If your closet is filled with camouflage gear and you know the difference between a yelp and a purr, chances are you’re always willing to sit down and talk turkey.

And though wild turkey season won’t start until May, it’s never too soon to start planning.

Earlier this year, fish and game officials teamed with the state Legislature to scrap the lottery permit system, and granted permits to all 23,951 hunters who applied.

Since then, turkey hunters have been wondering about possible changes in 2006. On Friday, the state Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife explained the framework for next year’s season.

Chief among those: If you were expecting a price break without the lottery application fee … keep waiting; And you won’t have to wait to find out which of the two seasons you’ll be eligible to hunt.

First, the not-so-good news: If you thought the state’s new, “open” turkey season meant you’d have to pay less to hunt, you were right … but not nearly as right as you may have hoped.

A year ago, you may recall, hunters paid $8 to apply for the permit lottery, then were required to pay $13 more to actually receive their permit.

That essentially meant that hunters paid $21 to be allowed to hunt.

This year, there is no application fee … but the turkey license itself will cost Maine residents $20.

While some may gripe, I never expected the cash-strapped DIF&W to forfeit more than $191,000 it earned on those lottery application fees in 2005 without making up the difference with a more expensive permit.

And though we sportsmen dish out plenty of cash on a variety of licenses each year, I’d say that I got far more than 21 bucks worth of entertainment while turkey hunting a year ago.

In past years, when hunters were chosen in the lottery, they were also assigned a season for the two-session hunt. And while the lottery is a thing of the past, letting nearly 25,000 hunters head into the woods on opening day wasn’t an attractive option.

Therefore, the split-session hunt will continue.

If you were born in an even year, you’ll get an “A” season permit. If you were born in an odd year, you’ll hunt during the “B” season.

This year’s sessions break down like this: Permit holders for the A season can hunt the first, fourth and fifth weeks: May 1-6, May 22-27, and May 29 through June 3.

Those with permits for the B season will head into the woods for the second, third and fifth weeks of the season: May 8-20 and May 29-June 3.

Youth day, which will be open to all permit holders ages 10-15, will take place April 29.

Four gifts you can’t beat

Every so often at this time of year, a friend or acquaintance will begin a conversation with these words: “You’re an outdoorsy guy …”

The point of the conversation is always the same. Christmas is coming, and a gift is needed for a potentially hard-to-buy-for relative who enjoys hunting and fishing … and I have been appointed temporary assistant elf to the desperate shopper.

Without resorting to a full-fledged Christmas gift guide, here are a few of my favorite answers to that frequent question. And before I start, I’ll tell you this: I like these products because I own them, rely on them, and use them regularly.

. First, for the low-budget shopper, a great stocking-stuffing idea: Hand warmers. Or foot warmers. Or both.

The inexpensive chemical warmers are very handy, and I generally try to keep a few nearby … especially if I’m going to be sitting in a tree stand for hours. Most department stores seem to carry them now, as do outdoor specialty outlets.

. For a mid-priced gift option, consider the Gore-Tex Pinnacle gloves sold by Cabela’s.

For years I bought or received pair after pair of winter gloves that eventually proved inadequate in one way or another.

Not any more.

A few years ago I asked for a pair of Pinnacles for Christmas, and I know when this pair wears out, my next pair will be identical.

They’re warm. Flexible. They’ve got a deer hide palm. And the fingers don’t turn inside out when I yank them off to haul in a fish.

The best part: They only cost $39.95 … and if you wait for the right time of year, you may get them for less at Cabela’s Internet Bargain Cave.

. We’re stepping up another notch here, but another of my favorites is the pair of Gore-Tex Thinsulate bib snow pants, also by Cabela’s, that I use for everything from ice-fishing to downhill skiing.

These bibs are simply perfect. Warm. Durable. Comfortable … and you can get them for $99.95 to $109.95, depending on how hefty you are.

. Now for the extravagant. If you’re looking for a high-end product for your outdoors enthusiast, ask yourself a simple question: Do they have a GPS yet?

If they don’t, your quest is over. My GPS – a Garmin eTrex Legend – is an essential tool for work, play and fun.

While you can buy the model I use for less than $200, I’ll tell you that I’ve got friends with other models (both more and less expensive) that are also impressive. Go to The Map Store in Old Town and they’ll teach you all you need to know.

State’s deer kill down

Wet autumn weather and mild early-season temperatures are being cited as possible reasons for a less-than-expected deer kill in the recently completed season.

DIF&W estimates about 28,000 deer were killed this year, as compared with the preseason harvest prediction of 32,400.

According to the DIF&W news release, state biologists will finalize the data over the next several months to determine an accurate harvest number and a clearer assessment of the season.

“Overall, weather conditions were highly variable with a midseason rain event washing away earlier snow cover, followed by a snowy Thanksgiving holiday,” the DIF&W release pointed out. “Early season mild temperatures may have been a factor in reduced hunting pressure, as was the extremely wet fall in most parts of the state.”

The DIF&W also pointed out abundant acorn and apple crops in some areas may have reduced deer movements throughout the season, resulting in a lower-than-expected harvest.

Ice caution urged

On a more somber note, Thursday’s editions of this paper included news of the death of a 59-year-old man who fell through the ice Wednesday while skating on the Cathance River in Bowdoinham.

While many of us talk about ice safety each winter, one fact remains: Despite all the talk, people die each year … and none of them planned on falling through thin ice.

In this case, the river ice was 4 to 6 inches thick near shore, and much thinner where the man broke through.

On a Friday morning drive through Bucksport, I noticed Long Pond and Hancock Pond are each completely iced in, and many of the other small ponds in our area are probably similarly clad in their winter best.

Until we get a real cold snap, however, caution is essential.

As always, if your local lake or pond is truly icing up, I’m interested in sharing that information with readers who may want to skate or fish there. Perhaps more important, however, is letting others know which lakes aren’t as safe as folks might think.

If you know of potential trouble spots that might not be obvious, I hope you consider passing that information along.

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