The Northern Zone muzzleloader season for deer opened yesterday, and reports are mixed as to deer numbers.

The Department of Environmental Conservation predicts a 5-percent drop in the take this fall; yet, in some areas like Wildlife Management Unit 5A (Canadian border), deer numbers appear to be up.

One thing for sure is that this was a great berry year, and the deer (and bears) have been filling up on what looks like a banner black-cherry crop. In most areas these trees are found, the small ones are bent over by bears gorging themselves, and the large trees have ripe cherries scattered all about their trunks.

With the opening of the muzzleloader season followed by the regular firearms big game season this Saturday, a reminder to hunters to act responsibly and be absolutely sure of your target. Forget the "brown is down" business, dangerous to say the least, and be sure beginning this Saturday that the deer you are aiming at has antlers.

For the last 19 years, I have encouraged hunters to wear some orange, even just a cap. There is no animal in our woods with an orange coat. On page 8 of the 2007-08 "New York Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide" there are two side-by-side photos of the same hunter, one showing what humans see (the orange), the other what deer see (brownish-tan). With orange camo to break up the solid silhouette, it's all the same to a deer.

Hunting camp hearings

Last week I received word from the Adirondack Park Agency Reporter, a newsletter out of Keene, that the APA is revising its regulation defining hunting and fishing cabins, and that public hearing dates have been set.

The questions are, should the building be judged on its size or use, and what is meant by occasional use, and is it there only for hunting and fishing and related activities, such as target practice and trapping? Would it be a violation if the cabin was also used in the off-season for one night when the owner is snowmobiling, or if a family is berry picking in the area?

To voice an opinion, the hearings are Oct. 14 in Ray Brook, Oct. 15 at Gore Mountain and Oct. 20 in Albany. Contact the APA at 891-4050 for exact times. Unfortunately, these dates coincide with the Muzzleloader and regular firearms seasons; so many hunters will be preoccupied with other things and may ignore th important hearings on the regulation.

daprill2000@yahoo.com