Owing to their practices of observing and analyzing, anglers who also cast hunting dogs are diligent in monitoring the production of Mother Nature’s grouse, woodcock and waterfowl factories. Accordingly, my piscatorial pleasure was enhanced this summer by frequent observations of black duck, mallard and wood duck hens fussing over families in various stages of growth. Taking particular notice of the ever-increasing mallards, I recalled when bagging a colorful drake hereabouts drew as much attention as tagging an albino buck.

So now comes September, the month of sumacs smoldering, swamp maples flaming, teal arriving and Maine’s special Canada goose season taking wing. With that in mind, let’s draw a bead on Maine’s 2000 new millenium waterfowl season.

After a public hearing held August 22 in Augusta, the following regulations were adopted by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Waterfowl Advisory Council: Ducks (except black ducks), North Zone: Oct. 2-Dec. 2. South Zone: split season, Oct. 2-14; Nov. 6-Dec. 23. This year, in response to hunters’ requests for more black duck hunting opportunity, the regulation that protected black ducks during the first 10 days of the season was reduced to five days. Therefore, it will be legal for retrievers to fetch black ducks on the first Saturday of the forthcoming season. Hence, the 2000 black duck season: North Zone: Oct. 7-Dec. 2. South Zone: split season, Oct. 7-14; Nov. 6-Dec. 23.

In addition to the duck season being lengthened by four days in each zone — extended opportunity to bag black ducks — DIFW bird group leader Brad Allen explained that blacks also would be legal game during the department’s Sept. 23 Youth Waterfowl Hunt.

The daily limit during the regular duck season is four, possession limit eight, with the following exceptions: 1. Oct. 2-6, black duck shooting is prohibited. 2. Closed season on harlequin ducks. 3. Daily limit, one, possession limit two, on black ducks, pintails, canvasbacks, mottled ducks and fulvous tree ducks. 4. Daily limit, two, possession limit four, on hen mallards, wood ducks and redhead ducks. 5. In addition to the daily limit of four, two extra teal, green-winged or blue winged, may be taken per day. Note: a possession limit of 12 is permitted providing it includes four or more teal. 6. Scaup: daily limit three, possession limit six.

Mergansers and American coots: Season the same as ducks. Daily limit five, possession limit 10, with the following exceptions: Hooded mergansers, daily limit one, possession limit two. American coots, daily limit 15, possession limit 30.

Goose hunters are ready to rig floaters and field decoys during the Special Early Season on Canada geese, Sept. 5-25. Initially, the proposal for this year’s special hunt included increasing the daily limit from three to five geese. However, conscientious discussion at the public hearing resulted in the daily limit continuing at three, possession limit six, as in recent years.

Regular goose season: North Zone: Oct. 2-Nov. 16. South Zone: split season, Oct. 2-14; Nov. 6-Dec. 7. Daily limit two, possession limit four. Snow geese: Oct. 2-Jan. 31, 2001. Daily limit 15, no possession limit. In the past few years, reports of snow geese increased among Maine goose hunters. Leading the flock of speculation as to why the “snows,” historically mid-continent migrants, are showing in this neck of the woods is overpopulation of the species. Thus, the estimated 6 million geese are destroying their Arctic nesting grounds. Consequently, the geese are spreading into new territories in their search for healthier habitats.

Brant: Oct. 2-Nov. 28. Daily limit two, possession limit four.

Special Falconry Season: North Zone: Dec. 4-Feb. 1, 2001. South Zone: Dec. 30-Feb. 28, 2001. Falconry season daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory birds shall not exceed three and six, respectively, either singly or in the aggregate.

Sea Ducks (common eider, scoter, old squaw): Oct. 2-Jan. 20, 2001. Daily limit seven, possession limit 14, with the following exceptions: common eider: daily limit five, possession limit 10; scoter: daily limit four, possession limit eight.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Sept. 23. All of the aforementioned regulations apply. Note: Black ducks are legal game during this year’s hunt. Youth waterfowlers must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or an adult at least 18 years old who holds a valid Maine hunting license.

Woodcock: Oct. 6-Nov. 4. Daily limit three, possession limit six. A short season, to say the least. Word is, however, that hunters who keep pointing dogs may have more woodcock-hunting opportunity next fall.

Legal shooting time for migratory birds is from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The line dividing Maine’s North and South waterfowl-hunting zones is the same as last year.

There you have it, Sport. If your newest best friend and favorite hunting partner is a Labrador retriever and your preferred autumn attire features hip boots and camouflage clothing, plan your personal holidays and vacations according to the aforementioned rules and regulations.

Feel the fall.

Fresh Tracks

Word from bear guides is that Mother Nature’s cupboards are so well-stocked that the bruins are passing up baits in favor of the profusions of chokecherries, beechnuts, hazelnuts, apples, acorns, mushrooms, you name it. You’d think a bear would at least want a jelly doughnut for dessert.

Tom Hennessey’s columns can be accessed on the BDN Internet page at: www.bangornews.com.