Almost Over

[DrMike]

Super7's account has prompted me to give my woeful report of this season's hunting (so far). It started with some difficult hunting, as the weather was hot and kept game holed up in the deep timber. I had taken my grandson, Noah, in hopes of getting him a moose and/or a whitetail early in the season. That wasn't to be. Then, when September rolled around, I blew out both knees, one after the other. Hunting took last place in my life. I've often said I could stand anything, but pain; I proved that point this fall. It did crimp my style for all of September and most of October. I am able to hunt; but I'm pretty much confined to the truck at the present. The pain is tolerable, so long as I don't overdo walking. It looks as if I'll be working with this problem for about another six months in order to get past the immediate problem. Still, I managed to drive Noah into some decent areas on several occasion during November. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to connect with any of the whitetail we saw. He took one poke at a fat doe, but shot over her back. We had a good discussion about "doe fever."

Blkram (Gil) and I went out this past Saturday. It was -40 C (-40 F) when I left home for Moberly Lake, though it had warmed to -36 C (-33 F) when I arrived just before light. We drove into some old, familiar haunts I hadn't hunted for a couple of years. These were chosen in part because I would be able to see quite a bit of game from the truck. Indeed, we did see game--eight moose (including a bull that would have been just perfect for me, if the season were still open), nineteen elk (cow elk opened today) and at least ten deer (both mule deer and whitetail). Unfortunately, none of these animals qualified as legal for me. However, it was great to see them. The temperatures had risen to -23 C (-9 F) by last light. Thus concluded my moose, black bear and whitetail season. I didn't buy a mule deer tag this year, opting to give the mulies a chance to recover from some depressed numbers. Of course, that meant that I saw quite a few mule deer each time I went out. This is the first season in many, many years that I didn't have deer and/or moose in my freezer. Man, reduced to buying a beef (or perhaps a bison)! What is this world coming to? :shock:

I have a cow elk draw that opened today and continues through February. I'm anticipating seeing Gerry and his good lady for an elk hunt later this month. Gerry, I have seen lots of cow elk. I believe I will even be able to tag one from my truck. :grin: They are in great shape.

 

[truck driver]

I feel your pain DrMike. Our white tail season opened on Saturday and I don't hunt opening day due to all the nuts in the woods. Even though you need written land owner permission they still walk in on you so I stay home. On Sunday the wife wanted to eat some steamed hard shell crabs so we went to a local restaurant that had a $25 all you can eat special. Wrong thing today. I got a mild case of food poisoning and another lady that was with us also. I got up at 0430 to go hunting still very sick but determined to go. Saw lots of deer but none in shooting range since you have to us a shotgun with slugs where I was hunting.
Last year it was the ankle this year food poison so what's next?
Yes I feel your pain.

 

[sask boy]

Thank you DrMike for your update sure hope those knees of yours start to mend. I am sure that you are going to have a great time with gerry & Maria going for cow Elk. I was wondering what are you going to be using as far as calibre when hunting those Elk?
Rodger I sure hope you get that food poisoning out of your system so you can connect on a Whitetail. Are you going to be using your 35 Whelen?

Blessings,
Dan

 

[super-7]

I hope they can get your knees back in shape for next year. Your a great mentor to your grand kids and family friends. Maybe you guys can get those elk to co-operate yet this year aswell.

 

[NYDAN]

DrMike, It sounds like a tough year for you so far. But, helping Nahum get a moose must count for something. I hope your knees get better fast and you can enjoy some hunting time. Good luck on tagging an elk. What caliber will you be using? As I recall from reading some of your previous posts, you have several to choose from.

 

[truck driver]

Thank you DrMike for your update sure hope those knees of your start to mend. I am sure that you are going to have a great time with gerry & Maria going for cow Elk. I was wondering what are you going to be using as far as calibre when hunting those Elk?
Rodger I sure hope you get that food poisoning out of your system so you can connect on a Whitetail. Are you going to be using your 35 Whelen?

Blessings,
Dan

Didn't mean to steal DrMikes post I was trying to let him know that he's not alone and others are struggling also.

I would like to use the Whelen and may ride up into the mountains near home where rifles are allowed.

 

[DrMike]

I'm certain with time and careful attention to the regimen prescribed by the physio-terrorists, I'll be back in the field by spring. I'll move a little more slowly, but I'll be able to do pretty much all that I'm supposed to do. In the interim, it is possible for me to tag elk from near the truck. I just need to be certain to have someone nearby to drag and lift. Hey, these bad knees could have a few benefits. :grin:

 

[Vince]

Being a sufferer of knee pain and multiple knee injuries I am able empathize with you.
DO WHAT THE PHYSIO TERRORIST TELL YOU!!!
Off the bloody sofa and on your feet mate. It took me two years but the bloke that walked me to shame I did the same to this past year in rougher country than when he made me cry like a little girl.
You can do it. You just have to want to and be willing to WORK!

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[Elkman]

Mike, you can get it done. Its tough and requires hours of therapy but you will recover. I set next to a couple of older women in a waiting room today. One had just completed her surgery a few days ago and was using a walker. Another had completed both knees several months ago, and was very spry and talking about gardening. They were both well into their 70's. A friend of my wife's also into her 70's, had her knee replaced three weeks ago is overweight and in her 70's is walking unassisted. I realize that packing meat or hunting is ultimately more demanding, but it can be done. Stay the course, stay positive and stay focused.

 

[DrMike]

Aye, Cap'n; and I am working and moving.

 

[Elkman]

Aye, Cap'n; and I am working and moving.

That's the spirit, you will be walking and moving naturally before you know it!!!!!

 

[gerry]

DrMike, we are planning on leaving on Boxing day and should be there on the 27'th and do hope that works for you. If you down an elk from the truck I can get it back for you although I do ask that in not be in a deep canyon :lol: I'll bring my good Mystery Ranch pack and a small but tough sled so should be to recover an (or hopefully 3) elk fairly easily.

 

[DrMike]

Gerry,

Most of the elk I saw were in a steep canyon. However, they come up to the plateaus to feed each evening. It shouldn't be difficult to catch one. I've seen quite a few in the same area I took you a couple of years ago. The tracks in the snow tell me there are quite a few moving back and forth between bedding areas and feeding areas. There are a couple of good areas to check out. Sunday can be a bit hectic for me, but I'll book off the following week and give time on Saturday to see if we can sneak up on an elk or two. Plus, I should be able to find some on farm land where they are yarding up for the winter.

Aye, Cap'n; and I am working and moving.

That's the spirit, you will be walking and moving naturally before you know it!!!!!

I notice that I don't heal as quickly as I did twenty years ago, Bill. And the pain is somewhat more intense. However, I have a couple of big hunts planned for the next couple of years; so... I gotta' keep moving. :grin:

 

[cloverleaf]

Keep after it. Out in the truck is better than not out at all,but still its better out of the truck. I am told their is more to life than hunting :shock: but its all better when you feel better. Prayers for healing, strength and patience.CL

 

[DrMike]

Appreciate it, Troy. I preached for a few months seated on a stool. I just told parishioners that I was trying to be casual/cool. It didn't work. :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Stay after it Doc. Hopefully they mend you up and get you hunt able by the spring.

 

[DrMike]

One of the joys of growing older are the pains that remind you of exploits from years past. Fortunately, we live in an age when most of the pain can be controlled so that it doesn't totally take over one's life. I'm staying at the task, Scotty. I have a few hunts left that must be pursued.

 

[PJGunner]

Prayers sent for your knees to heal quickly. I have one that will have to be replaced pretty soon now and another that seems to be planning to quit. I still do an elk hunt for a cow on a private ranch from a truck and a healthy young dude to do the heavy work. Haven't decided what I'll use come January 12, or is it 13, but I know the .35 Whelen will be the back up piece for sure. 8)
Paul B.

 

[DrMike]

Paul,

Thank you for the prayers. And I hope your own mobility challenges will soon be rectified. It's no fun being gimped, but things could be far worse.

I'll likely carry my 9.3X64 for the elk hunt. All I've taken with it so far is a whitetail buck. It will do quite nicely for a cow elk. However, I have a number of excellent options if for some reason I decided not to carry this particular rifle.

 

[sask boy]

Being somewhat limited in my mobility has been quite the eye opener :evil: it is not much fun not being able to do what you normally can. But I consider myself blessed as the Doctors all stated I was a walking time bomb and likely would not have survived a heart attack.
I hope to go for a mall walk today and tomorrow and next Tuesday I can start to drive again which will help me gain a little freedom.
I am battling a little bit of infection in my chest incision but it seems to be clearing up.
I am so looking forward to being able to get down to my man cave and then starting to set up a plan for next fall's British Columbia Moose Hunt. It is going to be a hoot as this flatlander will be experiencing something so different in hunting the Mountains. Also the company I will be keeping should be a real learning experience.
My wife suggested that I fly to Grand Prairie and see if I can get a certain good Doctor to pick me up and take me the rest of the way to Dawson Creek :mrgreen:!
Well enough said, I am praying for all the people on the forum who are struggling with health concerns my we all be healed by his hand.

Blessings,
Dan