By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

The six-year-old Natchez native managed to shoot his first duck, notching his first trophy as a young hunter.

“There was actually a first (duck), but he was a little farther out, and (William) shot over him,” said Eric Robinson, William’s father.

William, however, didn’t miss when he got his next opportunity.

“A few minutes later, another duck landed that was a little bit closer,” Eric said.

And the rest will be a memory that William will treasure for a long time.

Eric routinely takes his son William and his eldest son Nolan, 8, on hunting trips. He is counting down the days until he can take his youngest son Miles, 4, to share similar memories.

A fairly new participant to the game of hunting, Eric only picked up on the fun three years ago after he moved to the City of Natchez.

“I never hunted anything before until I moved here,” Robinson said. “I always wanted to hunt, but I never had anybody to take me, and I didn’t know where to go.”

Eric went on a number of several hunting trips with friends, and was hooked the first time he went.

“I went and bought waders and a shotgun that next week,” Robinson said laughing.

While it had always been an ambition for Eric to partake in hunting, there was one looming factor that drove him to the outdoors: the chance to partake in an activity in which he can share with his three boys.

“It’s amazing,” Robinson said. “It’s something that we look forward to … With three kids, you’re always trying to find something to do with each of them, to give them some one-on-one time.”

Eric only brings one child per outing as to develop the most quality time he can with his boys.

“You get a few hours where it’s just the two of us,” Robinson said. “It’s just father-son time. I think they’re developing some really good memories out of it.”

This weekend served as Nolan’s turn, as the father-son combo took to the woods together, further developing their solid family bond with the hope of perhaps bringing something home for dinner.

“The boys just love it,” Robinson said. “They love going with me.”