Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: bentstickshooter on October 27, 2024, 03:38:32 PM

Title: Arrow in my leg
Post by: bentstickshooter on October 27, 2024, 03:38:32 PM: So i was hunting by elochoman lake last night,while walking out after dark I impaled my leg on an arrow with a 3 blade broadhead. It entered on the outside of for my right calf and exited in my thigh. The end of the arrow was hanging below my foot so I had to crawl the last 100 yards to my truck over burms in the road. I was able to drive about a mile using my left leg to drive. When I had cell surface I made a 911 call and waited for the paramedics.. The first responders were great and professional as was the lady on 911. After this I will definitely be buying some kind of satellite communicator. It would have been a lot different if I was two miles behind the gate instead of close to my truck..be safe and prepared when your out by yourself
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: northwesthunter84 on October 27, 2024, 03:42:41 PM: wow, happy to hear you got help and are safe that is crazy. Hopefully you heal up fast with no issue.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: jmscon on October 27, 2024, 03:43:03 PM: Holy crap!!
You are lucky you made it out at all!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: 92xj on October 27, 2024, 03:50:11 PM: Pics!?!

And more details!

Was this your arrow? Or one laying on the ground? What all was injured in the leg? That’s a long ways to travel, in the calf area and out the thigh.
Was it stuck in the ground and you landed on it?

PS- super glad you’re ok! I assume ok since you’re typing.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: zwickeyman on October 27, 2024, 03:52:42 PM: Glad to hear you made it out and to the hospital. Sounds like an Inreach and a new quiver are in your future
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: MADMAX on October 27, 2024, 03:54:39 PM: Holy chit
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: High Climber on October 27, 2024, 03:55:57 PM: Dang man glad you’re alright. How did it happen?
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: High Climber on October 27, 2024, 03:57:04 PM: Were you rifle deer hunting?
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: bentstickshooter on October 27, 2024, 04:06:43 PM: This is a picture of the broadhead poking out of my thigh.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Molon5labe on October 27, 2024, 04:11:20 PM: Two things I always have on me while hunting; a tourniquet, and a garmin inreach. Glad it turned out alright for you.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 27, 2024, 04:23:00 PM: :yeah: Myself as well.

You sir are a lucky man glad you are ok
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Sakko300wsm on October 27, 2024, 04:23:20 PM: How does that even happen?? Glad you’re ok! Let’s hear the story. I always have my Garmin Inreach on me - guess when I get the new 16 I won’t have to carry it anymore.
Hopefully this didn’t happen by walking around with an arrow knocked
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Rainier10 on October 27, 2024, 04:27:19 PM: Sorry to hear this. Glad you got to help quickly.

I teach hunter Ed and would love to know about how this happened so I can help new hunters avoid this.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Mfowl on October 27, 2024, 04:47:08 PM: Glad you made it out and got to help! Hope you have a speedy and full recovery!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: bentstickshooter on October 27, 2024, 04:50:26 PM: Somebody lost an arrow during archery season and I found it for them..so if your missing an arrow let me know and I'll get it back to ya..
I realize how lucky I am to still be here it could have been way orse
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: jrebel on October 27, 2024, 04:54:52 PM: Holy macaroni!!!!! That looks like it hurts. Crazy how fast things can change when out in the field. I think I will be getting an in reach ASAP. You are one tough hombre to crawl 100 yards with that in your leg. :o :o
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: addicted1 on October 27, 2024, 05:00:41 PM: Glad you made it out! This is not the first case I have heard of, careful out there. Everyone thinks of guns hunters as being dangerous, but there are a lot of injuries from bow hunting. It is something I always think about while busting brush, some old arrow impaling me.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 27, 2024, 05:03:00 PM: Quote from: bentstickshooter on October 27, 2024, 04:50:26 PM
Somebody lost an arrow during archery season and I found it for them..so if your missing an arrow let me know and I'll get it back to ya..
I realize how lucky I am to still be here it could have been way orse
:yike:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: NorseNW on October 27, 2024, 05:05:36 PM: Dang - I've never even really thought of this happening. There are days I think - don't feel like taking my daypack with me (it has first aid and NOAA beacon device in it). Good reminder to take my stuff!

Glad you made it out okay and wish you a quick and full recovery!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Birdguy on October 27, 2024, 05:14:16 PM: Holy smokes! What in the world :yike:..... First off thank goodness you are OK! Second vary glad you were close to the tucks and able to get to service. Third there has to be some sort of story here many of us can learn from as outdoors people. When you get the opportunity to share some details I hope you will.
Keep it clean and heal up completely and quickly!!!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: String Bender on October 27, 2024, 05:22:33 PM: Holy smokes . I'm glad everything turned out alright and you were able to get the medical attention. I hope you heal up fast!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: wadu1 on October 27, 2024, 05:27:18 PM: :yike: You were very lucky to miss the femoral artery. Get well and post your recovery.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Taco280AI on October 27, 2024, 05:45:46 PM: Wow, glad you're okay :tup:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: dilleytech on October 27, 2024, 08:37:35 PM: So you found an arrow. Were carrying it and fell on it? Geez what a nightmare.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: swanderek on October 27, 2024, 08:39:55 PM: Sh*t
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: bearpaw on October 27, 2024, 09:04:30 PM: Wow, very lucky you survived! The big guy was on your side!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Hectocotylus on October 27, 2024, 09:45:14 PM: Quote from: Sakko300wsm on October 27, 2024, 04:23:20 PM
How does that even happen?? Glad you’re ok! Let’s hear the story. I always have my Garmin Inreach on me - guess when I get the new 16 I won’t have to carry it anymore.
Hopefully this didn’t happen by walking around with an arrow knocked
The iPhone satellite messaging ain’t that great. Way less reliable than inreach. Last night I was trying to send a message not even in anything close to thick treees and it wouldn’t go. Inreach is for actual problems satellite messaging via phone is for fun imo

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Naches Sportsman on October 27, 2024, 09:51:28 PM: God was on your side!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: pashok23 on October 27, 2024, 09:58:15 PM: Quote from: Naches Sportsman on October 27, 2024, 09:51:28 PM
God was on your side!
:yeah:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Shoofly09 on October 27, 2024, 10:22:21 PM: would love to hear the full story, but the picture is brutal
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: C-Money on October 28, 2024, 04:21:18 AM: Thats amazing. The chances of you finding a lost arrow, making it out, and surviving...Glad you are safe...Thank Jesus!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: HntnFsh on October 28, 2024, 05:42:09 AM: I cant even imagine! Glad you made it out. Hopefully no infection or nerve damage. Did you find it by stepping on it, or were you carrying it? Ive picked up a few lost arrows over the years and carried them out. Maybe I'll just find a good spot to bury the blades from now on!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Threewolves on October 28, 2024, 05:53:14 AM: WOW, pretty *censored*!
Glad, you didn't bleed out. Truly BLESSED for sure.

(Bad a z z) was what I meant to say.

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: GWP on October 28, 2024, 08:41:25 AM: Wow! Glad you made it out!
I would like to hear about after you got to the hospital, removal and cleaning.
From now on, sitting around the campfire telling stories, yours may be the overall winner!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: ldjbuff on October 28, 2024, 09:23:42 AM: IPHONES work just fine for Satellite messaging too. Even better than my garmin most of the time. Also the Iphone is free
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Hectocotylus on October 28, 2024, 10:17:21 AM: Quote from: ldjbuff on October 28, 2024, 09:23:42 AM
IPHONES work just fine for Satellite messaging too. Even better than my garmin most of the time. Also the Iphone is free
Glad it works for you. If I’m not in the wide open it doesn’t work consistently well for me. Also if you have 1 shred of cell service that isn’t enough to send a text but is enough for your phone to think it can, you can’t have it select satellite and send that way. It just tried on the network even though it’s crappy.
YMMV

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: HikerHunter on October 28, 2024, 10:19:05 AM: Glad you're okay, that's quite the story to tell!

I'd like to hear as well if you were walking with the other persons arrow or if your leg found it. We tell these types of stories in our hunter's education classes.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Fidelk on October 28, 2024, 10:32:17 AM: Awesome grit getting out of the woods......hopefully that was as vulnerable and as alone as you ever will be.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 28, 2024, 11:14:01 AM: Man, you could easily have bled out had that arrow been one inch over. Glad you're OK.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: OutHouse on October 28, 2024, 11:39:54 AM: Crazy! Glad you made it out man!!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: mountainman on October 28, 2024, 03:14:55 PM: Wow! We always carry a satcom, tourniquet, and quick clot. Never needed it, but you never know!
Looks like a sharp G5 Montec!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: hunter399 on October 28, 2024, 03:17:33 PM: Note to self....
Find arrow in woods ,leave it there .
Glad to hear ya tell the tell.
Speedy recovery 🙏.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: bentstickshooter on October 28, 2024, 04:25:58 PM: I might not have described what happened very well the arrow was just stuck in the ground nock first. I skewered my leg while crossing a creek down in a ditch. It was hidden in the brush.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Encore 280 on October 28, 2024, 04:39:24 PM: What's the procedure for removing the arrow? Push broadhead through and unscrew it from the arrow? Hope all goes well for ya. :tup:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: GWP on October 28, 2024, 04:58:08 PM: You know, no one has mentioned it here, but in the cowboy movies they either snap the end off and carry on, snap it off, push it through and carry on, or a combo of either and then pinch and burn the holes shut with a red hot knife. You ‘might’ be a slacker.
I am sure that was how it was done in real life, because, well, movies!

Seriously, glad it was not worse. Thanks for the update!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: HntnFsh on October 28, 2024, 05:02:06 PM: Wow!
What a crazy freak accident!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: ljsommer on October 28, 2024, 05:37:18 PM: WOW. This story is incredible, and you're clearly one tough dude.
Speaking of torniquets....does anyone have any recommendations for a compact one to toss in my emergency pouch?
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Fidelk on October 28, 2024, 06:00:10 PM: Quote from: ljsommer on October 28, 2024, 05:37:18 PM
WOW. This story is incredible, and you're clearly one tough dude.
Speaking of torniquets....does anyone have any recommendations for a compact one to toss in my emergency pouch?

Check Amazon and recommend a 3 pack.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: jrebel on October 28, 2024, 06:07:32 PM: Not all tourniquets are made the the same. I would recommend a C.A.T as they are the what most in the industry carry. They are the most likely to be recognized by others who may happen upon you in need.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Molon5labe on October 28, 2024, 06:08:10 PM: Quote from: ljsommer on October 28, 2024, 05:37:18 PM
WOW. This story is incredible, and you're clearly one tough dude.
Speaking of torniquets....does anyone have any recommendations for a compact one to toss in my emergency pouch?

Don't get some Chinese POS
https://www.amazon.com/CAT-Combat-Application-Tourniquet-Black/dp/B07CNWGBLZ/ref=asc_df_B07CNWGBLZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16012149006604694813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9217763&hvtargid=pla-2281435180978&psc=1&mcid=9211f16e3cfd3887891ff7bb14960372&hvocijid=16012149006604694813-B07CNWGBLZ-&hvexpln=73 (https://www.amazon.com/CAT-Combat-Application-Tourniquet-Black/dp/B07CNWGBLZ/ref=asc_df_B07CNWGBLZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16012149006604694813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9217763&hvtargid=pla-2281435180978&psc=1&mcid=9211f16e3cfd3887891ff7bb14960372&hvocijid=16012149006604694813-B07CNWGBLZ-&hvexpln=73)
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Fidelk on October 28, 2024, 06:12:50 PM: Quote from: Encore 280 on October 28, 2024, 04:39:24 PM
What's the procedure for removing the arrow? Push broadhead through and unscrew it from the arrow? Hope all goes well for ya. :tup:

My guess:

1. Use scalpel and cut along the edges of the 3 arrow blades until the arrowhead is clear. Do from the outside, do not push and have arrowhead cut from inside.

2. Once the blades are free, push the shaft out and remove broadhead.

3. Pull the shaft out in reverse direction.

4. Dope this poor fellow up with painkillers (if needed) and a buncha anti-biotics.

I always took a medical pack to elk camp with scalpels and sutures. I informed my hunting partners of this and they were always extra careful. Patched up a few people wandering into camp with cuts......no arrows or GSW.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: The scout on October 28, 2024, 06:26:11 PM: Guess it’s time to upgrade my first aid kit. I pretty much only have enough stuff for cuts and boo boos. This will open your eyes. Very freak accident though.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Platensek-po on October 28, 2024, 06:55:08 PM: What the heck! This is scary af! Glad you made it out! Reminds me of those stories they used to have in one of the outdoor magazines of crazy stuff that happened to people and the lengths the went through to get out. Glad you made it out to tell your story.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: hunter399 on October 28, 2024, 07:00:16 PM: Quote from: The scout on October 28, 2024, 06:26:11 PM
Guess it’s time to upgrade my first aid kit. I pretty much only have enough stuff for cuts and boo boos. This will open your eyes. Very freak accident though.
That's the truth there.
My roll of electric tape and cutting my shirt for a patch is not cutting it.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 28, 2024, 07:08:11 PM: Crazy stuff right here. Glad you're ok.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: redi on October 28, 2024, 07:56:45 PM: Tragic accident. Glad you are ok
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: snit on October 28, 2024, 08:06:30 PM: Just an idea, but I figure the rest of your life is just extra credit, man! What an amazingly freak occurrence as well as the most incredible, "endeavor to persevere", example I've been 3rd hand acquainted with. Man-upped! :tup:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: time2hunt on October 28, 2024, 08:06:35 PM: Quote from: jrebel on October 28, 2024, 06:07:32 PM
Not all tourniquets are made the the same. I would recommend a C.A.T as they are the what most in the industry carry. They are the most likely to be recognized by others who may happen upon you in need.
X2

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: DeerThug on October 28, 2024, 08:14:08 PM: Wow that is an incredible thing to have happen. WAY out ways all of my close calls - pain inducing incidents combined. And thats saying a lot as I do stupid sh** all the time. Glad you got out and hope there are no long term issues that come from this.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Magnum_Willys on October 29, 2024, 04:05:17 AM: Arrow probably fell off bow quiver when guy jumped same ditch landing knock first in brush. Probably never noticed til he got home.
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: HntnFsh on October 29, 2024, 05:26:54 AM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: Taco280AI on October 29, 2024, 07:13:40 AM: I keep coming back to this thread, so crazy
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: GWP on October 29, 2024, 08:12:44 AM: I keep coming back as well.
Having been in the woods and shooting bows since I was knee high, and doing a LOT of ‘iffy’ stuff, plus the normal accidental stuff with a bow, nothing ever came of it.
Here you have someone walking out and this happens? Wow. Just, wow.
The odds of everything lining up just right, or wrong, are pretty high, even if he was using an established trail. Crazy. Very glad he made it out to tell us the story!
Title: Re: Arrow in my leg
Post by: HikerHunter on October 29, 2024, 08:16:02 AM: Incredibly unfortunate, but man you have some determination!