McClory: Year-end opportunities still await hunters

Last Monday morning, patient primitive-firearm hunters in Massachusetts got to test their skills on the whitetail deer throughout the state. If you haven’t tagged your deer yet, you still have until the end of the year to use your muzzleloader. As an added bonus, bowhunters can still take to the woods during the statewide primitive-firearm season that runs from Dec. 10 through Dec. 31. You must abide to the firearm season rules by wearing a minimum of 500 square inches of hunter orange on the head, back, and chest and purchasing a primitive firearm stamp. In the management zone you are hunting, a doe tag is required to harvest a deer with antlers less than 3 inches.Tis the season for me to share some of my favorite outdoor niceties that I have discovered over the years. These are items that I use for deer hunting as well as other outdoor sports. You might want to share some of my favorites with your significant other. They may appreciate knowing some stuff you could use that that will make good last-minute stocking-stuffers. First of all, the most important is a Massachusetts hunting, fishing, or sporting license. Don’t forget to include archery, primitive weapon, and duck stamps. They can be purchased at your local Fisheries and Wildlife office, city or town clerk’s office, or local sporting goods retailer. This is a gift that will be remembered all season long. How about a GPS unit? You can now buy them for less than a hundred dollars. Yes, I know they can be a little confusing to use at first, but once you learn, they really are slick and will become a must-have item in your pocket. Just envision marking a waypoint to the exact location of the hot ice fishing hole or to your tree stand that you many times walked around in the dark looking for before first light! A good quality pin-on compass is another must-have item for a quick directional check while hunting. I really like the polar fleece, neck gaters. I keep one in my pocket. They sure come in handy while sitting in a stand when the wind kicks up or the temperature drops suddenly. Everyone should carry a leatherman. This is one of the handiest tools to have by your side when a piece of equipment needs adjustment and the knife blade is sharp enough to take care of cleaning any fish or game. Another one of my favorite gifts is a gift certificate to Kittery Trading Post or Blue Northern Trading in Ayer, or a copy of “Freshwater Guides of New England” (nefreshwater.com). By the way, if you carry a GPS unit or 2-way radio and use one of the pin-on compasses, be sure to keep them separate because they will affect your readings. This season, while we were hunting in Maine, this happened to a couple of us before we realized it.Score another deer for an ex- Lynner, Paul Vlahos this week. It was his first with a muzzle loader. Paul shot a nice 114-pound, 6-point buck last Tuesday. Paul also shot a buck in Maine a few weeks ago. Congratulations, Paul!OK, now for the hunters that weren’t successful during the deer season. There is no need to put the hunting equipment away quite yet. If you are up to braving the ocean elements and don’t have hunting out of your system, sea ducks as well as regular ducks are still open until mid-January. Waterfowlers and other outdoor enthusiasts who venture out in small craft this time of year are reminded to make safety a priority. With few boaters on the water in the late fall, the chances of a quick rescue are greatly diminished,Cold-weather boat users can take action to prevent such a tragedy by always wearing a lifejacket and clothing that protects them from the effects of cold water. Cold water removes heat from a human body 25 times faster than cold air. Immersion in cold water can cause “cold shock,” including the possibility of cardiac arrest, involuntary gasping for air (which can result in immediate drowning) and a high potential for losing consciousness. If you do fall into the water this time of year, try to get back in or on your boat