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It's hard to believe that opening day of Deer season (firearms) is next Saturday, November 21. This unseasonably warm November is nicer than a lot of the days, we were supposed to be spending during the summer. If the warm continues don't expect the deer, or the hunters to want to move around much.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 9 Office announces that it will operate one deer check station in Western New York, this year. The check station is located on Route 16, northbound, about one mile south of the Town of Holland and will operate on November 21 from noon until 8 p.m. and November 22 from noon until 7 p.m.

In cooperation with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, deer checking will also occur in Allegany State Park on Opening Day. Hunters are encouraged to bring their deer to the check station where DEC staff will determine the age of the deer and also collect important biological information. Participation is voluntary, but appreciated, as it the DEC to gather valuable data necessary for assessing the status of the area's deer population. DEC Region 9 Senior Wildlife Biologist Tim Spierto commented, "Although it is completely voluntary for their (hunter's) animals to be sampled for disease surveillance, hunters are encouraged to take a few extra minutes in order to help us (DEC) increase our knowledge on this topic." Hunters who would like to donate their harvest for the Venison Donation Coalition, can do so at the Holland check station before 7 p.m.

Successful hunters can also contact the OBSERVER at 366-3000 ext. 5 after dark to notify about deer stories or photos. Quality photos will be displayed on Sunday as part of the Tag(s) of the week. You can also call 366-1772, evenings and leave a name and phone number and a time you can be reached.

The DEC also announced that prior to November 14 the Reynolds Game Farm had surplus pheasants for stocking. The surplus birds were released at: Hanging Bog wildlife Management Area in Allegany County, Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area in Cattaraugus County, Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in Erie County and Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area in Wyoming County. For questions regarding pheasant stocking or for additional information contact the DEC at (716) 372-0645.

Calendar: The Ripley Rod & Gun Club will host their annual Turkey shoot on Nov. 15. Start time is noon. They offer competition shooting for slug, shot, pistol (bring your own ammo). Scopes are allowed. Raffles will take place all day.

The local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation the Lakeshore Longbeards will meet on Monday evening November 16 at Liberty Vineyards located on Rte. 20 Sheridan at 7:30 p.m. Regional Director Marty Huber will be on hand to discuss plans for the scholarship fund, the upcoming banquet/membership drive and the hunting season. The public is welcome to attend.

There will be a gun show in Cheektowaga at the Niagara Frontier Collectors, at the Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall, 2735 Union Road, on Dec. 12 & 13. The event benefits the Buffalo Children's Hospital.

If your club or organization is conducting a Hunter Safety/Archery/Trapping course or event that pertains to outdoors sports and/or activities, contact this columnist c/o the OBSERVER Sports 366-3000 ext. 5 evenings, or 366-1772 or fax 366-2389.

Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER Outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.