Two Butler County youngsters shot their first antlered deer on the opening day of rifle season.

Doctors didn’t know if Danner Sweeney would ever see or walk, but the 10-year-old, who was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, beat the odds, even bagging his first buck Monday morning in Meridian.

Danner of Chicora was born legally blind as a result of his rare disease, which typically causes abnormalities in an individual’s ears, eyes and spine. It can also affect internal organs.

Danner’s vision has improved since then. He’s been hunting with his father since age 5, and had previously shot an antlerless deer.

“We aren’t going to keep him in a glass bubble,” Jeff Sweeney said.

The two woke up at 4 a.m. Monday and climbed into their tree stand by 6 a.m.

Shortly after sunrise, they saw a doe followed by a spike. Danner didn’t get a shot at the spike.

“I’ve got to spot them early so he can visualize them coming,” Jeff Sweeney said.

A little later, another doe came past their stand. This time, a 6-point was in hot pursuit.

“He looked right at me,” Danner said. “He must have been curious.”

His father positioned the gun. Danner found the deer in the scope, aimed directly for its front shoulder and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened.

“The first one was a dud,” Danner said.

Jeff Sweeney quickly reloaded the gun, and repositioned it, pointing it into an opening in the trees. He hoped the buck would walk to that area, giving his son a good shot.

Sure enough, it did.

“I thought we weren’t going to get it,” Danner said. “I couldn’t find him in the scope.”

But once he did, he took his shot.

The deer was hit in the front shoulder. It walked only a few yards before dropping.

Minutes later, an 8-point trotted out, undaunted by the gunfire.

Jeff Sweeney got it.

“It’s been a very enjoyable day,” Jeff Sweeney said.

Meanwhile, in Herman, Jon Houtz, 14, of Butler City was hunting on property behind his Aunt Tonya Leeson’s house with his Uncle Mike Vantine. Jon was checking his phone, when a deer sneaked in on him. He looked up, and a 4-point stood only 20 feet away.

“He was staring me down,” Jon said.

He knew he got it when he saw the buck jump.

“It was unbelievable,” Jon said of the hunt.