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Compared to last year's opening day of deer season (firearms), the weather was sure a lot more comfortable.

With temperatures in the 50s, little wind and no precipitation, the woods were quiet. Almost too quiet, depending on who you asked? This columnist hunted the Arkwright area, and I doubt if I counted 20 shots fired during the course of the morning, including the five-shot volley heard around 11 a.m. I spooked a big deer walking into the woods before dawn and had at least two sneak up behind me in the slashing. Seated at my favorite spot, I had the sensation that I was being watched and slowly turned my head. Something looked out of place, before I detected a nose surrounded by a patch of white of a deer walking down a narrow trail toward me. Another one piled into the deer that had put on the brakes and the two proceeded to do the head bob, front hoof stomp, snort, trying to get me to move, before they disappeared like smoke from view. No horns! Last year in the same place I had 10 does walking 10 feet in front of me, when I had NO permit. How do they know?

I called 12 Point Deer Processing (785-3260) located at 5887 Rte. 5 across from Lake Erie State Park in Brocton for a report on the deer take for opening day and spoke with Mark Haines. Haines reported they had a busy day with a lot of deer coming in from the Brocton/Portland area and a few from Forestville. The biggest deer in was a 6-pointer with a 20-inch spread. The deer were all in nice shape with a nice layer of fat.

Allen Troyer from Troyer Processing in Panama (782-4887) located at 1669 Weeks Road in Panama reported that business was slightly better by 7 p.m. this year compared to last year and they expected more deer to come in before closing. They reported that more bucks were coming in compared to does, with the largest deer of the day weighing in around 170-pounds. The season has just begun with several weeks remaining for hunters to fill their tags. Good luck, and hunt safe!

Congratulations to Rich Lazarczyk, who received an award for 40 years of service as a hunter safety training instructor and as a Master Trapper Instructor. The award was presented by Ken Baginski, the Region 9 Hunter Safety Training Coordinator. The award was presented at Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant. Lazarczyk has been instructing for years at the Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club and the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. Thanks for all your help.

Calendar: The local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lakehore Longbeards next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Liberty Vineyards located off Route 20 in Sheridan. Tickets will be available for the 2010 membership/fund-raiser banquet which will be held Feb. 6, 2010 at the Koscuisko Club. Tickets would make a great Christmas gift for the Turkey Hunter on your gift list.

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.

The Chautauqua County Sheriffs office will host a youth and adult snowmobile safety course on Nov. 27 starting at 9 a.m. The course will be at the Cassadaga Legion located at 228 Maple Ave., Cassadaga. The eight-hour course will also have a lunch period with pizza, so bring a donation if you plan on joining. Pre-register by calling 499-4929 and follow the instructions at the end of message. You can also e-mail vanzile@sheriff.us and include your name, address, age, date of birth (must be at least 10 years of age) and a phone number you can be reached at to register. For other dates and locations, log on www.sheriff.us or www.nysparks.state.ny.us.

If you are willing to travel to Olean, here are some activities for the beginner shooter. The Olean Rod & Gun Club located on Wayman Branch Road near Portville, is offering free Shotgun and Rifle courses for youth 12 years of age up to 18 years of age and their parents. Both courses will offer safe gun handling, safety in the home, gun parts and knowledge and proper and safe shooting methods. The course also include targets, ammunition, ear and eye protection, cleaning equipment, with courses taught by Certified NRA Instructors. They also offer Conservation Youth Program. For more information and directions, call Sam Patello at 585-268-7322 or Don McFall at 372-0789. Their Web site is sp3274@yahoo.com.

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.