Matthew and his dad, Andy Martin, joined Dr. George Tisdale at his property in Georgiana, AL for an afternoon hunt on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Matthew and his dad used a home made blind made from small pine trees and Dad’s gun case to give him support to shoot. About 4:30, two small deer came in the green field. He used his father’s laser range finder to determine they were at 183 yards.

They decided to wait and see if any bucks would come out since it was early in the rut. The deer continued to talk toward the blind. After about 20 minutes, the deer had come to 75 yards. At this time Dad decided it was time for Matthew to take his shot.

Matthew was shooting a Rossi 243 youth model that they had purchased at Mark’s at the beginning of the season. It was part of the Rossi Matched Set that included a 243 barrel, as well as a 20-gauge shotgun and a 22. We added a Bushnell scope and he was ready for business.

Matthew took aim and assured his dad that the cross hairs were on the shoulder. Matthew had a little trouble pulling the trigger so his dad helped him pull the trigger with Matthew aiming the gun. We have to admit, we missed the first shot, but the two deer merely looked up and went back to grazing. We had time to reload the single shot and shoot again. It was to be Matthew’s day.

Matthew lined it up again and we shot. The deer immediately fell over and never moved. It was grave-yard dead the second it hit the grass. Matthew shot him between the neck and shoulder.

After shooting the deer Matthew was totally pumped. We took it back to the house and processed it on the spot, cutting out the tenderloins, backstrap, and two hind quarters. All the hunters gathered around and congratulated Matthew on getting his first deer. There was no one there who had shot a deer at only 8 years old. We marked him on his face with the deer’s blood and left to have dinner at Cracker Barrel in Greenville. Two ladies saw his blood and congratulated him. No one could believe he got his first deer at 8 years old.

The best part of the day was when Matthew looked at his dad and sighed with contentment, “Dad, this has been a great day.” It’s true Dads, if you take your boy hunting you won’t have to go hunting for your boy. Thanks to the pros at Mark’s for helping create one of Matthew’s dad’s greatest memories ever!!