Junior hunters across the state will head into the woods on Oct. 25 for the state’s second Youth Deer Day.

Hunters who are between 10 and 16 years old and possess a junior hunting license (either resident or non-resident) can hunt deer on this day if they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or a qualified adult. A qualified adult is a person at least 18 years old approved by that youth hunter’s parent or guardian who also holds a valid Maine hunting license or who has successfully completed a hunter safety course.

The accompanying adult can not possess a firearm.

The junior hunter on this day can take one deer of either sex, by firearm or by bow and arrow, anywhere in the state that is open to hunting. An any-deer permit is not needed to take a female deer on this day.

If the youth hunter tags a deer, they still may hunt in other deer seasons if they possess a bonus deer permit or hunt with a bow and arrow in an expanded archery zone.

Fall turkey season begins Oct. 20

Once again this year, there will be a fall archery season for turkey in Wildlife Management Districts 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. The season begins on Monday and continues through Oct. 31. Last year, 1,859 archers purchased a fall permit to hunt turkeys and tagged 153 turkeys.

Anyone who possesses an archery license may purchase a permit from a license agent to hunt turkey during the fall wild turkey season. Permit fees are $10 for Maine residents and $40 for nonresidents.

The bag limit is one wild turkey of either sex. Only bow and arrow may be used during the fall season, and the legal hunting time is from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.

Ice fishing on Long Pond

The Department and its Advisory Council recently decided to open Long Pond in Belgrade to ice fishing on an experimental basis this winter after receiving a petition from the Maine Ice Anglers Association and conducting a public comment period and a hearing.

Long Pond in Belgrade, Rome, and Mount Vernon will open Jan. 1 for ice fishing for all fish except salmon, trout, and bass. There is no size or bag limit on pike on Long Pond. All salmon, trout, and bass must be released immediately without removing from the water. This regulation expires on March 31, 2006.

The department will evaluate the effects of the regulation on the pike population to determine if this is a valid tool for controlling pike predation on salmonids.

Bucksport forum on tap

Outdoors enthusiasts will have the chance to exchange opinions with some of the state’s decision-makers on Oct. 29 at a Fish and Wildlife Forum in Bucksport.

The forum, sponsored by the Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club, will cover topics including fisheries and wildlife management updates, and updates on the warden service.

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Danny Martin will attend, as will DIFW advisory council member David Wardwell and several other DIFW staffers.

The forum will be held at Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club. Supper will be served at 6 p.m. ($5 per person) and the forum itself will run from 7-9 p.m.

Benefit hike scheduled

The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance will offer a hike on the Round Top Mountain Trail to benefit the 6,000-acre Kennebec Highlands conservation project.

The hike is scheduled for Oct. 26.

Volunteers will be at the Round Top parking area from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to assist with parking and to give directions.

Hikers interested in having a guide accompany them on the trail should call 495-6039 or e-mail brca@gwi.net before Thursday.

Hermon Skeet Club plans event

The Hermon Skeet Club will hold its club championship on Nov. 2 beginning at 9 a.m.

The shoot will be a 150-target event with a moderate degree of difficulty. Fifty skeet targets will consist of 24 singles and 26 doubles. Fifty sporting clays and 50 trap targets will also be shot.

The main event entry fee is $30, with lunch included. For more information contact Lindon Brown at 947-3481 or cpbrown@midmaine.com, or Lloyd Robinson at 848-3039 or hermonlake@aol.com.

Deer permits can be swapped

Deer hunters who have received an any-deer or bonus permit can transfer or swap their permit online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

An any-deer or bonus permit can be transferred to a junior hunter or a person 65 years of age or older. This any-deer permit can also be transferred to a person with ambulatory disabilities. In order to complete this online, you need your permit as well as the hunting license number, name, mailing address, and date of birth of the person you want to transfer it to. There is no charge to transfer an any-deer or bonus permit.

If you want to swap an any-deer permit or a bonus permit so you can hunt in another wildlife management district, you will need your any-deer or bonus permit, and the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the person you wish to swap with. The cost of swapping permits is $5. Permit holders who wish to swap with someone need to do their own work in identifying and contacting potential hunters to swap with.

These transfers or swaps must be completed online at www.mefishwildlife.com by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. You can also do this in person or by mail. Transfer and swap request forms must be received by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, State House Station 41, Augusta, ME 04333. Please allow one week for processing.

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.