While many of the state’s young hunters will head into the woods today on Youth Deer Day, most older outdoors enthusiasts have to wait another week before their opening day.

The good news: That delay gives hunters the chance to decide not only where they’ll hunt, but where they’ll eat on opening day.

Many civic organizations are hosting opening-day hunters breakfasts, while others are scheduling breakfasts – or suppers – later in deer season.

Here’s a partial list of options for eager eaters:

. At Dedham, a breakfast will be held at the Dedham School from 4 a.m.-9 a.m. Oct. 30. The price is $3 for children, $5 for adults and $12 for families. Call 843-6498 for tickets, or buy them at the door.

. At Bangor, The 6th annual Young Hunter’s Breakfast is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Bangor Elks Club on Odlin Road. The breakfast will run 4-8 a.m., and the feed is free for everyone. Donations to Maine’s Youth Fish & Game Association will be accepted. A full breakfast menu is on tap, and a .22 rifle will be given away to a hunter age 16 or younger.

. At Milo, the 37th annual Penquis Valley High School hunter’s breakfast will beheld Oct. 30. The breakfast runs 4:30-8:30 a.m. Tickets are $3.50 in advance, $4 at the door.

. At Presque Isle, The Presque Isle Fish & Game Club will hold its 45th annual hunter’s breakfast at its clubhouse 4-8 a.m. Oct. 30. The fee is $4, and a Remington Model 710 .30-06, a Mosseberg Model 500 12-gauge shotgun and 100 gallons of fuel oil will be raffled. In cooperation with the Presque Isle Police Department, a gun lock will be given to everyone who attends.

. At Exeter, a hunter’s breakfast will be held at the Exeter School on Nov. 6 from 4:30 to 9 a.m. Children 12 and younger will pay $2.50 while adults eat for $4.50.

. At Passadumkeag, a public hunter’s supper is scheduled for Nov. 20 at the community building. The supper will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. For more information contact Lillian Marquis at 732-3232 or Alice Dolley at 732-4155.

Wildlife forum on tap

The Bucks Mills Rod and Gun Club in Bucksport will host a Sportsman’s Forum on Wednesday. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the forum will begin at 7.

Similar forums are held across the state, and are designed to give citizens the chance to ask questions of the state’s top fish and wildlife officials and to hear presentations from wardens, biologists, and other experts.

Among the topics to be covered: the bear referendum and management issues, fish stocking and other fisheries issues, new legislation, ATV issues, the pheasant program, and spring turkey hunting.

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.