The Early Canada Goose hunting season (statewide) began Friday, September 2 and runs through September 24. For Early Canada Goose season only, hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The daily bag limit is 15 and the possession limit is 45. The reason for this early season and the large numbers of geese allowed to be taken is to reduce the large local resident population that is befouling our lawns and beaches. The regular goose hunting season in the Berkshires opens on October 10 and runs through November 11.
There are many regulations regarding goose hunting and rather than to list many of them out like I did last year, your attention is directed to the 2022 – 2023 SEASON DATES & BAG LIMIT provided at https://www.mass.gov/doc/2022-2023-migratory-game-bird-regulation.
I will note that a 15-goose harvest limit for one day and a 45-bird possessive limit is high. Please make sure the geese won’t go to waste (see wanton waste comments below) and that you or someone else consumes them. The meat can be tough, so you might want to search out grandma’s old recipes or perhaps you can make goose jerky.
The early Black Bear hunting season opens statewide on September 6 and runs through September 24. Those hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. There are no blaze orange requirements during this season. Hunting implements allowed during this season are rifles, revolvers, muzzleloaders and archery equipment. There are also many regulations governing bear hunting and instead of listing all of them out here like I have done in previous years, I direct your attention to pages 30 and 31 of the Massachusetts Fishing and Hunting laws (commonly referred to as the abstracts).
Please remember: It is unlawful for hunters to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead game animal in the field or the forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and use it. Each retrieved animal shall be retained or transferred to another until processed or used for food, pelt, feathers, or taxidermy. This does not apply to animals unfit for consumption or use—animals and their parts that are damaged, destroyed, decayed, rotting, diseased, or infected.
No hunting is allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts.
Here’s hoping you have safe and successful hunts.
Surplus Antlerless Deer Permits go on sale in September
Unlimited surplus Antlerless Deer Permits (ADP) will be available for zones 10, 11, 13, &14 starting Sept. 27. A limited number of ADPs for zones 3, 9, & 12 will go on sale on a first come, first served basis on Sept. 28. They will cost $10 and you will need a hunting license in order to purchase one. The easiest way to buy a license or a surplus permit is online through MassFishHunt. In-person sales are also available at select license vendor locations and MassWildlife offices.
I hope you noticed that Zone 3 here in the Berkshires will have surplus permits, some 351 of them. I believe this is the first time that they will be made available.
Governor Baker appoints four new members to the F&W Board
Some of the following information was gleaned from the July 18, 2022 Minutes of the Fish & Wildlife Board which were approved at the August 23, 2022 Board Meeting.
In my column of July 3 entitled (Steve Sears elected as Acting Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board), I noted that Steve Sears of Dalton was elected Acting Chairman of the Board, Bob Durand was elected Acting Vice Chair and Ernest Foster was elected Acting Secretary.
In the July Board Meeting, Acting Chair Sears thanked the former Board members, Mike Roche, who had served on the Board for 35 years; Joe Larson, who had served for 22 years; Brandi Van Roo, who served on the Board for 17 years; and Bonnie Booth, a member for 13 years. Sears said that the members had performed a lot of service as volunteers for MassWildlife and the Commonwealth. He said that he was humbled as the Acting Chair and would work hard in the position
DFW Director Tisa introduced the new Board members, who he said clearly bring passion and commitment to their roles on the Board. They are: Emma Ellsworth, Mathew Sisk, John Organ and Sasha Dyer.
Ellsworth said that she was both overwhelmed and honored to join the Board. She talked about taking a walk with retired Habitat Program Leader John Scanlon in a recent burn site where she saw “lots and lots” of blueberries. Ms. Ellsworth said she loves to see the results of MassWildlife’s habitat work and is looking forward to supporting the effort.
I had the opportunity to correspond with Ellsworth and she told me that she is an avid outdoorswoman, having grown up canoeing, camping and hiking in Montague. In the last ten years her husband has introduced her to the hunting and fishing sports and is now an addict. In addition to having a pair of bird dogs, last year she shot her first elk and the year before her first deer. “I would be lying if I didn’t admit that half my time fly fishing is spent trying to untangle myself from my line. But I am learning.” she wrote. (Join the crowd of newcomers).
“Across the board, in the ten years since I first held a shot gun and fly rod, I have been embraced by the sporting community and find patient mentors on the sporting clays course, wading the swift river, and in the bird fields. I am eager to have the opportunity to give back to this community and to the Massachusetts forests. I am the Executive Director of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and am passionate about the protection and stewardship of the unique and stunning natural resources of our commonwealth and backyard.” she wrote.
Sisk had been Deputy Commissioner of DCR. He is well regarded here in the Berkshires for while in office, he helped get gates reopened and roads fixed at Pittsfield State Forest, Beartown State Forest and October Mountain State Forest. He stated that his appointment to the Board is a lifelong dream come true.
Organ said that he’s humbled and honored to be a Board member. He said that he has worked in various capacities with MassWildlife for many decades and has nothing but respect for the hard work of the its staff.
Dyer said that as a lifelong hunter she had always heard her father speak with respect for the Board, and she was very glad and honored to be a member.
Director Tisa said that he looks forward to working with them and thanked them for agreeing to do the job. He reported that over the next five months through the end of the calendar year, his staff will be offering a comprehensive review of programs and district reports to bring the new members up to speed.
Wear your life jackets, it’s the law
MassWildlife cautions us that all canoe or kayak occupants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) from September 15 to May 15, and that includes waterfowl hunters.
Nice way to end a first day in class
Eight year-old Michael (Mikey) Hubbard of Pittsfield had a busy day last Tuesday. It was his first day of class in 3rd grade and to celebrate it he went bass fishing with his dad Jason Hubbard later at Plunkett Lake in Hinsdale. Fishing with a 5-inch rubber worm from shore, he hooked into a big fish. He successfully landed what turned out to be a 21-inch, 4.4lbs largemouth bass.
No, he didn’t release it back into the lake. Once cleaned, it will be released into his mom’s (Rachel Soules Hubbard‘s) frying or baking pan.
Thanks to Steve Bateman for bringing this catch to our attention.
Fishing Derby
Where did the summer go? The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is scheduled to have its last Youth Fishing Derby of this year next Saturday, September 10, from 9:00 to 10:30 am at its Lower Pond at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA. Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Here’s wishing you all an enjoyable Labor Day weekend.