Pass It On - Ohio
Eric with his first bird!
Hunter – Eric Soreo
Cameraman – Tony Perillo
Hunting is my passion as well as being in the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, camping etc., it’s just what I enjoy doing most. I love it when I get to have encounters with various types of wildlife. It’s truly a gift to be face to face with an animal you are pursuing. But I have discovered something new, a new rush, a new feeling of excitement, a feeling of passing on the tradition to the younger generation of hunters.
Yes, seeing a big buck or a strutting Tom, or even a Manitoba black ghost still really gives me the shakes, but to see the excitement in a child’s eyes after they’ve just harvested a gobbler of a lifetime, to me there is nothing better. It’s a feeling of accomplishment meaning I did my homework. I put that young hunter on his/her first bird or deer and I made an impact on them. Hopefully something they will remember when they are my age and hopefully they will “Pass It On” to someone, and introduce them to the sport we call hunting.
My Subject: Eric Soreo, AKA: Mr. Excitement
Age: 8 years old
Years hunting: first time hunting ever!
Location; Medina, Ohio
Guide/Cameraman: Tony Perillo
The day prior to opening day of Turkey season, Joe (Eric’s father) and I took Eric to sight in the 20-gauge to see if he could handle the gun. Just as I thought, he had no fear and was a natural behind the trigger. We discussed our plan for the next morning. At 4:00 a.m., the opener of youth turkey in Ohio, I arrived at Eric’s house, we were all pumped up. I had that feeling of confidence that we were going to harvest his first bird. At dark, in our Choice blind, we discussed our plan again.
I really wanted to impact this boy’s first experience in the turkey woods. The sun started to rise and with no noise, I was getting nervous. This is my honey hole, so I knew they may be here. It was a cold morning and there was a heavy overcast. I thought to myself, "will they remain quiet or will they gobble late?" All of a sudden the trees unleashed the sound of spring gobblers. I thanked the Lord as I saw this boy’s eyes open the size of the moon. Minutes later I made a few yelps and mocked a fly down with my hat. Eric was watching me, and thinking I was probably crazy. The birds responded and within minutes we had, Jakes, Gobblers, and even a few Hens. I set the decoys nice and close so that he could have a close shot. All the birds came within range except the two Toms, of course. Forty yards away was a little far for him, I called and tried all of my tricks but they wouldn’t come closer.
We were all excited, I tried to calm everyone down, as well as call and run the camera. The birds were getting nervous and I thought we might lose our chance. After a few aggressive calls the two Toms came in at about thirty yards. I was skeptical, but this boy could shoot well. I told him to get ready. The birds were on top of each other, he waited like we talked about earlier, and all of a sudden they separated.
I gave him the ok. I said the left one, he said the blue one, I said the left one, and he said the red one. Then Eric said, "Red or blue, Tony?" The left one I said, well he was referring to the color of their heads, and I didn’t know that with all the excitement that was happening. I finally picked up on what he was saying. “Red or blue?” He said. I said, “BLUE.” BOOM! The shot rang and the bird was down. We all pulled it off. Joe hugged his son, I hugged Joe, and then I hugged Eric. What a huge first bird for my little pal. There is nothing better than seeing that boy full of excitement and knowing that I made an impact on his life. Twenty-two pounds, nine inch beard, and one inch hooks, my plan couldn’t of happened any better. Maybe one day Eric will remember what we did together and he too will “Pass It On”.