ALPENA, Mich. (AP) — Deer hunters might find it easier to bag a buck than to have the meat processed in some areas of Michigan. With the traditional 16-day firearm season starting today, some butchers in the northeastern Lower Peninsula expect to be very busy, especially because there’s less competition.

Several butcher shops have closed or their owners have retired, said Alisha Manning, owner of Bucky’s Meats in Lachine, west of Alpena.

“It’s getting to be slim pickings for northeast Michigan on butcher shops,” Manning said.