Hunters across the state are gearing up for opening day of firearm deer season.
This year, a new state law allows 10-year-olds to hunt with a firearm. There is also some changes in the deer baiting rules, which can be found by clicking here.
The Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials remind hunters that the DNR would like to check as many deer as possible during all the deer seasons to continue gathering critical data of Michigan's deer herd.
The data is important for monitoring the herd's health and determining population size.
During all deer seasons, deer can be checked at DNR Operation Service Centers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday (except state holidays). Other check stations are only open on specific days. For more details, see the list of DNR Deer Check Stations for the 2011 Deer Season.
The last day to check your deer will be Jan. 6, 2012.
The DNR will test any deer that is identified as "suspect" for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis (TB). The DNR will also collect samples of deer from areas where disease concerns have been identified, which include the five counties in the Northeastern Lower Peninsula within the TB area, as well as Iosco, Shiawassee, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties.
Several communities are also gearing up for the rush of hunters who bag their bucks!
Mancelona Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 57th annual Mancelona Buck Pole Tuesday November 15 and Wednesday November 16.
For a $5 registration fee, hunters can enter their deer in the contest and earn a chance at one of several cash prizes. A $10 cash prize is awarded to the hunter who registers the first deer. The heaviest deer earns the hunter a $150 cash prize, most points is $100, and the widest rack is $75. One "Lucky Hunter's" name will be drawn from all registrations, and that hunter will win all registration money received, with a guaranteed minimum prize of $200. All registrants receive the official "Mancelona Buck Pole" patch, a "year rocker" commemorative patch, and a photograph taken with their deer.
For years, hunters have gathered at the Buck Pole, sharing stories and reminiscing through old photographs. There is a bonfire, and a warming tent complete with a concession stand, beverages, bake sale, photographs and a statistics chart showing the hunter's name, where the deer was harvested, and the size of the deer.
While hunters and passers-by come to the buck pole throughout the day, evenings are heaviest with traffic.
"At dusk when the hunters come out of the woods, the buck pole becomes a pretty busy place," said Bernie Blackmore, Buck Pole Committee Chairperson. "It's always interesting to hear them tell the stories of how they bagged their deer."
Blackmore says in addition to the buck pole contest, there is a community raffle drawing with more than 75 prizes to be awarded. All hunter prizes and raffle prizes are awarded at the close of the Buck Pole, at 7:00 p.m. on November 16.
"Hunters must be present at the time of the drawing to win the Buck Pole contest prizes," Blackmore said. "Raffle prize winners need not be present to win."
Mancelona Chamber of Commerce Director Joanie Moore said the Buck Pole contest is one of the oldest and most popular in northern Michigan.
"For many hunters, participating in Mancelona's Buck Pole has become family tradition," Moore said. "We have hunters who have been coming for so many years, they're bringing their children and grandchildren now."
Since it's early years, the Buck Pole has modernized in some ways, but other elements have kept the "old fashioned" tradition. Old photographs, some black and white dating back 40 years and more, are displayed during the event.
"Years ago, we had to raise the deer up on the buck pole by using a manual hoist," Blackmore recalled. "It was pretty tough, especially if we had a real heavy deer." Now, a mechanical hoist does the job.
Hunters, dressed in orange, still gather in groups and tell stories about deer camp. Some are lucky and bag their bucks on Opening Day, while others either miss a shot or see nothing at all.
"The Buck Pole is a big part of the community," Blackmore said. "Many hunters, and even non-hunters, stop by to take photos and watch the registration process when a hunter brings in a deer." At times, traffic backs up along the highway as drivers slow down to check it out.
Throughout the two day event, statistics and photos will be continually updated at the Chamber of Commerce Website, MancelonaChamber.org. Contest rules are available at the Buck Pole, and on the Chamber website.
The Buck Pole is located downtown Mancelona at the traffic light, near the intersection of U.S.131 and Highway M-88 (State Street). It opens at daybreak on Opening Day, and concludes at 7:00 p.m. on November 16 with a raffle drawing and awarding of all prizes. All are invited to attend.
Details on the 2011 hunting season and bag limits can be found by clicking here. The statewide hunting forecast is also a resource hunters rely on. That information can be found on this link.
Will you be hunting on opening day? Take part in the poll below. If you bag your buck, share it with us by posting a picture on our facebook fan page.