Lucky 8-year-old bags big ones

By Lee Tolliver

The Virginian-Pilot

Even though he's only 8, Drake Greer has to know it's not this easy.

But this budding Parksley outdoorsman sure makes it look that way.

A look at his brief hunting and fishing resume provides ample evidence that this youngster keeps a horseshoe on him at all times.

On his first deer hunt last year, he scored with a doe. And on the second outing, he bagged a nice Eastern Shore 9-pointer.

Two hunting trips - two deer. Some hunters go their whole life without getting a nice buck.

But Drake's latest accomplishment pretty much defies the odds.

On his first speckled trout fishing trip last week, he did what many trout anglers never do.

He caught a 6-pound spotted sea trout to earn a citation from the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament.

As if that's not amazing enough, the second fish he caught went 5 pounds, 3 ounces and earned him another award.

"I got a 7-2 about four years ago," said his dad, Wayne Greer, an Eastern Shore deputy sheriff. "But I didn't catch one on my first time out, I can tell you that."

Drake, a third-grader at Kegotank Elementary School, takes it all in stride.

"I like hunting and fishing about the same," he said. "I just like doing them with my dad."

When Drake isn't in the woods or on the water, he's studying math - his favorite subject. Or he's playing baseball, soccer or hunting video games.

"I used to play first base, but now I'm in the outfield," he said. "I like first base better. And I'm a pretty good hitter. I like soccer, too."

Dad says his son is pretty good with his fishing gear, catching bluefish and big black drum.

Although it's almost the peak of trout season, Drake is looking forward to another fall in the woods.

"I might get a bigger deer than last year," he said.

Dad says his son is getting more comfortable with all the aspects of the outdoors.

"He's getting there," Wayne Greer said. "He really seems to enjoy both, and he does a good job of paying attention to what he's supposed to be doing.

"I've hunted and fished all my life, and I've got the feeling that it's something he's going to do as well.

"I just hope he realizes that it's not always this easy."

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com