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Have a safe and happy St. Antler’s Day

One of the greatest holidays of the year — St. Antler’s Day — has arrived today.

Beginning this morning, area residents and out-of-town visitors will take to the fields and forests around the region in search of that “perfect” deer. Firearms season for deer has arrived again.

While the opening day of deer season pales today when compared to openers decades ago, it still can be a special time for many lucky hunters. The memories made in the blind or sitting around the fire back at camp later in the day will be special for years to come. And, while we won’t have as many hunters heading Up North like they used to this time of year, we still are willing to bet there was a steady stream of vehicles heading north on U.S.-23 or M-65 earlier this week.

And, we bet there will be a solid line of traffic heading south on I-75 Sunday, many with deer strapped to the roof racks.

Whether you hunt on public land or from a blind at camp, please exercise caution and safety while in the woods. Remember to treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Be aware of your surroundings, know your target, and also what is beyond that target. Respect private property and wear as much hunter orange as you can to increase your visibility.

Last year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers tell us 500,000 hunters took to the fields and forests in Michigan in search of deer. The number this year is expected to be nearly the same.

So have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and we wish you success.

Most of all, however, be safe. If 500,000 hunters are out again this year, we want 500,000 to return back home at the end of the season.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)

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