Deer Season Back Pain? Tree Stand, Long Sit and Dragging Tips from Winchester Chiropractic

Kentucky’s modern gun deer season opens Saturday, November 14, and runs through Sunday, November 29, 2026. For a lot of families in Winchester and Clark County, that means early mornings, cold sits and, with any luck, a deer to get out of the woods. It also means a lot of the back and shoulder strain we see this time of year.

A little preparation goes a long way. Here is how to look after your back from the climb to the truck.

Before opening day

• Get moving the week before. A few brisk walks with your pack on, some squats and a little stretching help if you have been less active lately.
• Hang and check stands early. Doing it before the season means less hauling and less rushing in the dark on opening morning.
• Pack lighter. Every extra pound gets carried in, climbed with and carried back out.

Climbing in and out of the stand

• Wear a full-body safety harness and stay connected from the time you leave the ground until you are back down.
• Keep three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) on the ladder or steps.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower your pack and your unloaded gun or bow, so your hands are free and you are not climbing off balance with weight on your back.
• Take your time on frosty or wet steps. Most strains happen when we hurry or twist to grab something.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has season dates and hunter safety information on its deer hunting page.

Long, cold sits

Sitting still for hours in the cold is hard on a low back and neck. Muscles stiffen, and twisting to look behind you or to raise a gun from a cold start can tweak something.

• Use a seat cushion and sit with your back supported rather than slumped forward.
• Dress in layers and keep your neck and low back covered.
• Every so often, quietly shift your weight, roll your shoulders and flex your ankles.
• Turn from your hips and shoulders together instead of cranking just your neck.
• When you climb down, move slowly for the first few minutes and let your back loosen up.

Dragging and lifting a deer

Getting a deer out of the woods and into the truck is where many backs give out. A field-dressed deer is heavy and awkward, and the ground is often steep, muddy or uneven.

• Bring help if you can. Two people dragging is much easier on everyone’s back.
• Use a drag harness or a deer cart so you can pull with your legs and stay upright, instead of bending over and pulling with your arms.
• Take short breaks and switch sides so one shoulder does not do all the work.
• Lift into the truck with your legs, keep the load close to your body and avoid lifting and twisting at the same time. A tailgate ramp or a second person helps a lot.

When to see a chiropractor

If your back, neck or shoulder is still sore a few days after a hunt, keeps you from sleeping or makes it hard to work or drive, it is a good time to get checked. At Winchester Chiropractic we start with a careful history and exam, explain what we find and build a plan adapted to you, with adjustments, therapies and exercises to keep doing at home. No referral is needed, and we accept Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Passport (Molina Healthcare) and most insurance, including plans from Anthem, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), WellCare and Aetna. We’re open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and you can book online 24/7.