I don't know if four are enough to express my feeling in these days, maybe is better if I put also this one.
It was all right, the tickets were already ready, rifle and ammo prepared ..... and Giuseppe, the friend of mine whith whom I have to go to Namibia on 26th of June, on last Saturday broke the little finger of the right hand. He has to bring plaster for 30 days and then he has to be very careful for 30/60 days. It is the second time that he has to renounce, last year his father passed in the trip period, and I had to leave alone, this year I was ready to be the observer/translator/photographer and camera man but nothing will be and happen. I'm depressed, very depressed and I don't know what to do.

Have a good hunt!

Stephano, that is one of the worst kind of dissappointments. But there must certainly be some volunteers to give you some company and good times while you're out there. I'll bet this forum can provide you with a bunch of potential hunting partners and maybe, if the chemistry works, you'll make another friend for life.

Disappointing I'm sure, but that's what's so great about hunting. The times you have and new friends you make.. Have a good time and share your memories on your return.

I recall reading recently of an Australian rules football player opting to have a finger amputated in order for him to keep playing.

Your friend clearly lacks determination.

But more seriously, if I had paid for a hunt and I had a broken finger, especially a pinky, I'm all but certain I'd still be going.

Uhhh... I still don't get it. Why can't he hunt? I just had a heavier cast put on and kept doing things... (I was a teenager, and it was my left hand, my metacarpal, not my carpals, and it kept me from playing my guitar for several months -- but I was still able to be active).

Dan

Little fingers are only good for picking your nose anyway. Hell, I'd go hunting!

I don't use my little finger to pull the trigger. What stops him from hunting with a cast? Lack of determination?

Get another friend with more determination to join you!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Can't he shoot left handed? With a scoped rifle, I have no trouble shooting from the left side, although I am slower to get on the animal.

A guy who lets a broken bone interfere with his hunting is not sufficiently serious about hunting.

Stephano,

I am so sorry to hear about your hunt being turned upside down. I hope you will be able to work something out. Thank you again for all you did for Trisha and I. Steve

AR Readers,

Please be advised that Stephano is one of the really nice, stand-up guys around. On our recent trip to Italy, he met my wife and I in Milano and was a wonderful host showing around his town. He really put himself out for us and it was wonderful to meet an AR'er from the otherside of the world. It is really a tragedy he has missed this trip. Kudude

Two years ago my son, then 14 sprained or cracked his wrist, we never took it further after the hunt. I made a splint out of a plastic coat hanger and fastened it with insulation tape, then I packed his fore arm with ice. The next day he shot a Blue Wildebeest. He suffered for a month or so and the wrist has never given him further problems.

A little finger should be less trouble, tell your friend he must go. Wether he hunts or sits at home he will still have the plaster, might as well go hunting.

quote:

Please be advised that Stephano is one of the really nice, stand-up guys around. On our recent trip to Italy, he met my wife and I in Milano and was a wonderful host showing around his town. He really put himself out for us and it was wonderful to meet an AR'er from the otherside of the world. It is really a tragedy he has missed this trip. Kudude

I don't see that anyone here has questioned Steve's integrity or bashed him in any way. The way I read it, it's his friend that folks here are questioning. I mean really, a broken pinky? BFD.

A broken small finger in a cast should prevent any hunting trip.

Can't they splint the small finger without a wrist cast? It seems to me that I have seen many broken small fingers with a special finger splint/cast. With that in place he should be able to go and not cause a cancellation of the hunt.

I broke my middle finger on my right hand (throwing hand) during warm-ups before a baseball game in college. I was playing shortstop. I played that game, at short with several plays. Went 2-4 at the plate, if I remember correctly. No way I'd let a broken pinky keep from going to Africa on a hunt.

Gari,

The point was HE IS A NICE GUY. Bad things sometimes happen to nice guys, but it just seems unfair. Kudude

Yes, you are right.... bad things do happen to nice guys. But it seems to me that his friend could easily go on the trip. Maybe he got cold feet and this turned out to be a good excuse. Is the broken pinky even on his trigger hand?

quote:

The point was HE IS A NICE GUY.

You've said that already, and that's great; I'm sure he is a swell guy.

The point I thought I made in my last post was that no one questioned Steve. Anywhere. There does seem to be a consensus, however, that his hunting buddy seems a bit soft...

Your buddy is a wussie.