November 2006 Almanac

This Month: Better Be Sighted In: It’s Time to Hunt Whitetails

In most years, the regular firearms season for deer kicks off in late October, but it’s November that has the bulk of the whitetail season for most hunters, and that’s the month we associate with deer, hardwood ridges and dense bottomlands.

For regular firearms hunters, the Maine-residents-only day for deer is slated for Oct. 28 and the regular, 4-week deer season for residents and non-residents starts Oct. 30 and ends Nov. 25.

The deer season dates change from year to year, but most people do not realize Thanksgiving holiday dictates the time schedule. The season always ends the Saturday after Thanksgiving, although political insiders say this may change. Starting with the last Saturday, you count back five Saturdays and that gives you the resident-only day. The following Monday, the four-week season for everyone begins.

The expanded archery deer season began Sept. 9 and continues until Dec. 9.

The statewide muzzleloader season for deer runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 2. In the bottom two-thirds of the state, the muzzleloader deer season extends through Dec. 9. Check the hunting-regs booklet for details.

The general bear season also closes Nov. 25. Often, bears move to dens well before the season ends, unless it is unseasonably warm.

In the old days, upland birds and gray-squirrel seasons ended Nov. 30, but these days, grouse, pheasant and squirrel seasons continue through Dec. 31, and more and more folks take advantage.

Pheasant hunters have special regulations in Southern Maine so check the hunting-regulations booklet for details.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife does virtually no research on varying hares; yet, the season lasts six months from Oct. 1 to Mar. 31. However, hunters don’t concentrate on hares until after the regular firearms season on deer and after snow flies. In the bottom third of Maine, isolated pockets exist where no hares live.

Waterfowl hunters in the North Zone hunt ducks from Oct. 2 through Dec. 9, and in the South Zone, the second half of the split season is Nov. 13 to Dec. 23.

Canada-goose hunters in the North Zone have from Oct. 2 through Dec. 9 and in the South Zone Nov. 13 through Dec. 23.

Fox hunters have from Oct. 16 to Feb. 28, but like hare enthusiasts, the real season doesn’t start until after the deer season ends and snow covers the ground.

A common coyote and fox hunting technique requires predator calls and evening vigils on the edge of frozen lakes, ponds, clear-cuts, power lines and other open areas. Most foxhunters also concentrate on coyotes, too.

Raccoon hunters began back in October and continue through Dec. 31.

Skunk and opossum attract a few hunters, very few, from Oct. 16 to Dec. 31.

Maine rivers and at least one stream as well as tidal rivers are open to fishing this month, and folks take advantage. Warm days often produce blue-winged-live hatches during the 11th month.

Hundreds of ponds and lakes are open now to fishing, but black bass and salmonids are strictly catch and release.

November often begins with colorful leaves in the bottom third of the state, but by Nov. 30, it’s full, drab, late fall, ideal for mood photographers after textures and browns, grays and blacks.

Wildlife photographers do well now as cold mornings move critters plenty.

Southern gardens still produce brassica fruits and potherbs like spinach and kale.

November use to be all about deer, and then, December proved to be a time of reflection and meditative walks. These days, December means great activity — ducks, grouse, rabbits, fox, coyotes, deer, raccoon and more grab for attention.

Next Month: There’s Plenty of Game If You Don’t Mind the Chill

In Maine these days, December, the dark, festive season of short days and long nights, ranks as the busy man’s month.

Seven out of eight hunters have not shot a deer, and many of them participate in the muzzle-loading season that runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 statewide and from Dec. 4 to Dec. 9 in the bottom two-thirds of Maine. Check the hunting-regulations booklet for details.

The expanded archery season continues until Dec. 9.

Gray squirrel hunting continues until Dec. 31, and cornfields and oak ridges draw these tasty small-game animals now like a proverbial magnet.

Ruffed grouse and pheasant hunters can chase these birds through December, too, as the season ends Dec. 31.

Waterfowl hunters in the North Zone hunt ducks from Oct. 2 through Dec. 9, and in the South Zone, the second half of the split season is Nov. 13 to Dec. 23.

Canada-goose hunters in the North Zone have from Oct. 2 through Dec. 9 and in the South Zone Nov. 13 through Dec. 23.

Raccoons, skunks and opossums are fair game through Dec. 31.

Bobcat season runs from Dec. 1 through Feb. 14.

Fox and coyote hunting start in earnest with the first coating of snow this month. In Northern Maine, snow covers the ground before deer season ends, so predator hunting starts the Monday after deer hunting closes.

A few rivers, at least one stream and tidal rivers and streams draw anglers this month, and surprisingly, the bulk of these late fall anglers have fly rods. Unseasonable warm spells produce a little fishing action, too.

Snow turns Maine into a winter wonderland, a magical place for scenic photographers.

Bird watching picks up this month as cold weather and snowstorms chase birds to feeders.

Ice fishing kicks off now as shallow ponds freeze, where folks can work the kinks out of their fishing gear while catching pickerel and perch.

December truly is a busy man’s month, but folks can walk through the woods now on an inch or two of snow and read nature’s story in the tracks from the night before. Or, they can just walk and meditate.