Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: adeeden on March 28, 2008, 10:48:00 PM
-
Ed Pitchkites will be 77 years old on May 13th, Ed is one of my childhood heroes and I am proud to say he’s also my friend. For those of you who do not know who Ed is let me give you some background as he is one of the early pioneers of our sport.
Ed was born in 1931 in a small town in Indiana. This was the era of the depression and times were tough. Ed began making his own bows out of local hickory at a very early age and used them to hunt the local rabbits, squirrels, and pheasants as a way to help his family get by. There were no deer in this area during this time.
Sometime during the late 40’s or early 50’s Ed got some attention in the local newspaper from his early bowfishing adventures. This article got the local game wardens attention because at this time there was actually no law either supporting or not supporting shooting fish with a bow. Ed got the support of the Blanford sportsman club and together they convinced Indiana state senator Wesley Malone to sponsor an amendment to the Indiana gigging law. Soon Indiana had a law allowing bowfishing for non-game fish! Thanks Ed!
The first deer season in Indiana took place November 1, 2, and 3 of 1951. This hunt was only allowed in a portion of Brown County. Shortly after noon on November 1st 1951 Ed saw a nice buck bed down about 50 yards from where he was standing in a hollow. A short time later Ed made a fine stalk and arrowed the first deer with archery equipment on the first day of the first season! A fine heavy mature 8 pointer at that! Ed killed that deer with a 60# Par-X aluminum (recurve)bow (He still hunts with that same bow occasionaly) I can only imagine the excitement that must have been, not only taking your first deer but being the first to do it in the state, WOW!
In 1954 Ed, along with several others formed the Black Stag Archers club. This was one of the first archery clubs in the area and became pretty popular, several clubs were patterned off of it later on. This club was moved in 1957 to Hillsdale, IN and later to West Terre Haute Indiana.
Sometime in the early 60’s Ed also helped start the Tri-County Bowhunters club. Some of you may be familiar with this club as they begin holding the Bowhunters Bonanza in 1968 (This was later called the bowhunters nationals) near Clinton IN. This shoot grew very quickly and was huge for it’s time with over 2000 spectators and more than 900 shooters from all over the country during its peak (around 1976). A lot of popular folks shot there during this time (this is where I met Fred Bear) including Vic Berger (1972 Los Vegas Open winner), Fred Bear, and Ted Nugent and I am sure many, many more. The IBO was a spin-off of the old bonanza shoot and took off quickly when the bonanza folded and eventually moved to Aurora IL.
In 1997 Ed finally published his book “60 years with the feathered shaft”. Not only did he write it himself (Jay Massey had originally encouraged Ed to write it, Jay and Ed were close freinds) Ed also published it 100% on his own. He has had it printed twice that I know of (1997 and 2005). If you haven’t read it you owe it to yourself! It is a very well written book with a lot of tidbits on making his own archery equipment, and some good hunting stories, and alot of local history to boot!
I once heard Brian Sorrells call Ed Indiana’s version of Glenn St. Charles, I couldn’t agree more!
I’m sure some of you know Ed or have met him at GLLI or Cloverdale or maybe the old bowhunter nationals even. Or maybe he has sent you one of his dream catchers or a cassette recording out of the blue as he seems to enjoy doing.
Anyway I thought it would be great if we would all send Ed a birthday card or note! I know it would put a smile on his face to get a mailbox or two full of birthday wishes from us traditional archers. So if anyone would like Ed’s address to send him a birthday card please post here saying you want his address and I will PM it to you. (I don’t feel comfortable just posting it out in the open). I’m going to keep bringing this up to the top page from time to time for the next few weeks so I can try to convince as many people as possible to wish Ed a happy Birthday!
-
I'm in!
Where can I find the book?
Killdeer :wavey:
-
PM me also :campfire:
-
I would also like to join in.
Fred
-
Man he has the same B-day as me,,Count me in,, :thumbsup: J
-
Dennis, please send Me Eds address I would love to send Him a card. bretto
-
Count me in, send me the addressand some additional information on obtaing his book. Thank you for doing a good deed.
kctreeman
-
Awesome-
Jim Larsen (aka-2Big) introduced me to Ed a few years back, and we've been corresponding ever since. Ed is a classic, giving, talented gent...and a real straight shooter.
Thanks for posting that Adeeden, it'll mean a lot to him.
-
Me too! Great idea adeeden.
-
I have never met Ed, but I have a signed copy of his book, and one of his dreamcatchers. I would like to send a card, please send me his address.
-
Pm's sent to all the above!
-
PM me too! It's great to hear of an archery legend right here in my home state! I would also like to read the book if you can tell us how to get it. Thank you adeeden!
-
Count me in as well Dennis.
Pm me his address.
-
Count me in....
Send me his Addy
-
That is a GREAT idea!!!!!
Please send me Ed's address also,I'd be honored to send this fine Gentleman a Birthday card.
-
It's the least we can do for our pioneers. Please send me the address...
...and info on how to get his book if still available.
Lon
-
I would like Ed's address and book info.
Ron
-
Ed lives up the road from me about 7 miles. He is one of a kind and quite a character! I have a copy of his book here somewhere that I would be willing to loan out.....maybe it cold be passed around for awhile? If anyone is interested, let me know! Mike
-
I'm in.
-
Count me in !!
-
Pm's sent to everyone above!
-
How can we get his book ? I would love love to read it.
-
PM me, please. Any info on the book would be appreciated.
-
count me in, I missed the date of when his birthday is so pm me that too. and info on the book. and you can send me some of those purdy arrowheads you have found. :) just kidding, hope you have a good season finding relics this year.
Billy
-
I'm in!
PM me his address and book info please.
Mike
-
Pm's sent to all the above!
-
Please add my name as well.
Thanks
-
Pm me
-
PM's sent to those above
-
That's great! Please PM the info.
Thanks! - Q.
-
PM's sent to the above
-
Had the pleasure of meeting Ed several times at Cloverdale. You are correct when you say he is a character! I ask him one time if he had any books along and he said he thought he had one in his vehicle. He said he would sell me the book but would not autograph it. I said well I would not buy it then. He grinned and autographed the book and gave me one of his famous dreamcatchers with it.
-
Dennis, I would like Ed's address. thanks..
-
Adeeden,
I would like to send a card too! Let me have the address.
Thanks,
Harry.
-
I met Ed years ago at Cloverdale. He was sitting at the end of one of the tents talking to someone and selling the book. I bought one which he signed and he gave me a plastic arrowhead with some feathers, ect. Quite the character. He seemed to still be in good shape. I hope he still gets out with the bow.
-
PM's sent to all the above!
-
Put me on the list. He is a good man. I didn't know there was an "r" in Pitchkites :>)
-
PM sent Gene! And the r explains my typing skills! LOL!
Gene, your PM box is full!
-
He sent us one of his dream cathers about a year ago along with a tape. I wasent sure who it was from at the time, thanks for clearing that up for me. please send me his address
Bill
-
PM sent
-
I'm glad to see this thread. I received a letter probably 5 or 6 years ago from Ed. I didn't have a clue who he was or why he was writing me and I was having a hard time reading his handwriting so I got his name and address from his return label and called him.
His wife answered the phone and I asked for Ed and I heard her say,"Ed, you have a call." He asked her who it was and she said,"I don't know, maybe a salesman."
He then yells in the phone,"IF YER TRYING TO SELL ME SOMETHING HANG UP NOW!" :scared:
I started laughing and told him no I wasn't trying to sell anything and then I told him who I was. We both got quite a chuckle out of it and we became friends on the spot.
He had read something I had written in a TBM editorial and he wanted to know more about me and also to give me one of his books.
We write each other about every month or so and he has sent me his home made dream catchers and a few cassette tapes of him talking.
The man is truly a traditional bowhunting treasure and he will be tickled pink to get letters and cards from you all! Thanks to everyone here for making my day! :campfire:
-
Please PM me his address...I'd like to send him a card! Thanks, -Drew
-
PM please. Thanx
-
I know it says "Unread by recipient", but I am just keeping it highlighted so I don't lose or forget it!
Killdeer :wavey:
-
For those of you that were thinking about sending Ed a card for his birthday, there is still time. He is getting a kick out of getting birthday cards in the mail from people he has never met. I sent one last week along with a picture of my first traditional kill and myself. Ed wrote me back the letter below and sent me one of his dream catchers. I will post pictures of the dream catcher tomorrow.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc168/Gatekeeper100/Ed003.jpg)
4/11/08
“Hi Tom”
Surprise, Surprise, don’t really know you from anywhere. I have been wondering what is happening I received 3 cards this week and my birthday is May, 13.
Didn’t know anyone and I am humbled by the thoughts from you all. Sending this dream catcher I thought you might like it. Have you got one of my books? If not I will send you one.
Thanks for the card and write back when you can. I answer all letters.
Welcome into the realm of traditional archery and congratulations on the harvest of the nice big doe. You are in a better world, the original world of true bowhunting and archery.
Take care for now your new friend
Ed
-
TTT
-
I would be honored to send a card to Ed. I'd like to buy one of his books too.
-
Please send me his address. thanks
-
Mike Bolin was kind enough to loan me Ed's book. I've finished reading it and will send it on to the next person if anyone is still wanting to read it. Just PM me your address and I will get it sent out. When you are finished reading it, just send it to the next on the list or back to Mike.
Thanks, Robert
-
I've been acquainted with Ed since the early 80's and he is a special fellow. Pretty handy with brick, too. Yes. please send me his address.
His book is a great read, too.
-
Address please.
-
Please send me Ed's address
I think I am the 1st to respond to Roberts offer.
I read fast, so whoever is next please PM me and I will mail it out.
Kurt Bel5
-
Boy, I missed this thread the first time around. Glad to see I'm not too late - I'd love to send Ed a card!
-
Dennis,
PM sent asking about book info.
thank you for sharing some of Ed's story.
John III
-
I sent Mr. Ed a card. Got the nicest letter back, and a copy of his book. All he wanted to know was were I had heard of him or met him. When I wrote back I had to tell him about this page, and sent him a copy of it. He wrote back thanking me for clearing alot up for him. He was tickled to death about all these folks who had never met him sending him Birthday cards! One of the nicest, most generous men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting!
Read his book. It was quite the insight for the beginings of bowhunting. Most of what he states in the book is still true today. Thanks for the chance to become aquainted with this fine Gentleman!
Johnny/JAG