to tell this story. It's been an ordeal, and I don't know if I have another one in me. ...Many thanks to my friends who knew about this, and kept it quiet until we could secure my shack.
Here's the official DNR version:
Hunter Injured During Squirrel Hunt
Southeastern INDIANA- Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting incident in southern Decatur County after an injured squirrel hunter was found lying in a ditch on the side of the road.
At approximately 2:00 pm a call came in that a hunter was found in a ditch by a passerby. The hunter was alert and alive but had injuries to his lower extremities. When officers arrived to the scene they found John R. Nail (66) of Bedford, Indiana.
Nail said that he was squirrel hunting on private property in southern Decatur County when he attempted to cross a creek bed at around 10:30. When crossing, Nail said he slipped and injured one of his legs. Nail attempted to make a brace for his injured leg in order to walk to his vehicle. Nail said that he did not have cell phone service and could not call for help. Nail, while exiting the woods with one injured leg fell again causing injury to his other leg. Nail said he then crawled towards the vehicle which took him nearly 3 hours.
Once to the road, Nail said that he was still unable to make calls from his cell phone due to lack of service. Nail was spotted by a passerby who dialed 911. Officers and EMS personnel were then dispatched to Nails location. Nail was then taken to Decatur County Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Responding to the scene were Indiana Conservation Officers, Decatur County Sheriffs Department, Westport Police Department, Decatur County EMS, and Westport Volunteer Fire Department.
As the hunting seasons are upon us, Indiana Conservation Officers encourage hunters and outdoorsmen to be safe and follow regulations while in the woods. It is always a good idea to let someone outside of your hunting party know where you will be and when you will return from the woods.
I slipped and fell on algae covered rocks and pulled the quad muscles off my knee. Splinted myself, and traveled a couple hundred yards and the whole thing gave way, causing the SAME INJURY to the other knee!!! Lucky me. With no legs at all, I was forced to crawl about a mile through a soybean field by throwing my rifle ahead, mashing the beans down, and using them to slide on. Buzzards circled overhead. It was 92 in the shade--and there wasn't any shade.
Had surgery to both legs, and now I'm walking like Frankenstein.....BE CAREFUL OUT THERE.
I will try to come sit around at the Janruary shoot. Season total? 16 squirrels, 15 grays and one fox.
-- Edited by john nail on Sunday 8th of September 2013 12:05:46 PM
Well, I've been waiting for John to make it public before saying anything. Jim and I secured his place the Saturday morning after the accident and then we drove up to Westport to bring his van home. The town Marshall at Westport asked me if John was former military and when I affirmed this he said he figured so (he's a young grunt himself). He told me a lesser man would have died out there.BUT , knowing John, I'm betting he'll back shooting with us much sooner than anyone thinks.Probably already has the nurses in a tizz.
__________________
I do not seek the good of others as a sanction for my right to exist, nor do I recognize the good of others as a justification for their seizure of my property or their destruction of my life.- Hank Rearden
Dang! Glad to hear you are OK.
When "it" hits the fan, your training is the thing that saves your skin.
I will stop by and pay you a visit, shoot the breeze for a while. We need to go chase some pigs down south next spring, give your legs a good work out. I will give you a buzz.
God bless, José
Dang! Glad to hear you are OK. When "it" hits the fan, your training is the thing that saves your skin. I will stop by and pay you a visit, shoot the breeze for a while. We need to go chase some pigs down south next spring, give your legs a good work out. I will give you a buzz. God bless, José
John,
If there is anything you need as you are recovering let me know. I travel relatively close to you every day. I may not be good help, but I'm free! Plus if you have any really hard work to do, I can bring the boy!
sounds like you are on the mend pretty well john, hope everything goes good for you tuff guy. hope you dont get married again before your therapy is over
On a lighter side John. Sorry, but this is what happens when you spend too much time waiting at airport gates... Because you now walk like Frankenstein which is not that much different than the way "zombies" walk, have you thought about a new career in Hollywood? Zombies are IN! Think about it, all you need is a little make-up to make you look like one and the rest comes natural. I can be your agent... Hollywood here we come! Parties, girls... YYYYEEEEHHHAAAAHHH!!!!!
I will bring the contract next Friday. We can go to the club after that and shoot the breeze for a while.
sounds like you are on the mend pretty well john, hope everything goes good for you tuff guy. hope you dont get married again before your therapy is over
