Although deer hunters have another week left to worry the whitetails, area game inspection stations report deer registrations, for the most part, are running ahead of last year’s. The tracks were fresh in a random check of “tagging stations” taken Thursday. McK’s Variety on Route 9 in Hampden reported 89 deer tagged. By sunset of Nov. 30, the deer count at McK’s should easily exceed the store’s 1995 total of 99. Likewise, the Country Corner Variety Store in Etna reports the number of used pages in its registration book is ahead of last year’s at this time.

Deer obituaries being written at Roger’s Market in Hudson also have increased this year, including more than a few bucks whose tracks were driven clear to the dew claws. A few miles farther up the trail marked Route 221, the Bradford General Store reported registrations were down a tad from last year, but a touch of tracking snow could change that in a hurry. The word from Nason’s General Store in Dixmont is registrations are about the same as last year.

Orrington’s landmark Kozy Korner Store reports deer registrations are “way ahead of last year,” including several “hat rack” bucks in the 200-pound-plus class. And those “ol’ basters,” as you know, are the drawing card of Maine deer hunting. Down Verona Island way, the head guide at JD’s Island Market described the deer season thus far as “outstanding.” The market had issued death certificates for 132 whitetails; last year’s total was 158.

Accordingly, Warden Allan Gillis, whose patrols include Brewer, Holden, Orrington, East Bucksport, and thereabouts, reports the deer kill is “way up” on the south side of the Penobscot River.

Overall, hunting conditions have been good: The woods haven’t been exceptionally noisy lately, thanks to rain-sodden ground and light winds. But the blustery cold snap of a week or so ago started bucks moving – rutting – and making fatal mistakes. With that, you can bet your doe permit that tallies at tagging stations will increase substantially during the forthcoming final week of deer season.

Most bird hunters will agree that the best thing about this year’s hunting was the scenery. Naturally, hunters who were diligent in hanging bells on dogs found birds, but even they admit to slim pickings. Frankly, I can’t remember woodcock and partridge being fewer or farther between. Wildlife biologist Brad Allen, however, had an experience that made the season more than memorable: Along about the third week in October, Brad, an avid bird hunter, eased in behind his English setter “Willow” after she locked into a solid point.

“When the bird flushed,” Brad recounted, “I thought it was a pigeon – it was white. But when it broke out of the cover it was obviously a woodcock. I couldn’t believe it.”

Brad figured the albino bird was about 90-95 percent white. “I watched where it pitched down,” he continued, “and brought Willow around to see if she could relocate it. I wanted another look at the bird so I wouldn’t think I was seeing things. Willow pointed it again and when it flushed there was no question about its identity.”

In an effort to document the unusual observation, Brad returned to the cover with a camera the next day. “Willow found the bird again,” he said, “but it didn’t hold long enough for me to get into position for a good, definitive picture. If I’d had a better camera – a “zoom” lens – I’d have been in business.” Obviously, the rewards attendant to patronizing the theater of the great outdoors are constant; not only are the characters real, the dramas are exciting and ever-changing.

If your doctor has advised you to go on a diet, my advice is don’t do it until after you’ve attended the Maine Air National Guard’s 36th annual Sportsman’s Supper. You can bet your hunting boots that many an outdoors addict will reserve a ticket for the soiree set for Thursday, Dec. 12, in Building 417 of the Maine ANG Base in Bangor. “Prime Time” begins at 6 p.m., with the supper bell sounding an hour later. As always, this year’s menu is a belt-stretcher: choice sirloin steak, Maine baked potato, chef’s salad with Argyll sauce, vegetable, rolls, and log-drive coffee to sluice it down.

Tickets – $12 each – may be purchased from: Gene Curless, 990-7316; John Nelligan, 990-7340; Chris Files, 990-7363; Al Morrow, 990-7293; Rey Plourde, 990-7449. No tickets will be sold after Dec. 9.

Adding to your evening’s pleasure, as they say, will be the drawing of door prizes and auctioning of a .30-30 rifle. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to fire a few questions at Gerry Lavigne, deer project leader for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, when he occupies the speaker’s podium. All profits from the supper will benefit the ANG’s MAINEiacs Charities.

Speaking of questions, and answers, come Wednesday, Dec. 4, the Bucks Mills Rod and Gun Club will hold a public Sportsman’s Forum, 7-9 p.m., at its clubhouse on Bucks Mills Road, Bucksport. And it won’t cost you a nickel to set your sights on DIFW Commissioner “Bucky” Owen, his staff, and Advisory Council member Millard Wardwell.

The topics of discussion are: Moose season, 1996 and the future. Boating access. Evaluation of fishing regulation changes. Forest management, cooperative agreements. What will come of the Snowmobile Task Force? Future funding for DIFW – ideas and suggestions. Future deer management vs. current management. More smelting opportunities – smelt working group report. Region C ideas. New hatchery broodstocks.

Chamber a round and check your safety.