well...i have come to the realization that my body is worth more than my hobbies.every time i shoot my trad bows it hurts like hell in the joints of my knuckles.doctor told me to either quit alltogether or lay off and do not shoot very much.i cannot shoot just a little.its impossible to stay tuned up without shooting quite often as you all know.so with a heavy heart and troubled soul i am giving up traditional shooting.i have ran this through my mind over and over a million times and this is the best thing to do.thanks to all of you for being part of a very important part of my life.before i found tradgang i was not a very giving person as far as charities go.never even thought about it much.after seeing all of the brotherhood and charitable events that take place here it opened up a part of me that i had no idea even existed.i thank you all for this.the last trad bow i had is being refinished by whip for st,jude auction.i was planning on bidding but now i think it would just be torture to me to see a trad bow and not be able to shoot more than five arrows at a time without having serious pain.i am proud to know you all,tradgangers are the cream of the crop.top shelf.unless admin has a problem with it i will keep my acct open here and drop by now and then to say howdy.take care my friends.
larry
Man that's to bad I can't imagine having to do that!! Have you ever thought about trying a mechanical release? It wouldn't be the same but it might be better than quitting altogether. I have never used one with a traditional bow but I've heard about people that do.
Sorry to hear that. Is there no chance of continuing shooting with a lighter bow?
lighter bow???
Its never the end,Just a different path in the traditional forest we call home.If you can't shoot it doesn't mean that you still can't give you knowledge and wisdom to those who are beginning were you did.Once a trad hunter always a trad hunter.You will find a way to still shoot.Take care of yourself and you will shoot again.Tim :campfire:
I have trouble with my joints and fingers too. I rake vitamin B-6 every day. Really seems to help with pain and stiffness. Don't know if this helps but it's worth a try! Don't give up things tend to work out. Good luck! Magnus
Larry,
I have finger problems too. Don't give up!
I started using a release two years ago. Killed an elk using it.
Call me I will be glad to help you all I can.
404-372-9515 verizon
Larry, I don't know you well, and we have never met in person, but I think I do know you enough to know that traditional archery does mean quite a bit to you. And I can understand how after hearing that report from the doctor you may be disheartened. It hurts to hear that you might have to give up something you love.
But just like in relationships, it is worth fighting to save something you love. Even if it means that things won't be quite the same as they once were.
I would encourage you to listen to some of the advice above from people that have experienced what you are going through. Maybe some of those things can help. Maybe it means a much lower draw weight. Dick in Seattle is passionate about this sport even though pysically he is limited to very light bows. As has been suggested, try a release. Not a thing wrong with that.
If nothing else, just lay the bow down for awhile and come back to it whenever you are ready. And in the meantime, stick around here. These are still your friends, and you don't have to shoot a bow to log on here daily. You have much to contribute even if you are not shooting on a daily basis.
Good luck, I'm hoping you find an answer that makes you happier than giving it all up.
Larry,you have a lot of friends here that respect you and love you.If you give the proper time your body can recover and you'll be able to come back to the sport.Be perseverant with the theraphies.Good luck.
Larry,
take some rest......research some therapy, and don't be afraid to check out a local health-food store or nutritionalist. There are many ways to help the body heal, or at least improve function and lessen pain----not all RX related.
And don't be afraid to give a lighter bow a try---you dont have to shoot 70# just because you are a big guy......or to prove you're not a sissy :readit:
Head up, man!!!
Larry, check into physical therapy, specificaly one that works with hands, you would be suprised at the relief you can get, good advice from others here as well, have you talked to your doctor about some of the meds for relief of joint pain? I'm on one now that has really changed my comfort level. Good luck I hope some of the options that have been sent your way help you out of this situation Todd
First see a different doctor. As said above there may be ways to take care of this problem. Have you considered using a release? When Arvid's arthritis gets bad he uses a thumb tab. Something similar may work for you. There is only no hope when we surrender it.
Don't give up yet as stated above research some alternative shooting methods and treatments for your pain.
You might try a doctor that specializes in sports medicine they sometimes have a different perspective on how passionate someone is about their hobby.
Whatever don't be a stranger here you have much to contribute.
Larry, You are not alone. I've have joint problems in my knuckle joints for several years and its getting worse and have decided on shooting a release. I've had to do this over the years at different times until thing healed enough to go back to my fingers. I don't think I'll be able to go back this time.So I'am going to keep practice with my release. I just hope the next fix for me to keep shooting and hunting is this easy, I'll keep poundage down also, don't need any shouilder surgery :pray:
Bob
Can you say "second opinion"?
Just kidding sort of, I'd find a dr who understands what traditional archery means to you and get their assistance in doing everything that can be done to keep you shooting as long as you can.
We are pulling and praying for you!!
God bless,Mudd
PS I am sorry you're going through this trial. It can not be easy for you. I can almost feel your pain in your post and its not in your hand this time but your heart.
Just pass on all You know...and enjoy what you show in others ...Take care brother ...Jeff
What the other folks have said,second opinion,therapy,release aids, lighter bows.....look at "ALL" options...........
Really hate to hear this,don't give up something you enjoy this much until you've tried other options. Good luck and God Bless.
Larry,
I hate to hear that. There are a few thing to research before you drop it if you love it a lot. Bob Morrison stated shooting a release. A nutritionalist may be able to help some to.
If you putting the bows down is what you feel is the right choice be at peace with the decicion.
Hey gang,
Larry and I were chatting in the archery shop last week and he is pretty bummed about the whole deal. I am sure he will work his way thru it. I can say that he is a great guy and a lot of fun to shoot with and just hang out with.
Larry, I am with the other guys here. Shoot some training wheels with a release and let the hands heal up. Then look into using a release, or what we discussed. A leather strap that goes around your wrist with the other end doubles ans stitched and use that as a release instead of a mechanical one.
Either way you can still shoot trad without the drawing fingers even being in the picture.
-Shooting a bit less have only improved my shooting.
Hope everything works out.
Tommy
Some of the 30 lb bows these days can really spit an arrow. May not be able to hunt with them but you can still enjoy the passtime.
I second what everyone else said.
Whatever you decide good luck!
Larry pm sent....please check it out.
jer
Larry,
Hang in there buddy! As others have stated, I'd suggest you look at doing a little research into possible medical solutions and theraphy.
Larry
I noticed from your posts that your a pretty good Elk caller with years of Elk Huntin' experience.... maybe a season or two of informal guiding and just being in "Camp" with buddies, helping guide some novice Elk Hunters, will help..Give this some time, perhaps look at some of the advise your getting here, and go see another Dr.
I always have a "Late Season" elk camp down near the Bear River unit.[pretty much, the full late season]... your welcome to come down and spend some time. :wavey:
Your just in a slump mentally wise on this, i know from my own mental blocks in life. Never let the mind change the heart. There are many ways around this (see all advice above)and other things in life. My wife has the same problem with her fingers and joints in the wrist. RELEASE AID and a ultra nock on the strings solved it and made her pep right in to it. In my own mind i would NEVER give up the stick and string even if it met i had to pull the string back with my teeth, Out of a wheelchair. When we give up on the things we love,we begin to die in spirit. Listen to nature she'll tell ya.
Larry,
Would not profess to know what you are going through, but can offer what has happened to me. 6 months ago I was so stoved up I could barely stand after sitting for a few minutes. Pulling my bows was agonizing and worse than that was the remorse of having to quit one of the joys of my life. I tried different things and just by circumstance went on a diet where I couldn't eat bread, pasta or things with wheat gluten in them. Bingo!!!!! As I got older my body just didn't like the stuff and reacted. After 10 days or so all was well, and all the stiffness has gone.
Don't mean to say you should immediately go on a high protein low carb diet, just want to share with you so you might be able to find your own happy spot.
Heck if nothing else, jump on a jet and we can go salmon fishing. I still shoot the osage widow I got from you and love it. Later.....Bill
larry DONT YOU DARE GIVE UP! that word aint aloud around here. there are ways to deal with pain some aint nice but they work. just hang in there bro.
cortozone shot and prednisone meds., I'm 40 and have bad arthritis in my knuckles,elbow back,knees, and recentley showing up in my shoulder. Try the shots there not that bad,and the med(pred.) works for me, I wouldn't be able to shoot with out it. Like the boys said, second opinion and ask the new dr. about this. Good luck friend, Hope it works for you.
NOT MUCH i CAN SAY THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID.jUST HANG IN THERE, THINGS MIGHT JUST GET BETTER.
Larry,
We spoke awhile back regarding a bow I sold you. I really enjoyed talking with you. I hope you can find a way to continue in the sport we all love. Try to keep a positive attitude and take some advice from others here on Tradgang who have gone through what you are dealing with. Best of luck.
Bill
I got me an old compound I haven't shot for years. I bought it when my tendonitis got too bad to shoot my stick bow. After my shoulder healed I went back to my stick bow. I still have the compound just in case. I don't use sights. When I shoot it I shoot instinctive. It's still fun and I can still hunt with it. Gary
Larry, Give a release a try. The pain in your hands is one thing; the pain in your heart for losing your beloved archery would be another. I went to a release to save my archery last year, and it was worth it. You can still shoot barebow, you just have to get used to a new anchor. Believe me, it works. Hang in there. We're all here for you.
thank you all for the words of encouragement and support,i have been shooting less than fifty pounds for a while now but thats not legal for elk in oregon.50 plus for elk...i shoot 60 minimum on elk,thats just me and my ethics i guess.i have planned on just stopping completely and see where it leads me.i refuse to strap on a release with a trad bow.just ain't right in my own personal opinion.may as well be honest about it with myself and just see what father time brings me.
I just made a leather(non- mechanical) release that works great. If you'll send me your mailing address I'll give it to you.
I got the idea while looking at a release aid the Black Widow used to sell. I was amazed at how easy it was to master. I use it almost like same way I'd use a a thumb ring.
God bless,Mudd
Larry,
Thanks for bringing alot of joy into my life, as I said in the PM I sent you, I hope all you seek in life turns out well. Give me a yell and I'll let you know when I get to Texas. All the best my friend.......
"DD"
What if you try to learn to shoot Lefty?
Larry,
I echo the suggestion of a second opinion. If the Dr. you are seeing now is not a specialist I would highly recommend seeing one. I would also suggest that you look into a Physiatrist ( a MD that specializes in physical therapy). I saw one for a few years for my back problems, not a cure-all, but definitely helped. Also, remember that there are advances in science and medicine all the time, so a decision now may not have to be final.
Butch L
Had a friend that got his left shoulder and hip busted up real bad from a fall. Before he was out of the wheel chair his daughter caught him shooting. He had fashioned a mouth tab onto the string and was holding his bow with his right hand and drawing the string with his teeth!! He was DEADLY shooting like this! Of course he was shooting 45#s instead of his usual 65#s, but still killed a deer easily with the 45#er! Where there's a will, there is a way! Good luck and prayers up for you!
I thought I was doing well coming back from surgery on a severely damaged and arthritic shoulder and then from stage 4 near-terminal cancer immediately after that. But then I saw what Tred Barta is doing to keep shooting. I never had so much admiration for Tred. Each person has his own ideas about what he needs to be able to do in order to get satisfaction from something he has enjoyed doing in his life. If shooting a bow in the manner you will be capable of in the future doesn't satisfy you, then quit. If you can enjoy shooting with some changes like those suggested by others, then go for it. Just because it is good enough for someone else doesn't make it right for you. On the other hand, I wouldn't give up on something you love just because it isn't EVERYTHING it used to be. Otherwise, you might as well give up on life after age 50, because almost nothing after 50 measures up physically to what it was when you were younger. Best wishes in whatever you do.
Allan
Prayers sent for Larry. Have you thought about useing a cross-bow. I think cross-bows have a trad personality about them. After all, they used them way back when. You deserve to still enjoy the out-doors. Just a thought. Please, no hate mail.
Prayers from California Larry. See a real sports doctor or a hand surgeon would be good too. And consider the alternatives with an open mind: Compound bow, thumb ring, release,whatever it takes to stay in the woods and kill Elk.
There are supplements that work too......check it out.
Larry,
Check out Physical Therapy.
I thought it was a bunch of hog wash.
Apparently, I have had too many blows to the head (Married too long).
I have 2 fused vertebrae and a good sized bit of disc pushing on my spinal column. I can't feel my left hand very well and I have a fair amount of pain in my neck, left shoulder and left arm. For a while, I was living on pain killers.
However, the symptoms and pain are much, MUCH, better now that I have gotten therapy. They have a head - neck stretcher that pulls my vertebrae apart and reduces the pain, significantly!
Every day the pain gets less and I have more feeling in my hand.
Who knows, maybe therapy can help you too!