As he tagged moose in Greenville Monday morning, Doug Kane glanced out at the gray skies and summed up a weekend of wet weather in a single phrase.

“It affects the hunter more than it affects the moose,” the state regional wildlife biologist said.

Kane’s logic made sense: Moose live outside. They’re used to dealing with Mother Nature’s surprises … even when it rains six or eight or 10 inches over a three-day span.

And us hunters?

Well, no matter how hardy we may claim to be, few of us would try to convince you that if given the chance, we’d just as soon slog through the woods in a torrential rainstorm.

But Kane did point out a benefit for hunters who didn’t bag a moose on the first couple days of the six-day season.

“Where it’s gonna help the hunter is the rain probably took more of the leaves off, so the visibility is going to be much better,” he said.

Kane pointed out that the clear cuts of the past used to provide easier hunting opportunities, as moose browsed in plain view of woods roads.

“The forest is growing up now and the visibility in these cuts is very poor,” he said. “It’s much more difficult to see the moose. You’ve got to get off the road farther.”

Kane said in those conditions, having a bit less foliage on the trees is a bonus that can’t be underestimated.

“So actually the rain may have helped, except for [the question of] whether the hunters want to slog through it,” he said.

On Wednesday, with the sun finally making another appearance in local skies, Dave Hanson of Old Town Trading Post prepared for what he assumed would be a busy day of tagging moose.

Hanson arrived at work to find a hunter already waiting for him, and had tagged two moose before 11 a.m.

Hanson said the early rain did more than discourage hunters in the Wildlife Management Districts around the Stud Mill Road. It made getting to some areas nearly impossible.

“The first part of the week, where we had so much rain, guys were finding roads that were impassible,” Hanson said. “They couldn’t get to where they wanted to go.”

Hanson, who said he had tagged about 22 moose as of Wednesday, said the bad road conditions and wet weather kept many hunters close to their vehicles and made some change their plans.

“They couldn’t see well, they were getting discouraged, and they weren’t searching as earnestly,” Hanson said. “But now that the weather is better people will go a little deeper into the woods and won’t be as worried about the day being cut short because it gets dark earlier when it’s overcast.”

Hanson said he has yet to tag a monstrous moose at his store, which primarily tags moose shot in Wildlife Management Districts 18 and 19.

“Moose are average in size,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything really large. Average being 750, 790 pounds.”

Hanson said he has tagged three moose weighing more than 900 pounds, with a 920-pounder during the first week the heaviest thus far.

“We’re seeing a lot of families [out hunting]. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives,” he said. “It’s a family thing. It’s an event.”

With the seasonable temperatures and a clear day ahead of him on Wednesday, Hanson spent the morning waiting on a steady flow of customers, but expecting to hear more than a few moose stories before finally calling it a day.

“We’re going to see quite a few today,” he said.

Game dinner on tap

It may be taking place in Vermont, but the United Church of Christ says folks from all across the nation flock to their annual wild game supper … and that tickets are limited.

That’s why I’ll share a few words about this year’s supper, which will take place on Nov. 19 in Bradford, Vt.

On the menu for the 50th annual supper: bear, beaver, boar, buffalo, moose, rabbit, venison, pheasant, homemade rolls and gingerbread … if you’re lucky enough to be one of the 900 ticket-holders.

If you’re interested, the supper is a reservation-only affair. The first day reservations will be accepted is Monday. And if you want a reservation form, call 802-222-4670 or go to the church Web site at www.mistwebdesign/UCC.html

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $12 for children under 10.

Hunters breakfasts, anyone?

Speaking of food, if you’re not a student at Dedham School or a member of the Eddington Salmon Club, I haven’t heard a thing about your upcoming hunters breakfast … and I’d like that to change.

As of Wednesday afternoon, those organizations were the only two that have sent in information about their upcoming events.

And with deer season on the horizon (and plenty of breakfasts and suppers on tap), time’s running out.

I’m planning on letting readers know about your options before opening day, since most will be on their way to the woods long before their morning paper shows up on Saturday morning.

Here’s hoping my e-mail in-box fills up in the coming days.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.