CLARKSBURG -- Melvina Williams was at work early Monday, Nov. 23.

"Making hot dogs and everything that goes with the first day of deer season," said Williams, who works at Dola Dairy Mart.

She is one of the many who cater to the herds of hunters who love to be out before dawn.

"I got in there just about the break of daylight," said hunter Andrew Skidmore.

Marsh's Lumber in Clarksburg says its day got off to a smooth start.

"We've checked in about 10 a.m. this morning already and it's only what, 10:30?" asked owner Arlis Marsh. "So its been a pretty good day."

But a shortage of ammunition set their sales back just slightly. Marsh says the store has sold all of its overstocked ammunition, and barely has any on the shelves.

"Our guys have been on the phone for the last two and a half months trying to locate it," explained Marsh, "And we did get some of it in. Of course, you can see our shelves. They're pretty empty because we've had people coming from all around trying to find ammo."

Hunters say they're trying not to buy any, but are sharing to get by.

"It's expensive," said Nathan McCullough, 17, who shot the first buck of his hunting party, which consisted of his father and younger brother. "Really expensive. We had to go raid my grandpa's gun cabinet because we weren't going to spend the money to get ammunition."

Hunters say the key is patience.

"Another half hour later, I saw two does and him," McCullough gestured toward his six-point, "And I thought, 'It's only the first day, but I'm not going to pass him up.'"

"I'm a one-shot, one kill," boasted Skidmore. "I shot this one right in the neck. I've got the bullet right here."

These hunters may not agree on how long to wait for the big payoff, but they all say West Virginia is the best place to be for buck season.

"Today, I've seen about eight deer," recalled McCullough. "That's the most I've seen in one hunt. In P.A. you're lucky to see a doe."

"Gotta live in West Virginia to do the best hunting," promised Skidmore, patting his buck.

Only one person is looking forward to the end of buck season.

"I will be glad when it's over!" exclaimed Williams.