Thread: A cautionary tale

Hey guys,

Thought I'd share my tale of a hunt gone wrong to highlight the need for care & preparedness on all hunts, whether they be long multi-day hunts or 'simple' day trips.

This Wednesday I'd had a particularly productive day at uni, so thought I'd treat myself to an afternoon wander to find some goats. Drove out to a spot not far out of town. Left my car about 3pm & wandered down the track into the block. It's a spot I know & have been to a number of times recently (half a dozen times in the past 8 weeks in fact), & the track is generally good & well maintained (in fact DOC have been in there in the past few weeks doing some track maintenance).

Had walked about half an hour down the track on the way to where I wanted to go when things went wrong. Along one spot which narrows a bit I put my left foot down & the ground just slid away under me. I assume the rain earlier in the week must have softened the ground. It happened super quick, no chance to react, but all of a sudden I was falling. Fell about 3m straight down into the creek below, landing on a sharp nasty pile of rocks on my lower back. Luckily I didn't smack my head. Anyway, I lay there twisted over the rocks for a minute or two trying to compose myself. Was awfully close to setting off the PLB, but could move a little, so decided to drag myself back up to the track. Instead of 30mins it took an agonising almost 2hrs to get back up to the car, but I got there. Phone took a knock during the fall so couldn't ring for help.

Knew I needed to get to the hospital, but didn't want to show up with a rifle in the vehicle, so managed to drive myself home, planning to get the rifle away & then go down to the hospital. But upon arriving at home & struggling for about 15mins I couldn't actually get myself out of the car. Neighbour rang an ambulance for me & locked up my rifle. When the ambo arrive I got loaded up with morphine. They decided to send for a couple of fire engines, as I'd hurt my back they were debating whether to chop me out of the car (they managed to get me out after about 30mins without having to cut it open).

Got me to hospital, loaded me with more drugs, cut me out of my wet clothes & I had x-rays. Ended up with what the doctors think are hairline fractures on the transverse process of a couple of my vertebra, & my back muscles have taken a severe beating, along with a few other scrapes & bruises. Luckily only hairline fractures, & they are stable, so I'll be fine with no need for surgery, but the healing process will take a while & I'm currently still in hospital unable to sit upright or walk due to pain levels, & will likely be in for several more days (although I'm hoping I won't have to spend my upcoming birthday stuck here eating hospital food).

Anyway, just thought I'd post this as a reminder that you don't need to be out there on a big epic adventure for things to go wrong, they can happen any time on any trip, even if you're prepared & careful (although being prepared & careful will obviously help minimise the risk). Even though I was only planning to be out for 2-3hrs I had a PLB with me, & while I didn't end up using it I'm glad I had it. In hindsight it was probably a pretty stupid move to drive myself back to town in that condition, & the ambulance crew also said I should probably have just set off my beacon.

So please guys, be careful out there! & prepare as best you can for what could happen. Take a PLB, even if you're just out for an afternoon shoot in an 'easy' location. Have an adequate first aid kit, wear appropriate clothing for the conditions etc. Just remember fun & responsibility aren't mutually exclusive.

Alex.