This is a story of two grandfathers doing what grandfathers often do — stepping up to the plate and hitting a home run…

The story really begins with the return of Army Staff Sergeant Shawn Somits (John’s son and Scott’s son-in-law) from his final tour of duty in the Middle East. Shawn was always an enthusiastic hunter, and he was anxious to spend time passing on the tradition to his son, Wes. It was the spring gobbler youth day in April of 2014 that Shawn helped Wes, then 10 years of age, into the slightly oversized camo outfit and they headed out for the day of hunting. As fate would have it, Wes missed his shot at a long-bearded gobbler that morning, but it did not dampen his enthusiasm. They re.turned to the same location the following Saturday for the opening day of the regular season.

Wes listened intently as Shawn made several calls that were answered by turkeys in the nearby woods. It was 9:30 when two mature gobblers came into sight, approaching the blind and the decoys cautiously. Shawn whispered instructions to Wes. As the birds came in range, Wes’ shot rang out, and a long beard sporting a 10” beard dropped in his tracks! As the father and son emerged from the blind, 3 other gobblers and several hens that they had not seen before quickly scattered — running into the nearby woods. The two hunters admired the gobbler and celebrated Wes’ success — then they picked up the bird and returned to the blind. After waiting 15 minutes, Shawn wondered what response he might get and slowly began making a seductive call. A gobbler hammered back from over the hilltop and within minutes appeared on a trot back toward the decoys and the hunters. With one more single shot from Wes’ shotgun, Shawn dropped the second gobbler. The two proud hunters had achieved a “double” on that memorable morning! It was a wonderful example of how well the Pennsylvania Mentored Youth Program could work for a parent and their youth hunter.

That same year, during the fall Special Antlerless Deer Only Firearms season for junior and senior license holders, Shawn, Wes and Wes’ grandfather, Scott, sat quietly in a ground blind in hopes that Wes might shoot his first deer. On the very first after.noon, Wes was able to take a shot, but it missed its mark and the season would close without the success they all had hoped for. The experience did, however, kindle Wes’ drive to hunt with his father or grandfathers whenever he could.

Life can take some rather cruel and unexpected turns, and regretfully, Shawn Somits passed away on April 2, 2015. Knowing how much Wes had grown to love hunting and enjoy the memories he created with his dad the previous year while hunting turkeys and deer, the two grandfathers, or “Pop” as Wes had nicknamed each of them, realized that it was up to them now to mentor Wes in the upcoming spring youth season. It was a task that they each readily accepted and began planning for together as to just how they could make it happen for Wes. Fortunately, the Mentored Youth Program allowed each of them to act as mentors for their grandson in the upcoming seasons. With the spring gobbler youth day just a few short weeks away, they had much preparation to do. After several pots of coffee and many hours of hashing things out, the two “Pops” were finally ready to let Wes in on the game plan for the big day. A smile began to spread across Wes’ face as the two seasoned veteran hunters laid out the details and Wes became satisfied that his hunting would continue and he would be able to share the adventure with two of his greatest heroes.

To be continued…