It’s time to say goodbye

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As noted in my column of August 24, 2024, I am stepping down as the Berkshire Woods and Waters columnist effective year end, which means this is my last column.  It has been my extreme honor to have written this weekly column for nearly 21 years.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read it.

There are so many people and organizations to thank for their help over those years; The Berkshire Eagle President and Publisher Fred Rutberg, Executive Editor Kevin Moran, the sports editors – the late Brian Sullivan, Mathew Sprague, Richard Lord, Geof Smith and the current editor Mike Walsh.  Howard Herman also filled in when necessary.  Also, the folks behind the scene who put the newspaper together.  Over the years, they made me look better than I really am.

Then there are the people who provided stuff for me to write about, the folks at the DFW Western District Office, primarily its Supervisor Andrew Madden.  I was constantly pestering him and his staff for information and clarification of projects in which they were involved such as land acquisitions, regulations, pheasant/trout stockings, etc.    Also, the folks at the DFW Headquarters in Westborough especially Ellie Horwitz and Marion Larson, both retired, and the current folks at Outreach & Education.  They were of immense help. The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) was a great source of information, too.  Madden made monthly reports at those meetings, which went into the Minutes.  Much of that information ended up in this column.  Information came regularly from the various sportsmen’s clubs and environmental organizations such as BEAT, HVA BNRC.  It came from the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, Trout Unlimited and the list goes on.

Sometimes, when the news was sparse,  I would write about my personal hunting and fishing episodes. Sometimes a guest writer, such as Charles Wohl or Marc Hoechstetter would bail me out.

My wife Jan was at my side all along the way, encouraging and giving advice here and there.  It was so important to have her encouragement and support over the years.

And I thank the Lord for his divine guidance.

For the last several months, as I started winding down for this day, memories of past columns filled my mind, especially on sleepless nights, and I started categorizing them:

The biggest surprise came in the early days of this column, that being the number of older ladies who read the column.  I can’t tell you how many times women in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s approached me and/or Jan to tell us that they regularly read the column.   In those days, this column was smaller and was tucked away in the sports section.  They really had to search to find it amidst the baseball and football coverage.  Usually, they would start off by saying, “I don’t hunt or fish, but when I was a little girl, my father used to take me out fishing, etc.”  Over the years I stopped hearing from them and wondered why, until it dawned on me that many have passed away.

Now, I’m hearing from younger women. In fact, just last week a woman from Hinsdale e-mailed me stating that she is “not a hunter, trapper, or fisherman, but have been a naturalist nearly all of my 82 years. And, I grew up with the father who fed his family by hunting, fishing and trapping. So, I have a great regard for those who continue to do so.”

No, I won’t refer to her as an older woman……………..she’s my age.

Another surprise was finding out that this column was being read in areas outside the Berkshires.  That became obvious when I was awarded the Words of Wisdom award from the Worcester County League of Sportsmen and another award from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council.

My most consequential article was in 2009 when I wrote about flyfishing with 101 year old Charles Lahey of Pittsfield.  Someone contacted Jerry Gibbs, fishing editor for Outdoor Life magazine, about Lahey’s write-up.  To make a long story short, Gibbs used his influence to get  Charlie inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (HOF) in Hayward, Wisconsin in 2009.  The last time Jan and I visited the HOF, there was

Charles Lahey on the left, Jerry Gibbs on the right. Photo by Gene Chague

Charlie’s picture proudly hanging on a wall, next to the likes of Curt Gowdy, Lee Wulff, Gadabout Gaddis, John Gierach, Isaac Walton, etc.

My favorite columns were those written about land acquisitions for conservation purposes by MassWildlife, BNRC, and others.  I also liked writing about individuals who received Berkshire County League of Sportsmen awards, Trout Unlimited’s Crooked Staff awards, MassWildlife’s Francis W. Sargent Conservation Awards, and others.  I loved informing the community about the wonderful accomplishments the award recipients achieved for the environment and outdoor sporting community.  Articles about boat ramp renovations, school kids helping MassWildlife staff stocking trout, Steve Bateman’s Jimmy Fund fishing derbies were also my favorites.  And of course, I loved writing about kids catching big fish or bagging big wild turkeys.

My most embarrassing columns were the ones where I misspelled the names of a people who had accomplished great feats.  Oh, I wish I could take them back.

Most interesting columns – There were several.  A couple of times I wrote about when my fishing buddy Mike Shepard and I had interesting encounters with grizzly or black bears on our fishing trips to Alberta and Quebec, not to mention the fabulous fishing we had in Labrador and Nunavut Territory, Canada. Also, those fishing trips that Paul Knauth and I took to the Catskills, the Adirondacks, and Yellowstone.  Remember that epic battle I had with that big brown trout “Iron Mike” in the Catskills?  Also those fishing trips with Ron Wojcik to Northern Maine to fish the West Branch of the Penobscot River for Landlocked Salmon and wild Brook Trout.  I also wrote about those early fishing trips in Lenox that my lifelong pal Jerry Zink and I used to take  when we were 8 or 9 years old.

My saddest columns were those written about prominent sportsmen/conservationists who passed beyond the riverbend or over the ridge.  People like Ted Giddings, George ‘Gige’ Darey, Doris Moon, George Wislocki, George Hamilton, Jr., John Zuber, Joe Areno, Charles Lahey, Fred Moran, Charles Liston, Margaret Beckwith, and others…… people who mattered and did great things during their times here on earth.  Two sad columns were written about the passing of two of our loving beagles – Jackson and Jacques.

My funniest column (at least in my opinion) was when I wrote about encountering a fellow fishing in a spot I wanted to fish on the Westfield River, in Chesterfield.  It was about the time the movie Deliverance came out.  Without him seeing me, I started playing the jaws harp…… “boing, boing, boing”. The sound frightened him so much that he scrambled out of the river and ran off down the path in his waders and dragging his fishing line behind him. Remember that?  (LOL)

Columns that moved me the most were the ones dealing with the paraplegic hunts. In spite of their physical difficulties, they refused to give up their sport of hunting.  What inspiration!  How wonderful of those volunteers who did their utmost to ensure they had memorable or successful hunts.  But the columns that moved me the most were the ones covering the Youth Outreach fishing events put on by the BCLS on Reynolds Pond.   The BCLS provided opportunities for kids to fish, kids that were medically challenged, kids in wheelchairs.  Kids who look like any other kids but with conditions that may very well limit their lifespans.  Kids with seizure disorders, with cancer, and all kinds of different challenges. I felt so sad watching their parents/grandparents doing their best to see that they were comfortable and enjoying the event.  God bless those poor little souls and their caregivers. It’s at times like those, my emotions really run close to the surface.

On every Memorial or Veteran’s Day I made sure to mention those who sacrificed so much to keep our country free, thus enabling us to enjoy our outdoor activities.

My predecessor, the late Ted Giddings, who retired after writing the Our Berkshires column for 55 years, began his last column on December 28, 2003 by asking, “Will someone kindly tell me how to say goodbye?”  Giddings wrote that he continued the column for so many years because so many people relied on it for information on hunting, fishing and related environmental issues. Little did I know while reading those lines that I would be writing similar words in a goodbye column 21 years later.  Ted closed his last column with the following words, “Farewell and hearty best wishes to all readers.”

“Parting is such sweet sorrow,” wrote Mr. Shakespeare.  While I won’t be sharing your Saturday morning cup of coffee with you while reading this column anymore, I’m pretty sure we will meet again in a restaurant, a supermarket or someplace.  Who knows, maybe we’ll meet somewhere near a babbling brook, on a deer stand, or while hiking in our beautiful Berkshire Woods and Waters.

So long dear readers, ‘til we meet again.

No CWD has been found in Massachusetts

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“At this time, there is no evidence suggesting that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is present in Massachusetts.” That was the good news given by MassWildlife Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden at the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s meeting held on December 5. In fact, none of the New England states have it.  MassWildlife feels that once CWD is detected in an area, it is nearly impossible to eradicate. For this reason, keeping Massachusetts CWD-free is the best strategy to avoid the loss of mature deer, particularly bucks.

In case you don’t know, CWD is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae, the deer family. CWD is one member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), and is thought to be caused by prions. CWD is the only TSE known to affect free-ranging wildlife.

Of the 50 US states, only the 6 New England states, New Jersey, Delaware, Oregon, Nevada Arizona, Hawaii and Alaska do not have it.

MassWildlife feels that CWD can have long lasting impacts on both the environment and the economy. CWD is a preventable disease that, if introduced, can gravely affect wildlife population health. When CWD prevalence is high, there can be shifts in the population’s age structure, where there are more young individuals and fewer mature deer. Additionally, studies have shown that CWD prevalence can reduce hunter participation, which can impact the outdoor sports industry and lower hunting license and permit sales. This reduces the funding for state wildlife agencies to conduct wildlife conservation and management. The disease can also be expensive to manage, with an annual cost for CWD positive states averaging around $773,000 in 2021.

 

To address parts of the CWD prevention strategy, MassWildlife has proposed recommendations which are awaiting public hearing, which include: 1) Sunsetting the remaining existing captive deer facilities in Massachusetts, and 2) Expanding deboning requirements to include all venison harvested outside of New England.  The Deer regulatory hearing will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.

 

Black Bear November Season results

 

The second of the three black bear hunting seasons ran from November 4 through November 23. MassWildlife Black Bear & Furbearer Project Leader Dave Wattles reports that 43 bears were taken in the November Season. That compares with the 50 bears harvested last year which was the second highest recorded for that season.

The third Shotgun bear hunting season which started on December 2 ended last weekend.  No harvest figures have been received yet for that season.

 

MassWildlife is making some bear management proposals.  A Black Bear regulatory hearing will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. to propose a change in regulations to lengthen the bear hunting season to include the entire interval of the current early season through the late season.  The proposed season extension would create a continuous season from the first Tuesday after Labor Day until the end of the shotgun deer season. The change would represent a large increase in opportunity for all bear hunters and would be the most effective means of managing the expansion on the eastern edge of the range, given the high number of Archery deer hunters in the Wildlife Management Zones 9, 10, and 11. 

 

MassWildlife will also propose the creation of a Youth Bear Hunting Permit which would allow youths 12 – 14 years of age to hunt bear throughout the season, without having to use the permit of an adult.  The Youth Bear Permit could be used by youths 12-14 or 15-17 years old who have a valid Youth Deer Permit and Youth Bear Permit to hunt deer on Youth Deer Hunt day with a shotgun, thus giving them the option if they have the opportunity.

 

What happens to wildlife during a fire?

I don’t know about you, but every time I hear about a forest fire, my first thoughts are for the safety of people.  My second thought is what’s going to happen to the trees, plants and animals.  Will they survive and be able to recover?  MassWildlife has addressed these concerns through a recent release which I am including in this column verbatim.  Hopefully they will alleviate our concerns.

 

They start off by stating, “Plants and animals have evolved to coexist with the natural process of fire.”

 

With well over 600 wildfires occurring throughout Massachusetts this past October and November, many people are wondering about the impacts to wildlife. The answer is more complex than you might imagine. The ability of animals to survive fire depends on their mobility and on the uniformity, severity, size, and duration of the fire. Most landscapes are quite variable, with hills, valleys, and wetlands, all of which burn at different rates and intensities, leaving patches where animals can take refuge.  Occasionally, individual animals may be hurt or killed by fast moving flames and heat. Yet, fire is and has been a natural part of the Massachusetts landscape and can bring a variety of benefits to habitats that in turn, benefit wildlife.

What do animals do during a fire?  Most animals can readily smell smoke and move away from oncoming flames and heat. The impacts of a particular fire can vary greatly depending on windiness, the flammability of vegetation, the speed and intensity of a flaming front, or the severity of ground fire burning into organic soils. Our native wildlife have evolved strategies to escape and avoid the brunt of the flames and heat.

Birds fly up and away from the burning area or high up into the tree canopy. Larger mammals like deer, black bears, and bobcats readily move to areas of forest not impacted by fire. Smaller mammals like mice and voles retreat to underground burrows, while climbers like fishers and porcupines take refuge in treetops. Native rabbits may seek shelter in nearby wetlands. Amphibians and reptiles find safety by moving to wet areas or burrowing under the ground, logs, or rocks. Soil often provides insulation from the heat of fast-moving, lower-intensity fires. While some individual animals likely perished in the recent wildfires in Massachusetts, overall populations of wildlife are unlikely to be affected.

What do animals do after a fire?

The timeframe for animals returning to a burned area depends on the severity of the fire, the habitat, the season, and the type of animal. Certain beetles and other insects are the first to return as they are attracted to burn sites and use infrared sensors to quickly find burning stumps and other vegetation. Other animals return to a burned area within hours, days, or weeks after a fire. Owls, crows, turkeys, woodpeckers, whip-poor-wills, and other birds often return quickly to eat insects and acorns. Opportunists like foxes and hawks may return quickly to eat small animals that didn’t escape the flames.

Areas that have experienced fire will warm up quicker the following spring, and green up before the surrounding forests. White-tailed deer often come into recently burned areas for ash, minerals, fresh herbs, and tree sprouts. It takes longer for small mammals like New England cottontail to return. They often wait a few years for more cover to develop, but the shrubs and young saplings emerging after fire provide nutrient-packed food for these mammals.

Long-term benefits of fire

Periodic fires have been a part of the New England landscape for thousands of years. In fact, fires play an important role in rejuvenating vegetation and soils. In the months and years following a fire, many forest, woodland, shrubland, and grassland habitats undergo changes to the structure and composition of vegetation growing there. The result is a more diverse collection of native plants and improved habitat for wildlife. For example, fires can encourage vigorous growth of diverse native wildflowers, which in turn benefit a variety of native bees and butterflies.

Prescribed fire is a tool used by many agencies and organizations across the country to unlock the natural regenerative powers of fire. MassWildlife uses prescribed fire to bring forth the ecological benefits of fire without the dangers of unplanned, uncontrolled wildfires which pose risks to firefighters, people, and property. Wildfires can sometimes burn for days, weeks, or months and are known to generate long periods of harmful smoke. Periodic prescribed fires can reduce fuel build up in an ecologically sustainable way, as well as control and limit smoke production to a short window. Prescribed fires are carefully planned to meet natural resource objectives, provide for safety of the burn crew and the public, and minimize impacts to wildlife. Specially trained fire crews apply fire in pre-planned locations and sequences to ensure wildlife have escape routes and safety zones.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The 2024 shotgun deer hunting season was off to a good start

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According to Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Western (DFW) District Supervisor Andrew Madden, the unofficial deer harvest for the first week of shotgun deer hunting was encouraging.  The tally of the deer checked into the Western District Headquarters in Dalton totaled 124.  That compares to 100 deer checked in at the same week last year.

It appears to be the same in the other western district deer checking stations, too.  For example, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association checked in 61 vs 51 last year, the Mill River General Store in Mill River/New Marlborough checked in 119 vs 118, Papa’s Food & Fuel in Otis checked in 47 vs 40, B&D Variety in Huntington checked in 58 vs 31.  At the time of this writing, results from Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams were not yet available.

 

Several factors probably contributed to the good start, one being sufficient snow on the ground which allowed for easier tracking.  Another factor may have been ample food.  The acorns, apples and other foods were plentiful this year.

Sorry, deer harvest specifics from the outlying check stations were not available at the time of this writing, but here are some nice bucks checked in at the Daton DFW Headquarters.  All weights given are dressed weights and not live weights.  To estimate the live weights of the deer, multiply the dressed weights by 1.26. So far there were no bucks weighing 200 lbs. or more field dressed checked in.

  1. Lacatell got a 11-point buck which weighed 167 lbs. (210 est. live weight) in Stockbridge; D. Turner got a 158 lbs., 10-pt. buck in Hancock; J Schneider got a 152 lbs. 10-pointer in Cheshire; W. Smith got a 150 lbs. 10-pointer in Dalton; and J Beckwith got a 144 lbs. 10-pointer in West Stockbridge.

There were other decent bucks checked in.: J. Zepka got a 158 lbs. 7-pointer in Hancock; J. Zadereck a 158 lbs., 9-pointer in Becket;  Bauman a 163 lbs., 8-pointer in Hancock; M. Leahy a 158 lbs., 8-pointer in Windsor; A. Lablanc a 157 lbs., 8-pointer in New Ashford; S. Shuttleworth 177 lbs., 7-pointer in Peru; C. Noyes a 150 lbs,8-pointer in Hinsdale and J. Jewell a 160 lbs. 8-pointer in Peru.

 

Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting season opens Monday

 

The shotgun deer hunting and late bear hunting seasons end this weekend, but the Primitive Firearm deer hunting season opens on Monday, December 16 and ends on Tuesday, December 31. During the Primitive Deer Hunting season, hunters must use a muzzleloader firearm or archery equipment, and must comply with abstracts listed in the 2024 MA Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Regulations.

Hunters must use shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted provided the firearm loads from the muzzle. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, break/hinge-action muzzleloaders, and scopes are permitted. Powder is limited to black powder or black powder substitutes.

A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the cap or pan powder is removed.

All primitive firearms deer hunters must comply with the 500 square inch blaze orange requirement. A primitive firearm stamp is required.

Hunters may also archery hunt during the primitive firearm season.  There are certain regulations which govern archery hunting, so be sure to review them in the above-mentioned regulations. A primitive firearm stamp is required for archers, too.

Hunters can report their deer harvest online rather than an official check-in station.  It must be reported within 48 hours of harvest.

Here’s wishing the hunters have a safe, enjoyable primitive firearms hunting season and remember, keep your powder dry.

Some small game hunting resumes on December 16, such as pheasant hunting, which now runs until December 31.  Also, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and gray squirrel hunting seasons resume on the 16th and run until February 28, 2025.  For the hardy waterfowlers, the new Late Canada Goose Hunting season starts on December 18 and runs until February 15, 2025.  The duck hunting season in the Berkshires resumes on December 16 and runs until January 4, 2025.  Be sure to check the 2024-2025 Migratory Game Bird Regulations.

Many thanks

Last week the MA Fish & Wildlife Board awarded me the Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award.  Established in 2000, it recognizes someone who has made “significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources in the Commonwealth.”  It is presented whenever the Board feels that it is warranted.

It was last awarded in 2018 to George “Gige” Darey.  Prior to that, other local recipients were the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in 2015 and Ted Giddings in 2003. (Click onto Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award | Mass.gov for a complete listing of the recipients).

It is a tremendous honor to be included with such notable recipients.  My heartfelt thanks go to Board member and prior recipient Bob Durand for suggesting that I receive it and to MA F&W Board Chairman Steve Sears for agreeing and bringing it before the Board.

The award was presented at a recent event at the Stationery Factory in Dalton and was covered in the December 6, 2024 Berkshire Eagle article “The voice of the outdoors” written by Zachary Canaperi.

Many thanks go to Emcee Mark Jester and the speakers my buddy Jerry Zink, my nephew Joe Chague, Jane Wynn, Executive Director Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Jenny Hansel, President of Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Andrew Madden, Supervisor, DFW Western District, Marc Hoechstetter, Board Member of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Kevin Moran, Executive Editor of the Berkshire Eagle, Steve Sears and MA State Representative William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli.

Oh, the fond memories that were brought back when Jerry Zink recounted how we started fishing together when we were 8 or 9 years old.   Walking miles in our leaky hip boots, we would meet up and catch countless wild brook trout in the small streams of Lenox.

So, what happened since those early days?  Why is it that I was there receiving this award that night? All I did was to fall in love with mother nature at a very early age, learn about, become friendly with and protect her children, the flora, fauna and fish over the years, and, use the platform provided by The Berkshire Eagle, to encourage others to do the same.

I was overwhelmed by all of this. The first thing I discovered was that I had forgotten to bring up to the podium some notes to which I would refer.  An announcement came over the loud speaker, “Could someone please bring Gene’s notes to the podium?”  Thankfully, Smitty did.

Smitty then delivered and read the MA State Senate and House citations and Steve presented the Francis Sargent award.

Following the presentation, I looked for my notes but couldn’t find them.  While fumbling through my vest, sweater and shirt pockets, someone from the audience shouted “Their in your back pocket!”  Was I rattled or not?  Did I mention that its common knowledge in Lenox that I would rather be water-boarded than to give a public speech?

Finally, with notes in hand, I was ready to give my acceptance speech.  The only problem now was that I couldn’t read them because of the lighting.   I was like a deer in the headlights.  My speech was lousy, with frequent pauses. But thankfully, I was among friends.

Many thanks to my close friend Paul Knauth for coordinating the event with Steve Sears; arranging the speakers, Hors d‘oeuvres, seating and wonderful slide show.  It played on the large screen, showing beautiful scenery and pictures of memorable people who also contributed to the conservation of our natural resources.

I want to especially thank my wife Jan who was with me every step of the way of this journey.  In addition to being a great conservationist in her own right, she was also my in-house editor who kept me from inadvertently using words that might offend someone. If I got those column drafts past Jan, I knew I was golden.

And many thanks to all of the folks who attended and celebrated the event on that snowy, wintry night, especially that fellow who flew in from Washington, DC just to attend.

I shall never forget what you all did to make that event one of the most positive and memorable nights of my life.

 

 

1991 deer hunt, Part II

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Readers may recall that last week I wrote about a deer hunt in 1991.  I ended Part I of that story by writing that I had just dropped a nice buck on one side of Beartown Mountain, but my truck was parked on the other side.  I had to decide how to get the deer out of the woods and to it. My options were: drag it up over the mountain to Beartown Mountain Road on the other side, which was utterly impossible, drag it across a large posted field and risk being arrested, or just leave it there, climb over the mountain, and go home.

I decided to take my chances and drag the deer across the large field that lay ahead of me, in spite of the ‘No Trespassing’ signs posted there.  I knew that this would be a long, difficult drag being loaded down with heavy boots, heavy clothes, a heavy backpack (filled with a big thermos, a couple of sandwiches, a couple of boxes of shotgun slugs, zip lock bags holding about 10 lbs of deer heart and liver), and my shotgun. Add to that the fact that I wasn’t a spring chicken (49 years old).  This could bring on “The Big One” as Fred G.  Sanford of the TV comedy Sanford & Son used to say.

It really hit home when I first started to drag the deer.  OMG, it was so heavy.  My plan to drag it across the snowless field was as follows:  carry my coat, backpack and shogun about 50 feet, put them on the ground, go back to the deer and drag it to the gear and then another 50 feet past it, leave the deer there, go back to get the gear and bring it past the deer 50 feet, etc.  No question, it would take a while.

With the sun now shining brightly, I must have stood out like a beacon in that open field, being dressed from head to toe in blaze orange. The adrenalin and my heart rate were really pumping from the stress, heat and physical activity.

A couple of times, I heard police car sirens approaching, and thought, “This is it, someone reported me and the police are coming to arrest me.  Oh no, another unwelcomed encounter with a game warden.  They’ll probably confiscate the deer, shotgun, impose a fine, and lord knows what else.  Why did I ever shoot that deer?”  Did I mention that earlier that year I had been awarded the 1990 Silvio O. Conte Sportsman of the Year Award at a banquet put on by the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen?  Oh, the embarrassment of it all!   I was already rehearsing excuses for my being there in that posted lot dragging a deer.

Fortunately, the police cars weren’t after me and kept heading south on Route 7.

In the middle of the field, I came across a drainage ditch with about a foot of water in it.  Down over my boots I went and back up the other side dragging the deer.  After what seemed like an hour, I could see a road ahead with houses on it.  Just before climbing onto the road, I had to cross another ditch, but at that point I didn’t care.  I was only a couple of feet from the road and safety.

I left the deer lying beside the road and went to the nearest house to see if they would let me use their phone to call my brother-in-law Cecil Taylor.  Hopefully, he could come down from Lenox, pick me and the deer up and drive us to Beartown Mountain Road where my truck was parked.

A fellow with a New York or New Jersey accent answered the door and told me I could not use his phone, to drag the bleeping deer into Stockbridge and to get the bleep off of his property.

I then went to the second house where two guilty looking teenagers (boy and girl) answered the door.  Hmm, this was a school day.  They let me use their phone and a little while later, Cecil showed up.  We loaded the deer onto his truck and he brought us back to my truck.

The deer weighed in at 165 lbs. dressed (208 lbs. estimated live weight).  When the deer was processed, I asked the butcher to save the head and shoulder hide for mounting. The venison was to be shared with friends and family.

Back then, on the wall of our inside glassed porch in Lenox, was another mounted deer head.  My father, also named Gene Chague, had taken that deer sometime in the 1920’s and had it mounted with the four hooves surrounding a mirror.  After nearly 70 years, the head was becoming ragged and was falling apart.

I had it removed by a young taxidermist from Clarksburg (whose name unfortunately I cannot recall) and replaced it with my new one, leaving the original mirror and 4 hooves intact.  The result was a deer mount which contained parts of two separate bucks taken by two Gene Chagues some 70 years apart.  Pretty cool, eh?

The taxidermist was just starting out and was trying to get his name out in the community.  He donated a deer mount to be raffled at the Silvio O. Conte Sportsmen’s Banquet, the one mentioned previously. A close friend, Ed Bertelli, attended that banquet along with his son young Eddie. Young Eddie won the deer mount and because he didn’t get a deer that year, and could use some extra money he decided to sell it.  I bought it from him.

It probably wasn’t an easy job for the new taxidermist, what with fitting that deer mount to the old framework, etc., but the result was quite satisfactory and it has held up nicely over the last 33 years. No, it did not end up back in our Lenox porch, but rather it hangs on a living room wall at our cottage. Oh the memories conjured up every time I look at it..

Fly tying at the hatchery

 

The Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery in Hartsville/New Marlborough has begun its winter fly tying sessions at the Hatchery.  The free sessions will be held on the third Saturdays of the month, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The next class is January 18, 2025.  Instructors are Board member Dean Hutson and Taconic TU member Peter Paulson.  All fly tying accessories and materials will be provided.

 

Last month, the folks tied up some nice looking black Woolly Buggers guaranteed to catch trout, smallmouth bass and other fish. It imitates a variety of aquatic and land creatures, making it an extremely versatile fly. Its marabou tail gives the impression of a baitfish or leech, while its hackle and body can mimic the movement of a swimming crayfish or even a struggling insect. Its versatile design means that it can be used in a wide range of fishing scenarios, from still water lakes to fast-moving streams and rivers.

That fly is very effective.

 

Lawmakers request support for priority conservation projects at the Conte Refuge

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior, Senators from MA, NH, VT, and CT requested that the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget include funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support conservation projects within the Conte Refuge.

The Conte Refuge which spans over 50,000 acres across those states is a vital ecological resource and includes critical lands within the Connecticut River Watershed.

The senators highlighted that over 24,000 acres of priority conservation lands, valued at more than $51 million, have been identified for protection in fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

“This funding is essential to address the unmet needs for land conservation in this region,” the lawmakers wrote. “The refuge not only supports the quality of natural resources but also provides recreational opportunities for millions of people in the surrounding communities.”

They also highlighted the broader economic benefits of wildlife refuges, citing data showing that every $1 invested in federal funding for national wildlife refuges generates nearly $5 in local economic returns. In total, the outdoor recreation economy supports 4.9 million American jobs and generates over $564 billion in consumer spending.

By securing additional funding for the Conte Refuge, the senators believe the region can continue to preserve critical lands while supporting economic growth and job creation.

Shotgun Deer hunting season opens Monday

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Shotgun deer hunting season starts on Monday December 1 and it runs until Saturday, December 14, (excluding Sundays).  Two bucks can be harvested and if hunters have valid antlerless deer permits (doe permits) they can also take a doe.

During the first week of the shotgun deer season, all harvested deer must be brought to a physical check station within 48 hours so MassWildlife biologists can collect biological data. Online harvest reporting is NOT available during this time.  The Western District Check Stations are as follows:

  • MassWildlife Headquarters – Dalton
  • Lee Sportsman’s Club – Lee
  • Mill River General Store – Mill River/New Marlborough
  • Papa’s Food & Fuel – Otis
  • Ernie’s Auto Sales – North Adams
  • B&D Variety – Huntington
  • Goshen General Store – Goshen

 

Avid Sports, Daves Sporting Goods and Cheshire Sporting Goods will be able to check in deer for the second week of shotgun through the rest of the year but it is not mandatory in person.  Hunters can check in online as well.

 

As usual, on the night before opening day, thoughts of previous deer hunts will undoubtedly cross my mind, one after another.

How well I remember a deer hunt in 1991. While hunting alone, I entered a part of Beartown Mountain off of Beartown Mountain Road in South Lee, near the Wildcat Trail. Following an old logging trail, I had just ascended a steep part of Beartown Mountain and heard a shot off in the distance which sounded like it came from a swamp below me.  I stopped moving for a while to see if a deer might head my way. Sure enough, a few moments later, I saw a buck downhill from me.  He had come out from some small pines and brush from my right, was in a small opening and was heading for more thick vegetation to my left.  He was not heading in my direction.

Being quite a distance away, I pondered whether to take such a long shot.  I didn’t have a scope on my shotgun and was guessing how high I should aim.  Pretty soon, he would be out of sight and I wouldn’t be able to take a shot. What the heck, I thought, and let the slug fly.

The buck made a quick movement and then walked into the small pines.  Not knowing if I hit him or not, I didn’t move for about 15 minutes just to see if it would emerge somewhere to my left and I possibly allow another shot.  Finally, I descended the hill to see if I had hit him, hoping that I would find him dead in the small pines.  When I got to the spot, I could see a small tuft of hair, but no deer nor signs of blood.  There were intermittent spots of snow and frozen ground and tracking was going to be difficult.  Darn, I thought, that buck circled to my left and probably headed for the saddle between two ridges and is going down the other side of the mountain toward Ice Glen in Stockbridge.  If he did that, I probably wouldn’t be able to recover him.

Following a route which I guessed he would take, I began seeing tracks and tiny drops of blood.  I followed the trail until it came to the saddle and sure enough, he headed down the other side of the mountain.  Darn!  I wondered if I should follow him and if I found him down there, how would I be able to drag him back up the mountain and then down to my truck.

A short distance below I saw signs that the buck had slipped on the ice and fallen.  That was seconds before I took a step, slipped and fell, too.  On the east side of the mountain there were patches of snow, whereas on the southwest side there was ice.  And, don’t you know, the deer chose to travel the steepest part of that side of the mountain.  Much too slippery to stand, I had to sit on my rear and slide down the steep slope, sometimes 15-20 feet at a time until I could grab onto a small tree, rock or something to slow down or stop my slide.  Nevertheless, I stayed within sight of the buck’s tracks.   I was beginning to wonder why I was trailing the him, for if I found him, there was no way I could drag him back up the mountain.  But, I could see more frequent blood signs and knew the deer would eventually die from the wound.  I just couldn’t leave that nice buck there to be devoured by coyotes.

After crossing a little gully, the terrain became less steep and because of the lower elevation and warming weather, the ice was becoming softer and I was able walk easier.  The trail led to some briars and brambles and while my arms and legs were tangled up trying to get through them, up jumped the buck and off he ran.  I took a quick shot but I missed him.  I resumed trailing him and about 15 minutes later in more briars and brambles, don’t you know, he did exactly the same thing….. and so did I.  Darn! I thought, I’m not going to get this deer!

Thinking that he would circle to my left and head for a large field at the bottom of the mountain, I hurriedly dropped down to the edge of the field to try to cut him off.  Not seeing him, I started walking in his direction along the edge of the field, making sure to stay in the woods because there were” No Trespassing” signs all along the edge of the field. When I came to a wood road leading back up the mountain, I could see tracks of several deer that ran into the open field, but I couldn’t see the deer nor spots of blood left by the injured one.    I knew it, I thought, he got away.  I started walking up the wood road which I think was the Burgoyne Pass (old road) which went up over the mountain and down onto Beartown Mountain Road.  It would be a long trek up and over, but less steep than the way I came down.

I wondered, what if that deer didn’t join the others and was somewhere between where I had taken the last shot and where I was currently standing.  So once again into the briars and brambles I went.  The second I spotted his antlers, he jumped up and bounded away drawing yet another missed shot from me.  He was heading for that field right where I had walked a little while earlier.  Just before he got to the field, I fired once more and this time the slug found its mark, not 15 feet from the edge of the field. He was a decent sized 9-point buck.

After 3 hours of tracking and finally getting him, the celebratory cup of coffee from my thermos tasted especially good. I field dressed him, making sure to keep the heart and liver.

Now, how do I get him to my truck?   I didn’t have a cell phone to call anyone for help.  There were only 3 options – drag him up over the mountain and down to the Beartown Mountain Road on the other side, (utterly impossible), drag him across the large posted field and risk being arrested, or just leave him there, climb back over the mountain and go home.

Find out what I did in next week’s column.

Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited celebrates its 50th anniversary

You are invited to celebrate Taconic TU’s 50th Anniversary Holiday Party on December 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Zucchini’s Restaurant, 1331 North Street, Pittsfield. The price is $55 pp which includes appetizer, a full buffet and dessert. You are advised to buy your ticket by 12/1/24.

 

There will be auctions and raffles which include rods, reels, guided trips, flies tied by local fly tyers, and more.  Some fortunate person will be leaving that party carrying a vintage Hardy bamboo rod.

 

This year they will also host their annual meeting as a brief interlude at the banquet. Chapter President Justin Adkins promises to make it as short and fun as possible. It might be a good time for non-members to find out what Trout Unlimited is all about.  For more information, click onto taconictu@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

The drought is not over yet, nor are special memories

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Massachusetts is dealing with widespread wildfires and severe drought, both of which heighten the risk of additional fires. MassWildlife staff are assisting the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and local fire departments in the ongoing effort to contain wildfires across the state. MassWildlife recommends that when venturing into the woods, please take the following precautions to keep yourself and others safe:

 

  • Stay away from active fires. Some may appear out but could still have a fire burning underground. A map of active fires can be accessed at https://data.usatoday.com/fires/.   Call 911 to report new fires.
  • Extinguish and dispose of smoking materials such as cigarette butts appropriately.
  • When visiting wooded areas, park vehicles away from dry grass and leaves.
  • Avoid recently burned areas because of the risk of falling trees weakened by fire.
  • If you see or smell smoke, be safe and leave the woods. Fire can move quickly under windy conditions.
  • Refrain from any outdoor activity involving open flames. There is a ban on outdoor open burning statewide.

 

They further suggest that in addition to taking precautions while enjoying the outdoors, your actions at home can make a difference in preventing wildfires and conserving water. About 45 percent of Massachusetts homes are in or near areas at severe wildfire risk, meaning that any significant fire will put people and property in danger. To help reduce the risk, you can find tips on water conservation and fire prevention at:  https://www.mass.gov/conservewater, and https:www.mass.gov/news/Governor-Healey-thanks-firefighters-asks-public to-do-their-part-to contain-fire-risk.

In his latest report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, MassWildlife Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that Western District staff, qualified in wildland firefighting, provided support for the Montgomery Fire Department and DCR Fire Control responding to a brush fire in Montgomery.  The fire occurred on land owned by the City of Westfield and conserved as the Westfield Watershed Wildlife Conservation Easement by MassWildlife. He also gave us some unsettling statistics.

 

According to figures provided by the Massachusetts DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry, the average occurrence of brush fires in MA in November is 21 a month.  As of November 13, there were 247 fires, burning nearly 700 acres of land.  For October, the average number of fires is 15 and there were 206.

 

As of last Tuesday, the state was tracking 15 fires across the state with four of them in western Massachusetts. In addition to the Montgomery fire, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) said fires were still burning in Northampton, Monson, and Northfield.

According to the DCR, almost all fire activity is human-caused, although drought conditions increase the risk. Some of the fires have been traced back to abandoned campfires that were not entirely put out.

This current drought harkens back memories of the fall of 1963 when the northeast was suffering a serious drought and Massachusetts was forced to shut down the woods to hunting.

 

I was home on furlough from the Air Force that fall and coincidentally my high school buddy Ken who was in the US Navy Reserves was also home on furlough.  We decided to do some small game hunting.  We didn’t have hunting licenses, but we had heard that people on active duty in the service during war time didn’t need to have one.  There was a war cranking up in some place called Viet Nam, so we figured it applied to us.

 

My father let me use his prized shotgun, something that he never did before.  Hey, his son was going off to war and he may never see him again.  Incidentally, he was offered $500 for it by the owner of Hyatt’s Hardware Store in Lee in 1950.  (About $6,500 today)

 

Just hours before we went hunting, we heard that the woods had been closed to hunting because of the drought.  Shame on us, we went anyways.  We decided to hunt the east side of the Housatonic River upstream from Woods Pond in Lenox, a place that was wet and swampy along a dirt road now called Roaring Brook Road.

 

We stopped at a good spot to hunt and started to go into the woods.  Knowing about the woods closures, I told Ken that if he saw me” take off like a deer”, there was a game warden nearby.  Don’t worry about me, I said, I’ll make it home.  At that time, we both had just completed basic training and were in tip top shape.

 

As I was loading my father’s shotgun and entering the woods, Ken said, “Well, you better start running.”  We frequently played jokes on one another back then, so I didn’t bother to look around.  Not until I heard a vehicle drive up, stop and two car doors slam.   When I looked back, there stood two game wardens. One was Officer Gordon Leeman and I don’t recall the name of the other officer.

 

They confiscated our guns and issued us citations to show up in the Lee District Court the next morning.

 

Ooh, this was not good, they confiscated my father’s prized shotgun!  Did I mention that he had once been a deputy game warden in the 1920’s (serving under Officer Bill Sargood, the person who “Old Bill” the famous moose on October Mountain was named after?)  I’ll never forget that evening when I told him what happened.  In a not too soft tone, I heard those words again, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse!”  I’m sure our neighbors and most of Lenox heard them that evening, too.

 

Later on, after his voice recovered, he called the judge about the matter.  Apparently, the judge owed my father a favor of some sorts.  He told my father to tell us to show up in court in our uniforms.

 

The next morning, my father, Ken and I were parked in front of the Lee Courthouse waiting for it to open.  Parked next to us were the game wardens.  When we got out of our cars and Officer Leeman saw me in my Air Force and Ken in his Navy uniforms, he groaned “Oh, bleep! The judge basically slapped us on the wrist, issued no fine and told us to go and stay out of further trouble.  My father got his gun back, too.

 

I had one more hurdle to overcome.  At the time, I was stationed at an outpost at Syracuse University and enrolled in its East European Language Program, specializing in Russian.  By the way, a program for which I did not volunteer. Because a top secret- codeword clearance was required to be in that program, agents had previously come to Lenox to interview 10 local people to vouch for me that I was in good standing, never got into trouble, wasn’t a communist, etc.  People like my priest, school principal, chief of police, selectmen and others.

 

When I got back to the post from furlough, I had to report to the post commander and explain what happened.

 

Fortunately, the commanding officer, a major, was from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.  While questioning me about the incident, he asked where I was from.   I told him that I was from the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, just south of the Green Mountains of Vt and a little east of the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains of NY, and nowhere near Boston.  He didn’t demote me, make me become a cook, or anything.  Instead, he let me stay in the program.

 

Jump forward 20 years and I had just joined the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Who do you suppose was one of its members who sat next to me?   Officer Gordon Leeman whom I hadn’t seen since the incident.  We became good friends over the years and traveled together to veteran’s events, our weekly ROMEO (Retired old men eating out) lunches, and other TU functions before his passing in 2013.

 

Neither of us ever raised the subject of our first encounter.

 

Three deer taken in the statewide paraplegic hunt, all in Berkshire County

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MassWildlife holds a special three-day deer hunting season for paraplegic hunters. Staff and volunteers place hunters in safe areas at several hunt locations in the state. When a hunter shoots a deer, volunteers assist the hunter by retrieving the deer, field dressing it, and getting it checked in on site.

Each year, about 12-20 paraplegic hunters sign up for the special hunt. For Some of these people, it’s the only opportunity they have to hunt. The hunt is typically held at 5 sites:

  • The Northern Berkshires on private properties
  • The Southern Berkshires at Mt. Washington
  • The Quabbin Reservation
  • Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Lancaster
  • Otis/Edwards Military Reservation in Falmouth/Bourne

Frequently, hunters see deer and several get the opportunity to harvest a deer.

The dates of the 3-day hunt this year were October 31 through November 2.

The weather was, at times, downright balmy. Statewide this year some 18 hunters participated, which included 3 at the Northern Berkshires site and 4 at the Southern Berkshires site.

This year’s Paraplegic Hunt in Southern Berkshires, was an interesting one. For one thing, the weather was beautiful with temperatures well into the 70’s. For another thing, three of the four hunters successfully got deer, which were the only deer taken in the statewide paraplegic hunt this year. Two does were taken on Thursday.  Marc Tartaglia of Barkhamsted, CT got one. Readers may remember that last year was Marc’s first year participating in the hunt and he took two deer. Vyto Sablevicius of Norwood, MA took the second doe, a nice one weighing 125 lbs. dressed.  Dan Massaconi of Cheshire took a doe on Friday. Tim Davidson of Sturbridge MA hunted only Friday and Saturday afternoon. He saw deer but did not harvest any.

This year’s Southern Berkshire hunt was interesting for another reason, too. There was a surprise in store for volunteer Shaun Smith of Lee.  MassWildlife Assistant Director of Operations, Trina Moruzzi came out to the Berkshires and presented Shaun a plaque acknowledging his 50 years of involvement in the Paraplegic Hunt Program. The beautifully carved wooden plaque read, “MassWildlife thanks Shaun Smith for 50 years of dedication to Paraplegic Hunters.”

Shawn holding the plaque along with Trini Moruzzi

Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden commented that they really appreciated all that he has done to help in this hunt over those years.  Shawn replied that he couldn’t have lasted doing this for 50 years without the help of all of his fellow volunteers.  True, said Madden, “but you are the person who kept it all going.”

Then his fellow volunteers presented him with a golden Henry Boy .45-70 caliber rifle.  It was beautifully mounted by fellow volunteer Fred Lampro on a piece of box elder maple wood. The ceremony was a total surprise to him, but he should have been suspicious when his wife Mary showed up moments before the event.

Shawn and fellow volunteers at the presentation of the Henry Boy rifle.

Following the ceremony, the hunters, volunteers and guests settled down to a wonderful meal prepared by Wendy Lampro which included venison chili, scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, etc. served up with grilled venison steaks.  She also provided a wonderful assortment of home-made desserts.  The night before, she prepared a wonderful venison stew for them.

Each morning the volunteers helped the hunters get to their deer stands, and around noon they brought them to the DCR Headquarters in Mount Washington and provided them with a warm, home cooked meal prepared by Wendy Lampro.

Southern Berkshire volunteers and their years of involvement are as follows: Shaun Smith – 50 years, Marc Portieri – 35, Gregg Arienti – 29, Matt Roche (DCR) – 17, Fred Lampro – 15, Thomas Dean – 13, Dan White – 3, Christel Massaconi –4,  James Dellea – 3, Wendy Lampro – 3, and Shamus Daley – 2.  Kudos to all!

MassWildlife Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden was there, as was Wildlife Biologist Nate Buckhout in case any deer needed tagging.  Also, Dan White from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was there.

Special thanks go out to Cobb of Western Mass, Cobb of River Valley, Shaw Pond Club, Lee Fire Dept., AMVETS Post 77 and Osden’s Plumbing and Heating of Blandford. Special thanks also go to the DCR for providing the space to gather, eat, and warm up at Mt. Washington Reservation.

In the Northern Berkshires, Rick French was once again the main volunteer coordinator.  The hunters included Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA, Dale Bailey of Clarksburg, MA and Dave Alderman of Petersburg, NY. All of them saw deer but none were harvested.

Northern Berkshire volunteers and their years of involvement are as follows:  Rick French – 38 years, Stacy Sylvester – 36, J. Sylvester – 26, Jim Guiden, Alex Dargie and Joe Benoni.  Sorry, I don’t have the number of years for all of the volunteers. J. Sylvester came all the way from Maine to volunteer for the hunt.

Unfortunately, Shawn Mei’s father, Tony Mei, passed away since last year. Stacy Sylvester said that he was greatly missed. He had been a volunteer for 33 years. Shawn’s brother Tim Mei took his place volunteering.

The volunteers brought the hunters to a central point at lunchtime and provided them with a delicious meal of moose stew cooked up by Ruth French.

Special thanks go out to Jim Guiden for providing the headquarters space and to the Cricket Creek Farm in Williamstown for permitted hunting on their property.

Western District MassWildlife staff covering the Northern site location were Eli Pease, Heather Sadler and Jacob Morris-Siegel.  EPO Officers Jonathan Kolis and Joshua Kelleher periodically stopped in.

According to Susan McCarthy, total statewide, there were 64 individuals aside from hunters and their family members supporting the program and assisting hunters.  That included some 14 MassWildlife employees, 6 DCR staff members, 5 private landowners, 4 military personnel, 16 hunter helpers and 16 other volunteers.

As noted in past columns, this story is not all about the hunters and their harvests.  There are other components which must occur to make the hunt a success.  One is the volunteering. Statewide there were 16 volunteers assisting the physically challenged hunters get to ideal hunting spots and helped them by getting the deer moving, retrieving the deer, field dressing them, and getting them checked in on site.

McCarthy noted that, “As always, this hunt would not be possible without our fantastic network of MassWildlife and DCR staff, private landowners in the Berkshires, and our amazing volunteers.”

Incidentally, paraplegic sportsmen and women interested in taking part in the hunt next year should contact Susan McCarthy at (508) 389-6326.

Good acorn year

MassWildlife asks, have you been dodging a constant barrage of falling acorns, startled by the thwack of nuts pelting your car’s roof, or raking up mounds of acorns in your yard?   Well, like many trees, oaks go through cycles where they produce more seeds in some years than in others. These times of high production, known as “mast years,” occur every 2-3 years. While an abundance of acorns may be an annoyance to some, it’s a welcome buffet for wildlife that are preparing for a long cold winter.

In my opinion, it appears that this is a good mast year for acorns in the Berkshires. You might want to keep this in mind when you scout out your hunting areas and plan your hunting strategy accordingly.

Its really dry out there

I’m sure local hunters have noticed how dry it is in our woods and fields these days.  Those little streams that we used to step over while hunting woodcock, pheasants and bunnies are now bone dry.  Our bird dogs and beagles are hard pressed to find water to lap up.  Please be careful, especially you smokers, that you don’t inadvertently start a fire.

Actually, I’m surprised that the State hasn’t closed the woods to hunting and hiking like they used to do years ago.

Last I heard is that rain is forecasted for Veterans Day.  I hope so.

For you brave souls who will be out archery hunting that day, sitting in a tree stand shivering in the much needed rain, it might behoove you to remember the veterans who made the sacrifices to ensure that we live in a free and democratic country.

Thank you vets.

A new high school varsity sport is “catching on”.

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That’s according to Jim Whitman of Dalton.  On October 5, from sunrise to 3:00 p.m., the seventh annual Vermont State High School Fishing Tournament took place in South Hero, VT.  Some 19 boats participated.   Along with all Vermont varsity sports programs, this event was overseen by the Vermont Principals Association.  Hundreds of students, coaches and fans came from all parts of Vermont to meet at the John Guilmette fishing access on the Inland Sea of Lake Champlain. This section of Champlain, which is east of South and North Hero, Vt, covers 90 square miles.

Abundant fishing opportunities such as weed and gravel beds are there along with depths ranging four to sixty feet hold largemouth and smallmouth bass.    Through the practice seasons, students were given safety guidelines before any lines hit the water.

Jim and Bunny Whitman made a trip to watch their son Patrick and their grandson, Hunter, coach Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) in Hinesburg, VT, compete.  Teammates for CVU were Carter Ashley a junior and Hunter’s younger brother, Harrison, a sophomore. 
Carter Ashley on left and Harrison Whitman on right holding their bass.,

Volunteer coaches taught students the basics in fishing techniques and accompanied them during tournaments.    Many students had little or no fishing experience but, at the end of the season they became proficient and loved the sport.     Coaches spend 15 to 20 hours with their students in preparation for tournaments. Part of the time is spent on the shore line of local lakes where casting techniques and lure selection are reviewed.   The balance of training is on a boat, searching for likely fish cover and trying their newly learned skills, making successful catches.

“During this tournament, many good things happened for high school competitors, for they all had good luck.” said Jim.  Some 114 bass were checked in at the 3:00 p.m. weigh in event which was officially organized by volunteers.    “There was lots of enthusiasm from fans who cheered each team as their catches were recorded. While talking with students, they shared information about the best lures for the day which were weighted rubber worms and jigs with tails.”

Some very large fish were registered as Mt Abe High School took lunker honors with a 5.3 lbs. largemouth bass.     Each high school team weighed 6 fish and Mt Abe took the state title with a total of 23.84 pounds.    CVU was state runner up with 20.95 pounds.     The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department was on hand to release all fish back alive into Lake Champlain.

“At the end of a magical day on Champlain, high school students offered many great fishing stories— and all were true.    Indeed, their live wells were full and the sport of high school fishing in Vermont is alive and well.” said Jim Whitman.

Hunter readily gives his dad Patrick, credit for showing him the love of fishing.    Although, the coaching season has ended for Hunter, his competition at the college level continues. He is a senior at the University of Vermont and has qualified to represent his college at the National Collegiate Abu Garcia Fishing Tournament.

Be alert for moose and deer while driving

Because fall is the breeding season for both moose and white-tailed deer, MassWildlife reminds motorists to be mindful of increased deer and moose activity, especially during early morning and evening hours. Moose, found in central and western parts of Massachusetts, breed in September and October. White-tailed deer breed from late October to early December.

Moose on the road are especially hazardous. The dark color and height of moose make them difficult to see in low light; moose eyes rarely shine like deer eyes because their eyes are above headlight level. In addition, long legs and heavy top bodies make moose very dangerous to motorists when struck. Observe road signs for moose and deer crossings and slow down. Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer because it may lead to more risk and damage than hitting the deer. Moose are less likely to move from the road than deer, so stay alert and brake when you see a moose in or near the road.

Deer and moose/vehicle collisions should be reported to the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. In the event of a deer/vehicle collision, the driver or passengers of the vehicle involved (MA residents only) may salvage the deer by bringing it to a MassWildlife Office to be officially tagged.

RIP Grizzly 399

Staying on the subject of animal collisions, did you hear about Grizzly 399?   She was a 28-year-old bear known to millions of people and who was an economic force, drawing countless tourists to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  She died on October 22 in a Snake River Canyon vehicle strike. She was identified through ear tags and a microchip, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At the time, the whereabouts of her single cub were unknown.  “There appears to be no evidence to suggest the yearling was also involved in the incident, but the service is monitoring the area,” the federal agency stated in a news release.

Unconfirmed reports state that vehicle involved in the collision was “totaled.” The speed limit along Highway 89 in the Snake River Canyon, which connects Jackson to Alpine, is 55 mph. There is no investigation into illegal activity relating to the accident

If you have ever visited the Grand Teton National Park, you may have seen her.  She first rose to prominence in 2006, when she began frequenting roadside areas in northern Grand Teton National Park with a three-cub litter. Over the next 18 years, she repeated the pattern every three springs, reemerging with a new batch of cubs. She once raised four cubs — an exceptional rarity — and in 2023, at age 27, emerged with a single cub, making her the oldest female grizzly alive with a cub in the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. All told, she gave birth to 18 known cubs in the years following her own birth in 1996, according to Justin Schwabedissen, a Grand Teton bear biologist.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary,” Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins said in a statement. “Grizzly bear 399 has been perhaps the most prominent ambassador for the species. She has inspired countless visitors into conservation stewardship around the world and will be missed.”

September 2024 bear harvest tally is up

There are no grizzlies in Massachusetts, only black bears.  According to figures released by MassWildlife, some 188 black bears were taken in the September 2024 bear hunting season, up from 118 taken in the September 2023 season.

The second season of black bear hunting opens on Monday, November 4 and runs through November 23.  A blaze orange hat is required on Wildlife Management Areas stocked with pheasants or quail during pheasant season (which is currently under way). Hunting implements allowed are rifles, muzzleloaders and archery only (no shotguns).

Zebra Mussel eDNA recently detected in Pontoosuc Lake

According to the City of Pittsfield, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) detected eDNA of the invasive species, Zebra Mussels, in the lake during routine monitoring. Environmental DNA, called eDNA, is cellular material that sheds from an organism and is used as an early detector of invasive or rare species.

Zebra Mussels are invasive freshwater mollusks that are the size of a fingernail and have a negative impact on the local environment. They can filter out algae that native species need for food in order to survive and can attach to native mussels. Their name comes from the zig-zagged stripes on their shells.

Currently, the detection of this species only impacts boating operations at Pontoosuc Lake and has no impact on other recreational uses of the lake. The community is asked to refrain from boating on Pontoosuc Lake until there is an ice-over. All docks and buoys should also be removed from the lake and wash all parts of your boats, paddles and other equipment that have been in contact with the water.

In my opinion, if Zebra Mussels can attach to things like boats and paddles, then they probably attach to the feathers of ducks and geese which fly from waterbody to waterbody.  Surely, they spread the mussels, too.

Incidentally, Zebra Mussels were also observed in Onota Lake this past August and have been known to exist in Laurel Lake and the Housatonic River in Lee since 2009.

Missions Accomplished on recent Catskill Fly Fishing Trip

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Last month, Paul Knauth of Hinsdale and I went to the Catskills for four days.  The purpose of the trip was 3-fold: to meet up with fishing friends that we met last year, to enable Paul to pick up a new bamboo flyrod that he ordered last September which was built specifically for him by excellent bamboo (cane) rod maker Brian Greer of Missouri and, oh yes, to do some flyfishing for trout in the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Rivers in and around Roscoe, NY.

 

Within moments after arriving at the Roscoe Motel in Roscoe, NY we were feasting on a piece of delicious homemade apple/walnut pie.  While good friend Dwight Atkinson was driving up from Virginia, he stopped at a roadside pie shop run by Amish folks and ordered some pies, just like he did last June.

 

Shortly thereafter, Brian Greer presented Paul his new cane rod.  It’s an 8’ 4wt bamboo rod made specifically to Paul’s specifications. Paul ordered it during our September 2023 trip to the Catskills. (See Berkshire Eagle Woods and Waters Column of February 23/24, 2024 entitled You meet the most interesting people while fly fishing in the Catskills.

 

It was made from a bamboo grown only on approximately 48,000 acres up the Sui River in the Guangdong Province in China. The culm was split into strips, measured, planed, and glued to form a hexagonal shaped rod. (Kind of like if you look down at a pie that is cut into 6 even pieces).  The size of the rod at the butt is the approximate width of a pencil and it is tapered down to roughly the size of a toothpick at the tip.  The 6 strips that went into the tip section were comparable to the size of lead in a mechanical pencil.  The cork grip or handle of the rod had a reel seat of maple burl dyed red. The metal piece at the end of the reel seat was made by a friend of Brian’s who specializes in making them. It is a two-piece rod with a third (extra) tip.  Ferrules separate the two tips which had special line guides. Special glues were used and the fit was so precise that you couldn’t even see the glue lines.  There was a special procedure to varnish it too. Additionally, per Paul’s request, there were six discreet red silk rod wraps representing his two sons and 4 grandchildren.

Brian Greer on the left and Paul Knauth on the right holding his new rod.

It was truly a work of art.  Brian, in my opinion, is one great rod maker and you can tell that he puts his heart and soul into making his rods. The rod took him around 60 hours to build.  As mentioned in the previous article, close to 400 steps are required to build such a rod. After explaining all of the particulars of the rod and how to maintain it, Brian presented Paul with a piece of the bamboo culm and some bamboo strips.

Then he presented us a bottle of 7-year old Jim Beam bourbon with two glasses etched with our names on them. Along with Paul’s caprese hors d’oeuvres (skewered mozzarella cheese balls, cherry tomatoes, basil and drizzled with balsamic glaze) and pieces of Dwight’s peach melba pie, that bottle was emptied that evening when 8 of us sat around the campfire).

Paul’s caprese hors d’oeuvres

A beautiful bamboo rod is made to fish with, not to just cherish.  And Paul did just that the following day by catching 6 nice trout in a couple of hours.

On subsequent nights, due to chilliness in the air, Brian, Dwight and his fishing buddy Eric congregated in our motel room to talk trout, watch a ball game and munch on my wife Jan’s delicious chocolate chip squares and another one of Dwight’s peach pies.  It was at that time that we discovered that we had a celebrity amongst us. We learned that Dwight owned land in Scotland and that he was a Laird (Lord) there.  His estate lies in the western Highlands, near the Hebrides. (Actually, his daughter bought a one square foot plot of land there and gave the title to him for his birthday). We had fun kidding him as to whether he was going to plant potatoes on that plot next year.

 

Readers may remember Dwight from that February column where I described him as being “retired and seems to fish whenever and wherever he wants, places like the Balkans, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland.” After commissioning Brian to make another bamboo rod for himself (an 8’6”, two-piece 4/5 wt. in his Squire taper), he will be off to Oregon to fish the Owyhee River.  He has already booked a fishing trip to Wales for March, 2025, and then to Ireland and Iceland in May.  Being a laird, I guess he can afford such trips.

 

We also learned that he had the distinct honor of introducing a new word to the Oxford English Dictionary. He didn’t create the word, but he presented it to the OED, the definitive record of the English language. The word is exceedance, which means – an act or instance of exceeding, especially a limit or amount.  Hey! You never know who you’ll meet on these fishing trips, sipping a little bourbon and munching on goodies.

 

We accomplished two of our goals (Paul’s fly rod and meeting friends), and had wonderful culinary experiences, but what about the fishing?

 

We did well.  Both of us caught a dozen or more trout each, some of them quite large. Not bad fishing when you consider that we barely fished before 10:00 am in the mornings, fished until 2:00 p.m. or so, ate early dinners of overstuffed sandwiches (Dagwood Bumstead style) and went back fishing from 6:00 p.m. until dark.  On this trip, we enjoyed leisure breakfasts, chatted with our friends, visited fly fishing shops, and slowed the pace down a bit.  One morning, Paul and I didn’t even get fishing as we watched a MA Fish & Wildlife Board meeting by Zoom.  No, I didn’t see Iron Mike the fabled big brown trout that cleaned my clock a couple of times last year, but I caught a respectable rainbow trout in the area where he once resided.

 

We learned about some new places to fish in the Beaverkill River.  One place yielded one of the largest brown trout I have caught in many years. You should have been there to see that.

 

Picture if you will, this old angler out in the river with a wading staff in one hand (due to neuropathy in both feet and a serious balance problem, especially in moving water) and a flyrod in the other.  A large brown trout hammered my fly so I had to let go of the staff which was tethered to my vest, in order to fight the fish.  After finally getting it close, while keeping pressure on it with the fly rod in one hand I had to grab the tethered net which was attached to the back of my vest with the other. The interesting part was bending down to net that fish while maintaining my balance.  For a while it looked like I was doing the Watusi, with steps and antics that I had never done on the dance floor.

 

Normally, I release the fish in the water without using the net, thanks to the barbless hooks, but this was big and I wanted to show it off to my buddies who were fishing a little ways downstream.  Forget about trying to measure it or taking a photo with the cell phone which was buried somewhere under my chest waders. The trout just barely fit into the net when he spit the fly out.

 

I must have been quite a sight with the fly rod in one hand, showing off a big squiggly trout in the other hand and the attached wading staff and net hanging down in the water by my feet while struggling to maintain my balance.  The fish was released unharmed, but not too happy.

 

The size 12 AuSable Wulff and Usual dry flies, both created by the late Francis Betters up on the Ausable River near Lake Placid, NY, proved to be my most effective flies.   Paul had good luck with size 16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Parachute Adams dry flies.

 

What a great time we had.  We already reserved a room in the Roscoe Motel for next June, Good Lord willing and the creek doesn’t rise…..too much.

New Goose Pond accessible boat sidewalk and floating dock erected in honor of Evan “Cole” Colbert

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On Friday, October 4, state and local leaders, friends, family, and community members gathered at the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in Tyringham for the dedication of new accessible improvements there. The improvements include an accessible concrete sidewalk and floating dock to improve access for people of all abilities to fishing and boating. A granite stone and plaque were erected to honor the late Evan Scott Colbert and his passion for the outdoors, being on the water, and fishing and boating at Goose Pond.

These improvements were made possible through local community fundraising efforts from the Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby with the generous donations to Office of Fishing & Boating Access (OFBA) Trust Fund. In January, 2020, a new ice fishing derby was established dedicated in Evan’s memory who passed away in July, 2019 at the age of 29.

He loved the outdoors and spent his leisure time fishing and boating. He could often be seen enjoying the waters of Goose Pond casting his reel while watching the eagles fly above.

All proceeds of the ensuing derbies went towards a donation to the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in Evan’s name. Last year, they donated $5,000 to OFBA to help fund the improvements

Among those attending were MA Fish & Game Commissioner Thomas O’Shea, MA House Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli, State Senator Paul Mark, Tyringham Selectman James Consolati and Terrance W. Smith, Deputy Chief Engineer & Constructor.

“The dedication of this public access point to Evan Colbert is a fitting tribute to a young man whose great love of the outdoors and passion for fishing and boating has inspired his family and friends to give back,” said Tom O’Shea. “We greatly appreciate the support that has allowed us to increase access to Goose Pond, a cherished great pond in the Berkshires. The new accessible walkway and floating dock will greatly improve the experience for boaters and anglers like Evan who appreciate nothing more than a day out on the water.”

“The many years of successfully raising funds through events, donations, and visibility are now culminating with the dedication of the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in honor of Evan ‘Cole’ Colbert.  This is an amazing example of the sense of community that makes the Berkshires so special,” said Mark “The improvements that have been made and this dedication ceremony is a testament to how important Evan was to so many and that his memory continues to bring people together and bring out the very best in all of us.”

“Evan Colbert was an exceptional young man who loved to fish with friends and family on Goose Pond. He was taken too soon, leaving a void in all our hearts. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition for this wonderful enhancement to the pond he loved to spend time on,” said Pignatelli.

“The construction and dedication of the Goose Pond Boat Ramp is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the state, town and private citizens work together. We now have a great new facility, which makes boating on Goose Pond safer, much more convenient, and more enjoyable. At the same time, we have established a lasting memorial for Evan Colbert, who is loved and missed by all who knew him,” said Consolati.

Inscribed on the plaque were the following words, “Evan had a passion for the outdoors, fishing, boating, being on the water and making the most of his time with family and friends.”

Throughout the ceremony, people kept searching the sky for the bald eagle which frequently flies over Goose Pond.  It never showed up, at least not during the ceremony.  Perhaps it didn’t want to upstage the wonderful event honoring Cole which was going on down below.

A buck at the end of the rainbow

On Tuesday afternoon, October 13, Kevin Troiano of Housatonic was on the phone discussing the possibility of going out bow hunting for deer with his dad Andy.  Hail and rain was coming down where Kevin was but it was sunny where Andy was.  For a while, they didn’t think they would be going out.  But then, Andy saw a beautiful double rainbow came out and suggested that they go.  He felt that it was a good luck charm and there might be something nice at the end of that rainbow.

They did go out and from his tree stand in Housatonic, Kevin spotted two large bucks about the same size, one with a tall rack of antlers and the other with a wide rack.  They were about 30 yards away.  Kevin couldn’t take a shot at the buck with the tall rack as it was partially blocked by the other deer. So, he let his arrow fly at the one that provided a clear shot and hit it, but it ran off.  He called his father to help him track it down.  Because it was wet and rainy, there was not a good blood trail to follow.  It was getting late and they really didn’t want to leave the deer there over night to resume tracking the next morning as coyotes would surely find it and eat it up overnight.

They made one more circle and found it just before dark.  It took a total of 45 minutes of tracking to find that deer.  It was a 10-point buck. They had to drag it about 150 years to get it out of the woods.

The deer weighed 210 lbs. dressed according to Fishery & Wildlife scales. (Its live weight was estimated to be around 280 lbs.) They estimated the deer to be 4 ½ years old.

Kevin is going to have the head and shoulder mounted by Wild Arts Taxidermy out of Connecticut.

New gun law confusion persists

There still remains much confusion regarding the new gun law which took effect this month (Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024). What is understood to be the law this week could very well be changed or re-clarified the next.  At the October 5th Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s meeting, MassWildlife Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden distributed MassWildlife’s most recent information on this subject.  Hunters are encouraged to click onto the MassWildlife website entitled “Hunting with a firearm in Massachusetts”). https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-with-a-firearm-in-massachusetts) for their most recent data.  He stressed that the website will more than likely be updated as they get new information.

He noted that his district office is getting a lot of calls from out of state hunters.

 

Incidentally, according to Toby Leary, leader of The Civil Rights Coalition, more than 90,000 people signed petitions to delay enactment of the law and request that it be brought up for statewide vote in 2026.  That was well above the 37,287 required to put a repeal question before voters. Leary said the group did not use paid signature-gatherers and relied entirely on volunteers.

Hunters and Anglers recognized

On September 1, 2024 Governor Maura Healey gave a proclamation recognizing September 28, 2024 as National Hunting and Fishing Day and urged all citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. The proclamation stated:

  • To this day, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game is funded, in part, by sportsmen and women, through the American System of Conservation Funding. In 2023, Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women generated more than $24 million to support the Department’s conservation efforts.
  • More than 330,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending more than $600 million while engaged in their pursuits.
  • This spending supports over 9,000 jobs in Massachusetts and generates $70 million in state and local taxes.
  • Their license fees helped fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.
  • Sportsmen and women supported self-imposed excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, fishing tackle and motorboat fuels to raise additional conservation funds.

Old Mill Trail

 

On Wednesday, October 23, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., you are invited to  to celebrate the completion of accessibility improvements at the Old Mill Trail in Hinsdale. The improvements include a more accessible trailhead and parking lot, making this beautiful trail more inclusive for everyone, regardless of their mobility needs.

 

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but requested.