Mike Schmidt (left) and brother Kurt made a family memory in 2004

---

One, Two, Three . . . Fire!

Schmidt Brothers Double-team Deer & Have Story to Tell & A Lifetime Memory

November 30, 2004
By: O. J. Cunningham

The legend of Davey Crockett and the saga of the Alamo have nothing on the Schmidt Family History after a deer-hunting incident during the Michigan 2004 rifle season.

Brothers Mike (24) and Kurt Schmidt (20) were hunting together near their family's Mio cabin on Sunday November 21 early in the afternoon. The boys are the sons of Kawkawlin's Dan and Linda Schmidt.The brothers spotted a large doe in an open clearing about 75 yards away and had trouble deciding who would take the shot.

After a short discussion, Mike and Kurt decided to both fire at the same time . . . at the count of three.

The Schmidt's counted . . . 1, 2, 3. Nobody fired. Then, realizing that neither had fired . . . They both fired!

According to a family member, the deer was hit in the shoulder and in the leg. Since both boys were using the same ammunition, there's still some good-natured discussion (between the brothers) as to which bullet made the "kill."

The deer went down, and with the help of their dad, after a short search, the deer was retrieved and tagged.

Nonetheless, this 2004 Schmidt Family Story is the stuff of legends. We can only guess how this story will evolve over the next generations of the Schmidt Family. But we can be sure of one thing. It will be told and re-told for many years to come.