Muskellunge are well-established in the St. John River drainage in northern Maine, and a pair of fisheries experts are teaming up to educate others about the fish.

Registered Maine guide Eric Ward and retired Moosehead region fisheries biologist Paul Johnson will present a program on Thursday that will discuss muskies and fishing for them.

The program, offered by the Natural Resource Education Center, will take place at 7 p.m. at the Community House in Greenville. There is no charge to attend, but donations to the NREC are appreciated.

For more information, call Johnson at 465-2074.

Spawning spectacular on tap

The Friends of Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery will host an Atlantic Salmon Spawning Spectacular on Nov. 5 from noon until 3 p.m.

The event will give people the chance to learn how Atlantic salmon are artificially spawned at the hatchery in support of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service river-specific programs to prevent the extinction of the species.

Spawning demonstrations will be offered at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

The event will also showcase many agencies, organizations, and groups in the visitors center, which are working in partnership to improve the quality of watersheds.

For more information, contact Peter Steenstra at 469-6701, extension 215, or edwardsteenstra@fws.gov.

Hunters meals abound

It’s that time of year again: Deer season begins for youth hunters this morning, and Maine residents will head into the woods a week from now.

If you’re looking for a good hunters meal before heading after your buck, here are some options:

. At Madawaska, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, today from 5-9 a.m., door prizes and a gun raffle are planned.

. At Eddington, at the Eddington Salmon Club, Oct. 28 from 4-9 a.m., adults $6, children 12 and under $3.

. At Hartland, the Hartland-St. Albans Lions Club breakfast on Oct. 28, 4-8 a.m., $5 per person.

. At Dedham School, Oct. 28 from 4-9 a.m., $5 for adults, $3 for children, $12 for a family of four, door prizes and raffles are planned.

. At Pittsfield, held by the St. Agnes School at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Dobson Street, Oct. 28 from 4-10 a.m., $5 adults, $4 for children under 10.

. At Penobscot, by the Penobscot Fire Department at the firehouse, Oct. 28 from 4-8 a.m., $6 per person.

. At Dover-Foxcroft, by the Foxcroft Academy Spanish Club, at Foxcroft Academy Oct. 28 from 4-10 a.m., $6 per person.

. At Hermon High School, by Project Graduation 2007, Oct. 28 from 4-8 a.m., tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each, $12 for three.

. At West Glenburn Community Club, by the Glenburn Lakeside Riders Snowmobile Club, Oct. 28 from 4:30-8 a.m., $5 per person.

. At Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, the 58th annual hunters breakfast on Oct. 28 from 4-8 a.m.

. At Penquis Valley High School in Milo, by the senior class, the 39th annual hunters breakfast on Oct. 28 from 4:30-8:30 a.m., advance tickets are $4 from any senior class member, $5 at the door.

. At Hope Elementary School, by the Hope Volunteer Fire Department, Nov. 11 from 4-8 a.m., $7.

. At Dover-Foxcroft, by the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, the third annual wild game dinner, at SeDoMoCha Middle School on Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., adult dinner $8, children 6 and under $4, families pay $16.

. At Penobscot County Conservation Association in Brewer, Nov. 18 from 4-9 a.m., $6.

Youth Deer Day set today

Young hunters in Maine get to fire the first shots of the season during today’s Youth Deer Day, an event designed to generate interest from boys and girls ages 10 through 15 in the sport.

Junior hunting license holders may take one deer – buck or doe – by firearm or by bow and arrow today. An any-deer permit is not needed to take a female deer on this Youth Deer Day, state game officials said.

Youth hunters must be accompanied today by a qualified adult. Anyone who accompanies a junior hunter, other than a parent or guardian, must have a valid hunting license or have completed a hunter safety course.