CRYSTAL FALLS -- Nineteen deer were checked in at the Crystal Falls Department of Natural Resources station on Tuesday.

According to DNR officials, that's a pretty average number.  Most of the deer ranged from medium to good size, the biggest of which were a few nine-pointers.

It wasn't an average day for Douglas Allen, however.  According to him, he bagged the best buck of his life.

"Nicest one I ever got in 45 years," said Allen.  "And then I shot, it dropped right there.  Never ran.  We didn't even know where I hit it until we gutted it out.  It was a double lung shot."

Hunters can expect to find deer with better antler development this season due to last year's easy winter.