After leaving tracks on Saskatchewan’s see-forever gunning grounds last week, I won’t hesitate in saying the province’s sprawling grain fields and prairie ponds are a wildfowler’s paradise. Suffice it to say, it wouldn’t take long to bag a lifetime limit in that country. That, however, is a story best saved for Saturday’s edition. Right now, let’s take a look at what’s happening hereabouts.

Upland bird hunters and Canada goose addicts are preparing dogs and decoys for Thursday’s opening day of the 1992 hunting season. Because alder bottoms are dry, woodcock are using poplar and birch covers where anthills are abundant. A few days of fall rain will soften the soil in alder runs, enabling the lance-billed birds to probe for their preferred food, earthworms.

Word from the north country is that ruffed grouse appear to be in better supply than last year. Broods of birds are showing up on woods roads, which means that pots of baked beans soon will be stuffed with “pa’tridge” breasts.

In this neck of the woods, though, populations of the prized game birds seem to be spotty. Cold weather, however, could change that. Like deer, the fan-tailed phantoms of the birch and thornapple thickets seem to become more numerous when covers are fuzzy with frost. What’s the difference between a “pa’tridge” and a grouse? I’ve been told that a pa’tridge is potted on the ground or from a tree; a grouse is taken on the wing.

Canada goose hunters are reminded that this year’s goose season is split: Oct. 1-Nov. 21, and Nov. 25-Dec. 12, statewide. Also, keep in mind that from Oct. 1-Oct. 15, the daily limit is one goose. Beginning Oct. 16, the daily limit increases to two geese for the remainder of the season.

Needless to say, the revised goose hunting regulations – particularly the reductions in daily limits – resulted in a double-barreled barrage of controversy. Although resident Canada goose populations are increasing in many Atlantic Flyway states including Maine, migrant populations – geese that nest in northern Canada and migrate south during autumn – are declining. Accordingly, Maine’s 1992 goose hunting regulations are part of a federal Atlantic Flyway initiative aimed at a 60 percent reduction in the harvest of the majestic migrants. – –

Gary Anderson, safety officer for the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is announcing an important event for all Fish and Wildlife volunteer safety instructors in Aroostook County. On Oct. 17, a special safety workshop and banquet will be held at the Caribou Armory, with registration beginning at noon. The workshop is for Aroostook County residents only.

Anderson urges all qualified ATV, snowmobile, trapping, archery, firearms, and boating instructors to attend. Also, bring along a friend or acquaintance who is interested in becoming an instructor. If you wish to participate in the workshop and thereby promote safety among Maine’s burgeoning population of outdoor addicts, contact Mike Sawyer at 757-8732 or Clifford Caldwell at 325-9169. – –

Without question, the Penobscot River is this country’s premiere Atlantic salmon pool. But let’s not lose sight of the importance of the river’s tributaries in maintaining and enhancing that reputation.

With that in mind, you may want to lend a hand in the “Kenduskeag Stream Clean-up” sponsored by Bangor Beautiful. The community event – testimony to the area’s increasing level of environmental awareness – will take place Oct. 3. Individuals, clubs, or organizations wishing to participate in the project are requested to gather at Kenduskeag Plaza, downtown Bangor, at 7:30 a.m.

According to Bangor Beautiful coordinator Gail Rosenthal, City Bus will provide a shuttle service that will transport volunteers to their assigned stream sections. At midday, when the stream’s flow will be relatively free of shopping carts, tires, and God only knows what else, lunch and drinks will be served at a refreshment area.

A word of caution: although the stream’s water level is low, rocks will be slippery with moss and algae. Therefore, wear felt-soled boots to facilitate sure footing. Also, gloves will be necessary for protection while handling debris.

Bangor Beautiful is the Maine affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., a national, non-profit, public education organization dedicated to improving waste-handling practices in American communities. – –

In a recently written note, Austin Richardson of Gray suggested: “In the interest of balancing ability to goal, it seems to me that a person that is granted a hunting license, gratis, because of age or disablilities, should also be granted an automatic any-deer permit. This would be a very small percentage of the any-deer permits given. I feel that it would not be objectionable to the younger able-bodied licensees.

“I admit to some self-interest in this suggestion as I am a holder of a gratis license because I am a 100 percent disabled veteran and I have trouble walking any distance, especially on uneven terrain.”

There’s something for you to think about while oiling your bird-hunting boots.