McClory: Antlerless deer hunting permit deadline coming up fast

OK deer hunters, here is your last reminder from me and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.The deadline for applying for an antlerless deer permit is July 16. This permit is required for any deer hunter who wishes to hunt antlerless deer. There is no fee to apply. A $5 fee is charged if you are selected for a permit during the Instant Award period.DFW reminds applicants that with the MassFishHunt electronic system there is no public permit drawing and the Division will not mail information to deer hunters. If you are not sure you submitted an antlerless deer permit application, you can either check your hunting license in the Item Purchased section where you will see a line item that reads: “Antlerless Deer Permit Application- /Zone xx” if you have already applied or you can log on to the MassFishHunt website at www.mass.gov/massfishhunt and check your customer inventory. If you have not yet applied, you can submit your application for an antlerless deer permit either by computer or at a license vendor. I should take care of mine while I am thinking about it!#MassWildlife’s Angler Education Program volunteers are teaming up with the Billerica Parks and Recreation Department for a “Ladies Night Out” Fishing Clinic in Billerica. This evening event for women at Nuttings Lake in Billerica, will take place from 6:00 – 8:00pm. To sign up, contact Donna Hansen at (978) 671-0921 or [email protected] summer weather warming up lakes and ponds, fish kills may be discovered in area water bodies. The sight of dead and dying fish along the shores of a favorite pond can be distressing and trigger concerns about pollution. Fish do act as the “canary in the coalmine”, so it’s natural to think a fish kill was the result of pollution.In fact, the opposite is likely true; the vast majority of fish kills reported are natural events.Natural fish kills are generally the result of low oxygen levels, fish diseases or spawning stress. Dissolved oxygen depletion is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills.As pond temperature increases, water holds less oxygen. During hot summer weather, oxygen levels in shallow, weedy ponds can further decline as plants consume oxygen at night. This results in low early morning oxygen levels that can become critical if oxygen levels fall below the requirement for fish survival. In addition to reduced oxygen levels, late spring and early summer is when most warm water fish species, such as sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass) begin to spawn. At this time, large numbers of these species crowd into the shallow waters along the shore vying for the best spawning sites. These densely crowded areas become susceptible to disease outbreaks, especially as water temperatures increase. The result is an unavoidable, natural fish kill.u#On the freshwater scene, rain and cool weather has kept fishing the large lakes like Sebago and Winni going well for this time of year. Right now target 30-60 foot water for salmon and lake trout.If we have the heat wave that is predicted, you will need to go deeper. Usually the thermo cline will set up at 90 feet and 120 feet based on past years experience.Try to be on the water at 4:30 or so for the best fishing will often happens between then and 6:30, you can go back to camp for a nap at 7:00 or take a well deserved nap after you clean your catch.uOn the salt water front, Pete Santini at Fishing FINatics in Everett reports that the stripers are in the outer harbor. “Around Graves Light on the slack tides. X-Ray swimming plugs and the Santini Tube-n-Worm rigs have been working well there.There are also some medium sized bluefish mixed in. Flounders are just off the Deer Island Flats and in the North Channel near the number 4 and 5 Buoys.”uIn closing this week column, there’s an old saying about the seasons in Maine. “Maine only has two seasons, winter and the Fourth of July.” One of those seasons starts this weekend. It seems like only yesterday that wint