Darn Dummy Deer
A true Game Warden story turned outlaw‑country track. A poacher lines up a shot on what he thinks is a trophy buck — but it’s a decoy set by the warden watching from the shadows. Humor, tension, and rural justice collide in this backwoods tale.
Includes:
• High‑quality MP3
• High‑quality WAV
• Lyrics (included below)
Written by: Paul Michael Hanyok
Melody developed from original lyrical composition
Cover art created and formatted by Paul Michael Hanyok
Demo vocal rendered using AI voice technology
Inspired by real field experiences as a Maryland Game Warden
[VERSE 1]
Four AM rollin’ out, headin’ down to Poacher’s Bottom,
Last year I seen an eight‑point there, and hell, I almost got ’em.
Winchester in the truck seat, heater fightin’ off the cold,
Wind whippin' cross the holler, felt like trouble was on hold.
Had to beat that lawman there before he made his morning run,
Him and that badge and that four‑wheel drive, lookin’ for someone.
[CHORUS]
Big bucks run wild when the rut gets hot,
Down in them bottoms struttin’ like they own the whole spot.
Downwind creepin’ with their noses in the air,
Sniffin’ out them ladies with that drunk‑eyed stare.
And when one stands stiff in the first crack of light,
I raise that Winchester slow and line him in my sight.
[POST‑CHORUS]
Yeah, I know all this stuff — I ain’t dumb… least I thought so.
[VERSE 2]
Made it to the bottom, took a shot, missed wide,
Buck just bobbed its head around like it had nothin' to hide.
Then I heard a siren wailin’, blue lights cuttin’ through the trees,
Lawman jumpin’ out that green SUV like he’d been waitin’ on me.
He slapped cuffs on quick sayin’, “Boy, that buck ain't real,”
Then told me kiss my Winchester and my pickup goodbye right here.
[BRIDGE]
Never figured the warden’d outfox me,
Settin’ up a dummy deer just waitin’ for me to see.
[CHORUS]
Big bucks run wild when the rut gets hot,
Down in them bottoms struttin’ like they own the whole spot.
Downwind creepin’ with their noses in the air,
Sniffin’ out them ladies with that drunk‑eyed stare.
But that warden laid low with a grin and a scanner,
Waitin’ on a dummy like me to haul off to the slammer.
[OUTRO]
Dummy…
Yeah, I’m a dummy…
Darn dummy deer.
Copyright 2026 Paul Michael Hanyok