Dear deer...

Grace, who loves the color pink, took books about princesses to read when she went hunting with her dad. The night before her outdoor adventure, she read a book about hunting white-tail deer. She said she learned about shot placement and hunting safety.

On Saturday morning, she got up early with her dad to head into the woods. Grace said she spotted the 160-pound, 6-point deer twice before she pulled the trigger.

“Daddy took me turkey hunting and he got a turkey and he called it mine, but this is really mine because I shot. He shot the turkey; I shot the deer,” the well-spoken 6-year-old explained.

“I've got to hold the gun for her because she's so small, but she kind of sights down it and then when it's ready we check and double check and pull that trigger. She pulled that trigger,” her dad, Tim Zerbel, proudly said.

Grace and her dad were among hundreds of outdoorsmen out for the start of deer hunting season. Many Michigan hunters checked in their deer at DNR check stations.

“What we're doing is taking the age and some other measurements on the bucks. And we use that for some data analysis to monitor the health of the herd,” said Steve Chadwick, Michigan DNR wildlife biologist.

He said the herd seems healthy.

“So far they all seem pretty good. We've seen some good bucks. It's a little early to tell, but most of the deer I've seen, even through the archery season, are in good condition,” Chadwick said.

As the firearm season continues for the next month, he urged hunters to use caution.
“Just make sure of what's behind the animal you're shooting at. Be cognizant of other hunters in the area, homes, cars, etc., and just be careful out there,” Chadwick said.

Even little Grace had some safety advice.

“The safety color in hunting: bright orange,” she said.

There are more than 50 voluntary DNR deer check stations throughout Michigan. You can find more information, including the locations and hours at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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