I met Steve at the duck boat Rocky Point Resort hunt in 2001. Several members from all over the country were there with their boats. Steve came down from Washington to Upper Klamath Lake with a BBSB, a Fatboy and his jet sled. He brought a fellow from England that he was entertaining that was very interested in the duck boats we used in the US so he could go back to England and build a similar duck boat. We all marveled at the "London Best" SxS this fellow shot. Steve was like that, always helping others. After 2001, for a few years I would see Steve every Spring while I was wild turkey hunting on the Cascade Ranch in southern Oregon. I was hunting on my own and Steve was with Mike Kaiser. About 2004 or 2005 I stopped turkey hunting in Oregon and didn't see him again. When did he move to Florida? I did not know that and it seems strange to me he would move some place so different than Washington. It is tragic that such an entergenic and friendly person should die that way.
Jim

Jim,

Steve was born a GA boy who grew up in FL. I believe that they moved out to WA in 1983 or 1984. He and Debby's family are mostly all here in FL so when they moved to FL after Debby retired, it was more of a they were coming back home to FL.

They moved back about 3 or 4 years ago now.

Steve talked a lot about hunting turkeys with Mike. He had lots of great stories to tell and we had hoped to get out there one year. Steve talked to Mike this past turkey season and he told me that Mike had pretty much quit hunting for health reasons. I know that really bummed Steve out. I don't know if Mike has heard about Steve and I don't know how to contact him. Do you have his info still?

Dani,

Marge and I hunted the same ranch that Mike guided on. We paid the ranch owner directly, hunted on our own. At least a couple of years Mike and Steve stopped by our camp. Mike rated Steve as an all time favorite. Then the ranch changed hands and the new owners didn't allow hunting. Mike started guiding on a ranch next to it. For about six years Marge and I hunted with him. And he had a couple of very good stories about his hunts with Steve. Several years ago Mike had to quit guiding due to a very bad back. We haven't be in touch with him for a few years. The phone number I have for him is: 541 623 0768. His address is: Mike Kaiser, PO Box 124, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524. Hope you are able to contact him. Best, Worth

Thanks Worth. I will give it a try.

The numbers I have are:
Cell (541)821-7831; Home (541)826-1403
I have the same address as Worth.
Jim

Thanks Jim.

Tough to hear this.
He was never at a loss for words.
RIP Steve.

Dani, so very sorry for your, and Steve?s family loss. Please extend my condolences to Debby and keep your memories in your heart.
My thoughts are with you.
All the best,

Paul

I can't believe I missed this...

I never had the pleasure of meeting Steve in person but we exchanged a handful of (always colorful) emails over the years, to label him a "character" was an understatement. I always remember him picking on me (possibly on this site) for saving the cork from inside a rig of jumbo sized Eider I had made to make a teal rig. He relentlessly laughed and labeled me cheap haha....

My deepest condolences to his family and friends, its not often someone you never meet in person can leave an impact on so many like he certainly has.

Bill

Dani,

So tragic. Sorry for your loss. I never met Steve but as a member of the old guard I do remember his contributions to this site and the hunting stories that you two shared together.

I'm getting old and don't hunt much any more so I don't come to this site as often as I used to. Such a shock to receive this news on my first log on in a year or so.

My deepest sympathies at your loss.

Jeff Sweeny
I only wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am.

I have not checked in here in a long time and well...I just did, only to see this news.

I am so very sorry that Steve is gone. We shared a few very funny phone calls and email strings along with a lot of good natured kidding in this forum. For some reason, he just never liked my plastic boats, and I was never able to shake the image of naked stump dancing each Spring equinox. I meant to send him the Swiss Army egret decoy whose design he inspired...but never did. I will miss this very unique character. Praying that Debby will find the strength and support to carry her on.

Dani, my thoughts are with you. I know how close you guys were and I loved hearing about your adventures from upland hunts to sea turtle watching. Hold your memories close, remember how he cared about you. May you find comfort in the simple pleasure of remembering the good times you all had together

Your friend,

Scott


Every little thing...gonna be alright - Bob Marley

Well I happen to be in Paducah and I happened to be invited to dinner at the Bandana Duck Club tonight and what do I see on display? The duck skiff from Steve Sutton that he gave to Steve McCullough. Here is too you you Steve.

That is quite the display. Fitting that Steve's contribution would be so prominent.

Eric

Gosh, hard to believe. We all need to understand that we hang by a thread. So sorry to hear. RIP, Steve.

Ed.

Wow. Haven't been around in a while and am saddened to see this post. Condolences to his family and all of his friends. What a tragedy.

Ryan

I haven't been to the Main Forum in a while so I'm late to this. I came here to read an old post when I was shocked to see the "Steve Sutton Memories" sticky and read the post by Dani. My most heart felt condolences go out to Debby and the rest of Steve's family and friends. I joined this forum many years ago to follow Eric's Scaup build and managed to have more than a few email exchanges and even a couple phone calls with Steve before finally meeting him at Westlake. That was back in the days of the decoy carver wars on this site, boy there were some doozies that he would get knee deep into with all the others... we were all much younger back then, but I'm sure some of you guys still recall those days. I also remember him talking about his lab Mike (if I remember the name correctly) and a Scoter hunt and how good those birds tasted. That started another thread that led to him sending some of us frozen Scoter in marinade along with cooking instructions. Funny thing is I still have the instructions and the foam container he said to keep and that I still use. I can't say that Steve and I were friends, but I can say that I admired him. And I can also say his Scoter recipe made some damn good "sammiches".

RIP Steve Sutton.

Page from the letter he sent. If anyone would like an email copy of all 4 pages, let me know.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve's family and friends
Pat Richter

Dani,
I am so sorry to hear about this loss. Steve was a very good man who shared so much information with everyone who listen. Hell half my long line rigs I adopted based off of what he shared with me. I know you guys were close friends and I am at a loss for words, deeply saddened to just find out today, I haven?t been around much and this is heartbreaking to hear such a tragic loss.

May Steve Rest In Peace, hunting like a young man with plenty of ammo and divers dropping into the his rig by the 1000?s
😢


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