L'ANSE -- We're through the fourth day of deer season, and for many, it's a relaxing time to be away at camp.  But for Upper Michigan educators, it's a problem.

Attendance at the L'Anse Area Schools is notorious for dropping during the firearm deer season.

The Hunter Heritage Act, which took effect on September 1, is making it more difficult to maintain full classrooms.

"This year, one of the things that changed was the right of 10 year olds to hunt," said L'Anse Superintendant Ray Pasquali.  "Where we typically would have a high school attendance issue, it has now dropped down into the middle school."

If a day's attendance drops below 75 percent, the school will lose state funding.  On opening day of deer season, the school's attendance was at 78 percent.

Pasquali hopes the Department of Natural Resources will work to alleviate this issue.