McClory: Summer visitors don’t have to drive you batty

With summer’s hot, humid weather, some Bay State homeowners may discover bats residing in their homes! Attics are the most common section of a house in which bats roost. After a few hot summer days, an attic may become too warm for the bats, forcing them out and sometimes into people’s living quarters as they search for cooler places to roost. A single bat flying in a room can usually be dealt with quite easily. Open an outside window or door in the room containing the bat and close off the rest of the room from the house. It’s usually only a matter of a few minutes of circling before the bat locates the open window and leaves. Bats do not attack people or fly into people’s hair. If a bat has landed on a curtain, place a jar, coffee can or small box over the bat, carefully working the animal into the container. A bat on the floor can be covered with a towel. Another method is to put on leather gloves and simply pick up the bat and release it outdoors ? don’t use cotton gloves. Don’t worry when the bat squeaks loudly when handled. Take the bat outdoors and release it. If anyone has had direct contact with a bat or if a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, the bat should be safely captured and not released. Contact local health officials for assistance in evaluating a potential rabies risk and submitting the bat to the Department of Public Health for rabies testing.The 2009 Antlerless Deer Permit Drawing was held on July 30 at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge. If the last digit of your Hunting or Sporting License matches a number drawn for the Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ) for which you applied, you will receive a yellow postcard notification that you are eligible for an Antlerless Deer Permit for that WMZ. This postcard is not a permit. To obtain the antlerless deer permit by the beginning of the archery season, the postcard and $5 fee must be returned by Sept. 3, 2009 to: MassWildlife FHQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. If you match the Partial Number, the number of randomly selected applicants is indicated. For zone 1, winning numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, partial 5 (34/307). For zone 2, winning numbers are 4, partial 1 (82/141). For zone 3, winning numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, partial 7 (56/246). For zone 4N, winning numbers are 6, 7, partial 0 (33/192). For zone 4S, winning numbers are 3, partial 4 (140/149). For zone 5, winning numbers are 2, 3, 8, 9, partial 7 (210/295). For zone 6, winning numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, partial 7 (10/85). For zone 7, winning numbers are 0, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, partial 5 (40/313). For zone 8, winning numbers are 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, partial 0 (209/414). For zone 12, winning numbers are 0, 1, 6, 7, 8, partial 2 (9/98). All numbers in zones 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 will get a permit.Hunters are reminded that the deadline to apply for the Quabbin Deer Hunt is Aug. 15. Apply through the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s website at www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/watershed/hunt.htm or call the Quabbin Visitor’s Center at (413) 323-7221.Attention Maine hunters, I got caught on this one! In an effort to reduce costs, the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife will no longer mail paper applications beginning this year. I usually wait until I receive mine and send it in. Interested hunters and guys like myself that missed the mail-in deadline must apply online. The process is quick and easy. I just did it and it took only five minutes, and I got an instant confirmation of my entry into the lottery. If you are planning on hunting in Maine this year, you still have time to apply for any deer permit online. Don’t wait! Here’s the Web address, www.state.me.us/ifw/. The deadline to apply online is Aug. 17.On the salt water front, Joppa Flats has been active for stripers, especially fishing the shallows using kayaks. Slow trolling the red tube and worm seems to be the most successful combination. Live eels are also producing larger respectable fish. A few bluefish