This year, Last year I had to stop hunting 11 or 12 days into a month long hunt because my back was hurting too much to carry on hunting, taking pain meds and hunting is irresponsible so we cut it short, I did shoot a tuskless cow jumbo, pig, impala, bushbuck and a baboon as I recall, It was fun as usual.

This year however 2 operations later I'm still in alot of pain, too much to even try to hunt, I need one more operation and then I should be good, we have almost narrowed down the problem, I fixed alot of problems but not the source of pain, it appears to be my lumbar facet joints. I thought at SCI I might have a chance of going but now I know I wont. Unless its a December hunt and Christmas in the bush I did that in 2000 and it was fun, the hunting wasnt optimal but to me that's not important, being with my friends, in the bush, the smells and sights are what count.

I hope everyone has a good hunt this year, and enjoy Easter and everything life has to offer, being in bed 20 hours a day, sure puts things in perspective.

my best to the AR family and Walter

Good luck with your back -- I hope that you finally get it resolved and can get back into the bush.

Eric

Hope it gets fixed. I sure hate to see anyone have to cut back on hunting, especially due to a bad back or other health concerns.

Get well so you can hunt again.

I am laid out after back surgery. All I can say is, one day at a time. Good luck to both of us.

SG

Good luck with your surgery and rehab, Eric. Africa will just be all that much sweeter when you finally get there.

Happy Easter,
Canuck

Eric, You are so right about the comradere with the sights, sounds and smells making the adventure. Hold these thoughts through the coming months while mending and rejouvination occurs. Happiness is the best health aid, think hunting.

Eric,
I've enjoyed your posts here on AR. Do what you have to do to get well.
Max

Eric, I had 3 operations in 2001/2002. Last one was a fusion of my Tailbone, L5, and L4. The previous ones were a laminectomy which relieved the pain but would come back after a couple of months or so. I was unable to work or walk and thought my life as I had known it had ended.

The fusion worked and I can pretty much do anything I want to do within reason. You won't see me helping my friends move! Walking, hunting, working, and even shooting heavy kickers like a 458 Lott do not phase me. I went on my first safari after my operations.

Good luck with your back.

Happy Easter to you too Sir. God willing, you'll be back on the trail again soon.
I guess you are pining for the hunt, and although I can't help you get back out there, If you send me your email address, I'll do the best I can to bring the hunt to you. I already have a fairly sizeable library of hunting stories on my computer, and will be adding to them at a fast rate beginning in a couple weeks time. I would be more than happy to send you stories from the past and present if you'd like. I'll be posting most of the stories I write this year on AR anyway, but maybe you'd like some from last season and seasons before.... I don't know, just let me know. Hope you get well soon.

Dave

Dave

Good luck with your next surgery - I hope you are in the bush soon.