GAYLORD -- Forty-three deer were checked at Gaylord’s Dept. of Natural Resources’ (DNR) check station by 2 p.m. Monday -- the historically high-traffic day for the station.

“This is our busy day,” said DNR wildlife biologist Brian Mastenbrook as hunters were arriving with deer to be checked for diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (TB), and to find out the ages of their deer.

DNR staff look at back molars to determine age, then use saws to remove the animals’ heads which are sent to Lansing for disease testing.

Mastenbrook said the Monday following opening weekend is historically busy since hunters often remain at camp through the weekend or have their deer entered in one of several area buck pole contests.

The most notable deer he’d seen by Monday afternoon was a large 8-pointer taken in Montmorency County, and said he’s seeing more points than usual on deer coming through the station.

Well over a hundred bucks were hanging from area buck poles over the weekend. The Elkhorn Restaurant in Vanderbilt had 17 bucks on its pole, including a 10-point; Lewiston Moose #2495 Family Center’s pole sported nine bucks, with another 10-point; and Pat and Gary’s Party Store in Indian River drew 71 bucks, including a 170-pound 9-pointer.

Skip’s Sport Shop in Grayling hung 23 bucks on Saturday and another 17 on Sunday, including a 12-point, several 10- and 9-points and many 8-pointers. Deer numbers were up from last year, according to owner, Missy Millikin.

“It was a good buck pole overall,” she said. “We saw a lot of bigger racks but the deer weren’t as heavy as usual.”

Millikin added about 60 percent of the hunters were local; and said she was pleased to see four women hunters hang bucks on Sunday.

Michigan’s rifle deer season runs through Nov. 30.

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