UPPER PENINSULA -- It's four days into firearm deer season and so far it looks to be off to a great start.  The DNRE reports that hunter numbers seem to be down in many areas, but so far the deer kill totals have been similar and higher than the first few days of last year's season.

Hunters in the western and central portions have been seeing more deer in the woods than last year, and antler development was above average.  Eastern hunters noted an increase in fawns this season.

Deer check station numbers in the west were about the same to slightly higher than last year, while the eastern locations were similar to last year.  The U.P was also the only region in Michigan to have tracking snow for opening day.