Has anyone else been injured while hunting away from home?

[KEC]

The last six months have been a challenge. My son and I were on our annual moose hunt in Newfoundland late September 2024. The first day (Monday 9/23) we hunted our way back to the spike camp we would be using for a night or two. We opened the camp, cut some wood and went off on foot for the evening hunt. We glassed for 2-3 hrs. spotting several different animals in a valley, I was looking for a meat bull. We made a couple moves to different vantage points and found a young bull with a cow. We made a quick stalk and my hunt was over, so I thought. Darkness was 1/2 hr away so we were moving quickly to get the guts out of my bull, traversing down through a bog bordered by tucks. On the way down I stepped into a hole covered by bog grass slightly larger than my boot and almost up to my knee. When my left foot hit the bottom, I heard and felt a snap, crunch sound (my son heard it 8 feet behind me) NOT GOOD! With time working against us my son and our friend (guide) took care of my moose while I looked at my foot and felt sorry for myself. I tried to stand but no way was this going to happen, I knew some bones were broken. Our friend went back to the spike camp to get the Argo while my son stayed with me. They loaded me up and off we went to the main camp 2 hrs away where I made myself a couch decoration until Friday afternoon. On the way out of camp we stopped at the butcher to pick up our 2 bulls (my son got a nice one Wednesday) and off to the ferry for an overnight sailing. We hit the mainland Saturday @ 7am drove straight through 20hrs home so I could get medical help. I went to a small local hospital and they referred me to our main hospital in Rochester (strong Hospital) where X rays were performed. I was told I would need surgery, my heel was broken in several pieces, multiple bones in my foot were broken and I had broken the end of my fibula along with three blood clots in my lower leg. Surgery was performed October 7th where they put my foot back together with a plate and 9 screws. I returned home the next day and was to be non-weight bearing for almost 3 months, December 20th I was cleared to start weight bearing which was to be gradual using crutches and a walking boot, February 14th was my last day with crutches. Since then, I have been getting around (slowly) relearning to walk, forcing myself to use the leg and not limp. It will be a challenge for a while, I found it necessary to cancel 3 trips planned for 2025 just to get better. 2026 will hopefully be back to normal, I already have a trip planned with KMG and another moose hunt planned in October.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

For me nothing like that, just minor falls that left me a bit scraped and bruised. However my pride has taken a few blows from blown opportunities and missed shots....

 

[Flbt]

I have stepped into a log hole like that crossing creeks but never broke anything just a sprain ankle.
Hogs getting loose from dogs and getting cut.
Does getting shot count? It was not bad hunting with a new hunter squirrel runs down the tree. He shoot’s I get my back pepper with birdshot. Had to pick a few out with tweasers.
I have known a few others to get shot worse and 1 death.

 

[RR 314]

Nothing like that! Good luck with the recovery! Oooof. I did dislocate my non-shooting shoulder last trip over when the bakkie almost flipped and I ended up on the ground. That was not fun, but was back at 'em in an hour or so. The saving grace is when a shoulder is relatively easily dislocated it is relatively easy to reduce.

 

[KEC]

I have stepped into a log hole like that crossing creeks but never broke anything just a sprain ankle.
Hogs getting loose from dogs and getting cut.
Does getting shot count? It was not bad hunting with a new hunter squirrel runs down the tree. He shoot’s I get my back pepper with birdshot. Had to pick a few out with tweasers.
I have known a few others to get shot worse and 1 death.

Seems like it could have been life changing if you caught the birdshot in your face. Hunting accidents caused by negligence are hard to justify. I know people get excited and have a hard time controlling these emotions. I lost a friend opening day of our deer season 1987. He was the proud new owner of a Freedom Arms 454 Casull. After dark he was taking down his climber when his revolver slipped from the shoulder holster, the hammer struck the edge of the stand where he was leaning over it. These old FA revolvers did not have a hammer block, and he carried 6 rounds instead of 5 leaving the chamber open. Needless to say, it discharged into his abdomen, and he expired 3 hrs later.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Countless times I have stepped into hidden badger holes, sometimes nearly knee depth. So far not even a sprained ankle. Very, very lucky. My wheels are truly remarkable. The only issue I can recall was platar fasciaitis in my left foot during pheasant season several years ago. That was painful! But it didn't stop me. Shitty boots. Changed my footwear and my walking style and made it through the rest of the season. Still, I remember tripping in tall grass late one afternoon a mile from my vehicle and wondered if I'd have to crawl out. Fortunately the weather was balmy. I laid on the ground for almost forty minutes. My cell was charged up and I have one of the game wardens number in it. Knew she would come flying if I called. But eventually I was able to get up and stumble out. Tanked up on ibuprofen and I was back in the field the next day. Checked on line for physio exercises. Best one is to periodically curl toes like trying to grip a pencil on the ground. I did twenty reps every time I could think about it when not on my feet (watching TV and driving).

 

[KEC]

Nothing like that! Good luck with the recovery! Oooof. I did dislocate my non-shooting shoulder last trip over when the bakkie almost flipped and I ended up on the ground. That was not fun, but was back at 'em in an hour or so. The saving grace is when a shoulder is relatively easily dislocated it is relatively easy to reduce.

Thank You.
Glad you were good to finish your trip, hope it wasn't your shooting shoulder!

 

[KEC]

Countless times I have stepped into hidden badger holes, sometimes nearly knee depth. So far not even a sprained ankle. Very, very lucky. My wheels are truly remarkable. The only issue I can recall was platar fasciaitis in my left foot during pheasant season several years ago. That was painful! But it didn't stop me. Shitty boots. Changed my footwear and my walking style and made it through the rest of the season. Still, I remember tripping in tall grass late one afternoon a mile from my vehicle and wondered if I'd have to crawl out. Fortunately the weather was balmy. I laid on the ground for almost forty minutes. My cell was charged up and I have one of the game wardens number in it. Knew she would come flying if I called. But eventually I was able to get up and stumble out. Tanked up on ibuprofen and I was back in the field the next day. Checked on line for physio exercises. Best one is to periodically curl toes like trying to grip a pencil on the ground. I did twenty reps every time I could think about it when not on my feet (watching TV and driving).

I get my exercises online also and have been doing the one you described; it does work great for learning to properly use your toes during the stepping cycle.

 

[wyosteve]

I've been shot (hit) twice while pheasant hunting. One pierced the skin in my leg and had to be removed. The other hit my neck hard enough to cause it to bleed, but bounced out. Horse are over backwards in 1989 and tore up a knee. Slid off the trail and almost straight down the mountain for about 70 feet in 2018, Scraped up pretty bad but no broken bones. Worst happened at home before a planned elk hunt in 2019. Long story short, had a freak accident with my mule in the round pen and snapped my right femur! First ambulance ride, first surgery to pound a titanium rod in my leg! If that happened to me in the boonies, it would have required a chopper to get me out. Recovered well and did 2 aoudad, 2 oryx and a brown bear hunt since then.

 

[Mauser3000]

I sprained an ankle really bad the first day of a black bear hunt in Canada and spent the whole week with a badly sprained ankle. It was so swollen I could only wear my muck boots. But I got my bear and it healed up.

 

[Nyati]

Broke two ribs in RSA, bakkie did a strange jump, slipped out of my seat and landed on the coolbox.

Fortunately everything stayed in place, to me it just felt like a bruise, so just took some tylenol

and I completed my hunt, including a hippo.

I did go to the hospital after I returned home and found out about the broken ribs !

 

[Rare Breed]

The last six months have been a challenge. My son and I were on our annual moose hunt in Newfoundland late September 2024. The first day (Monday 9/23) we hunted our way back to the spike camp we would be using for a night or two. We opened the camp, cut some wood and went off on foot for the evening hunt. We glassed for 2-3 hrs. spotting several different animals in a valley, I was looking for a meat bull. We made a couple moves to different vantage points and found a young bull with a cow. We made a quick stalk and my hunt was over, so I thought. Darkness was 1/2 hr away so we were moving quickly to get the guts out of my bull, traversing down through a bog bordered by tucks. On the way down I stepped into a hole covered by bog grass slightly larger than my boot and almost up to my knee. When my left foot hit the bottom, I heard and felt a snap, crunch sound (my son heard it 8 feet behind me) NOT GOOD! With time working against us my son and our friend (guide) took care of my moose while I looked at my foot and felt sorry for myself. I tried to stand but no way was this going to happen, I knew some bones were broken. Our friend went back to the spike camp to get the Argo while my son stayed with me. They loaded me up and off we went to the main camp 2 hrs away where I made myself a couch decoration until Friday afternoon. On the way out of camp we stopped at the butcher to pick up our 2 bulls (my son got a nice one Wednesday) and off to the ferry for an overnight sailing. We hit the mainland Saturday @ 7am drove straight through 20hrs home so I could get medical help. I went to a small local hospital and they referred me to our main hospital in Rochester (strong Hospital) where X rays were performed. I was told I would need surgery, my heel was broken in several pieces, multiple bones in my foot were broken and I had broken the end of my fibula along with three blood clots in my lower leg. Surgery was performed October 7th where they put my foot back together with a plate and 9 screws. I returned home the next day and was to be non-weight bearing for almost 3 months, December 20th I was cleared to start weight bearing which was to be gradual using crutches and a walking boot, February 14th was my last day with crutches. Since then, I have been getting around (slowly) relearning to walk, forcing myself to use the leg and not limp. It will be a challenge for a while, I found it necessary to cancel 3 trips planned for 2025 just to get better. 2026 will hopefully be back to normal, I already have a trip planned with KMG and another moose hunt planned in October.

Yes. On my first day of a 10 day hunt in Zim followed by a 5 day SA hunt I took a bad fall and completely tore my left tricep tendon from the bone. Ice, pain medication and alcohol got me through both hunts. My surgeon told me I was stupid and should have come home immediately given the tendon kept inching up my arm each day. What should have been a two to three inch scar ended up being about 11 inches. Took me four months to regain 100% normal exercise use

 

[RR 314]

Thank You.
Glad you were good to finish your trip, hope it wasn't your shooting shoulder!

No sir. Left shoulder and all was good. Miserable, but good. .

 

[Tyand]

I've always dreamed of hunting in the Montana wilderness. Last fall, I finally got my chance. My friends and I planned a week-long elk hunt in the backcountry, miles away from civilization. Everything went smoothly - until the third day.
At dawn, while crossing a steep ridge, I lost my footing on loose shale. I fell down a short embankment. The sharp pain in my ankle immediately told me that it was either a severe sprain or worse. With no cell phone service and kilometers to go to camp, my friends helped me hobble down the mountain. What was supposed to be an adventure turned into a test of survival. Luckily, we had stocked up on extra supplies, and after a painful but careful descent, we made it to camp. My Journey was short(

 

[KEC]

Broke two ribs in RSA, bakkie did a strange jump, slipped out of my seat and landed on the coolbox.

Fortunately everything stayed in place, to me it just felt like a bruise, so just took some tylenol

and I completed my hunt, including a hippo.

I did go to the hospital after I returned home and found out about the broken ribs !

Broken ribs can be terrible, every move you make causes pain!

 

[KEC]

Yes. On my first day of a 10 day hunt in Zim followed by a 5 day SA hunt I took a bad fall and completely tore my left tricep tendon from the bone. Ice, pain medication and alcohol got me through both hunts. My surgeon told me I was stupid and should have come home immediately given the tendon kept inching up my arm each day. What should have been a two to three inch scar ended up being about 11 inches. Took me four months to regain 100% normal exercise use

It's easy for somebody to tell you afterwards what you should have done but when you've prepared and planned for something we all live for, it's hard to let go. Glad you're ok, wear your cool scar with pride,
I sure do! I'm glad I was hurt doing something I love and not walking into the grocery store.

 

[Happy Myles]

I have not kept a list. Let me think.
The worst, knocked down by a forest elephant and sprained wrist. Hunted Stone sheep for three week with two broken ribs. Taken out to hospital with stomach blockage. Think a few more. Oh yes, mauled by a Leopard that was exciting.

 

[Scott CWO]

The last six months have been a challenge. My son and I were on our annual moose hunt in Newfoundland late September 2024. The first day (Monday 9/23) we hunted our way back to the spike camp we would be using for a night or two. We opened the camp, cut some wood and went off on foot for the evening hunt. We glassed for 2-3 hrs. spotting several different animals in a valley, I was looking for a meat bull. We made a couple moves to different vantage points and found a young bull with a cow. We made a quick stalk and my hunt was over, so I thought. Darkness was 1/2 hr away so we were moving quickly to get the guts out of my bull, traversing down through a bog bordered by tucks. On the way down I stepped into a hole covered by bog grass slightly larger than my boot and almost up to my knee. When my left foot hit the bottom, I heard and felt a snap, crunch sound (my son heard it 8 feet behind me) NOT GOOD! With time working against us my son and our friend (guide) took care of my moose while I looked at my foot and felt sorry for myself. I tried to stand but no way was this going to happen, I knew some bones were broken. Our friend went back to the spike camp to get the Argo while my son stayed with me. They loaded me up and off we went to the main camp 2 hrs away where I made myself a couch decoration until Friday afternoon. On the way out of camp we stopped at the butcher to pick up our 2 bulls (my son got a nice one Wednesday) and off to the ferry for an overnight sailing. We hit the mainland Saturday @ 7am drove straight through 20hrs home so I could get medical help. I went to a small local hospital and they referred me to our main hospital in Rochester (strong Hospital) where X rays were performed. I was told I would need surgery, my heel was broken in several pieces, multiple bones in my foot were broken and I had broken the end of my fibula along with three blood clots in my lower leg. Surgery was performed October 7th where they put my foot back together with a plate and 9 screws. I returned home the next day and was to be non-weight bearing for almost 3 months, December 20th I was cleared to start weight bearing which was to be gradual using crutches and a walking boot, February 14th was my last day with crutches. Since then, I have been getting around (slowly) relearning to walk, forcing myself to use the leg and not limp. It will be a challenge for a while, I found it necessary to cancel 3 trips planned for 2025 just to get better. 2026 will hopefully be back to normal, I already have a trip planned with KMG and another moose hunt planned in October.

Ouch!

I’ve been there, Brother. I have a plate and 8 screws in my tibia from an old motocross wreck and fractured the fibula as well.

Also broke my right heel bone (calcaneus) in a fall in Spring of 2019 brown bear season while guiding the first of three 10-day hunts. Luckily not as bad as yours and it didn’t dislocate. I just iced and elevated at night and kept it wrapped during the day. Finished all three hunts and got the confirming x-ray and boot when I got back home. If you’re done with PT, make sure you concentrate and practice “walking pretty” on it without limping. That’s what my PT gal told me to do. Good luck!

 

[Raven]

A few years ago we went bear hunting in the mountains. When we returned, I was riding in a sled attached to a snowmobile. The snowmobile jumped over a small stream, and the sled got stuck and tilted sideways. Since they were made of iron and massive, I was afraid that they would even more tilt and crush me in the water. So I jumped out of them myself.

It was the very beginning of May, the ice had just come off, and the water was very cold. The stream was shallow, so I hit my hands and my left knee on the underwater rocks. I didn't break anything, but the bruises were still there for a long time.

The water got behind the collar and soaked my suit from the inside. And we still had an hour and a half to get to the cars. There was a risk of catching a serious cold. Luckily, I had a bottle of gin in my backpack. I rubbed the liquid over my body, face, and head, and drank the rest. And I didn't catch a cold. Although my knee still hurts sometimes.

 

[KEC]

Ouch!

I’ve been there, Brother. I have a plate and 8 screws in my tibia from an old motocross wreck and fractured the fibula as well.

Also broke my right heel bone (calcaneus) in a fall in Spring of 2019 brown bear season while guiding the first of three 10-day hunts. Luckily not as bad as yours and it didn’t dislocate. I just iced and elevated at night and kept it wrapped during the day. Finished all three hunts and got the confirming x-ray and boot when I got back home. If you’re done with PT, make sure you concentrate and practice “walking pretty” on it without limping. That’s what my PT gal told me to do. Good luck!View attachment 668927

Wow, your foot looks like mine did, the bruising takes forever to go away.