What a horrible week! Deer activity and numbers seem to be way down this year. Usually by the first weekend our camp has several hanging from the meat pole, yet this year not a single shot fired. Most shots in the area were heard opening day before 10AM. Buck pole in town was about 1/3 as full as the last 2 seasons openers. Talked to several friends and co-workers who hunt various areas around the state including 1 group in the UP and all are seeing the same thing, low success rates and low number of deer sightings. Bow season on our property was pretty good with sightings almost every sit, with several different bucks seen by all.

How has evryone else faired so far this year? I hope the DNR gets their act together and figures out we need something like "Earn a Buck" or some form of antler restriction. Most bucks I have seen during the 2+ hour drive across US10 and down I75 were small spikes or 3-4 points. Only seen one good buck and he was a small 10 point. Only know of 4 "wall hangers" taken by or near people I know throughout the state.

Sad start, hopefully activity picks up next week. Way less hunters seen in the woods this year. Heard rumors that the license sales wer down almost 200,000 but have not confirmed.