McClory: Watershed group honors noted environmentalist

The Environmental Education Award for 2011 given by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) was recently presented to Ellie Horwitz.She is a certified wildlife biologist and is chief of information and education for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.The NRWA recognized her 33-year career involving environmental education at the state level.Horowitz has helped to form the Secretary’s Advisory Group on Environmental Education and worked on the development of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Plan and the Massachusetts Environmental Frameworks.In addition, she has served as a lead instructor for North American Environmental Educators Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, been actively involved in the development of conservation education materials at a national level, and is a promoter of the “No Child Left Inside” legislation currently being debated at the national level.Congratulations, Ellie!uAfter spending a few days up north at camp, it doesn’t take long for us to realize the true meaning of deer camp.You see, for us, it’s not just about harvesting a deer, it’s more about the camaraderie and the classic stories from seasons past and white tail sightings that evoke heart-pounding excitement.Once our weapons are stored away safely, there is teasing and bantering while sipping a snifter of Glenlivet 12 scotch. The topics of discussion move from this summer’s vegetable garden to Rocky boots, 308’s, under armor, Cabelas and gortex jackets, Topo maps, the play book, scouting new areas, the old hunting camp, and the memorable 12 point mount on the wall.It’s about GPS units, wind direction, Burnell Road, the Triangle, the Valley, the back yard or a lost hunter, and the importance of the sun. And who can forget about last Friday’s dinner fare – hot crisp nachos, red mashed potatoes, Jim’s baked salmon, garlic bread all followed up by a hardy glass of wine.This is what hunting camp is really about, and most of all we are thankful that we have been able to return in good health to create memories each year.uIn late October, 28 hunters participated in a special deer season hunt for paraplegic sportsmen and women at four sites in central and western Massachusetts. A total of five deer (one buck, three does and one button buck) were taken for an overall success rate of 18 percent.The hunt is coordinated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), with assistance from state agencies, military personnel, and volunteer sportsmen and women.Hunt sites are located at Quabbin Reservation in Belchertown, South Post in Devens, private land in Williamstown, and property in and around Mount Washington State Forest. The DFW has been offering interested paraplegic hunters the opportunity to hunt deer during a special 3-day season since 1972. When a hunter successfully shoots a deer, volunteers assist the hunter by retrieving the deer, field-dressing it and getting it properly checked in by DFW staff on site. Hunters and volunteers alike enjoy this opportunity to spend time together outdoors.uBeginning this winter, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will be conducting a statewide survey of cottontail rabbits to assess the distribution and population of New England cottontails (Sylvilagus transitionalis), the only cottontail rabbit species native to the northeastern United States and rarely seen.Two kinds of cottontail rabbits are found in Massachusetts, the common non-native Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and the New England cottontail.Division biologists are asking for the help of hunters, highway department workers, animal control officers, and other interested citizens across the state to provide DFW with cottontail carcasses or intact cottontail skulls for the survey.uAntlerless deer hunting permits are still available for use during the Dec. 4-12 muzzleloader season in three southwestern Vermont Wildlife Management Units (K1-K2-N).A hunter may purchase one of these pe