Thanksgiving and the days that follow it are the kickoff to the holiday season, leading up to and including Christmas and New Years.
   For many hunters, it's a good time to get into the woods and hopefully take a deer. Because so many people work during the opener and can hunt only after work or on weekends, it's a pretty good bet many will be in the woods when they have the day off on Thanksgiving.
   Some head north with families to celebrate the holiday and get in a good long weekend of hunting. Whether you hunt from home and get back in time for dinner or up north it sounds like there should be plenty of deer.
   The DNR reports fewer being checked at deer checks but more 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 year-old bucks are showing up to be checked.
   While the herd is in good condition, the weather, at least at the beginning of the season, has had an effect on hunting here in southern Michigan.
   And with corn still standing or being picked, deer have plenty of places to hide. Because pressure has been fairly light, deer may not be as wary after the opener as they normally are.
   Remember, you can post a photo of you with your deer by sending it to carol.hopkins@oakpress.com.