This week is a big one for avid hunters, as the opening of moose season coincides with another big lottery.

Moose hunters head into the woods in Monday for the first of two six-day sessions. This first moose season is open only in Wildlife Management Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11 and 19; that area roughly covers the northern and eastern tips of the state.

A second six-day session runs from Oct. 13-18, with more Wildlife Management Districts open for hunting.

The big lottery this week: The any-deer permit drawing, which is set for Wednesday, Sept. 24. Also known as the “doe permit,” this lottery determines which Maine hunters will be allowed to shoot deer without antlers during the upcoming season.

Youth fly fishing day set

A Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs fly fishing day will be held on Oct. 26 at Maine’s Youth Fish and Game Association clubhouse on Pickerel Pond outside of Milford.

The program, sponsored by the Penobscot Fly Fishers, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students will learn about fly fishing equipment, tie a fly, learn to cast a fly rod, and then fish with their fly. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and soda will be provided at lunch.

There is no fee for the program, but space is very limited. Call Ed Bruno at 942-3988 to sign up.

The program is designed for children between the ages of 10 and 15. Parents are asked to remain with their children during the program.

MBA donates $3,000 from shoot

The Maine Bowhunters Association staged a 3D archery shoot for charity on Aug. 17 at the Outdoor Sportsman in Northport.

The event – “Shoot for a Cure” – raised money for Caring Connections in Bangor. The funds will be used for breast and cervical cancer patient screening, programs, and educational materials, and will help fund support groups for cancer patients.

MBA President Jeff Hopkins of Winterport and MBA social director Scott Abbott of Bangor presented a $3,000 check to Rosemarie Lagasse, the director of Women’s Health Initiatives at Caring Connections.

Sportsman’s Forum on tap

The Bucksmills Rod and Gun Club will host a Sportsman’s Forum on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Dinner will be served.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife personnel, along with DIFW Advisory Council members, will be on hand to answer questions of sportsmen.

State safety courses scheduled

In order to hunt in Maine, first-time hunters must complete a state-approved hunter safety program.

Those programs are available all across Maine at a variety of times each year.

Among the upcoming offerings:

. At Fort Fairfield High School, Sept. 22-24, 5-9 p.m., call 476-6641

. At Caribou’s Adult Ed, Oct. 20-23, 6-9 p.m., call 493-4272

. At the Brooksville Town Office, Sept. 21 and 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., call 326-9212

. At Winslow Fire Department, two courses; first one Oct. 3-4, 6:30-9:30 p.m., and Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; the second runs Oct. 17-18, 6:30-9:30 p.m., and Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Call 872-8732

. At Midcoast Technical School in Rockland, Oct. 6-9, 6-9 p.m., call 594-0316

. At the Beaver Lodge in Hope, Oct. 25-26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., call 273-3529

. At Hermon High School, Sept. 22-25, 6-9 p.m., call 876-3497

. At United Technology Center in Bangor, Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1-2, 6-9 p.m., call942-5296 or 876-3497

. At VFW Post 41 in Old Town, Oct. 4-5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call 876-3497

. At Old Town High School, Oct. 6-9, 6-9 p.m., call 827-3906 or 876-3497

. At Etna-Dixmont School in Dixmont, Oct. 6-9, 6-9 p.m., call 269-2505 or 876-3497

. At Corinth Middle School, Oct. 11-12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., call 285-3334 or 876-3497

. At Nokomis High School in Newport, Oct. 13-16, 6-9 p.m., call 368-3290 or 876-3497

. At Penobscot County Conservation Association in Brewer, Oct. 18, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., and Oct. 19, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., call 876-3497

. At Orono High School, Oct. 27-30, 6-9 p.m., call 866-4119 or 876-3497

. At Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m., call 876-4363 or 876-3497

. At Penobscot Valley High School in Milo, Oct. 20-23, 6-9 p.m., call 943-5333 or 876-3497

. At Pittsfield, Oct. 6-10, 6-9 p.m., call 474-6829

. At Skowhegan Legion Post, Oct. 21-23, 6-9 p.m., and Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call 474-6829

. At Unity College, Sept. 26, 6-9 p.m. (other times to be announced), call 948-2572 or 948-3131, ext. 219

. At Burnham Town Hall, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 25 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call 948-5372

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.