SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Division of Natural Resources says it's investigating the death of a hunter who suffered an apparent heart attack.

Smithville resident Joe Clayton, 73, collapsed Monday in Ritchie County while hunting on the first day of deer season, said DNR spokesman Hoy Murphy. The two-week season runs through Dec. 1.

Some 330,000 people are expected to hunt deer, and the DNR predicts they may do slightly better than last year.

Hunters bagged 60,157 bucks in the 2011 season, a 38 percent increase over the previous year.

The DNR says every region should see a similar or higher harvest this year.