Contributors to this thread:
So... about a month ago while sitting and eating dinner, I felt a "twinge" in my upper back. I told my wife it was feeling in my back that I've only felt once before, which turned out to be a pinched nerve that led to a couple of weeks of sciatica pain. Well, the following morning, I had severe pain under my left shoulder blade that ran all the way down my arm and into my hand. In addition to the pain in my hand, my pinky finger was numb and my left arm, thumb, forefinger and middle finger were exceptionally weak.
I've since seen a doctor and been in physical therapy. The doc said I pinched my ulnar nerve. Now, after a full month, there's no pain at all, but the pinky is still numb and the arm, thumb and two fingers are still weak.
Yesterday, I took out my bow and turned it down as far as I dared without a bow press (4 turns on each limb bolt). I couldn't pull it back. Not even close. There's just not enough strength in my left arm and hand. I can hold the bow up just fine... just can't draw it back. The culprits are clearly my thumb and forearm being too weak.
So, I'm taking the bow to Reedy's and asking them to back the limb bolts as far as possible while still being safe (not interested in being able to draw a bow that could come apart on me). I've also started working with a small weight (10 pounds) for my left arm and plan to steadily increase the weight every few days.
I'm heading to PA in less than two weeks. I read that I can use a crossbow there. The plan is to hunt PA for 5 or 6 days and then go to upstate NY, where it appears crossbows cannot be used in the early bow season... even with a doctor's opinion that I can't draw a regular bow. Here in MA, to use a crossbow, I will need to have my doc complete a form in order to use a crossbow.
At this point, I'm not sure if this is a permanent problem, or not. Having said that, the indications are that it is. So, I'm going to start looking at crossbows. Hunting is too big of a part of my life to sit in the house. Any suggestions for crossbows are welcomed.
How much money ya got,.. LOL
The big complaint I have heard (no experience myself) is that moving around with one in the woods is a pain. Worse than a bow ( image a giant letter T ). Having said that,.. they sell some ultra modern, and ultra expensive ones with a very small profile. Maybe it is then sorta like a "Little t" :)
The ones I saw with that super low profile at R&R ran 1500 freaking dollars!
You can hunt in Conn with one starting Sept 15th too,.. I plan on doing just that next year.
It is really dependent on the doctor / specialist . I tried and although the Ortho- specialist said this is an old injury from a bad tear ,inflamed by a new injury and there is an old broken bone , ligament damage and arthritis from it (permanent) it could be "maybe fixed " with surgery , so ? He wouldn't sign because he didn't know what the results may be after his surgery and a years recovery ... And now ,3 seasons later... Back then he said he would like to sign a temporary permission and be able to alter after the results ... (not an option but it should be, A Temporary disability with possible continued ... ) But what good does that do in that year ? Depends on the doctor and his ability to see into the future, I guess. Still haven't had the operation ... What a crappy catch 22.
Good luck , there are some nutty doctors that may also work for PETA out there. But they are also bound to their obligation and interpretation as to what is permanent . I wonder, if I never have an operation that will fix my issue , that in the end , will they call it permanent and let me hunt in heaven ... ? Sheesh ,doctor Doolittle !
I would look at only bows with a crank to pull back the string. I beleive their are universal hand cranks that work on most cross bows. If you cant pull back your bow then pulling back a cross bow with thous t handle ropes will be impossible. Most draw weights on cross bows are two or three times what are compond bows are. My fatherinlaw just got one this summer, wow is it hard to pull back with the t handle rope
Jimbo, have you tried to pull back a 45# compound?
Update...
I had the bow turned way down and still couldn't pull it back. So, I went to CVS and bought a brace for my left arm & wrist that people with carpel tunnel syndrome use. I still couldn't pull it back... my thumb was just too weak and kept giving way.
Then, a light went off! I slid a piece of metal under the velcro straps on the arm/wrist brace with about two inches sticking out into my hand underneath my thumb. I nocked an arrow and picked up the bow with the protruding piece of metal on the same side of the handle as my thumb... it was actually directly below my thumb and sticking out the exact same distance. I attached the release to the string loop, drew back, and... success!!! I could draw the bow. The "metal thumb" did the trick!
After adjusting my sight, I drilled bullseye after bullseye at 20 yards. I'm probably only shooting a little over 40#, but there's plenty of zip on the arrow! The one thing I will do is pull back on my self-imposed range limit to no more than 30 yards.
To say I'm feeling relieved is an understatement.
Hopefully, physical therapy will eventually help me regain normal thumb strength.
Jimbo I hunt Vermont with the crossbow exception over 50 AARP club and I use a Barnett Droptine. Paid less than 4 bills for it and it shoots nice groups. I would let you try it out in PA but you got to be back by Oct. 6th. I prob live 15 min from you....
That's very generous of you, Michael. Thank you for offering. Fortunately, I've devised a way to use my bow. And, I won't be back from PA & NY until October 8th. What town do you live in? I'm in South Dartmouth.
Anytime Jim, I know how it feels on injured reserved list. Live in East Freetown, I have Family/Friends from South Dartmouth as well... Hunt Copicut swamp often. Best of Luck on your Road Trip!
Just an FYI. My buddy had a shoulder injury two years ago and we looked into crossbow option for him in Mass. When we spoke to EPO's in Boston we learned the switch to a crossbow was permanent thing in that once you are granted permission with the crossbow that is your weapon forever. No going back to compound or traditional.
I don't understand the rational behind the permanent restriction. I can see allowing crossbows if there is a medical condition but if you have surgery or it clears up for whatever reason why would the state not want to allow you to switch back? That being said I don't see how it would be an issue or how it could reasonably be expected to come out if you did switch back and hunted with a compound again. I can't believe the state is going to want to monitor this stuff later. Seems a stupid thing for it to be an issue in the first place.
I think it helps scare off some applicant's who are just full of crap. Im not implieing anyone on hear is but i know people who are. And lazyness is not a disability. I know a guy with a crossbow permit who just bought a new compound. I quess he should have read the whole crossbow permit application
Jimbo - good to hear. Do the PT religiously. You can make a lot of progress. It may get better than ever, it may never get to where it was... but it can get a lot better. Keep at it!
ive got the permit. would never/cant switch back. whitetail 2 was my first bow. 1985. shoulder injuries are permanent, im sure a lot of you guys will end up like me. god bless.
