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SHOTGUN SEASON DEER HUNT TOTALS During the two weeks of the 2007 shotgun season - Nov. 26 to Dec. 8 - hunters bagged 277 deer, eight more than last year's total of 269.

Bow and arrow hunters took home 96 deer, down 11 from last year's harvest of 107. How those wielding muzzleloaders will fare remains to be seen. That season began on Dec. 10 and runs through Dec. 31.

Although bearers of primitive firearms only took 48 deer in 2006's threeweek season, it is still not safe to walk in the island wilderness around sunup and sundown without making your presence well known. If you must go into the moors, wear at least one article of bright orange neon clothing and wrap your dog's neck with an orange neon collar.

30 AND UNDER New anchoring regulations for Nantucket Harbor are a public hearing away from becoming reality for next summer's boating season.

Proposed by the Shellfish & Harbor Advisory Board (SHAB), drafted by Assistant Harbor Master Sheila Lucey and then revised and endorsed by SHAB on Dec. 4 by a vote of 7-0, the anchoring regulations are aimed at prohibiting large vessels from anchoring further up harbor and doing damage to the harbor bottom with their enormous anchors and chain. If adopted by the Board of Selectmen after an obligatory public hearing, the new regulations would limit the size of boats and the duration of anchoring in the harbor east of an imaginary line between First Point and Pimny's Point.

Boats longer than 30 feet would be prohibited from anchoring east of this line. Vessels under 30 feet in length can anchor in this area for recreational purposes, including sailboat race committee vessels, fishing, shellfishing and picnicking, but no vessels, regardless of size, could anchor on Hussey Shoal. All exclusion zones would be clearly marked with buoys.

ON THEIR OWN…FOR NOW Nantucket's Planning & Economic Development Commission and Planning Director Andrew Vorce do not support a proposed citizen article being sponsored by Curtis Barnes that would make Vorce accountable to the town manager and the Board of Selectmen.

At the NP&EDC's Dec. 3 meeting, the commissioners told Vorce it was against allowing the town to control what is an autonomous planning entity, one of 13 regional planning commissions in the state created by a special act of the state legislature in 1973. Vorce is in charge of both the Planning Board and the Planning Commission, and for the time being, the Zoning Board of Appeals. The NP&EDC operates separately from the town and the only planning staff members answerable to the town are Administrative Specialist Catherine Ancero and Land Use Planner Tom Broadrick.

The commission is concerned that if Barnes' article (Article 24) is adopted, the selectmen would hold sway over the commissioners and that the potential would exist for the selectmen to disband the NP&EDC, essentially undoing much of the long-range planning efforts the commission is currently working on. Additionally, noted at-large Planning Commissioner Donald Visco, wresting control of the Planning Commission away from Vorce and giving it to Town Manager Libby Gibson and the selectmen would require a change to the statute that created the commission, a step that could take at least two years to wend its way through the state legislature.

LAND COUNCIL OFFERS LAND CARE SCHOLARSHIPS The Nantucket Land Council is offering ten $1,000 scholarships for the NOFA Organic Land Care, five-day intensive course to be held off island at several locations. The scholarships are intended to offset the costs associated with travel, accommodations and enrollment fees. For more information, call the Nantucket Land Council office at 228-2818, email Cormac Collier at cormac@nantucketlandcouncil.org or fax 228-6456. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-to-late December.

GIVE SOME CHEER WITH A GOOD MEAL ON CHRISTMAS For the fourth year in a row, the Sea Grille Restaurant and the Harvey family are coordinating with Elder Services of the Cape and Islands to provide a hot, delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings to deserving residents in need who will be alone on Christmas. The meals are delivered by volunteers to recipients' homes starting at noon on Christmas Day. Volunteers generally arrive at the Sea Grille about 11:30 a.m. to help put delivery cartons together, then obtain a list of three or four people they are assigned for deliveries. If you or someone you know would benefit from this generous holiday treat, or if you would like to sign up as a volunteer driver, call Elder Services at 228-4647.

A SAFE PLACE SECOND ANNUAL CLOTHING DRIVE ONGOING ASafe Place is holding its second annual holiday donation drive for Nantucket's neediest families. New and used winter jackets, gloves, hats, scarves, pajamas, sweaters, sweatshirts, boots and socks are all being accepted for adults and children. All items must be clean and in good condition. Donations can be dropped off at 24 Amelia

Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 17. Contact A Safe Place at 228-0561. I