According to MassWildlife, each winter they receive inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good. Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures, and high winds.
Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can:
• Attract predators and increase risk of death by wild predators or domestic pets;
• Spread diseases among wildlife or cause other health issues (e.g. Rumen acidosis in deer, Aflatoxicosis in turkeys);
• Cause aggression and competition over food, wasting vital energy reserves and potentially leading to injury or death;
• Reduce fat reserves, as wild animals use energy traveling to and from the feeding site;
• Cause wildlife to cross roads more frequently, therefore increasing vehicle collisions;
• Negatively impact vegetation and habitat in areas where feeding congregates animals.

Providing wildlife with food at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival and can lead to human/wildlife conflicts. Once habituated behavior is established, it can be very difficult or impossible to change.
MassWildlife says that the best way to help wildlife make it through the winter is to step back and allow the animals’ instincts to take over. To help wildlife near your home, focus on improving the wildlife habitat on or near your property, by including natural food and cover (e.g., some conifer cover and regenerating forest or brushy habitat). It is also important that wildlife populations are in balance with what the habitat can support.
MassWildlife biologists advise against feeding wildlife. While backyard bird feeding during winter months is generally acceptable, they recommend using native plants and water to attract birds to your yard. Fallen bird seed can unintentionally attract many types of wildlife, including bears, turkeys, small mammals like squirrels and mice, and predators like foxes, fishers, and coyotes that feed on small mammals. If you notice unwanted wildlife in your backyard, bring in your bird feeders immediately.

There are lots of things going on this upcoming. Check out the following:

Thomas King Memorial Hunt and Dinner

On January 25, the Berkshire Beagle Club (BBC) will be holding its first Tom King Memorial Hunt and Dinner. It is advertised as a fun time with good food and raffle prizes. Check in time at the Beagle Clubhouse is 4:00pm. Hunting takes place on your own, away from clubhouse and grounds. The entrance fee is $20 which includes the dinner and raffle. For more information, contact Hunt Chairman John Demary, at (413) 441-2253.

Thomas (Tom) King was a highly regarded member on the BBC who passes away last May. He had been a director of the BBC, a longtime member of the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club (CR&G), the Adams Outdoor for Youth and the Night Stalkers Bass Club He was the BBC’s delegate to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen and was the recipient of its 2009 Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.

He was an avid volunteer for the BBC and CR&G annual turkey shoots, work bees, pheasant and rabbit stocking programs, annual youth fishing events, game dinners. He was a volunteer for the Mass Anglers Education Program. Tom was an avid, ethical sportsman whose goal was always to promote youth interest in hunting and fishing sports.

Incidentally, the BBC held its election of officers for 2020. Al Costa of Westfield, MA was elected President, Dick Kalisz of Adams as Vice President, Tim Cahoon of Pittsfield as Treasurer and Pat Barry of Pittsfield as Secretary.

NRA Range Safety Officer course
On Saturday January 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) will be holding a NRA Range Safety Officer Course. The cost is $35, and the cost of a 2-year credential for NRA members is $30.00, $50.00 for non-NRA members. If you are not already an NRA member and would like to become one prior to taking this course, it is recommended you call the NRA rather than join online.
The first 10 active LSA Members to register for this course and agree to actively participate as an RSO at the Club in some capacity (i.e. for any event/match held on LSA property where RSOs are needed, during youth training or events/matches, or during a busy weekend on any of our ranges) will have the cost of the course covered by LSA (the member is only required to pay for the cost of credentialing through the nrainstructors.org website).

Registration is required – contact Education Chairman Shawn Sullivan for questions, concerns, and registration at 413-281-8651 or ssullee@icloud.com.

Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) invites you to its Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner being held on Sunday, January 26. The Turkey Shoot is from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Prizes include NY strip steaks, turkeys, pork loins, and spiral hams.
The dinner is from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm, adults $15 and children 12 and under $7.
Every year, MassWildlife stocks an average of 40,000 pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other lands open to the public. The LSA helps raise and release these wonderful birds. They are stocked for recreational hunting and are paid for by revenue from license fees; however, the cost of raising the pheasants is the responsibility of LSA, and the caretakers are all Club volunteers.
So, they invite you to come on out for a day of fun and delicious food, and help support a great cause to ensure our continued legacy of wildlife management and hunting heritage in the Berkshires.
Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby

This is a new ice fishing derby dedicated in Evan Scott Colbert’s memory who passed away last July at the age of 29. At the time of his passing, Evan was employed by Dresser Hull Company, where he built many close relationships with coworkers and customers. He was a proud member of the South Lee Fire Company and a former Lee Police Officer.

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. When he was on land, Evan spent time hiking, golfing, riding dirt bikes and adventuring with his dog.

All proceeds of the derby will go towards a memorial donation to the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in Evan’s name. The details of the derby are as follows: Sunday, January 26 at Goose Pond from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Check-in will be at the boat ramp. Cost is $10 for adults and children 12 and under free.

There will be a ceremony with prizes and raffles on the ice near the boat ramp at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased on the ice the day of the event or in advance at the office of Dresser Hull or Terrace Hair Studio. Events and ice conditions can be found on Facebook on the Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby page.

Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club (CR&G) will be holding its first Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet on Saturday, February 8 at the CR&G Clubhouse at 310 Curran Road, Cheshire. The hours are from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Open to the public, the admission cost is $3.00 for adults and kids 12 and under free.
It is an opportunity to buy, sell or trade new and used fishing and hunting gear. No guns, ammunition, household items; unsold items must be removed.
I mention this event somewhat early as time is required to buy table space,. Table space is still available at $30, which includes admission for one. To reserve a table, contact Jeff Kruszyna at (413)743-4168.
Please note: Due to ice conditions, the ice fishing derby sponsored by the Lanesboro Volunteer Firemen’s Association has been postponed until January 25.