ATLANTA, MI -- It’s one of the most anticipated days of the year in Northern Michigan, November 15th, firearms deer hunting season.

Thousands spent the day in the woods trying to bag their buck.

The fashion for the day comes in the color orange.

The longest-running buck pole in the state is located in Atlanta, which is east of Gaylord.

In the small town, it was busy in the woods and on the streets.

In Atlanta, it wasn't hard to find orange, and orange, and orange.  The opening of gun season isn't just a day, it's a culture and tradition, that's long-lasting in the small Northern Michigan town.

"This is big for Atlanta, it brings in a lot of people, brings a lot of hunters together, brings in a lot of business for our merchants in town," said Buck Pole Official Cathy Green.

The town says they have the longest-standing buck pole in the state of Michigan, dating back to 1947, 63 years strong. 

"It’s been an instrumental part of the town, the commercial aspect of it, the community as a whole, they support it, it's a wonderful thing," said Atlanta Motel owner Phil LaMore.

The first buck was brought in at 7:52 in the morning.  Not too long after, the pole started getting heavy.

"This is the biggest one I ever shot, up here in Atlanta, eight point," said hunter Jim Feathers.

And for the more-experienced hunters, like 77-year old Chet Kaczanowski who has been in the Atlanta woods since 1950 who got a buck.

“Always good to come up here, always good," he says.

To the youngest of the bunch, who had today off from the closed-down school.

“First time I got one," said 13-year old John Sarkozi.

"I thought "’Oh my gosh, I did it!’” laughed 15-year old Jodi Oberski.

This time of the year brings the community together.

"Good season, right before the winter, you know?" said Sheila Barnett, owner of Know Good Bar and Grill.

Whether it's people grabbing an eat, or people using a place to sleep.

“Always, we fill up every year for this," said LaMore.

The hunters are spending money.  And opening day being on a Monday this year, it helped bring in a little more.

“The weekend gave us a definite little advantage," said Barnett.

"Where'd you shoot it?"

"In the woods.  It was a perfect heart, lung shot, about 100 yards out," laughed Feathers.

And as the season continues on for the next couple of weeks, there will be more stories like this one, and will act as an economic shot in the arm for the region.