McClory: It’s a snow lover’s delight out there

If you are a snow lover, it looks like this is your year. Three major storms and it isn’t even 2008 yet!I’ve already used my snow blower more this year than I have in the last three years. And skiers, if you haven’t been out yet you are really missing New England skiing at it’s best!Over three feet of natural snow has fallen up north, creating an incredible base for snow making. I spoke to my buddy Ernie up in Jackson, N.H. (with roots from Swampscott). He has already been out on the slopes over a dozen times!Now all of this snow is great for the snow lovers and, in some instances, it’s good for the deer hunters because they can track and locate deer easily.Unfortunately, because of the amount of snow we have, it is actually hampering deer hunting. The primitive firearm hunters can’t get to there favorite spots because of the snow depth. How fitting is this? They are being forced to really go primitive by strapping the snow shoes.To me, this is an ultimate hunting experience. I think it’s too early to tell how they’ve been doing. I tried it on one outing, to no avail. It was quite a humbling experience. The other problem with this type of crusted-over snow is the deer cannot get around very easily and often become targets for the coyotes. When the deer run, they sink into the snow because of their sharp hooves and weight. Coyotes can run on top of the crusted snow and do not fall through, which gives them quite an advantage when running down a deer. Let’s just hope we have a little thaw and snow amounts get back to normal.uScore another deer for a long time Item reader from Lynn, Lenny Atkinson. Lenny shot a nice 110-pound doe locally last week. Congratulations Lenny!uEvery five years, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) conducts a winter waterfowl survey of sites where people feed wild ducks and geese.Because feeding locations can change from survey to survey, MassWildlife is asking interested citizens to report sites where waterfowl are being fed in winter. Please provide the town name, specific location/address, date and number of ducks and/or geese seen, preferably by species. The survey period will officially run from Jan. 7-25.Results may be reported by letter to H Heusmann, MassWildlife, One Rabbit Hill Rd. Westboro, 01568, by phone (508) 389-6321 or fax (508) 389-7890. While the feeding of wildlife is discouraged, there is no state law or regulation that prohibits feeding (though some municipalities do restrict or prohibit feeding) and the feeding of ducks on some sites has been going on for decades.uDon’t forget, starting next Tuesday, you will need a new fishing and hunting license. Hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for 2008 are now available for purchase online and at license vendors across the state.License fees support MassWildlife’s efforts in habitat protection, stocking fish and pheasants, biological projects, education programs and endangered species restoration. Hunting and sporting license buyers are reminded that they must show either a previous hunting license or a hunter safety certificate from any state or Canadian province in order to purchase those types of licenses. Why not make a New Year’s resolution to sign up for a Basic Hunter Education Course in the winter and spring months of 2008?The 15-16 hour course, which is usually scheduled over five or six weekday evenings, is taught by volunteer instructors. Occasionally, courses are conducted on weekends. Topics covered during the Basic Hunter Education course include safe handling of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, wildlife identification, wildlife management, care and handling of game, basic survival skills and first aid. It is the mission of the Massachusetts Hunter Education Program to protect the lives and safety of the public, promote the wise management and ethical use of our wildlife resources, and encourage a greater appreciation of the environment through education. All classes are pr