Pole Star Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) I have been wondering now for some time how many of us have a mobility problem due to injuries or increasing age or both which make wilfowling & shooting in general some what difficult !. I had a chap up here shooting some time ago who had his back broken when a round bale fell on him on his farm & this chap has a great bunch of mates who take care of him & he manages to shoot from a Quad bike . Also one of the PW members told me of some one he knows with the same problem & he manages to continue wildfowling via the use of an Argocat . So even in the face of the hardships some of us battle on ! & few of you on pw know it but Pole Star is an amputee ! as a young man I went off to seek adventure in far off lands & got more adventure than I bargained for & came home minus a piece of one leg ! but I struggle on !. But due to increasing pain & inability I am thinking its time for an Argocat too ! Interested to hear the thoughts of others . Edited February 1, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) My dad, who is 70 today gave up coastal fowling at the beginning of this season, due to crossing the mud and saltings being to much hard work. He still shoots on a walk one, stand one game shoot, pigeon shoots and the occasional inland duck flight. Edited February 1, 2013 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highbird70 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I think you already answered yourself Pole Star, you already told yourself its time for some little help to carry on with my beloved sport and if that comes with the use of an Argocat.....good for you. Problem is.......I want to have a go on it...looks great and very usefull Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 Use whatever you need to keep going. I have a trolley - A two wheeled trailer that I tow behind me. Wheels or it floats - Means I don't have to carry anything. Trying to teach the dog to tow but there is no husky in her whatsoever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) Now that's what I like too hear Grandalf some one else who carries on out of spite ! if we give up what do we do ? One of the biggest enemies of the peg leg is bloody mud ! & its a bit hard to go shooting in the British Isles with out stepping in the dam stuff some where !. I use to have access to a wonderful snipe bog in Co Wexford in Ireland & a few years ago I thought I would give it a go . Well I walked all around this bog & I was very careful to avoid the patches that looked like trouble & I did not see a single snipe ! it was a disappointing walk as I always got a snipe or two there . As I thought there must be one here some where I decided to do some of the parts I knew that might be trouble so I ventured further on into some very bogy stuff & as I took a step a little further forward I felt my peg leg start to go in deep ! . I think it must have gone down about a foot & the bog had all closed over the foot & I the next thing I knew it was absolutely stuck fast ! . I pulled & pulled & pulled at it but it would just not come free ! , peg leg was firmly anchored in the bog ! . Well it was going to take some strong arm power to free the bloody thing now so lay my gun down & put hands around the limb & heaved ! . When all of a sudden a screaming cock pheasant rocketed out of the rushes only three feet from where I had been cursing pulling & swearing for the last ten minutes !. ( it frightened the life out of me ! ) In desperation I picked up my gun but the crafty pheasant flew off behind me so I was not able swing on him because yes you guessed it " my leg was still stuck firmly in the bog ! ". By now I was so angry I got hold of the limb again & pulled at it with all my strength & at last it came free ! well except the wellie boot which took a further more few minutes pulling to extract it !. The joys of shooting with a peg leg . Edited February 1, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) My dad, who is 70 today gave up coastal fowling at the beginning of this season, due to crossing the mud and saltings being to much hard work. He still shoots on a walk one, stand one game shoot, pigeon shoots and the occasional inland duck flight. Wish your dad a happy birthday & tell him to keep on going ! ATB Pole Star Edited February 1, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I think you already answered yourself Pole Star, you already told yourself its time for some little help to carry on with my beloved sport and if that comes with the use of an Argocat.....good for you. Problem is.......I want to have a go on it...looks great and very usefull Mark Trouble is Mark they ain't cheep ! & I dont want to sell my double 8b to buy one ! an Argo would solve a lot my problems & would be useful for a whole number of jobs as well as crossing the loch & doing a bit of trout fishing . If only ! but maybe next season ! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) I have a friend who comes out with me on day tickets. A guy called Nigel Vardy. A few years ago he was trapped on Mount McKinley whilst mountaineering and suffered severe frost bite...check his website..http://www.mrfrostbite.com/2012/08/01/mt-mckinley-1999-once-bitten/#more-1054. He has no toes, which means his point of balance has actually changed to his heels, luckily he does have half of his trigger finger left so he can still shoot well. His walking is good until it comes to crossing muddy creeks, but this doesnt stop him as long as I am prepared to drag him out of the creeks. He is a remarkable guy as he still climbs, ski's and does many expeditions. He is also involved with The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and does not let his disabilities get the better of him. Many people would have quit ...not Nigel Edited February 1, 2013 by ayano3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I have a friend who comes out with me on day tickets. A guy called Nigel Vardy. A few years ago he was trapped on Mount McKinley whilst mountaineering and suffered severe frost bite...check his website..http://www.mrfrostbite.com/2012/08/01/mt-mckinley-1999-once-bitten/#more-1054. He has no toes, which means his point of balance has actually changed to his heels, luckily he does have half of his trigger finger left so he can still shoot well. His walking is good until it comes to crossing muddy creeks, but this doesnt stop him as long as I am prepared to drag him out of the creeks. He is a remarkable guy as he still climbs, ski's and does many expeditions. He is also involved with The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and does not let his disabilities get the better of him. Many people would have quit ...not Nigel Good to hear that anayo3 I think I have heard of him some where & great to see he is wildfowler & if you dont mind pulling all 16stone or more of Pole Star out of a creek then I might just be down to see you ! . Some people are not so kind to lend a hand to some one who needs it ! for instance there is a nice old chap who come up here to Orkney from Wiltshire to shoot most years but due to his mobility problem & his health problem he has great difficulty moving & walking ! . But fair play to him he wont give up & all one can do is take your hat off to him !. I think it was some 3 years or so ago he came up with some much fitter men & because this old gentleman was slow coming off the field after the last morning flight do you know what his so called friends done ? . They cleared off to the ferry & left him behind ! with friends like that " WHO NEEDS ENEMIES " . Any way good on him I think he is still going ! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad63 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Just returned from a week in Wigtown where I met a fowler with one leg! With the help of crutches, he got out onto the back of the merse and even managed to bag a pink A really nice bloke and a true wildfowler in every sense of the word......... Fowlers like this (including Pole star) should be an inspiration to all of us. I take my hat off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Check the North Mymms shoot thread, and see what can be done/arranged with a little effort. Or look at this weeks Field Sports Britain 30.01.2013, the wheel chair shooter was able to get out due to a number of PW members working together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hi guys, has anyone been in contact with Nigel (see my earlier post) in the last few days about going to the south coast to do some guest speaking ? he called me today to ask if I had refered him to someone on here ?? he sounded very excited about the prospect. I may just join him for a few beers and a night away....anyone know who the caller was ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I have not been wildfowling since loosing both legs but i still go foxing deerstalking rabbiting and clay shooting Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Credit to you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 (edited) I have not been wildfowling since loosing both legs but i still go foxing deerstalking rabbiting and clay shooting Deershooter ↲Thanks for your post deer shoote & its good to see another person having a go despite all the hardships it brings . I am working off a small mobile phone at this moment but I will post here again . I you can get up to the far far north & a bit further then maybe you can get out for a goose with me. Will be intouch . ↲Pole Star. Edited February 20, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I used to go up around loch Leven with a guide called Des, but can not remember his last name. We used to stop at the Leven Hotel always in the October half term as one of the party was a teacher Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 This topic has made me very glad that I am able bodied. I thought I was doing well to be still getting out on the marshes now and again at my ripe old age of 74 - but compared with some of the problems that you guys have got - age is nothing. Keep at it chaps, it is well worth the effort. My odd ache and pain is nothing compared with missing a couple of legs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Now that's what I like too hear Grandalf some one else who carries on out of spite ! if we give up what do we do ? One of the biggest enemies of the peg leg is bloody mud ! & its a bit hard to go shooting in the British Isles with out stepping in the dam stuff some where !. I use to have access to a wonderful snipe bog in Co Wexford in Ireland & a few years ago I thought I would give it a go . Well I walked all around this bog & I was very careful to avoid the patches that looked like trouble & I did not see a single snipe ! it was a disappointing walk as I always got a snipe or two there . As I thought there must be one here some where I decided to do some of the parts I knew that might be trouble so I ventured further on into some very bogy stuff & as I took a step a little further forward I felt my peg leg start to go in deep ! . I think it must have gone down about a foot & the bog had all closed over the foot & I the next thing I knew it was absolutely stuck fast ! . I pulled & pulled & pulled at it but it would just not come free ! , peg leg was firmly anchored in the bog ! . Well it was going to take some strong arm power to free the bloody thing now so lay my gun down & put hands around the limb & heaved ! . When all of a sudden a screaming cock pheasant rocketed out of the rushes only three feet from where I had been cursing pulling & swearing for the last ten minutes !. ( it frightened the life out of me ! ) In desperation I picked up my gun but the crafty pheasant flew off behind me so I was not able swing on him because yes you guessed it " my leg was still stuck firmly in the bog ! ". By now I was so angry I got hold of the limb again & pulled at it with all my strength & at last it came free ! well except the wellie boot which took a further more few minutes pulling to extract it !. The joys of shooting with a peg leg . Stop moaning at least you didn't have the misery of a wet foot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Glad too say Vulpercide you were not there too hear the f in & blinding ecoing all around the hills above that bog ! ! . lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I have not been wildfowling since loosing both legs but i still go foxing deerstalking rabbiting and clay shooting Deershooter ↲Not sure how yot will manage in mud on the forshore deershooter but if want to try some shooting from the loch side or goose decoying from a hide then might be able to sort some thing out for you & if i gej tha Argo it would sure help . Have a think about it↲i. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 not been on the foreshore i was one who pussy footed about decoying in the fields Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted February 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) not been on the foreshore i was one who pussy footed about decoying in the fields Deershooter Nothing wrong with flighting to & from lochs & decoying in fields is a matter of choice & even then it dose not mean it will be easy & they dont always come in ! but alas it puts some meat on the table . I was on the Solway some years back but it was such a pain seeing men jump over creeks & handling the mud with little problem but dam it I wont let things like this stop me from shooting so its a case of looking of ways to get around the difficulties . I went shooting once with a friend in Norfolk on his marsh on a cold frosty morning & after a long walk my friend suddenly said ok will have to cross over here ! turned out it was a deep drain about 15 feet wide ! . Now this left me with a problem because the so called bridge was a rusty RSJ ! covered in bloody frost & to make matters worse it was only 8 inches wide ! . I suddenly thought how the hell & I going to get across that carrying a heavy 8g & amo with out slipping . I had to think hard about this one because that drain was steep sided & bloody deep ! now any one with a peg leg knows that ice is their worst enemy & once the peg leg slips it dose not matter how much Micheal Flattley foot work you can do ! you just go straight down in a heap ! . Now the thought of slipping off that frosty RSJ with my 8g amo , shooting stick ect was almost starting too change the color of my underpants !!! so my self & Ben had a think & Ben said tell you what I will carry your gun & gear over & you carefully come across . So with great care I shuffled one foot in front of the over & slowly got across with out incident & repeated it on the way back . Morel of the story " If you want to shoot then if there is a will then there is a way ! " . Pole Star . Edited February 27, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 i had my left leg amputated below knee in 1972 i,m 63 now still shoot and have done fowling in lancashire and wales took a few tumbles along the way,just rough and pigeon shooting now but still hard somedays but so long as i,m breathin i will keep going as long as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) With the amount of amputees on the forum we should have our own club or at least a squad for the charity shoot of course our squad name would have to be legless Deershooter Edited March 2, 2013 by deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted March 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 With the amount of amputees on the forum we should have our own club or at least a squad for the charity shoot of course our squad name would have to be legless Deershooter lol ! Legless ! yep I do get like that just once in a while deershooter ! Well it helps ! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.