Two For One On Opening Day

Marshall Tyree had to earn his two deer on opening day in Newton County. The second deer made it across the Alcovy River, but it’s apparent by the smile that he didn’t mind the chilly October swim too badly.

By Matt Tyree

I have a very special hunt to share. On the morning on Oct. 12, 2024, which was opening day for youth season, I took my son, Marshall, deer hunting. He is 10 years old, and he is quite the hunter. He has already taken several deer and a hog in the last few years.

Our goal was to go ahead and get some meat in the freezer, and then we would be able to settle in and start hunting for a buck that we had on camera.

Minutes went by, and the sun was breaking over the trees, creating a brilliant pattern of red and orange light. Fog was burning off the field, steam was rising off the duck pond in the back; it was a beautiful morning.

It was only about 10 minutes after legal shooting light when we saw a doe come across the field. I checked it with my binoculars, while Marshall started to raise his rifle up and try to get steady. He said it was difficult to see due to it being early, so we decided to wait.

The deer grazed toward us as the sun rose and light increased. The doe entered a blind spot between two shooting windows, and Marshall was having a hard time getting lined up on the deer. At that time, I noticed another doe 90 yards in front of us, so I redirected Marshall to that deer. Marshall steadied his rifle, his breathing slowed down; he knew the process from many days at the range.

The shot rang out. Marshall immediately cycled the bolt for a follow-up shot if needed, just like we had trained. The follow-up shot would not be needed. The deer mule kicked high in the air and ran about 30 yards and piled up.

We were both smiling when movement on the right side of the field caught my eye. Another doe was standing on the edge of the treeline at 80 yards and looking across the field. I told Marshall to get set up. Marshall steadied the rifle and found the deer in his scope. The doe eased across the field, creating a broadside shot opportunity. I heard Marshall’s breathing slow down, and the shot rang out. The deer stumbled and ran toward a pine thicket on the right.

We got down and went to recover the first deer that we saw pile up. The first deer was found only 30 yards from the feeder.

Next, we focused on recovering the second deer. We walked to where the deer had been shot and did not see blood. We saw where the doe had entered the pine thicket, so we went in about 10 yards apart, moving slowly. It was thick. We moved slowly, and I found a large pool of blood that stood out sharply on the brown pine needles. We found three more puddles of blood on the forest floor as we tracked through the thicket.

We had been about 100 yards when I heard Marshall yell, “There’s the deer!” I ran up just in time to see the doe hop up and jump down the bank into the Alcovy River. The deer just made it to the other side and on the bank and died.

I had a smile on my face when I told Marshall that he was going to have to swim the river and bring the deer back.  Twenty-five years ago, I shot a deer and tracked it, and it swam across the Yellow River and died. I was 16 years old and hunting with my mentor, Ren Anderson. I swam that river and pulled the deer back. Our family isn’t afraid of hard work, and we don’t waste meat, either.

Marshall didn’t hesitate. It was 47 degrees at sunrise. It was warmer by then, but not that warm. He waded out and then swam to the other side. He grabbed the deer by the hind legs and pulled it down the bank to the edge of the water. He waded backed in, pulling it with him. When it got deep, he swam with one hand and pulled on a hind leg with his other hand, just like I had done years ago. The deer floated behind him, and they both made it back without a problem. Marshall sure had a big smile as he climbed up the bank.

Marshall truly earned these deer. He had spent a lot of time filling feeders, working trail cameras and mowing shooting lanes in the field. He also spent a lot of time on the range shooting steel plates to increase his proficiency with his rifle. Now he had swum the Alcovy River and towed the deer back across to wrap up the hunt. Marshall and I got the deer field-dressed, and we took some nice pictures.

Our friend Ren Anderson taught us if you are going to get your hands dirty and shoot a deer, you may as well shoot two. This was Marshall’s first double on deer. Marshall also shot these deer with ammunition he handloaded himself, which made it even more special.

Once we made it to Newborn Taxidermy, we found out the Seek One Venison Project was accepting deer donations to help feed the needy. So Marshall decided to donate one of his deer to help the cause. I must say I am very proud of him. He put in a lot of hard work in getting these deer, and when it was all over, he donated one to help others.