his brisket.
Thanks for all the kind comments! Just a stubborn German.
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From: Tradworx
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Too cool! Hats off to you, and congratulations!
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From: Harl
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Date: 30-Nov-21 |
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Great Stuff Gun !! Does not surprise me you pulled this off.
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From: SB
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Date: 01-Dec-21 |
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Excellent! I had an aquaintence in Mt. that was a one-armed Vietnam vet that shot an Elk every year with a heavy recurve and a setup like that. I don't know how you can shoot like that without pulling your teeth out
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From: SJR Bows
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Date: 01-Dec-21 |
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Inspirational!!! Congratulations
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From: zog
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Date: 01-Dec-21 |
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Glad I opened this thread - wow so impressive. Turn a handicap into an advantage - it must make for a consistent clean release every time.
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From: Kwikdraw
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Date: 01-Dec-21 |
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Very very impressive! Amazing feat by an amazing humanoid! Good luck on the bucks and just shooting at anything is an unbelievable accomplishment! And good luck w/ future attempts at getting your fingers, hand and shoulder working as they should!
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From: stringflinger
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Date: 06-Dec-21 |
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Bravo Sir, I think you are proof of the heart of an archer and the power of human will. nice job
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From: TGbow
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Date: 07-Dec-21 |
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Awsome!! What an achievement
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From: Gun
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Date: 20-Dec-21 |
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Doe#3 w an hour and a half left in the Special Antlerless season. Cold sit in a semi heated ground blind. Shot at about 5 yds, 40 yd recovery. Same bow but used a 180 gr VPA 3 blade on this one. Arrow went thru upper muscle of front leg cut arteries over heart and broke opposite shoulder a couple inches above joint. Not a pass thru but a lot of damage for only 40#.
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From: Kelly
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Date: 20-Dec-21 |
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Outstanding Gun!
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From: FITTER
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Date: 21-Dec-21 |
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That is splendid!!! Congrats and I admire your tenacity!!!
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From: Brian waters
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Date: 21-Dec-21 |
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Everyday i get up aching, groaning, ready to give up. Then i think of the fella shooting with his teeth to overcome obstacles. I happily muscle thru the day. Thanks for sharing your success.
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From: Toby
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Date: 21-Dec-21 |
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Awesome and inspirational.
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From: A.S.
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Date: 21-Dec-21 |
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Congratulations Gun!
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