Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Guru on December 25, 2011, 01:47:00 PM
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First off, I'd like to wish everyone here a Merry Christmas!
Now to the hunt...
To say I've struggled this fall with the deer would be a huge understatement. Even though I reached my major goal of the season...to kill a deer while Cade was with me and with Chris' bh that I'd already killed 3 turkeys with...this season has been filled with a bunch of factors that have led to next to no deer within shooting distance.
I'm not talking about only big bucks either, I mean deer period! I can't remember a season like this one in all of my 30+ yrs. of bowhunting!
I never lost faith, and everytime I went hunting, I always felt as thought "today was going to be the day"...but day after day, the struggle continued...it had been over 2 months since I'd released an arrow at a deer! Highly unusual for me!
We all want to kill big bucks, and I usually hold out for a good one or 2 during the season, but another of my major goals of the year was to use the 3blade VPA broadheads that were once owned by Chris Surtees as much as possible.
Like mentioned earlier, I'd been using the same one since spring turkey season. It was used for 2 spring gobblers, then a fall hen in early Oct., and in mid Oct. the same BH once again was used to kill a doe while Cade watched the whole thing!
I was also honored by Chris' Dad larry, to be given the great fortune of recieving one of Chris' Lone Wolf Climbers to hunt with.
So, of course I wanted to kill a deer while hunting out of the Lone Wolf, and with Chris' bh.......
Yesterday morning found me walking uphill on a two track trail before first light. A cold front had hit during the night and the frost was very heavy.
Although I couldn't see the deer in the dark, with the wind in my face, my nose was telling me there was a deer close by in front of me. I didn't really want to spook the deer, but with daylight approaching, I had to get to my chosen tree of the morning.
I continued on only about 10yds. and could suddenly hear the deer turn and bound off...I smiled knowing my senses were all keen this morning and I continued on...
Soon I was wrapping the traction belt of Chris' Lone Wolf climber around the big oak. I remember thinking to myself that it was already getting light to the east, and wished I hadn't lolly-gagged so much getting ready and showering before my hour long trip south!
But I climbed up as quiet as I could, put on my KUIU Guide vest and jacket, nocked the arrow with Chris' bh and looked to the heavens as I'd done everytime I'd nocked it this fall...
In 2 previous hunts to this area, but not in this tree, I'd noticed that there was always a couple does that seemed to be coming from this area. But with the wind out of the NW, I knew that if they did come to me like I thought they would, the wind would be as close to being "wrong" as I possibly could get away with.
It's always risky, but it's really the best situation, the deer think they have the advantage of the wind. But with just the right set-up, we really do.
I also purposly set-up on the opposite side of the tree from where the deer would come from. I usually like to be on the side the I expect deer to come from. I really enjoy being able to watch them the whole time while prepping for a shot. But, being that it was so late in the season,and there was absolutely no cover up in the trees, I climbed high, and hoped the mass of the big oaks trunk would cover me until it was too late...
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OK brother, I'm awaiting this one. :coffee:
Merry Christmas to you as well.
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:campfire:
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...With the wind just barely moving, it was terribly quiet. I say "terribly" because in conditions like this deer can seem to hear any little sound that will give a hunter away. It's cool because we as hunters can hear a deer coming from quite a distance....who doesn't love the "crunch, crunch, crunch" of an approaching deer?
I wasn't settled in for more than 15 minutes when I heard something behind me. I'd already heard some squirrels rustling around, so at first I thought that's what it was...but it was a slower, less staccatto cadance.
I turned and looked around the trunk behind me and was surprized to see a doe walking right at me, and only 40yds. away already!
There was no doubt about whether I'd shoot or not, the freezer had way too much empty space, it was late season, I still had about all my tags....THIS WAS A MEAT HUNT!
I immediately reached for my Kwyk Styk "Cy"....but as I raised it off the rubber coated bow holder it made the slightest "squeek"...the deer froze...
I couldn't help but think, "oh no! don't blow this Curt!"
But within a few seconds she flicked her tail to the side, contiued on, walking directly at me.
With it coming so direct, I had to watch and wait to see what side of the tree it was going to pass on. If it came on the north side, I would have to turn all the way around in the stand to prepare for the shot. If it passed to the south side, I would hardly have to move, but the slightly moving wind out of the NW would make things interesting very shortly.
At about 15 yards behind me, it looked as though she was going to pass to the north. I waited for her to get behind a tree and started to make my 180 degree turn in the stand.
I got around just in time to to see her come into view only 10yds behind, and slightly north...and she stopped again! She'd hit the scent I put out!
I'm not one to use scent at all, haven't in years. But with the way things had been going this season, I figured I'd try anything to change my luck.
Now with her locked up only ten yards away, and not in position for a shot, I hoped my decision to "try anything", wasn't about to bite me in the butt!
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Good writing Curt. I'm loving it. Late season doe hunts are some of my favorites.
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Same for me Curt. 30+ years, weird season for sure. Cant' buy a deer!
Sounds like something good happened! :bigsmyl:
Best to ya, rest of the season!
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She kept raising her nose high in the air trying to decipher what she was smelling...the tension and stress was building by the second...and although I live for these situations, I knew I wasn't going to get many more chances like this to fill up the freezer so late in the season.
My heart was pounding, and my mind raced ...."com'on, just a few more steps"...
After what seemed like a half hour, but was only about a minute, she started forward again...
She stopped again, but she was almost too close! I was about 20ft up in this tree, and she was only 5yds. from the base of the tree, and downhill below me and she stopped again...
I really wanted to shoot her after she passed by a bit. But now she was stopped again, barely broadside, and at an extreme angle down. I was afraid if I waited too long, something would go wrong....it was time...
I remember bending and focusing on a spot high, and very tight to the shoulder as I drew "Cy" to anchor...
At impact the non-mistakable "click" told me I'd hit exactly where I was looking and had probably clipped the back edge of the scapula. The pink feathers seemed to almost dissappear, but not quite.
She tore through the open hardwoods downhill and with every stride was putting her closer to my truck!
After about 80yds, she was slowing. At about 100yds. she stopped, right behind a line of trees about out of site. But I could tell she was stumbling. Then all was silent, although I couldn't see her because of the trees, I knew she had to be there.
Then it hit me, she'd taken the arrow carrying Chris'VPA bh with her. Hopefully the arrow stayed in one piece, and was either still in her, or had fallen out and easy to find. Although I didn't really care much about the arrow, this bh meant so much to me, and everytime I used it on a critter and it wasn't stuck in the ground in front of me, it got stressful. I tried not to think much about it and hoped for the best....
It was still very early, so I decided to stay a while.....
The next deer I saw was the big buck I had trail camera pix of. He was about 100yds. away to the NW of me. Immediately saw something was "off" with his rack. My Leica's told me I wasn't seeing things....he'd shed one side already!
He continued off to the west, and dissappeared. Then about 8:30 I saw a doe way off. By 9:00 I couldn't take it anymore, I wanted to go see my deer and find "the" broadhead!
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Still in the tree...
The shot...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090117christeve.JPG)
A closer look...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090118christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090119christeve.JPG)
This pond creates a bit of a pinch, check out the ice on the edges...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090120christeve.JPG)
Chris' Lone Wolf and my Kempf Kwyk Styk "Cy"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090121christeve.JPG)
Chris' 1 1/4" 3 bl. VPA had once again done an amazing job. Lets follow the bloodtrail...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090122christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090123christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090124christeve.JPG)
As I followed I couldn't also help but look to see if the arrow/bh was somewhere along the trail...
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• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090126christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090128christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090129christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090130christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090131christeve.JPG)
This is what I was afraid I'd find, the arrow had broken! Which meant the BH end, the important end, was going to be harder to find!!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090132christeve.JPG)
The KUIU ram...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090133christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090134christeve.JPG)
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Thats one mighty fine looking bloodtrail Curt!
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Great story Curt,I am using myself those VPA 1-1/4 and they make an incredible job!
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Looking ahead...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090136christeve.JPG)
I got to the deer and no broadhead, my stomach was in a knot! As soon as I got to the deer, I quickly looked around and under it, then turned around and slowly followed the bloodtrail backward focusing now on just finding the front 2/3 of the arrow and bh.
I went back up and down once, and I was back to the deer without finding it. I repeated this 3 more times over the next hour....I came up empty!
I needed to get home. So it was time to take some pix, field dress, and load up.
I know there's a few of us that hunt to honor Chris's memory as much as we can. I feel blessed to have accomplished my goal of killing another deer with his broadhead, and out of his Lone Wolf climber...his spirit is very strong...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090151christeve.JPG)
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Great Story and pics!
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:thumbsup:
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Oh Yea!!!!!
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:campfire:
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Very cool bud!!!!!
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Great job Brother!
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Entrance high...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090152christeve.JPG)
Exit low and tight, easy to see the extreme angle...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090153christeve.JPG)
This was a surprize, the "she", was actually a "he"....easily the biggest button buck I've ever seen. And the first one I've ever shot in 30+yrs. of bowhunting. Even had I known it was a BB, I still would have shot, this hunt was about filling the freezer and honoring a friend. His "rubbed buttons"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090154christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090156christeve.JPG)
I had a feeling from the shot hitting where/how it did, and the thick red blood I was following, that this wasn't just a lung shot...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090157christeve.JPG)
I'll be back down tomorrow morning to hunt, and afterward look again for the other 2/3 of the arrow.
The good news is that I have one more of his VPA broadheads in my quiver that I will be using if I don't find this one.
But I hope beyond hope that I find it. I have bigger plans for it. I know in my heart that if I don't find it, Chris is proud of what I'd done with his broadhead and that he'd think there isn't a better way of using/losing it.
Chris will live forever in these hunts and in our hearts...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060400.JPG)
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I thought man that looks like a murder scene then I remembered ....it is! You da man.
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Good stuff Curt. Real good. Congrats and good luck with finding that head.
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Those last chance deer sure taste good. Congrats bro. It sure has a buck face in that hero pic, real good deer.
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Curt, do you have access to a metal detector? Sure would help things! Nice job.
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Congrats my friend. A great story. The "entire" story, every line of it!
Merry Christmas brother......Tim
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Congrsts on successful hunt.
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For such a great tribute to someone, to be shared with all like you did Curt, I think it was simply outstanding. And for someone with a presence of mind to read into this story something that is not even there, is simply on pathetic frame of mind person. That just takes the cake. Simply pathetic. Be glad I am not a mod, that would be deleted in less time that it took me to say this.
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Awesome tribute dude... Maybe you can borrow a metal detector and find that head.
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Absolutely an outstanding story and pictures Curt! Enjoyed it to no end!
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Congratulations Curt!
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Awesome story and pics, as usual, Curt. Way to go, man! Excellent shot as well. I hope you find the broadhead soon. :thumbsup: :)
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great story and fine hunt, curt! :thumbsup:
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Way to go Curt! Great shot! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Very nice!
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Great story and nice shot.Those right under me shots are tuff to make.A great tribute for sure.
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Thanks for the story...good shootin...merry Christmas.
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Great story and tribute! Congratulations on a fine "doe', and Merry Christmas from northern Iowa.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
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Congrats Bud!! :thumbsup:
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Nicely told, and done by any standards, Curt. Hope you find the broadhead! Looks like a lot of us having trouble this year getting shooting ops, I know we sure spent a lot of time here trying to fill doe tags. I ended up with one of those button buck does as well. Thanks for sharing with us.
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Nice Guru!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
If you know anyone with a metal detector you might have some luck.
Congratulations!!
God bless,Mudd
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Well Done and Well Told! :clapper:
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Great perseverance and good job. Taking the shot that's there. RC talked about that recently.
Maybe think of the Bhead and it's spirit staying behind. Good place to rest.
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Great job Curt and fine story! Congrats.
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congratts! good shootin, youll find that broadhead. :thumbsup:
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Congrats Curt!
If you find the broad head great, if not, there would be no better way to use it and lose it. You have the right attitude.!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
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nice job Curt.I v,ery much enjoyed the story and photos.I sure can relate to the struggle of the season.Nice to see some reward for your effort.I hope that you find your BH,and send it for a few more rides.
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way to go Curt , great hunt and story :wavey: oohh yeah that shot was pretty good too :0) Drew
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good for you Curt, I'm jealous you get to hunt that long
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Well done Curt... really enjoyed the story.Like Joe said,hope you find that BH.
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Whoops! I meant "what Glen said".It's been a long day. :knothead:
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A great story...going back to search for the rest of the arrow will give you another chance to reflect...and maybe ask for a little help in finding it. ;)
Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures.
I hope you find it. :campfire:
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Great write up Curt and one heck of a shot! Congratulations brother. Merry Christmas
Good luck with the broadhead retrieval. A metal detector or a strong magnet might help.
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Way to go Curt! If you don't find the broadhead, at least it did it's job one more time! :clapper:
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Very fitting story for today. If you do find that broadhead it's because Chris leeds you to it.
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Fine story Curt, praying the BH is located and is fitted for future hunts.
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Congratulations on a great hunt.
-Jay
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Great job Brother!! :thumbsup: Do ya think it could have hit the log or tree the blood was on? I've had em get broken off an flip quite a ways.
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Great Job Buddy!
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Great Job Curt!
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Great stuff Curt - great stuff indeed! You made Chris proud.
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Great job Curt!! :thumbsup:
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Congratulations Curt you had me zooming in on your picks trying to find that broadhead.
In the one pic it looks like he crossed over a dead fall .Let us know when you find it.
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Nice, nice story Curt. I thought that looked like a buck "face/head" when I got to that first pic.
Was gonna mention the metal detector thing too. That "hunt" would be fun in itself.
Nice shooting!!!
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Curt, Congrats on the beautiful doe. Very good story, thanks.
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Congrats Curt!
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What a fitting hunt for Christmas Eve, Chris was surely with you during this hunt. Hope you fing the broadhead today, if you don't rest assured you have done Chris proud with your actions this past year. Way to go my friend!!!
David
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NICE!! Way to go Bro
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yes that the way to do it great story Curt.
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Nice story and nice shot congrates!!!
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Good job Curt!!! :clapper:
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Great Story....Congrats!
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Very Nice!!! Well done.
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I have set my stand up that high a couple times (21) feet, and that was my first thought if the deer come in to close I will probably not make the shot, that was some fantastic shooting, and a good story. I hope you find the broadhead. Good hunting, and great detail in your story thanks Curt
Carl
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Great story telling as always Curt! Congrats bud :thumbsup:
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Thanks so much for the kind words and well wishes on finding "the" broadhead...The power of positive thinking is a powerful force...
Today I hunted about 400yds from where I shot the deer on Saturday. It was about 80yds. from another tree I'd hunted a couple times earlier this season.
With the help of my headlamp(one I've been using that I got from the St. Jude auction a couple years ago, donated by Chris). I picked my tree in the darkness. As I took the traction belt (from Chris' LW climber) and was working it around the tree my light hit something light colored on the ground right behind the tree.
I directed the light at it and smiled as I saw what it was....an old, chewed shed antler!
I couldn't believe it. This had to be a sign of something good that was going to happen today!
I reached down, touched it and proceeded to climb in the darkness...
Saw a couple deer far off early, and made it till 9:45, then had to get down. I couldn't stop thinking about searching for the other end of the arrow from Saturday.
I took a couple pix before coming down...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090185christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090187christeve.JPG)
It had to be a sign...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090188christeve.JPG)
I got over to where the bloodtrail started and zig-zagged, 10yds. both sides, the length of the trail all the way to where it ended...nothing!
I shed my pack, and stood and really thought about this whole situation.
I kept thinking that it had to have broken early. It went in throught the scapula area, and came out right behind the opposite leg.
So I went directly back to the very beginning and started again. I'd looked on the exit side several times already thinking that it had to be on that side. But then it hit me to look on the opposite side, closer to the tree.
So I crossed over the bloodtrail, walking almost right toward the tree I was in when I shot....Bingo!!!
There it was! Plain as day, 5-6yds. on the opposite side that it exited, and only 7yds. from the base of the tree I shot out of!
I felt the same relief I do after finding a deer or turkey after a long, challanging bloodtrail. I couldn't have been happier, what a feeling!!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090194christeve.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090193christeve.JPG)
My two treasures of the day...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1090195christeve.JPG)
Thanx again for all the positive thoughts :notworthy:
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Good Deal!!
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Curt, I dont ever know weather to call you lucky or good! Guess it doesn't matter, this is still awesome.
Congrats, It sure was a nice day today!
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Who'da thought it would break off that soon!?
Good deal buddy!!
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Curt your story is awesome as is the knack you have for telling it. Thanks for takin us along.
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Awesome Curt, simply awesome.... ! Thanks for taking us along and honoring Chris. :campfire:
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Good stuff Curt! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Glad you found it Curt.A great ending to a great story.
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Terrific Curt, very nice story and great ending.
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Hey! Alright man! Glad to hear you found that B-head, dude. Congrats again!
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Curt i just love all your stories. Great job bro. :clapper:
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Great!! I am happy for you for being able to find the broadhead.
:archer:
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Curt,
I just knew you'd find it. Great story as always, and congratulations on another trophy to add to the list of kills with,"The One".
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Great!
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That's awsome.... :thumbsup:
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Congrats again Curt!!
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:clapper:
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A very BIG CONGRATS Curt, considering how your season have gone. I was wondering how things was going since I didn't see you post much about the season. But perseverance do pay off.
Tony
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Nice job!
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Great story..!
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Curt you ever wonder if our native Americans ancestors had broadheads that meant so much to them ? I'm sure they did ! I bet they spent a lot of time looking just as you did -sometimes with failure . I'll bet they were broken hearted as spiritual as they were , just as you would have been if you lost it . Thanks for sharing your story with us and thanks for carrying on Chris' spirit :archer2:
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Great story, thanks for posting!!! I love hunting posts like this with pics along the way, they're my favorite to read on here. May have to try one of my own if I get the chance before the season goes out here.
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Awwwrite Curt :clapper: That is a good deal there finding that head and that shed. Congrats again!!!
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Curt,
Recently, I found this narrative of a young boy (John Tanner) who was captured by Shawnees and "adopted" by Ottawas in the erly 1800's. He tells of his tribe going on the war path against the Souix. Many of the braves brought along possessions of friends and family who had recently died with the intent to leave these items on the battle field as a way to honor the dead. They went to great expence and endured great hardship to do this.
Your sentiments reminded me of that account.
http://imp.lss.wisc.edu/~jrvalent/ais301/Assets/Pdfs/BookTanner.pdf
This is a great narrative. I highly recommend it.
- Doyle
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hey thanks for letting us help on the blood trailing.
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Curt,
Thanks for taking us along.
Great story with a nice ending. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Awesome hunt and awesome story Curt!!!!!! I'm really glad you found the BH. I hope to see you and the rest of the guys who come in a week or so at Solana.
Take care,
Bisch
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Curt, you are a master story teller. Looking forward to visiting with you at Solana. Congrats on your success. Glad you were able to find the business end of that arrow. Chris had to have a hand in that. God Bless.
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Congrats....see you soon... :campfire:
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Congrats Curt! :notworthy: :campfire:
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MOJO is flowing hard and heavy!! Congrats bud. Joe
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Thanks again everyone for your kind words :campfire:
Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Curt, I dont ever know weather to call you lucky or good! Guess it doesn't matter, this is still awesome.
Congrats, It sure was a nice day today!
I wonder myself sometimes Charlie.
But I do know I'm blessed with a great family and wonderful friends....and yes, a lot of good/lucky things happen to me....for whatever reason, I cherish them all....
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Luck is when preparation and opportunity meet
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:clapper: :clapper: Awesome hunt!
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Well told and as always helping to keep the spirit of Chris with us all. Perseverance is the key to all things good in life. Way to keep at filling the freezer and finding the broadhead. Thanks for sharing.
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Originally posted by glenbo:
Luck is when preparation and opportunity meet
Thanx buddy....I'd like to think my preparation and my peresistance have something to do with some my "luck".
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Congratulations, buddy!
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Another great Guru adventure, told well, documented well, and done with honor and respect ! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer2:
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Congrats again Curt,you are a good one.
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Good pic and story - figured you'd be back in the thread with the found bh - it was meant to be. :campfire:
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What elkken said. :campfire:
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Great end to a great story and hunt!!! Congrats and well done!!!!
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Great news Curt!!! I'm happy for you bud!!! :clapper:
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Congrats Curt. Thank you for such an admirable tribute to my son. It has been a rough year but with you and the many TG friends I have it has made my pain lesson. May 2012 be good to all TGers and families