When Terry called me the morning after, to tell me that Chris had passed away....like so many when they heard the news, I was devistated.
When you hear of the passing of such a fine young man, father, son, soldier, and friend to all who's life he touched....you can't help but think about your own life and the blessings of family and friends....life is very fragile.
For two days I couldn't sign on to Trad gang without shedding tears over the writing here about Chris.
I was supposed to be sharing a camp with Chris and Larry right after Christmas in TX. Now that wouldn't happen...
For all these reasons it's been a tough few days...I couldn't get too far thru any day since without thinking of Chris and the outpouring of condolences from the wonderfull people of TG. It seemed everything reminded me of what was going on...I couldn't even start to imagine what his family was going through...
Through all this, I've been thinking of a good way, a way Chris would really appreciate, to honor the life of a true traditional bowhunter...
Today was the first time since Chris' passing that I had the opportunity to hunt. I drove to my parking spot, and started dressing in the dark. I put on just enough so as not to sweat on the walk in, locked my truck, and reached into my pack for my headlamp that I've been using on all my hunts for the last 3 years...then it hit me....
I'd gotten this Petzel head lamp in the St. Jude auction....it was donated by Chris Surtees...
Wearing it had a whole new meaning now...
After turning it on, I started walking and said my prayer I say everytime I walk into the woods, of course this time including the Surtees family...
As I walked, I thought..."how cool would it be to kill a deer today to honor Chris"...what better way...
I got to my stand and almost immediately before I was even fully dressed I had a deer come by about 60 yds. away...it walked off and I settled in...
First text I got was from my buddy Glen(glenbo here). He'd just signed on to TG for the first time in over a week last night. He was saddend, like everyone else here, by the news of Chris' passing.
Another reminder of Chris....
As the sun rose, and my surroundings came to life I couldn't help but take some pix...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020695doe3.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020696doe3.JPG)
Later on, one of the many texts of the morning came from Terry Green...he was about to meet up with Larry, Chris' dad, to help with Chris' things. Don, Skyler,Tammy, and Cloe Wilson were also there to help Larry.
Another reminder of Chris...
The more these reminders came, the stronger the feeling grew within me to make this happen...
Then about 8:30, to the south of me, I saw some deer and I really thought this was it! Seven deer in all......but it wasn't meant to be, they wandered off, never coming close enough...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020704doe3.JPG)
Eight deer already...this was turning out to be a great late season hunt, regardless of the outcome.
Then for whatever reason, this hit home...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020697doe3.JPG)
I can only hope I had a small part of this, as these have long been my favorite, but Chris' favorite recurves were his Kwyk Styks made by Jack Kempf. As a matter of fact when we left the Pig-Gig this year and got cell service, he checked his e mails. With a big smile on his face, he shared pictures of his new Kwyk Styk that was on the way to his house from Jack.
Another powerful reminder of Chris...
A little later, as a scrolled through the contact list in my phone to send a text to a friend...there's Chris' name...
As time passed, I was starting to think that maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I'd had a great morning, in beautiful weather, and saw as many deer as I'd seen on any other hunt all fall.
I had set myself a time to leave earlier...I would stay till 10:00...then get home to do some things I had to get done.
About 9:50, my phone vibrated in my pocket...it was Cade calling to see how I was doing and when I'd be home....I told him I should be home by 11:00...we said our "I love you's" and hung up.
Not a couple minutes later, long after I really expected to see any more deer, and closing in on the time I'd set to leave...I heard something walking over my left shoulder...
I hope you gave Cade a big hug when you got home.
:coffee:
:campfire:
Ok you have our attention.
OMG HOW DO YOU DO A THREE PARAGRAPH PAGE TURNER...
sad to hear the loss , like everyone else here , but anticipating what is to come...
-hov
....One deer, then two, three, and a fourth...all does, two big, two little, they were about 70yds away, but coming closer.
I grabbed my Kwyk Styk that was hanging on the opposite side if the tree, and slowly shifted my feet to prepare for a shot if given the opportunity.
For a few minutes I couldn't tell which trail they would take....but then one of the little does started to head right down the trail I was hoping they would take...here they come...
As they closed I knew I had to shift my feet again to get into proper position. But as I did so, my boot made just a slight sound on the cold stand. I mean hardly audible to me, but the biggest doe, walking third in line, sure heard it. She froze and searched ahead...then looked right up at me!
She looked, then put her head down, only to look right back up at me. This went on for a couple tense minutes till the last doe in line, that didn't have a clue, started walking past her. She realxed a bit and they all continued....but were about to get to where I walked in to the stand... They stopped again...
But now the first big doe, the one that stared me down in the tree, was only 15yds. away. It was kinda like a now or never thing, but the angle wasn't quite right. She was slightly quartering toward me, and getting tense again...
Then she turned her head and neck away from me to look behind her....that opened up her side right up to me...I drew and shot...
She wouldn't go far...
I looked to the heavens..."that one was for buddy"...
It took me while before I gained enough composure to climb down...
The "too big" oak had produced for the third time this fall...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020709doe3.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020720doe3.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020721doe3.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1020722doe3.JPG)
Rest in peace my friend...I'll sure miss you in TX.....
Very nice.........
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
Honor! God Bless.
Very nice.
Chris is smiling on that one! :thumbsup:
Nice job Curt, on a hunt that will remain special to you forever.
I wonder how many people here will be carrying things they got from Chris into the woods and thinking of him every time they use them. Chris's spirit will live on, and he will share many hunts with a heck of a lot of people. That is pretty powerful stuff!
A very touching story Curt.God bless Cris's soul.
Curt that was a big one.... WOW.
incredible...
Thank you for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
Outstanding Curt! Thank you for sharing a personal part of yourself with us. :thumbsup:
Very nice Curt!
Curt, good work. That had to be a very satisfying hunt for you. And doesn't sound like you were totally alone either.
Breath taking, emotional story. Congrats on the deer.
Thanks for sharing such a special hunt with us, Curt.
Good job. :clapper:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Curt, thanks for sharing your morning in the woods with Chris. I know he was watching.
Congrats Curt! Great picture
Outstanding Curt :thumbsup:
Thank you, Curt, for sharing what's in your heart with us. That was very touching.
There is no better place to think about what is important in life, than a treestand. :thumbsup:
Very nice tribute Curt! Great job and very touching, thank you my friend for sharing
QuoteI should be home by 11:00...we said our "I love you's" and hung up.
The most important part of the story letting the ones we still have with us know how we feel every day. No one is guaranteed even another second on earth.
1 Chronicles 17:13
God is all around us even when we think we are alone but now God has one of his soldiers return to him & now we all have another to watch over us as we pass through the days.
Nice way to carry on and honor the memory of a friend.
Nice, Thanks
Very nice Curt! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great way to honor a fallen TradGanger.
Thank you for sharing.
Well told/done Curt.
Excellant way to honor a friend and fellow TradGanger. Well done! Jason
Ditto to everyones comments Curt. I love that last pic.
I'd like to think that Chris had a hand in moving those deer to you Curt.......
David
Well done Curt, very touching. I'm sure you have put a smile or Chris' face. There is a lot of mojo in those Kwik Styk's.... :archer:
I knew Chris only from his words on Trad Gang...
The words of those who loved him, show me I missed out.
Nice shot Curt...right to the heart.
Nice, Curt
Very nice, pretty powerful story, thats for sharing!
Very nice!!!
Real nice. Congrats on getting in done in surreal fashion.
A man can only hope that he will be remembered by his friends and family with warmth, fondness and sincerity....what a great tribute to a friend.
Guru...... :notworthy:
Very nice!
:thumbsup:
:campfire:
This is a very special place... In the written word you can understand, and feel the power of our creator. My only contact with Chris was via PM's on Trad Gang about quivers for the JLMBH St. Jude raffle. Still, the news of his passing hurts.
It's good that he was on your mind hunting that day, Curt. All of us should know spirits are around us always. We never walk alone..... Well said my friend.
... mike ...
Awesome Brother just look at the pic of Chris with that smile from ear to ear i think that says it all. :campfire:
Awesome memories for sure...
Well done Curt,Chris was next to you.
Well done Curt.
Nice job Curt.Quite the productive season.
Incredible :clapper:
Great job Curt... strong stuff !! :thumbsup:
Bitter sweet..God bless.Like Mike said, They are always around us..
Good job Curt. Surely a day you`ll not forget.RC
Well done Guru...Somebody is smiling down from heaven...
A special tribute to a special person nice job Curt.
Well done young man, a very moving dedication ... see ya in TX.
God Bless >>--->
Great Story and Tribute to our Buddy Curt....We Got something for you that will put a big smile on your face next week but you got to wait for Solona
Great Story and Pics Curt! I'm sure Chris would would be very happy :thumbsup:
Amazing Tribute Brother! I can't think of a better way to honor Chris. Well done! :thumbsup:
Way to go Curt! Chris sent them right to you.
This is the type of tribute many of us would want. Thanks for sharing yours. I hope your heart finds some peace. The loss of a brother, friend, or kindred spirit is hard. Jeff
Good on you Curt.
Well done.
:thumbsup: AMEN!!!
Thank you for sharing this with all of us. His spirit lives on through your hunt.
Congrats Curt,
For those that knew him well, it sounds as if it is hard to do anything without the constant little reminders. I didn't know him but it sounds as if many lives were touched by him and wish I had come back sooner to have had the chance.
Great shot Fine Doe, You are a lucky man! I am not talking about hunting!!!!
Well done. :campfire:
Great job Curt!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060558.JPG)
Outstanding Curt!! Good for you and thanks for sharing a touching story. Tragic events like this, especially near the holidays, make us really take a look at our priorities and make sure they are in the proper order. Joe