AUGUSTA – It’s a funny thing about traditional outdoor sports, just when you think a season is over and done with… talk of new regulations send hunters and anglers into a tailspin. Today is the last day of muzzleloading season, putting an end to the 2000 Maine deer season, but not the end of discussions about it. Not by a long shot.

Soon after the news that 6,000 doe permits went unused hit this paper, so did hunters’ e-mailed and hand-written responses expressing outrage. In the tradition of the legendary and often-mentioned Bud Leavitt, here are a few snippets from these hunters’ letters.

One from Milo had this to ask the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife:

If there were 6,000 surplus doe permits that were not applied for, why were they not issued to hundreds of people like myself who applied for an any-deer permit but were not chosen!

And this comes to you from Corinth:

If the DIFW feels that hunters should be allowed an extra deer then so be it. I feel that they have a lot of matters to resolve before next hunting season, but they never seem to ask the hunters what they think.

Stay tuned for when the DIFW will ask hunters for their view on a bonus lottery, especially since this appears to be the solution the department will embrace.

Based on Thursday’s Advisory Council meeting at DIFW headquarters, the bonus lottery, which would be new to Maine, appears to be gaining popularity and force.

The areas in question where 6,000 doe permits went unused were zones 16, 22, 23 and 25, the wildlife districts around Augusta. There were more antlerless permits given out in this area because it is the area with the densest deer herd.

And yet just 65 percent of the hunters in the7se areas applied for a doe permit.

“In all four districts, if people applied, they would have gotten a permit,” said Ken Elowe, DIFW resource management director.

Elowe said if nothing is done, and the doe herd continues to grow, there could be as many as 10,000 unallocated antlerless permits next year.

He said that in southern Maine, the herd has reached its “cultural carrying capacity,” or what society can stand in terms of road accidents and destruction of shrubs and gardens. Elowe said the bonus-deer permit system is the most effective option the department is facing for reducing the doe herd and the damage.

Here’s what it would look like:

. When hunters apply for a deer permit, they would check off if they want to be entered in the extra-deer lottery.

. If they are entered and drawn in that extra lottery, they would be permitted to take an extra deer during the archery season, the expanded archery season, firearm season or muzzleloading season in one of the four zones.

. A hunter with a bonus permit may take a deer in the regular hunt or a doe in the designated zone in any order.

The possibilities here for hunting opportunities are huge, Elowe says, because the success rate of the second hunt would be less than the regular deer hunt, allowing the DIFW to provide more permits than they normally would.

“The success rate would be down on the 10,000 unallocated doe permits, so we could give out 20,000 bonus-deer permits,” Elowe theorized. “It’s flexible, equitable to all, and adjustable.”

What’s more, Gerry Lavigne, DIFW’s deer study leader, said there may be additional districts added, possibly in areas around York, Cumberland, Knox, Waldo, Somerset and Penobscot counties.

Several members of the Advisory Council voiced approval of the proposed measures, which have a ways to go before becoming regulations. A public hearing would be one of the next steps.

However, Lavigne said there may be more to the unused doe permits than appears on the surface.

“An average of 65 deer hunters in district 23 applied for a permit. That means 35 didn’t bother to [apply]. Part of what we need to do is find out why 35 percent don’t participate in the doe lottery,” Lavigne said. “That’s what we don’t know.”

Sounds like your hunter in Corinth should make an appearance at the public hearing on this issue.

Moose hunters be warned

Hunters who have waited for the moose-hunt lottery, clear your calendars the second week of January, because that’s when a public hearing will be held to discuss the 2001 moose-hunt permits.

For those who are satisfied with the present system, rest easy, because the governor’s Advisory Council and those at DIFW agreed Thursday the few changes proposed suit them fine.

“I could vote on this now,” said council member Matt Libby of Aroostook County.

For those who would like to see more than the current 3,000 permits issued, or an increase in the distribution of permits in Greenville (where the numbers will drop from 135 to 100), or a stop to the 80 new permits that will go to inland areas in Washington County and the coastal Lubec area, stay tuned for news of a public hearing the week of Jan. 8.

Though, be warned, you’ll face a battle to affect any changes. Until the DIFW completes its moose census in Greenville, it won’t tinker too much with the hunt.

“The sighting rates are in line with what we’ve had the last 10 years,” Elowe said. “The success rate, the harvest of cows verses bulls, the sighting rates, there are no anomalies here.”

The Advisory Council plans to act on the proposed changes in January. In fact, they have to, because DIFW has to post the permit numbers 14 days before they accept permits.

So speak in January or forever hold your peace.

DIFW seeks council members

The DIFW has an opening on its Advisory Council for a representative of Piscataquis and Somerset counties. Members of the council are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate.

The Advisory Council consists of 10 members representing the 16 counties of the state and works with the DIFW commissioner to provide information and advice concerning the administration of the department. It also reviews all rules being propose by the commissioner. Rules cannot be adopted by the commissioner without the consent of the council.

Those interested call 287-5202.

Outdoor Calendar

Archer’s Edge will host the Maine Bowhunters’ Association’s charity shoot on Sunday. The shoot starts at 9 a.m. and benefits Christmas Is For Kids Campaign. For information, call 989-1605.

Attention skiers and riders: all those with a carefree spirit, dress up as Santa on Sunday at Sunday River and get three free lift tickets.

You need to dawn the Gentle Spirit’s uniform and come with a toy for a needy child, which will be donated to the Bethel Rotary Club’s annual drive. Tickets are limited, so sign up early by calling 824-5251.

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net