McClory: Deer hunting opportunities remain in Bay State this year

Patient primitive firearm hunters in Massachusetts got to test their skills on the whitetail deer throughout the state last 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. 10 through Dec. 31. You must abide by 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.Ideas for this week’s column were created while sitting at a deer stand last Saturday afternoon. The wind was howling and spitting, snow was swirling in my face and melting as fast as it landed on my cheeks. As I sat patiently still in a relatively comfortable position, my thoughts were focused on some of my favorite outdoor niceties that I have discovered over the years that I use for deer hunting as well as during other outdoor sports. You may want to give some “hints” to Santa, who may need some help coming up with ideas for your stocking. I depend on a good quality pin-on compass. You likely have a nice expensive one you wear around your neck. But it’s difficult to get at quickly because you have to unzip your coat and that can be cold. We don’t wear it outside because it will bang into our weapon while we are walking, and may get in the way if we are in a hurry to take a shot. I really like the polar fleece neck gaiters. I keep one handy in my pocket. They sure come in handy while sitting on a stand, when the wind kicks up or the temperature drops suddenly. Everyone should carry a leatherman. They are one of the handiest tools to have by your side when a piece of equipment needs adjustment and the knife blade is sharp enough to take care of cleaning any fish or game. Mini mag lights are another should-have item in your pocket. If you sit on a stand till the last minute, it’s nice to know you will be able to see on your way back to your vehicle. Another handy item is a nylon deer drag. Yes, a rope works just fine but these work even better and it’s one of those things you would never buy for yourself, but it’s a great stocking stuffer that the kids can get you. How about a new hot seat? You probably already have one, but how many times have you been walking with it attached to your belt and tried to hop a stream, only to have it stop your legs’ rear motion, prior to forward motion that puts you in the stream? Now there is one that folds in half and is kept together by Velcro. They are really slick. This is something that I really laughed at a few years ago when one of the guys in our hunting party showed up with it. Boot warmers! You plug it into the wall, slide your boots down onto the two PVC pipes, let them sit for an hour or so and, boy, it feels great putting on nice warm boots. These also work well for ski and snowboard boots! We started using GPS units while hunting and fishing. You can now buy them for less than a hundred dollars. They can be a little confusing to use at first but once you learn how, they really are great and will become a must-have item in your pocket. Use for invasion marking a waypoint to the exact location of the hot ice fishing hole or finding your tree stand without having to walk around in the dark looking for it before first light! I’m sure the sportsman or sportswoman in your life will appreciate a 2013 hunting, fishing, or sporting (combination) license and any stamps they will need. New 2013 licenses are available for sale online or through license vendors throughout the state. Another super gift and one of my favorites that will come in handy for finding that secret fishing hole 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 nee