McClory: A few tips for safe turkey hunting

On Monday morning, turkey hunters will be in the woods early for opening day of the Massachusetts spring turkey hunting season. Although the turkey hunting permit application deadline has passed, MassWildlife District offices and the Westborough Field Headquarters will be selling turkey permits over the counter. Hunters must present their 2010 hunting or sporting license to those offices to purchase a permit. MassWildlife encourages all turkey hunters to hunt safely, so before you venture into the woods, to avoid an accident, some basic safety tips should be followed. Don’t stalk turkeys; sit or stand and call the birds to you. Do not sneak up to the sound of a turkey calling, as you may find yourself stalking another hunter, not a bird. Don’t wear red, white, blue, or black anywhere on your body where the colors might be seen during your hunt. These colors are found on the head and feathers of tom (male) turkeys during the breeding and nesting season. Don’t set up in a place where your view is obstructed or where another hunter may not see you. Some turkey hunters tie some bright orange surveyor’s ribbon above their stand so that other hunters know there is a person in the area. Before you shoot, be sure you have properly identified your target and anything in the background. Lastly, an official turkey safety sticker is required to be affixed to your firearm in such a way as to be visible when sighting down the barrel. Do this before you enter the woods.Volunteers from high schools, sporting clubs, civic groups, colleges, and individuals with a passion for rivers, fish, or fishing are needed to assist Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife personnel in stocking 1.5 million salmon fry (juvenile fish) as part of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon restoration program. According to Dr. Caleb Slater, MassWildlife’s Anadromous Fish Project Leader, at least 20 stocking dates are planned in April and early May to release salmon fry into dozens of Connecticut River tributaries. The fry will come from MassWildlife’s Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer and the White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vermont. Fry will be trucked to meeting sites where volunteers will gather and caravan to release sites. The tiny fish will then be moved from truck to water by bucket using volunteer man- and womanpower. Because they will also be climbing up and down steep stream banks and wading through rushing waters, volunteers need to be in good physical condition. Bring a change of clothes because you will also get wet. For more information, contact Dr. Slater at (508) 389-6331.Don’t forget, Saturday, April 24, is the traditional opening day fishing tournament at Sluice Pond sponsored by the Lynn Fish and Game Protective Association. All the activities will take place rain or shine and are free of charge and open to the public starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until noon. Ippi’s Bait and Tackle will have extended hours for your last minute tournament angling needs and they are stocked up and ready to provide you with all the right bait and tackle for your opening day outing.If you are planning to fish out of a canoe or kayak, remember, you must wear a life jacket until May 15.