Out and About: Unless a last-minute hunting accident proves otherwise, we can thank a revised hunter-orange law, increased hunter responsibility, and God for a fatality-free deer season. When Maine’s 1991 deer hunting regulations required hunters to wear two articles of solid-colored, hunter-orange clothing – one a hat, the other covering a major portion of their torsos – more than a few negative responses were heard along with the usual searching for ways to circumvent the law.

But as the late Al Smith often said during his tenure as governor of New York, “Let’s look at the record.” In this case, the record speaks for itself. Since its inception in 1973, the hunter-orange law has resulted in a dramatic decline in hunting accidents, particularly in regard to mistaken identity. Obviously, this year’s “brightened up” version of the law produced the desired visual results.

In October (during upland bird and waterfowl seasons) two hunters were struck by pellets fired from shotguns; the few accidents that occurred during deer season were attributed to accidental discharge of firearms and faulty firearms. Thankfully, mistaken identity, recklessness, negligence, etc., were not cited in any of the cases.

Personally, as an artist who leans toward toned-down colors that are easy on the eyes, I find hunter-orange – “blaze-orange” if you prefer – to be harsh, bilious, and glaringly unpleasant. But, its fluorescent glow, which actually seems to increase in low levels of light, saves lives. Therefore, I have no problem in painting myself with it during deer season. Also, the 227,000 or so licensed hunters whose safety consciousness resulted in one of Maine’s most accident-free regular firearms hunting seasons deserve special mention. Let’s hope that pattern continues through the special six-day muzzleloader deer season now under way.

In addition, the 1991 deer hunt may be one of the most successful in recent years. Despite the less than ideal hunting conditions that prevailed throughout most of November, this year’s legal deer kill could be more than 30 percent higher than last year’s. Deer biologist Gerry Lavigne attributes the rise in hunter success to an increase in yearling and adult bucks. Earlier, Lavigne predicted a deer kill of 27,500, a 10-percent increase. He now fpredicted a deer kill of 27,500, a 10-percent increase. He now feels the total will exceed 30,000 whitetails. That amounts to about 14 percent hunter success.

Because of the reduction in allocations of any-deer permits this year, Lavigne feels the increased kill indicates Maine’s deer herd is growing in most areas. He also attributed hunter success to this year’s later deer season, which better coincided with the rutting activities of bucks.

If you tagged a deer last month, you should be interested to know that the meat enjoyed by you and your family ranks high as a health food. A piece of venison, for example, has fewer calories than the same serving of roasted chicken or turkey and one-half the calories of ham or ground chuck. Deer meat also is comparable to chicken and turkey in cholesterol content and has more protein than freshwater or saltwater fish, beef, liver, turkey, or chicken.

Perhaps you’ll savor a slice of deer roast or loin a bit more knowing that it contains one-half as much fat as turkey or chicken, one-tenth as much as lean ground chuck, and one-half as much as lean cured ham. Deer meat also is a source of minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, and iron. Eat, drink, and be merry, but beware of the baked potatoes saturated with butter and soured cream.

After talking with Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Bill Vail recently, I’m pleased to say that it now appears that the proposed transfer of $1.2 million of department funds to the Bureau of Forestry will not take place. Also, Vail indicated that the proposed combining of the DIFW, Dept. of Marine Resources, and the Bureau of Forestry is not likely to happen. Not likely, that is. Keep your fingers crossed.

According to Vail, sportsmen from all corners of the state must have tracked down their legislative representatives and expressed opposition to the proposals after being alerted by newspaper articles and letters sent out by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. There again you have an indication of the collective political clout that the state’s sportsmen and sportswomen have at their disposal.

If every licensed outdoor addict in this state belonged to the Sportsman’s Alliance, the politicians would be lined up outside the organization’s office asking, “What can we do for you?” That’s not an exaggeration. Give yourself and every hunter, fisher, trapper, etc., in this state a meaningful Christmas present – join SAM.

Last week, Ken Beland, a fisheries biologist with the Atlantic Sea-Run Salmon Commission, passed along some information that I considered as bright as a fresh-run fish. Ken reported that redd? counts conducted on the upper Pleasant River revealed 35-45 spawning salmon in the area above Great Heath.

The biologist said the salmon were observed in the section of river between the Worcester camp and Crebo Bridge. “That’s not earth-shattering news by any means,” he allowed, “but it’s encouraging.” My feeling is that it’s earth-shattering compared with observations made a few years ago.

Ken also mentioned the number of beaver dams on the river. As you know, the reductions in fur prices have resulted in declines in beaver trapping. Therefore, colonies of the industrious animals are increasing. In Ken’s words: “Salmon are climbing a lot of beaver dams to get to their spawning grounds.”

I have no problems with “low head” dams made of alders, mo I have no problems with “low head” dams made of alders, mosses, and mud. It’s those “high-rise” structures of steel and cement that distress me – and salmon.