COMBS (KFSM)-- Modern gun deer season is a family tradition for most, but it is off to an unusual slow start this year.
Hunter Ty Parker says he looks forward to the start of modern gun deer season ever since he was a kid.
"I've hunted since I was big enough to walk," said Parker, "my dad hunted, my grandpa hunted, all of us hunted."
Hunters weren't the only ones hoping for a big turnout opening weekend.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) set up 25 stations to collect deer samples, to test them for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
That is a fatal illness in deer and elk that is new to the state, but it is not known to spread to humans.
AGFC Private Lands Biologist Levi Horrell was surprised at the low participation for opening day.
"There have only been nine samples, or nine deer for us to take samples from, brought in so far," said Horrell. "But generally speaking, I was expecting more than that."
Hopefully cooler temperatures will bring more participation out this season.
Click here for hunting season dates and bag limits.