McClory: Ethanol can spell trouble for engines

Our long-awaited summer vacation to the lake is history, and I’ll bet we had the best week of the summer. Every day was at least in the 80’s, with a few days pushing the 100-degree mark.It was a great week for sun and fun – but not as much fun we’d hoped because I never got a chance to wet a line all week. On the first day, our boat motor’s oil injection pump decided to give out. I thought it might not be too bad until we started calling the local marinas hoping to get it repaired.Turns out we weren’t the only vacationers with a boat needing repair. The ethanol now added to gasoline is wreaking havoc with motors. This wasn’t our problem, but it sure kept the repair people at the marina busier than usual.Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning that it will attract water from the air, which is then absorbed into the gas. The mixture of ethanol, water and particles can form a gelatinous sludge layer on bottom of your fuel tank that can clog filters and damage your engine.By adding Star Tron enzyme fuel treatment to your gasoline, the water is dispersed through the fuel as micro-sized droplets and then is eliminated while the engine is running. Problem solved.uFor those who might want to learn how to camp, a “Becoming an Outdoors Family Camping Weekend” is planned for novices is slated for Aug. 7-8 at Harold Parker State Forest in Andover. The event is geared toward families who may not have camped but want to try it out, learn some outdoor skills and spend time together in the great outdoors.All families are welcome. Several skill sessions will be offered, such as canoeing, fishing, hiking, and archery. A night hike, campfire and other optional activities are also included.The workshop is being coordinated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Becoming and Outdoorswoman Program and the Department of Conservation & Recreation. Space is limited so register early. Registration materials are posted at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_calendar.htm.uDeer Project Leader Sonja Christensen reports that a total of 10,581 white-tailed deer were harvested by licensed hunters during the combined 2009 seasons. By season, the total breaks down to four deer taken during the special deer season for paraplegic sportsmen; 3,492 in the archery season; 4,927 during the shotgun season; 1,958 during the muzzle-loading season; and 200 during the Quabbin Reservation hunt.Although this year’s numbers were slightly below 2008, last year was still the second-highest harvest for the archery season on record. There was a decrease from 2008 during the shotgun season due to a large acorn crop in 2009, which often results in less deer movement since deer do not need to move long distances for food resources.Deer management goals in Wildlife Management Zones have also stabilized and fewer antler-less deer permits were issued resulting in fewer harvested deer.uThe Antler-less deer permit drawing will take place on July 28 in Gardner, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Rod and Gun Club, 538 Clark Street. The event – open to all – includes a presentation on deer management by Christensen; and then commences with the drawing of numbers for antler-less permits.