Physical Therapy becomes a part of athletes and old folks’ lives. Like it or not, there will be a time in your life when you need to rehabilitate from an accident or age-related issues. 

My advice to all of you Young Bucks and Ladies is to enjoy everything that you can while your body allows it. It is no fun to Rehab after an accident. Athletes tear, sprain, break, and injure their anatomy when used to the extreme. Seniors end up with a body that has been road hard and put away wet. 

Back in June, I ruptured my left Hamstring in 3 places. The surgery made the repairs and for 6 weeks, I was not allowed to use the leg. This accident came after having 2 lower back surgeries in 15 months. Until age 67, I was Superman. No surgeries, physical issues, or health concerns. 

Fortunately, everything is online to get back into the best shape I can.

I am writing this article because I know that my story is like so many others. A lifetime of outdoor fun, hunting, and fishing is not free, It comes at a price and the debt gets paid when we age. 

Physical Therapy is hard! You need to take little steps and be consistent for a long time. No more just put on a pair of track shoes and take a jog. Too much too fast will cause a setback. Too little will prevent improvement. 

With the opening of Pheasant season, I am pressing my Physical Therapy to the max. Walking around the neighborhood helps but hunting over uneven ground, carrying a shotgun is way harder. 

I went out on my own with my German Shorthaired Pointer Jag. He stays within 20 yards and listens well. It’s like he knows that I need him to stay close. With the last couple seasons of me being injured, his on-bird training has been limited. Jag needs a few dozen rooster encounters to get up to speed. 

Opening day can be crowded unless you go later in the day. Once the crowds leave, the scattered birds can be hunted up. Jag and I were on the hunt. In the past it was nothing to walk 10 miles a day searching for pheasants. Today I was hoping to walk a couple. 

We took our time and managed to flush 2 roosters. I may be a slow walker, but I can still shoot. We saw another rooster out of range and heard another. In 2 hours, I managed about 3 miles. 2 birds would be enough today. 

The following day arrived with sore and tired legs but nothing was broken, torn, or strained.  There will need to be more Physical Training as the season goes on. 

Pull the trigger!

Montana Grant