Nailed it while target practicing

[vontar]

Well today dad and I went target shooting, getting ready for deer season.

I rode the 4 wheeler and dad drove up in his truck with the guns.

It goes with out saying, both guns used today were cleaned and inspected before we went.

We took my .22 rifle, which I mainly practice with, since it is cheap to shoot, and my .270 semi auto Remington.

It has probably been 15 years since either had been fired.

Also, I just put the scope back on the .22 this morning, as dad had used it on another gun for a few years.

So we started out with the .22, setup a target about 50 yards. Fired a few, adjusted the scope, fired a few and adjusted. walking back and forth checking and so on.

Well Walking back and forth about 8 or 9 times I stepped on this.

The nail is just under 2 inches long. I was wearing my hunting boots. The thick rubber sole gave it enough resistance to prevent it from going all the way in and thankfully, it didn't get me to bad but enough.

I am not certain how deep it went but I don't believe it went all that deep, I have virtually no pain it, and after it finished blooding on it's own it is almost impossible to tell where it got me.

If I did not know where it got me, a person would be hard to find the mark.

Not enough mark to even consider posting a picture.

I honestly think it might have just barely broken the skin as when I felt it I did not finish putting weight down and stopped in my tracks and had dad pull it out.

Family has suggested I should go tomorrow and see if I should get a tetanus shot.

I wonder if that is just an over reaction.

I had a tetanus shot I know in the last 2 years when I started seeing my new doctor because he ask me when I had my last one and I told him I honestly did not know so he gave me one.

I am not asking for medical advice just kinda talking it out as it helps me think. I will probably sleep on this and make a decision by morning.

I will probably check with my doctor anyways, won't hurt.

We inspected the area and found about 4 more of them afterward.

It took me 35 years to step on a nail, hopefully I won't do it again.

BTW, after we finished sighting in my .22.

Fired off the .270 a few times and I was low every shot. Dad said it was me. He shot it and was low to. Then I reminded him of our last hunting trip when I missed a few times and I told him it it needed to be checked.

We adjusted it to where I feel better about it now as well.

But I need more practice and breathing control.

Edited October 22, 2010 by vontar

[Raoul]

You don't need another tetanus shot. Every 10 years for adults.

But what exactly it that thing? looks like some sorta booby trap...Is the nail attached to that piece of steel?

[Guest tnfireman]

Every 10 is good but every 5 years is recommended.

Glad ya got the .270 sighted in. But as you know, we require pics of the targets...

[vontar]

Every 10 is good but every 5 years is recommended.

Glad ya got the .270 sighted in. But as you know, we require pics of the targets...

After 20 rounds, there wasn't a target left.

[vontar]

But what exactly it that thing? looks like some sorta booby trap...Is the nail attached to that piece of steel?

Dad kinda thought someone might have tossed them out to give 4 wheelers flats as they where all in the path that 4 wheelers would drive on. I had even drove on that twice before we walked it. Found none in the tires.

We kinda wondered if they might have been some funny roofing nails but they seem long. Dad thought just maybe they were for roof felt paper, maybe longer to go though a couple layers how sometimes people don't always rip off all the old like they should.

They place we where at has been know for people to dump trash.

It could have been anything. Someone could have did it on purpose, it could have been some trash. I remember a few years back seeing where someone had dumped everything that comes off a roof from a roofing job probably not 20 feet from where I stepped on that. But these where not very rusted so they had to be newer.

[Raoul]

I think those are definitely for 4 wheelers. They look like juvenille jackrocks. A jackrock is 4 nails welded together. When the UMWA would go on strike they would throw them in the road to flatten the tires of drivers that crossed the picket line.

Caltrop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think you were booby trapped.

[vontar]

I know Jackrocks. I remember when the mines went on strike when I was about 14-16 yrs old.

Best I remember thoses Jackrocks where home made, from 2 Bent nails with the ends cut off and sharpened on the blunt end then wielded together. No matter how they where tossed, 1 end were was always pointed up.

I remember them doing all kinds of dirty tricks to hide them, both sides of the line. those crossing the picket line(I won't use the name they were called) and the miners.

My family was not on either side, but one of my close friends family was on the miners side.

[Raoul]

I know Jackrocks. I remember when the mines went on strike when I was about 14-16 yrs old.

Best I remember thoses Jackrocks where home made, from 2 Bent nails with the ends cut off and sharpened on the blunt end then wielded together. No matter how they where tossed, 1 end were was always pointed up.

I remember them doing all kinds of dirty tricks to hide them, both sides of the line. those crossing the picket line(I won't use the name they were called) and the miners.

My family was not on either side, but one of my close friends family was on the miners side.

Yep, that's a jackrock. That little item you stepped on does look fairly new. You'd best be careful there. Somebody doesn't want you there.

[Guest Buzz87]

Just FYI the CDC says get a tetanus booster every 10 years or after a possible exposure.

Vaccines: VPD-VAC/Tetanus/main page

[Guest Jamie]

Looks like something I ran over once, driving under a new overpass that was being constructed. Went through the sidewall of the tire, so it had to be replaced instead of plugged. ( this was at Centerpoint road, where the bypass - Vietnam veterans blvd. - goes over, just before you get to Gallatin rd. in Hendersonville... in case anybody cared. )

Those.... nails?.... are used to secure foam insulation sheets, or any other type of relatively soft sheeting, I think.

Given that I doubt there's any of that type of construction going on out in the middle of the woods, I'd have to say somebody intentionally put it there.

Edited October 22, 2010 by Jamie

[Il Duce]

cliffs notes anyone?

[vontar]

This morning there is a slight tenderness but no more then I would expect where it got me. Barely any redness at only the site of where the nail got me. Nothing spreading out from it.

This morning, I called my doctors off.

I talked to a nurse described what I stepped on and the type of damage and how it does not appear to have any infection but ask if I might need a tetanus shot.

She checked my records, it has been almost 2 years since I got a tetanus shot and she did not believe I would need another so soon even with this but she was going to check with the doctor anyways.

She checked with the doctor and called me back a few hours later. The doctor advised as long as it does not start to get infected, discolored, swelling up or any other bad signs I should have nothing to be concerned about and confirmed no need for another tetanus shot.