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While
working as an Indiana State Trooper for the past 17 years,
Sorrells also found time to be crowned the Indiana State
Turkey Calling Champion and manufacture his own line of
turkey calls. He doesn’t compete or make calls anymore, but
said his career and passion for the outdoors are both still
integral parts of his life.
As an
officer, he enjoys helping people in their time of need. But
for every call that ends in a hostage being released
unharmed, he says there are other times when things don’t go
so well.
“I love my role as a hostage negotiator, but when a
situation ends tragically, I need a way to find peace,” he
said.
He credits his father with introducing him to hunting — his
source of self-therapy after a rough week in the line of
fire.
Like a
lot of obsessed bow hunters who have no interest in ever
being an outdoor celebrity, Sorrells got involved in the
archery business by chance. His current relationship as a
field tester for G5, the biggest broadhead manufacturer in
the world, is just something he does in his spare time.
“I
started a conversation with the owner of G5 at an ATA show a
few years back. I told him I liked his stuff, but gave him
some ideas on how he could improve a couple of their
products,” Sorrells said.
G5
was impressed with Sorrells’ commonsense approach to product
improvement, as well as his technical understanding of the
manufacturing process. The relationship grew, and in short
order G5 asked Sorrells to help them with product testing
and design.
“It was
immediately clear that Charles understood the type of
commitment G5 has to constantly improving our products,”
said Lou Grace, owner and founder of G5 Outdoors. “But he
really fits in with us because he recognizes the kind of
people we are, and completely shares our dreams.”
One of Sorrells’ first big contributions to G5 was the
development of their Small Game Head. Like most small game
tips, the SGH delivers a fatal blow to game with a blunt
tip. It differs from other tips, however, because it also
has three curved blades that follow. They devastate game,
and keep the arrow from burrowing under the grass in a
missed shot.
“I find huge
satisfaction in being part of a product that I know makes
hunters more effective in the field,” Sorrells said.
That
drive led him to also help in the development of G5’s new
Striker Magnum Broadhead. Sorrells recognized the need for a
fixed blade head that was also wide enough to use on
turkeys. The result was a 125 grain blade that shoots
straight and has a 1.5-inch cutting diameter.
“I
tested the Striker Magnum on deer in Indiana this year. It
left a devastating wound channel and should be great on
turkeys,” he said.
Whether he ever achieves celebrity status in the world
of hunting is immaterial to Sorrells. Like almost everyone
else in the archery business, the only reward to seeks is
the chance to just be part of something he loves.
Don Mulligan writes Outdoors with Don for this newspaper. He
can be reached at
outdoorswithdon@aol.com. |
