I posted this back in May and while it was not during a hunt, it was hunt related.
I had a Gametamer hung onto a small live oak tree for about 3 years and the tree started to grow around the stand vertical supports, so I decided to remove the stand and relocate it to another tree. I had a heavy-duty 12' ladder with a platform for access to the Gametamer, so I felt all would be safe. Brought my Tractor with front end loader as a work platform to add to the safety factor. Climbed the ladder and stepped onto the tractor bucket and freed one side of the stand. When I stepped from the bucket onto the ladder I did not notice the strap had broken and when my weight was on the ladder, it shifted and out I went. My face met a large yaupon and split both lips open, almost tore my nose, and knocked me out on the way down. The only thing I remember after waking up was being on my hands and knees with blood gushing out my nose and mouth/lips. I called my Wife and told her to get a wet towel and take me to the ER. We live about 5 miles from Sam Rayburn Dam and she drove me 50 miles to the Lufkin ER. The absolute worst part was the Surgeon placing the shots in my face to deaden the wounds, before placing 66 stitched in my lips. Amazingly, I healed quickly for a 67 year old phart and only have minor scaring from the tears to my lips. Also, no bones were broken and the only additional thing was a sprained thumb.
It doesn't matter how safe you try and make things, sometimes fate just happens. I am truly thankful to be alive, as it could have been much worse for me and my family. I give God the glory for keeping me alive.
Doug Key
I had a Gametamer hung onto a small live oak tree for about 3 years and the tree started to grow around the stand vertical supports, so I decided to remove the stand and relocate it to another tree. I had a heavy-duty 12' ladder with a platform for access to the Gametamer, so I felt all would be safe. Brought my Tractor with front end loader as a work platform to add to the safety factor. Climbed the ladder and stepped onto the tractor bucket and freed one side of the stand. When I stepped from the bucket onto the ladder I did not notice the strap had broken and when my weight was on the ladder, it shifted and out I went. My face met a large yaupon and split both lips open, almost tore my nose, and knocked me out on the way down. The only thing I remember after waking up was being on my hands and knees with blood gushing out my nose and mouth/lips. I called my Wife and told her to get a wet towel and take me to the ER. We live about 5 miles from Sam Rayburn Dam and she drove me 50 miles to the Lufkin ER. The absolute worst part was the Surgeon placing the shots in my face to deaden the wounds, before placing 66 stitched in my lips. Amazingly, I healed quickly for a 67 year old phart and only have minor scaring from the tears to my lips. Also, no bones were broken and the only additional thing was a sprained thumb.
It doesn't matter how safe you try and make things, sometimes fate just happens. I am truly thankful to be alive, as it could have been much worse for me and my family. I give God the glory for keeping me alive.
Doug Key
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