JACKSON TWP — Some hunters go years without bagging a deer. For Tim Lee, it only took two hours Monday.

Thousands of hunters went into the woods early Monday morning for the first day of deer season, and more than a few came out with a prize.

For Lee of Marshall Township, Allegheny County, it was in the nick of time.

“I’m pleased I got one before 10:30 a.m.,” he said. “The odds of getting one after that go way down because the deer get smart and hide. There comes a time in the day when you just won’t see them anymore.”

Lee stood in line at Elluinger’s Meats in Jackson Township and watched as the seven-point buck he got was skinned.

The store, which sells a variety of meats and other foods, also serves as a butchery for deer year-round. The store off Magill Road remained busy all day Monday as owner Michelle Elluinger said business had been “pretty non-stop.”

Lee, who took his deer down with a shotgun in Marshall Township, shot and killed the only one he saw Monday morning. It was the first deer he bagged in several years, he said.

“It’s meat in the freezer,” he said. “That’s what I care about.”

Elluinger said she always looks forward to the first day of the season, even if it is the busiest day of the year.

She’s become accustomed to seeing generations of families come through her store, and loves rekindling old friendships once a year.

“It’s exciting,” she said as she rang up a customer. “But it’s pretty hectic.”

Bill Yohe of Lancaster Township took his young neighbor into the woods to hunt and didn’t come out empty-handed.

Both stood over the 8-point buck and watched as the workers at Elluinger’s began skinning the animal.

“For me, it’s all about getting out in the woods and relaxing,” Yohe said.

Joe Funyak, a hunter from Lancaster Township, also bagged a deer early Monday morning.

However, it was a doe, not a buck, which means Funyak will be out in the woods again soon.

“I’m going back out to get a few more,” he said with a smile.

Tim Regrut of Portersville also got an 8-point buck of “about average size” on Monday morning.

The hunter was happy with his prize but admitted he’s gotten a deer for many years in a row, which means the excitement has worn off a bit.

“I’m happy but I have lots of other things to do today,” he said. “So I’m pretty happy it worked out.”

Elluinger said anyone who brought in a deer Monday can expect to have their meat in about 10 days.