Mill Creek Buck Pole Marks Start of Firearm Hunting Season in Washtenaw County
Area hunters display their bucks in Dexter to promote the importance of hunting for the local economy.
As the sun set on the village of Dexter on Thursday night, seven deer hung from the Mill Creek Sport Center buck pole near downtown, marking the end of the first day of firearm deer season in Michigan. Maureen Heikkinen, general manager of Mill Creek, said the Dexter buck pole tradition dates back to the 1980s and provides a place where hunters can gather, share stories, and display their prize bucks. "It's about promoting the importance of hunting in Michigan," she said. "Hunting helps the state's economy and it provides food for families." Heikkinen said at any given time, 40 to 70 deer can be seen hanging from the pole. "Some years we've had so many deer, we've had to double up on spaces to accommodate each one," she said. The store …
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Pete Potsos
5:55 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
I took my son to the buck pole one year at the age of 3 and he enjoyed the experience. We were there to see a buck that a co-worker had shot on opening day. She had invited us to stop by and we did. My son was not scared or bothered by it, as far as I could tell. more ›