Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year

Tony Sanders · January 14, 2011, 07:26:00 AM

WOW! Congrats Curt on a great ending hunt and story, with a nice buck to boot. This whole hunt and story telling have been nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you all so much for sharing and taking us along.

Tony Sanders/aka"SNUFFER"

pitbull · January 14, 2011, 07:41:00 AM

A great hunt, memories to last forever, and a very special memorial service. I would say this is one of the experiences of a lifetime. Congrats to all!

Sharptop · January 14, 2011, 08:13:00 AM

Larry, great to see John found your buck. I was real disappointed that our recovery fell short as it sounded like you had a good hit. But you know, like everyone else who has shot at Solana deer, you can take a good shot on a broadside deer and still come up short. Better late than never. Congrats!

Wile E. Coyote · January 14, 2011, 09:22:00 AM

A Big Congrats to Curt and Larry! Very nice buck both of you. Wish we could have found your buck and celebrated together Larry.

tippit · January 14, 2011, 09:37:00 AM

Larry, That's just awesome!! What a great way to bring this story full circle. Congrats to all...Doc

January 14, 2011, 09:50:00 AM

Way to go Larry! Nice buck. I'm so glad he was found.You now get to keep a special memory of this hunt on your wall.

Congrats again,

Bisch

stick_string · January 14, 2011, 10:06:00 AM

Great job Larry!! Nice Buck Curt!!

You both did an awesome job!!

Ben

GRINCH · January 14, 2011, 11:07:00 AM

Great job to all involved,thanks for taking me along.

Ragin Bull · January 14, 2011, 11:49:00 AM

Nice bucks Curt and Larry

This has been so much more than just a hunt.
Thanks for taking us along

Bill Turner · January 14, 2011, 12:47:00 PM

Can't ask for more than that. Congrats to all who took part in this great event. These friendships and memories will last a lifetime.

Mike Gerardi · January 14, 2011, 12:52:00 PM

Those are some great bucks..Congrats To Curt and Larry. Like it has been said already an Awsome ending to an Awsome hunt!!

!!!

Doc Nock · January 14, 2011, 01:43:00 PM

Larry,

If I may be so bold: It is almost a micro-cosm of the whole hunt for you and in memory of Chris.

You left that buck's trail with saddness and regret for what was (or wasn't), but like the hunt was a celebration of Chris' life and love of life, in the end, there was a celebration that followed to offset the initial buck loss.

I have been so deeply moved throughout the reading and re-reading of these many tales. We all hunt often for the commaraderie as much as the thrill of the hunt. The bonding and tales of friendship shared from there, is so powerful.

I can't help but believe that your buck, Larry, is just a reflection of life where there are delayed gratification and joy found in different ways.

Prayers with you for continued joy and healing from your time spent with such good company.

Kudos!

Doc Nock · January 14, 2011, 01:44:00 PM

QuoteKudos! [/qb]

bawana bowman · January 14, 2011, 01:57:00 PM

Congratulations to all on this special hunt. There did seem to be an "air of presence" during this hunt that seemed to have a most appropriate sense of timing.

Was great to see some firsts along with some most unforgettable recoveries.

Really speaks tons for the Ranch staff that they were considerate enough to follow up with Larry's buck. They did not have to recover and prepare it for delivery to him. Nice to know there are folks out there that still have high enough moral character to recognize the meaning of this buck, not only to Larry but to all of us that recognize the special meaning and presence of this hunt.

Once again Congratulations to all that took part in this most memorable and special hunt. And thanks for bringing those of us along that were not able to be there in person.

It is the shared memories of events and friends like this that continue to demonstrate the Trad Community has a much stronger bond than just a stick and string.

Bonebuster · January 14, 2011, 04:55:00 PM

Congrats to EVERYONE!

I know the feeling of greeting someone at a stand and telling them of my success, and I know the joy of finding out somebody else got it done.
Either way, it`s GREAT.

Thanks for taking the time to post your pictures and share the stories Curt. It`s almost like I was there! I can`t say thanks enough for that!!!

I have a question for Solona veterans. What makes the deer so jumpy? Are there cougars on the ranch? If it was hunting pressure, I would think the deer would be nocturnal.

I`m used to public land whitetails in Michigan, and they ARE jumpy, but the description of these hyper deer makes me think I have yet to see truely "jumpy" deer.

One thing for sure, being a bowhunter and knowing what a broadhead can do, that picture of Curts arrow sporting that huge Snuffer sure was impressive. I gotta learn how to get those three blades as sharp as I want them for hunting.

Congrats again guys...and many thanks for sharing all of your experiences.

larry · January 14, 2011, 05:57:00 PM

this has been a great read...thanks to all of you for taking us along

Terry Green · January 14, 2011, 06:48:00 PM

This was not just a hunt....it was a GRAND EVENT.

Yes, lots of hunting, but also emotion, friends old and new, comradeship, adventure, adrenalin, shoot outs, high speed, and slow crawls. And, the ever presents of Chris Surtees.

I think as the years go by, this event will mean more to us than we now know.

Bonebuster · January 14, 2011, 07:04:00 PM

"Grand Event" indeed!

MCNSC · January 14, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

Thanks for taking the time for the tales,pics and videos. I was a little concerned that some of the tales would be forgoten before they were posted :D . A grand event for sure. If one can have a "event" such as this once in their lives they are truly blessed.

elkken · January 14, 2011, 07:24:00 PM

Congrats Curt and Larry

This is most definately a hunt I'll remember for a lifetime ...