by By Carter Colson
My uncle likes to say, “if there’s a will, there’s a way.” I try to live up to that sentiment. On October 4th, something terrible happened, something that will change my life forever. I was riding my dirtbike through the woods, made a mistake, and hit a tree going at a high rate of speed.
I was able to ride back home, but my parents needed to rush me to the hospital. I broke my left femur and suffered two transversal spine fractures. I was disappointed to hear this, because I would have to miss two state Bass Fishing tournaments. I worked really hard to make it there and I blew it. That wasn’t the only thing, turkey season was already underway and deer season would kick off with youth weekend in a couple of weeks.
Hunting is the lifestyle and sport that I am most dedicated to. I put hundreds of hours into scouting, studying maps, and trying to understand deer movements. I knew there was no way I would let my injuries prevent me from hunting. Less than a week after my accident, I was out in the field.
Six days after my accident, I went out hunting and harvested a turkey. I assessed my injuries and planned my turkey hunt. I determined that I can use my walker to get out in the field. I also chose to use a crossbow instead of my compound bow because of my spine fractures.
During Youth Weekend, I went out deer hunting, fifteen days after fracturing my femur and spine. I was able to harvest a 70 pound doe with my crossbow. Working my way out to my spot, I truly thought I would not make it. Somehow, I used my walker and strength to get there.
I was forced to use trees to hold onto as I climbed the last small, but steep bank. When I reached the top of the bank I still had 230 yards to hobble across to make it to where I wanted to sit. After setting up, I waited for approximately 2 hours before using a deer call. After about 15 minutes of calling, I heard a deer approaching from my left.
I raised my crossbow as the deer came into view, right where I wanted it to. I aimed, pulled the trigger, and it was a kill shot. I was able to have a successful hunt, even when it seemed impossible. Like my uncle said, “If there’s a will, there’s a way”. Try to always strive to find a way to do what you love.
