HASTINGS, Mich. — It could be considered a tradition, stopping by the local hunting and fishing store to grab forgotten supplies just before Michigan's opening day of firearm deer season.
"I think a lot of people get wrapped up, and they're, you know, going to work every day, and, you know, their daily lives, and then they just get ready at the last minute," said Steve Hayes, store manager at Bob's Gun and Tackle in Hastings.
According to Hayes, the hustle and bustle to get gear and supplies the eve of opening day happens every year.
"We're kind of part of a shopping tradition, but this is just a busy time for us, kind of a fun time helping everybody gear up for a good hunting season," said Hayes.
For stores like Bob's Gun and Tackle, it's refreshing to see all of the people coming in prior to deer season. The seasonal sport has had a steady decline of participation over the past two decades, according to Department of Natural Resources Deer Specialist Chad Fedewa.
"20 years ago, we had almost 800,000 deer hunters in the state of Michigan, and we're down to less than 600,000 now we anticipate another 100,000 to decline over the next decade," said Fedewa.
That's why the state has worked to add more interest into hunting, including adding a late firearms season that starts on Jan. 2 and has worked to add over 300 acres of public hunting land in southwest Michigan.
However, the interest still remains strong in Barry County. Hayes said because they expected the rush, they've extended their store hours.
"We're open until seven o'clock tonight, eve of deer season," said Hayes. "We're normally open until 5:00 p.m. The tradition is a big deal in Michigan, with folks going out to deer hunt, and we just wanted to be here to help out, to help everybody get ready."