McClory: There’s still time for deer hunting opportunities in Bay State

Primitive firearm hunters in Massachusetts get to test their skills and their patience on whitetail deer starting Monday morning. 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, bow hunters can still take to the woods during the statewide primitive firearm season that runs from Dec. 14 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 purchase a primitive firearm stamp. A doe tag is required to harvest a deer with antlers less than three inches in the management zone you are hunting.In late October, 24 hunters participated in a special deer season hunt by paraplegic hunters at four locations in central and western Massachusetts. A total of four deer (two bucks, one button buck and one doe) were taken for an overall success rate of 16 percent and almost every participant saw deer. The hunt is coordinated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), with assistance from state agencies, military personnel, and volunteer sportsmen and women.Tis the season for me to share some of my favorite outdoor niceties that I have discovered over the years which I have personally used, tried, or would appreciate. I noticed on TV, during the last two weeks, commercials poking fun at some of the presents we find under the tree on Christmas morning. Well, if you are looking for wildlife-related gifts that are sure to be a hit for that special outdoor or wildlife enthusiast, try some of these items. First and foremost, a hunting and/or fishing license will be appreciated by the sportsman or woman in your life. Licenses will be available for sale online or through license vendors throughout the state by mid-December. This is a gift that will be remembered all season long. You might want to include the archery and primitive firearm stamps. Frogg Todds raingear really came in handy during the rainy Maine hunting season. This inexpensive, 100-percent waterproof, windproof, and breathable product is constructed with a patented process of three layers of polypropylene material with a center layer of microporous film. Because the pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, moisture cannot penetrate. How about a Game Camera for the hunter who wants to keep a close watch on their favorite wood lot? There are a number of publications from MassWildlife, like “Critters of Massachusetts,” “Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies,” “A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools” and “The Massachusetts Wildlife Viewing Guide,” all for less than $20. Is there a turtle enthusiast among your friends or family? They may enjoy an Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts, a video available from MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Another great gift is one of my favorites that will come in handy for finding that secret fishing hole. It is a copy of the “Fresh Water Guides of New England.” Matt Desmarais has done a great job on this series of reference books that tell everything you need to know about a particular body of water for less than $20. Each guide is broken down into geographic areas that include all the lakes and ponds in that area. Almost anything you could ask about a body of water is included in each guide, from depths, size, access points, species of fish, as well as informative articles on suggested means of catching the trophy fish of a lifetime. Check out the website at www.nefreshwater.com for additional information. And one of my favorites is a gift certificate to Kittery Trading Post or Blue Northern Trading in Ayer.In closing, we want to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very joyous holiday, and may all the presents left by Santa under the tree be related to whatever field and stream adventure sport that lures you into the outdoors. To all our readers, especially all of the wonderful ladies and gentlemen at the