BIG SKY – A bowhunter who had impaled his leg with an arrow after falling down a steep hill was rescued on Thursday.
The 61-year-old man from Indiana was reportedly hunting on Buck Ridge South near Big Sky when he fell and impaled himself in the upper right thigh with an arrow that came loose from his quiver.
The arrow was removed and one of his hunting partners applied a compression bandage.
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies and volunteers from Sheriff’s Search and Rescue at Big Sky responded to the area on the Buck Ridge Trail 13 miles west of Highway 191 where SAR members located the hunter’s 4×4.
According to a press release, the rescue team found the hunter on a steep south facing slope, and using low angle roping techniques, were able to lift the rescue litter with the man back to the trail. He was transferred to a Life Flight Network medical helicopter, which had landed near the trail. Life Flight then transported him to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for further medical treatment.
Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin applauds the individuals in the hunting party for being prepared for this unfortunate situation. Gootkin said the hunting party had a satellite phone for emergency contact needs and enough medical supplies, and knowledge, to render immediate medical aid.
