Findin’ the big bucks

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ESCANABA - A cold, crisp, quiet morning helped hunters Saturday for the opening of the 15-day firearm deer season.

According to Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Technician Bill Rollo, the first two days of the season appeared to be average.

On Saturday, 13 hunters brought their deer to the DNR check station in Escanaba.

Sunday saw 33 hunters come in to have their deer checked.

"The weather both Saturday and Sunday provided an advantage for hunters, with some reports of snow up near Rapid River also providing an advantage," said Rollo.

He also said the cold weather was allowing hunters to hang their deer for longer periods of time on buck poles, allowing the meat to age before being taken in for processing. Temperatures in the mid to upper 40s and rain leave no alternative for hunters but to take their deer in for processing immediately.

Hunters who take their deer to the DNR check station are asked where they were hunting when they filled their tags.

Rollo or another wildlife technician determine the age of the deer by inspecting its teeth. They also determine the overall health of the animal noting antler formation and general overall appearance.

"Most of the deer I expect to see harvested are between two and three years of age. It is rare to find a buck in the five-year range," said Rollo.

Rollo also expects today and Tuesday to be the busiest for the DNR check station in Wells Township, as hunters who have filled their deer tags begin heading home.

"During the last hunting season, in 2007, on our busiest day, we checked in approximately 150 deer," he said.

One reason for the large number of deer checked in at the DNR Field Office, said Rollo, was its proximity to the highway, making it easier for hunters to stop in and check their deer while heading back home.

Every hunter who stops in at the DNR check station will also receive a Deer Hunter Cooperation Patch.