I spoke with Larry this morning about being lead to start this thread and Larry said he would be honored to have this thread be an on going story book of the hunts that will come out of Chris' memory. I think it will be very special to keep them all preserved on one thread to honor Chris' contributions to this site, its members, and the St Jude Auction.
Larry has told me more than once what TradGang meant to Chris, and when we was in Iraq for some 20 months TradGang helped him stay connected with his love of Traditional bowhunting and in touch with his his many friends. It was like therapy for him and helped him 'get away' when he could not.
There are a lot of items of Chris' spread out among many TradGangers, and more of Chris' items will become available on the St Jude Auction this year as well as some other efforts to spread his hunting equipment around.
If you have a hunting story that involves Chris through any connection and would like to share it please feel free to do so on this thread. If you have already shared a story here on Tradgang(seems like there was one but I can't remember by who at the moment) please post the link to the thread here.
Chris' presents at Solana Ranch 2011
A Collection of hunt with Chris at Solana Ranch 2011 (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=098371#000000)
Story by Curt Cabrera
In Honor of a Good Man (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=097661;p=1#000000)
I have another little story I'll share soon and look forward to reading the many others that will follow.
:campfire:
Very good idea Terry,best way to honor a friend and a great member.
QuoteOriginally posted by cacciatore:
Very good idea Terry,best way to honor a friend and a great member.
Amen.
Allan
I'll second the Amen..
QuoteOriginally posted by Froggy:
I'll second the Amen..
And I'll third it :campfire: Amen..
That's very cool, good on ya'll! Jason
Fourth Amen. Great idea and very deserving.
Here is my link....
The hunt that never was.... (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=097985#000000)
Good plan Terry..
:archer2:
Thanks Randy. ....that's the one I was missing. :readit:
I will support this one in anyway I can.
I'm sorry that I never got to meet Chris face to face but I feel we shared a friendship through our mutual tradgang family.
Thank you Terry for insuring the memory lives on.
God bless,Mudd
A true tribute.
A great idea, I was fortunate enough to meet Chris on a hog hunt briefly. We were supposed to go on a hunt that he had won on St.Judes and invited me to participate since we were bidding against each other, what a nice gesture, The hunt never happened or I may have a story to add.
Chris shows out for Compounders :
Larry and I went to Maryland to hunt Sika deer mid January. My main hunting gear got hung up due to the snow storm on its way back from Solana Ranch. I had to gather up all new gear that was strewn here and there.
Anyway, I took my Charlie Lamb Sunbear Longbow and the 1st selfbow I ever made....along with Some Arrow Dynamics and a quiver full of Chris' wood arrows that Larry had given me.
Before I left, I tried Chris' arrow out of the Sunbear, but that wasn't a pretty sight...it didn't want to fly at all out of that bow...but I threw the arrows in for the journey anyway.
We were out shooting in the back yard of the farmhouse we were staying in and I decided to go in get my selfbow and try Chris's arrow out of it. Some of the shots included a Coke Zero can sitting on top of the smaller block target.
When I came around the corner of the farmhouse I stopped instead of walking on up to where we'd been shooting with was around 20 yards or so. At this time the compounders from Colorado had just gotten their bows out to shoot. One was standing to my right, and other was standing to my left. And the one behind me said..."You are going to shoot from HERE"?
Larry was standing behind me so he could watch the flight also. Now, there were 3 targets out there, and one block target was in front of another large target. The targets were pretty shot up with hardly a 'spot' to pick, and Larry said, just shoot the can. I asked him if it was still there, and he said yes, then it came into focus and I started to draw.
Bought that time one of the Colorado boys asked..."You want me to range find it for you"....I let down my draw and said..."Nah,...I got a range finder right here" as I pointed to my right temple.....and I started my draw again.
Yep, you know it, I nailed the can with Chris's arrow and I heard from my right...."That was FOURTY TWO yards!!!....Fourthy TWO yards with no sights" ?!?!?!?!
I turned and looked at Larry, and we both were grinning from ear to ear. At that time, Larry and I both had the exact same feeling.
Yeah, I kept the can.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/showoffcan1.jpg)
Thanks for sharing Terry.
:clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Chris shows out for Compounders :
Larry and I went to Maryland to hunt Sika deer mid January. My main hunting gear got hung up due to the snow storm on its way back from Solana Ranch. I had to gather up all new gear that was strewn here and there.
Anyway, I took my Charlie Lamb Sunbear Longbow and the 1st selfbow I ever made....along with Some Arrow Dynamics and a quiver full of Chris' wood arrows that Larry had given me.
Before I left, I tried Chris' arrow out of the Sunbear, but that wasn't a pretty sight...it didn't want to fly at all out of that bow...but I threw the arrows in for the journey anyway.
We were out shooting in the back yard of the farmhouse we were staying in and I decided to go in get my selfbow and try Chris's arrow out of it. Some of the shots included a Coke Zero can sitting on top of the smaller block target.
When I came around the corner of the farmhouse I stopped instead of walking on up to where we'd been shooting with was around 20 yards or so. At this time the compounders from Colorado had just gotten their bows out to shoot. One was standing to my right, and other was standing to my left. And the one behind me said..."You are going to shoot from HERE"?
Larry was standing behind me so he could watch the flight also. Now, there were 3 targets out there, and one block target was in front of another large target. The targets were pretty shot up with hardly a 'spot' to pick, and Larry said, just shoot the can. I asked him if it was still there, and he said yes, then it came into focus and I started to draw.
Bought that time one of the Colorado boys asked..."You want me to range find it for you"....I let down my draw and said..."Nah,...I got a range finder right here" as I pointed to my right temple.....and I started my draw again.
Yep, you know it, I nailed the can with Chris's arrow and I heard from my right...."That was FOURTY TWO yards!!!....Fourthy TWO yards with no sights" ?!?!?!?!
I turned and looked at Larry, and we both were grinning from ear to ear. At that time, Larry and I both had the exact same feeling.
Yeah, I kept the can.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/showoffcan1.jpg)
:D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Yes! :thumbsup:
:campfire: I'm sure there's gonna be alot of good reading to come on this thread. I think this is great.
now THAT was priceless on too many levels, terry. just priceless ... :thumbsup: :campfire:
too cool!!
:archer:
:archer2:
AWESOME :readit: :readit:
Let it up to Ole Chris to put new meaning into:
"Become the Arrow!"
Terry, that story gave me goose-bumps!
Wow. Thats crazy right there.
Forty two yards! :scared: :archer2: That is just awesome.
Way to show 'em Chris and Terry!
Very well done Terry.... :archer:
Terry-that picture of the can...what a buck on the back of that truck! wow! who got that one? thanks and what a great idea to commemorate a good friend! Thanks.
Kenny :clapper: :clapper:
Great story,Terry! Looking forward to reading some more.
Bisch
A nice tribute.
Really like this tread, didn't know Cris, but would have liked too have met this good young man.. As well as many other good people on Trad Gang. God Bless
QuoteOriginally posted by kennyb:
Terry-that picture of the can...what a buck on the back of that truck! wow! who got that one?
Kenny....click Below...
Designated Bow : \\'Tines\\' (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=98;t=000055)
Not real Sure of how I came to know Chris Surtees but, we did meet here over the net. Never had a chance to meet him personally but we did connect through Tradgang.
I am sure I had thanked him for the service to our country and for our freeedoms he helped secure! I am still very proud of him for that sacrafice!!!
When we had a conversation over the net, I offered to send his boys a couple osage selfbows in one of our communications. At that time I don't think the boys had bows but again I am unsure of that. I did send the bows out and a few days later I received a package back from Chris. It was unexpected! In the package there were 1/2 doz. flu-flu's and a canebrake rattler skin. Chris had made the arrows and I think the skin he sent was a road kill but again I am unsure of that too!
The boy's & their bows
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/chrisjason.jpg)
Here is a slide show of the bow I made with the canebrake skin Chris sent me.
(ClICK PICK BELOW TO VIEW SHOW)
(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Charles%20bow/th_IMG_0102.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Charles%20bow/?action=view¤t=fc27bfd6.pbw)
This is one of the flu-flu arrows Chris sent to me with the skin.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Hunting%202010%20-%202011/DSC_0157.jpg)
My last communication with Chris.
8/6/2010
Chris Surtees
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe,
Would it be OK if I gave-a-way the selfbows you built for my boys? They have out grown them and are now just sitting on the rack. I could be getting some good use in the hands of another youngster.
Chris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Osagetree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris,
No problem. I would be honered if they'll spark interest in other youths! I'd like to see pics of recipients if at all possible but if you can't I understand.
The bows were yours when I sent them so you really didn't have to ask but, Thanks as that is very respectful and I appreciated it a lot.
I am shipping one to SLASHERS son Jesse today, somewhere in Georgia. But don't tell it is a surprize!
Have fun and keep in touch.
Joe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Surtees
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Thanks Joe...I will get them put up after I get back this weekend from a trip.
Chris
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Chris sending me the arrows and skin in return for the bows and his passing the bows on to others was a show of his true character!
Recently, I took the bow made with Chris's skin and donated it to GORH 2011 (Great Ohio Rabbit Hunt)to raise funds for the event that started back in 1934. The bow was dedicated to Chris and donated to the event on his behalf.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/DSC_0895.jpg)
It was raffled off at the event and Roland Scheeff AKA "Tecum-tha" won the bow dedicated in memory of Chris.
(Second bow from top)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Hunting%202010%20-%202011/DSC_0005.jpg)
On the last day of the event Roland shot the canebrake osage bow & flu-flu arrow with Chris's name on it out into the woods & toward the hollow leading to Hammertown Lake. This arrow had Chris Surtees, GORH 2011, Joe Weed & Tradgang.com written on the cresting. This was our way to remember Chris and have his spirit with us at the hunt and event.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Hunting%202010%20-%202011/DSC_0154.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/Osagetree/Hunting%202010%20-%202011/DSC_0159.jpg)
I'll never forget the experince and the fine soul I met via tradgang. I was lucky enough to have at least in someway made a connection with such a fine soul as Chris Surtees!
I have coffee every morning with Chris, you see, I won the "AIRBOSS" coffee cup that Chris put in the St. Jude's auction last year. Chris and I pm'd back and forth several times as I shared my secrets for out manuevering the Marines I was bidding against. Chris had a great sense of humor and I appreciated sharing those thoughts with him. Thanks again Chris. Its time for coffee my BROTHER!
The Quiver in this pic was made by Larry Surtees and given to Chris. Larry gave it to me, and I carried it along on this hunt with one of Chris' arrows in it. The same one that ripped the can at 42 yards.
Many thanks to Larry Surtees for inviting me on this St Judes Pheasant Hunt...
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/SJ11groupmist1.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/SJphhhero1.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/SJphhhero2.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/SJphhquiverbowbirds1.JPG)
Now thats impressive!! Great shooting Terry. :notworthy:
Wow, that's nice. Great thread boys.
I can't think too much about my friend, without tears running down my face.
Chris my friend, you are greatly missed at my fire!
Johnny/JAG
Well, that special bow will be slightly shortened to pick up a few pounds and the tips will be reshaped,so the height challanged new owner will be able to string it with the step-through method, like I string all my go to hunting bows.
I'll make up a matching set of natural fletched, self-nocked arrows and will only use it for my primitive hunts or in shoots like the TN Classic where they have a primitive bow class. Dress for using this bow will be fully made of natural (braintan buckskin and linen/wool) materials.
Depending on temperature either breachcloth and leggins or buckskin pants in the pic.
Braintan deer and braintan coyote quiver only.
Every arrow will be shot in memory of a fellow warrior..
Up for Curt to add a link to his latest hunt when he's done.....
The link to something very special for me....
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104151
A link to the story about a St. Jude hunt offered in two parts. First part hosted by Gregg and Reed Dudley, second part hosted by Chris. Before, during and after the hunt, Chris could not have been more helpful and accommodating. He shared his home, his food, his time, his hunting gear and his passion with Ethan and I. We feel blessed to have been a small part of Chris' life and fortunate to count ourselves as a couple of the MANY lives he touched.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=078862;p=1
A link to my special hunt, in memory of my brother.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104078
Don't really feel like I should post here but I guess I will. Bought a trail cam from Chris a while back. In his pm to me when he shipped it he asked me to send him a picture from the camera. Well, a while went by & I had not gotten around to opening the package with the camera in it. I was planning on putting it out when I read the fateful news. I was shocked & so sad that I still have never opened the package with the camera in it. Just seems not right somehow. That is how tradgang brings us together. Never even met Chris & that package seems like gold to me. Still not sure what to do but if I use it I will send Larry the first picture it takes. God bless his soul.
Dan
:campfire:
Randy Keene\\'s Story - Click Here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108294;p=1)
CLICK HERE for Kentucky TJ\\'s Story... (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108603;p=1)
Curt and My Solana Ranch Parallels (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=112462;p=31)