Yes, it's that time of the year again.

The holidays?

Yeah, OK, that too.

The aforementioned time of the year is the annual Game and Fish Department Advisory Board meetings.

If you've never been to one, and you are into the outdoors whether it's hunting, fishing, birding, hiking or whatever, you should attend the meeting in you area.

A complete listing of meeting dates, locations and contact people is available on the game and fish Web site.

The advisory board meetings take place twice each year, once in the spring and then again in the fall.

Greg Link of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said the timing for some of the upcoming fall meetings is handy, coming off deer gun season.

And, this year it's equally important going into the legislative session.

For example, on a personal level, I would like an explanation of why transport tags are required and why the regulations are written as they are written.

I know there is more than likely some logic behind it; I'm just not sure I've ever heard the explanation.

In our situation, we deer hunt in one area of the state, while my two brothers and I live in three different towns.

So, I shoot a deer and my brother is going to transport it to Bismarck.

I don't want to drive down with him, then drive home. So, I try and get a hold of the game warden is an area of the state where cell service is spotty, at best.

Sometimes you get a hold of him, sometimes you can't.

This year it worked. Thanks, Tim.

Just an example of some of the things that might come up during one of these advisory board meetings.

You probably have your own list of issues you'd like to bring up.

Link said a typical meeting will start out with a presentation about some of the issues Game and Fish might have on tap for the upcoming year; things such as minor tweaks to seasons, boundaries or other issues.

This year, coming up in the session, hunting over bait will be one of the hot button issues that will be discussed.

Link said at the advisory board meetings that have already taken place, it's been a topic of discussion at all of them.

Another issue might be an apprentice hunter program geared toward older hunters who would have a season to decide if they want to get into hunting, with the hunter certification rule waived for a year.

The new hunter would have to be accompanied by someone who has passed hunter education, or some old guy like me who has been grandfathered in.

Link said some of the changes to Game and Fish law that have come out of these meetings include all-day shooting hours for dark geese two days a week as well as changes in open or closed areas for goose hunting along the Missouri River.

And for the outdoor lover, it's always kind of interesting to hear from others who might have a different spin on the same issue or concern.

You get to hear the latest about about populations and conditions in different areas from people who live and hunt and fish in these areas.

Link said from the department's perspective, it gives them the feedback needed to try and maintain the balancing act when needs and expectations of everyone don't always go together.

The meeting in Bismarck is set at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the new Nishu Archery Center.

See you there.

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring at 250-8254 or brian.gehring.) @bismarcktribune.com