Biologists with Mass DFW are conducting an annual survey of Massachusetts hunters to better understand their preferences and efforts in Massachusetts and to receive important “on-the-ground” information to aid in the management of game species they hunt. The survey takes around 10-20 minutes to complete. It is set up so all responses remain anonymous.
If your email address is not listed in the MassFishHunt electric license system, you can go online and enter it if you want to participate in future hunter surveys.
Within the next few weeks, all sporting or hunting license holders with email addresses in the MassFishHunt system should receive an email invitation from Novi Survey with a link to the survey. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for any emails from Novi Survey in case it is flagged by your security system. The link you are provided is assigned to each email address, therefore you should not forward the invitation to others as the survey can only be filled out once. A reminder will be emailed to those license holders who have not responded within a week.
Accompanying the survey is a link to see a brief summary of last year’s survey and for answers to common questions from the survey. Last year over 8,900 hunters took the survey and provided valuable information. DFW encourages all hunters to take this survey so that there is a larger data base and theoretically more accurate information. *****
Here are the results of some ice fishing derbies which were recently held: 9th Annual Thomas Wren Derby held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 16, 1st place Shawn Burbank, 3 lbs 8 oz pickerel, 2nd place went to Keter Ostrander with a 3 lb 1 oz largemouth bass, 3rd place went to Austin Consolati with a 2 lb 14 oz largemouth bass.
The 1st Annual Megan Babcock Memorial was held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 22. 1st place went to Jeff Kuka with a 16 lbs 6 oz northern pike, 2nd place went to Bob Thornburg with a 1 lb 5 oz perch and 3rd went to E. Sagendorph with a 10 oz perch.
According to spokesman Ed Carmel, approximately 65 fishermen participated in spite of difficult walking conditions. On the 16th, there was over a foot of snow on top of 6 inches of slush. On the 22nd, there was over 2 feet of snow.
Club spokesman Fred Ostrander reported that the following individuals won the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club ice fishing derby on February 16: Adult division: 1st place – Brian Vincent, 2nd place – Jim Miller and 3rd place – Rick Saldo. Winners in the junior division: 1st place winner – Zack Mielke, 2nd place – Jordan Mielke and 3rd place – Hadley Mielke. *****
Gary Johnston, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club (SSC) Newsletter Editor reports that over 80 youngsters have signed up for its Youth Archery Program, which will run until March 15. Other Archery Shoots at the SSC include the Berkshire County “300” Round Championships on March 15 and 16.There will be a “450” shoot on the 16th. Call John Mange for more information at (518) 794-7868. *****
Ryan Livernois, who works at Crea’s Bait Shop on West Street in Pittsfield told me about Dylan Crea, a 12 year older from Pittsfield, who is an avid fisherman with lots of passion for the sport. Fishing Pontoosuc Lake, he already has weighed in 4 huge Northern Pike this year.
He caught a 14.2 lb, 26 ½ inch length and 17 inch girth monster pike on January 27. The very next day Dylan landed another pike only this time it weighed 15 lbs. Then on February 16 he caught an 18.9 lb pike. But wait, there’s more! On February 28 he caught another one weighing 19 lbs 8 oz. He caught that one in the dark at 8:50 PM in 10 below zero weather. The picture of that fish did not come out so too well as it was taken in the dark. You might be able to see it on the Crea Bait Shop web page. The fish pictured above is a smaller one.
“It is nice to know that ice fishing provides something (for youths) to do out here in the Berkshire’s”, says Livefnois. Dylan’s parents are very proud of him. “He is so deeply passionate about fishing. He’s an A class sportsman and he is an angler to watch as he continues his awesome fish catching skills.” said his mother Dianna.
He releases all of the fish using a live well to keep them alive in order to weigh them in at the bait shop. Once the fish arrives they move as fast as they can with the fish out of the water to weigh and measure it. Then it is put back into the live well, transported back to the lake and released back into the water.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413) 637-1818).