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Don't Take It For Granted

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Mike Belt

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I've been a deer hunter for the past 45 years. If I had a dollar for every mile of foot leather I've put in over that time it'd be like me hitting the lottery. I've never been satisfied with knowing what's on my side of the ridge. I've always had to check out the other side as well, and everything between. I could be found 2 miles into the timber or on the other side of a swamp or across the bottom or..... You get the picture. I'm always scouting.... or was. Breaking my leg 10 years ago never slowed me down except for that actual season. Crushing the hip and breaking the pelvis a couple years back is taking it's toll. Hip pain during walking has cut my scouting by 95% and that was one of the most important aspects of my deer hunting. Fresh sign in different areas always gave me a "new" place to hunt every time out. As much as I'd like to see what the deer are doing "over there" or "inside that thicket" I just can't manage to walk it anymore. It's still not an age thing. It's a pain thing. Anyhoo, the next time you're climbing that ridge or crossing that swamp or traversing from point A to point B without giving much thought as to the ability to be able to do it stop, sit down for a minute and look around you, and give thanks that you're still able to do what you're doing. A broken hip is a royal pain in the arse.
 
Dang Mike, didn't realize it was still hindering you, but sure sounds like it is. I hope you can find enough relief to still be able to enjoy some aspects of scouting, as that is when the real hunting is done. The stand time and shooting is just icing on the cake for what you find while scouting. Best of luck this season!
 
Thank you for the words of wisdom. I think we all take things for granted every day. Hopefully I will remember this each time I'm in the woods.
 
There with you Mike! Pain issues as well and it does inhibit about 95% of your past activities. Most people walk around and only see about 2% of what they are looking at! All you healthy guys, never take for granted what you have!
 
Amen. As I stood at the processors in line my knee started hurting. 2 knee surgeries and now being bone on bone doesn't feel good. I'm almost 38. Thankful for each outing. Hope the doctors can help ease some of your pains.
 
Mike that sure hits home. Pain will change your perspective on everything.

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Thanks for the reminder Mike. Every day is a gift whether your healthy or not. The older I get the more I realize how fortunate I am to have the health I do at my age. I hope you have one of your best seasons ever. The race does not always go to the swift.
 
I hate to hear it Mike. Praying there a plan of action to give you some relief.


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I kinda am with you Mike. I had knee surgery (torn ACL) in 1992. It slowed me down for a bit, but it got better over time. In 1999 I had back surgery. That put a damper on things. Golf took a back seat. Packing a tree stand and hunting public land where I had to walk and scout alot stopped. I have been real blessed to hunt private land and climb ladder stands for the last 16-17 years. My knee is mostly pain free, but my back pain comes and goes. Sciatic nerve pain across the front of my thighs and in my feet really sucks at times.
Just try not to let it get you down too bad. Get out there in God's great outdoors and enjoy it! The Rut is picking up!
 
I feel your pain literally Mike. I'm 68 years old and still in pretty good shape for an "old man" but every year it gets a little more difficult to climb these steep ridges here at home. Seems the best spots are always the most difficult to get to. One stand location is on such a steep ridge that you can almost stretch out your hand and touch the ground. I really wanted to hunt that stand yesterday but just couldn't will my sore knees to make the climb.
It sucks knowing you can no longer do what you once could but i'll hunt as long as my legs will carry me because that's who I am and I know that is who you are.
 
Mike Belt said:
The next time you're climbing that ridge or crossing that swamp or traversing from point A to point B without giving much thought as to the ability to be able to do it stop, sit down for a minute and look around you, and give thanks that you're still able to do what you're doing.
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Mike Belt said:
the next time you're climbing that ridge or crossing that swamp or traversing from point A to point B without giving much thought as to the ability to be able to do it...
Click to expand...
Honestly, at my age, "climbing that ridge... without giving much thought" just doesn't happen. Every ridge climbed is a struggle. I'm not 30 anymore. Although thankfully pain isn't the problem. Age is.
 

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