McClory: It’ll be a busy stretch for whitetail deer hunters

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. 12 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 3 inches in the management zone you are hunting.Again this year we had quite the unusual weather for opening day of the Massachusetts deer season. After hearing the weather forecast Sunday night, we dressed in clothing we thought was appropriate for the weather prediction. The usual 3-4 layers were peeled down to one or two since we became uncomfortable and overheated by midmorning. One can only imagine how deer feel this time of year, supporting a winter coat and layers of body fat to get them through the winter. We knew to be successful we would have to almost step on them to get them to move, because, just like us, they just want to keep cool. While hunting I couldn’t help notice many of nature’s little creatures like grasshoppers, butterflies, mosquitoes, and honeybees all confused by the warm November weather. When was the last time you saw a grasshopper in November? At the end of the day, well, you probably already guessed that we didn’t have one deer sighting, but that’s hunting! At our deer camp in Maine this season we were getting concerned that we would not have any venison for the cold dark winter. Having spent many days in the woods we just weren’t seeing them. As luck would have it we managed to get one on the second-to-last day of the season.While checking in our deer we learned that the harvest numbers were the lowest in quite a few years. According to Fish & Wildlife, several factors may be involved in fewer deer being taken in the November season. Fewer hunters appear to be in the woods, due to the lack of snow, many hunters depend on snow to help them locate and track down deer. Because there is virtually no mast crop, hunters who know a favorite feeding plot of acorns and beechnuts had to look elsewhere for their deer. The impact of recent winters has reduced deer populations, and we can attest to that because in Maine the last three seasons we have seen only full size mature deer ? no yearlings or skippers at all. The checking-station counts for first year deer depict this. Let’s not forget the state of the economy. There are some hunters who just can’t afford the license fee or cannot take an extra day off to go hunting.’Tis the season to share some of my favorite outdoor niceties that I have discovered over the years. These are items that I have personally used, tried, or would appreciate. I noticed on TV during the last two weeks, there are commercials poking fun at some of the presents we find under the tree on Christmas morning. I’m hoping these suggestions make sure this doesn’t happen in your house. Here are some wildlife-related gifts that are sure to be a hit for that special outdoor or wildlife enthusiast. I’m sure the sportsman or sportswoman in your life will appreciate a 2012 hunting, fishing, or sporting (combination) license and any stamps they will need. New this year, freshwater fishing licenses for minors ages 15-17 years old are free! (Minors under 15 do not need a license to fish.) 2012 licenses are available for sale online or through license vendors throughout the state. License purchases support the DFW and its wildlife conservation, management and restoration of wildlife, and wildlife habitat protection programs in Massachusetts. This is a gift that will be remembered all season long. How about a game camera for the hunter who wants to keep a close watch on their favorite wood lot o