According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), coyotes are “an opportunistic​ feeder” that is adaptable to many habitats, including suburban, urban and rural areas. Some town officials across the state are urging residents to be cautious with their pets this winter, as coyote mating season is officially underway and could last until March.

During this time, you are likely to see coyotes more frequently than normal, especially in wooded areas, in neighborhoods and backyards. They will utilize whatever food is naturally available, including small animals, birds, insects and fruits, as well as artificial sources such as garbage, pet food, birdseed, and compost.

In suburban areas they’ve been known to prey on unprotected pets, including small dogs and house cats.  They may view larger dogs as competition. It is not abnormal for coyotes to protect themselves if threatened.

Pet owners should keep their pets out of harm’s way.  Here are some suggestions:

• Feed your pets indoors to avoid attracting wildlife
• Cats should be kept inside, if possible, especially during low light hours such as early morning and early evening.
• Dogs of all sizes should be kept on a leash and closely monitored when out in the yard.
• Go outside with your dog. Before letting your dog out and while it is out there, check and even make noise to scare off any coyotes that may be lurking in the area.

 

For more helpful information on preventing conflicts with coyotes, click onto the MassWildlife web site https://www.mass.gov/prevent conflicts with coyotes.

Fly-tying event was a great event

“We had a great turnout tonight” wrote Fran Marzotto of Pittsfield.  He was writing about the fly- tying class which was held at Berkshire Outfitters in Adams last Tuesday evening.

Including instructors, the event was attended by 24 people. The attendees included women, men, and children. Their ages ranged from 8 years old to seniors and their skill levels ranged from beginners to intermediate to advanced tiers. They tied Wooly Buggers and Egg Patterns for trout and Crab Patterns for Striped Bass.

The above event was a Taconic Trout Unlimited affiliated event. But in addition to them, Instructor Chris Samson is planning on holding tying events at Berkshire Outfitters every two weeks on Tuesday evenings throughout the winter.  The next event on February 7 at 6:30 pm. Future TU affiliated events will be announced by Taconic President Justin Adkins at a later date.

The names of the instructors were Chris Samson (Store Manager), Fran Marzotto, Paul Gigliotti and Bob Levesque.

Steve Blazejewski is the owner of Berkshire Outfitters. As you can see in the pictures, it has a great array of flyfishing and fly-tying equipment.

 

 

 

Housatonic River in CT now designated as “Wild and Scenic”

 

For the many local flyfishermen who fish the Housatonic River in Connecticut, especially around Falls Village and Cornwall, there is a bit of good news.

 

The Housatonic River Commission recently announced federal designation of the Housatonic River as a Wild & Scenic River for the 41 miles of the Housatonic River from the Massachusetts border to the Boardman Bridge in New Milford. William Tingley, Chairman of the Housatonic River Commission, said ‘This federal Wild & Scenic designation of the Housatonic River will help to ensure the Commission’s ability to carry through its management plan to maintain the river’s unspoiled beauty and create solid accessibility to the many user groups who treasure the Housatonic River.”

 

“The Commission has worked diligently for many years to accomplish this important Wild & Scenic designation. This was a team effort, and there are many to thank for their support in making this designation happen. First and foremost, thank you to the residents and public officials of the seven towns represented on the Commission: Canaan (Falls Village), Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury, Sharon, New Milford, and North Canaan, and to the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) for their dedicated support and advocacy for the river and this designation”.

 

“Additionally, thank you to state and federal elected officials, most particularly Senator Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, for making sure this designation was included in the recently passed Omnibus Bill in Washington, and to several key partners for their dedicated efforts in addition to the HVA, including the National Park Service, Northwest Hills Council of Governments, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, local area land trusts, and other interested organizations.”

 

This 41-mile section of the Housatonic River is now a member of the National Park Service’s Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, a federally funded consortium designed to protect and enhance exceptional rivers throughout the country. The Commission will also be entitled to receive federal funds to carry out its management plan for the Housatonic River, including the pressing need to improve and control public access to the river for recreation

 

What to do if you think you caught a state record fish

How many times have you gone ice fishing and thought that perhaps that day you might catch a state record pickerel or northern pike?  Why not?  State records have been caught out of Berkshire waters before.  Be prepared by reading the following advice from MassWildlife.

“If you think your trophy fish may have broken a state record, it needs to be weighed by a MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist. Email Steven.Mattocks@mass.gov to make an appointment to bring your fish into one of our office locations. The fish must be presented in its entirety (whole). In keeping with MassWildlife regulations prohibiting the transportation of live fish without a permit, any fish submitted for weighing must be dead.”

Good to know, now all we have to do is catch a state record.

Active Military & Veteran Waterfowl Hunt coming up

Two statewide Active Military & Veteran Waterfowl Hunt season dates (Oct. 8, 2022 and Feb. 4, 2023), are open for waterfowl hunting (ducks, coots, mergansers, and geese) by veterans and current members of the Armed Forces on active duty.  It includes members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training).

The term “veteran,” is defined, per section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable”. Proof of eligibility is required and must be carried on person while hunting. All regular season waterfowl regulations and bag limits apply.

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, February 5. The Turkey Shoot runs 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.  Cost is adults $20 and children 12 and under $10.  Contact Secretary John Polastri at (413) 822-8278 for any questions, concerns.

Every year, MassWildlife stocks an average of 40,000 pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas and other lands open to the public.  LSA helps raise and release the pheasants.  They are stocked for recreational hunting and are paid for by revenue from license fees; however, the cost of raising and releasing the pheasants is the responsibility of LSA, and the caretakers are all LSA volunteers. You are invited 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.

Carla Rhodes:  From Comedy to Conservation

Wildlife conservation photographer Carla Rhodes will make a presentation at the February Berkshire Green Drinks gathering on Wednesday, February 8, at 6:00 PM in person at Barrington Brewery, 420 Stockbridge Rd, Great Barrington, and online via Zoom.

With work published in The New York Times, The Guardian, and more, Carla’s untraditional path to helping elevate wildlife through the art form of photography inspires people to chase their wildest dreams.

Join the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)  in person or online for the  Berkshire Green Drinks event to hear how Carla went from comedy to conservation and see some of the awe-inspiring moments she has captured through her photography.

The in-person gathering begins at 5:15 PM, and the presentation starts at 6:00 PM. RSVP for the in-person event at Feb2023-Berks-Green-Drinks.eventbrite.com.

Pre-registration is required to attend the virtual presentation. Register at tinyurl.com/Feb2023-Berks-Green-Drinks.