This time of year most outdoors-minded people put their focus on deer hunting.

That can be good news for stream anglers as the cooler temperatures and increased precipitation will continue to bring fresh run trout into area tributaries. With a reduction in fishing pressure, you often can have the creeks all to yourself. There is a warm spell on the horizon, but there is not a lot of news on offshore fishing.

If you do venture out, make sure your craft is in good shape, you have a cell phone in working condition (charged battery) and leave word where you intend to fish and when you expect to return. This time of year can be very lonely on the lake, especially if you get into trouble.

A few years ago, there was a study on what were the busiest days of deer season (firearms). Obviously, Opening Day was numero uno, which used to be on a Monday. The next busiest day(s) were the weekend, followed by Thanksgiving. The reasoning was that these days were the ones when most of the work force would be off and would be able to participate in the pursuit of deer. The weather looks fair for today and there still are a lot of deer available. Look for lots of success stories and photos on Sunday.

Don Alff of San Diego loves New York State deer hunting. He was hunting with his father John and a few friends on Opening day in North Collins. The Alff crew had a late start, and Don found himself posted on a hill top. At about 9 a.m., he spied an antlerless deer below him from about 80 yards. Using his 1187 shotgun, he placed one shot at the deer which took off. Climbing down to where he shot at the deer, Don could find no sign. He looked for 30 minutes and decided to return to his post and enlist his crew later to try to recover the deer. Returning to his original spot, he found another deer – a 7-point buck, standing in almost the same spot as the first one. The buck spotted Don but continued to walk away from him while Alff looked for an opportunity to shoot. When the buck got behind some trees, he moved into a logging road and the buck presented a clean shot at an estimated 100 yards. It piled up. Later the crew went looking for the first deer and found a sign about 15 yards further than where Don had started his search. The doe was also retrieved. His father John Alff has been known to retrieve deer by his own sense of smell on occasion. Congratulations!

If you have a deer, or fishing, success story to report, call 366-1772, 467-2079 or 366-3000, ext. 5, after 5 p.m. Leave a phone number, and a time, when you can be reached. I will be available for photos/stories , and most times you can stop by my house especially in the evenings.

Be aware that the docks have been pulled from the state launch site on Cattaraugus Creek and the Hanover boat launch. You will need knee high boots, waders or hip boots. This time of year it is mandatory wearing of life jackets (PFDs).

Deer Search of Western New York is offering a memorial college scholarship in honor of Tim Abbey.

This is $1,000 awarded to a high school student attending college in the 2016-2017 school year. They must have a valid NYS hunting license and provide a photocopy of the license. The applicant, or their parent/guardian must be a member in good standing of a NYS sportsmen club that is a member of a county sportsmen federation. Submit the club’s name, include a letter of recommendation from a non-family member – like a teacher or employer. Include a 100 word, or less, essay that states their college selection, field of study and why they should be considered for the award. Include proof of college acceptance, as well. Then send the application to: Deer Search of WNY, P.O. Box 251 Lancaster, N.Y. 14086. The deadline is Jan. 1, 2016.

Calendar:

The Lakeshore Long Beards, our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, recently announced that the annual fundraiser/membership banquet will be held Jan. 23, at the Kosciuszko Club, which is located in Dunkirk. There will be a meeting of the Lake Shore Longbeards at Liberty Vineyards located on Route 20 in Sheridan at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1. Tickets will be available on that date.

Notice: The SAREP Youth Fly Fishing/4-H program, now in its 17th year of running free fly tying and fly fishing classes, will be returning Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., in the Fredonia Middle School cafeteria. Fly fishing field trips will occur periodically. Classes are canceled when regular school classes are canceled due to vacation or weather. For more information, contact alberto@rey.com.

Free Monday night fly tying courses have resumed at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club from 6-8 p.m. This is open to the public and youngsters are encouraged to attend with an adult. Vises, materials and all equipment are free of charge, including instruction. You are invited. Note: Sometimes there are home made cookies, too!

Hunters willing to donate venison to the needy can visit the website: venisondonation.org and click on “Donate Deer” or call 1-866-862-3337.

The Harborcreek fire Dept will host a Gun Show on December 19 &20 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall located at 7275 Buffalo road, US Route 20 For information call (716) 569-6810 or log on yorkpennshows.com.

There is a Sportsmans Show on February 20 and 21 2016 at the Seneca Resort & Casino For more information go to www.yorkpennshows.com or 569-6810.

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