At the last Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s (BCLS) meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that MassWildlife will stock nearly 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout across Massachusetts this year—nearly 470,000 will be stocked during the early spring. The Western District waters should receive approximately 20% of the allotted fish.
Stocking in southeastern waters started March 6 and other regions of the state will begin as soon as weather conditions allow. As of Tuesday, March 14, no Western District waters have been stocked yet.
MassWildlife raises trout in its five hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague.
“Anglers can look forward to another outstanding trout fishing season. Thanks to the year-round work of our dedicated staff, the quality and size of the fish we are stocking this spring is exceptional,” said Dr. Caleb Slater, MassWildlife’s Chief of Hatcheries. “MassWildlife stocks these trout in more than 220 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, which helps make great fishing opportunities more accessible to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.”
Most of the trout will be over 12 inches, more than 175,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches, more than 51,000 brook trout will be over 12 inches, including 300 18”+ retired brood fish. Some 50,000 brown trout will be over 12 inches, including nearly 700 18”+ retired brood fish and more than 2,500 tiger trout will be over 14 inches
Boating Safety Classes
At that same BCLS meeting, Environmental Police Lt. Tara Carlow reported that she scheduled two boating safety classes in our region. One is at Berkshire Community College on April 16 and April 23 from noon to 5:00 pm. The other is at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club on April 4, 5, 11 and 13 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm. Participants must be there all days.
She reminded the League that Massachusetts law requires all motorboat operators who are 12 through 15 years of age to complete an approved boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Also, all PWC operators who are 16 or 17 years of age or older must complete an approved boating course. The Massachusetts Environmental Police Requirements are: You must be at least 12 years old to take the course, and you do not have to be a resident of Massachusetts to take this course.
People must have written permission or trails must be open to the use of off-road vehicles (ORV) and all machines must be properly registered, even on their own property. Pittsfield State Forest ORV season does not open until May 1, and may be delayed by muddy conditions. All fines and regulations were modernized in 2010 when an 8-year-old boy was involved in a fatal ATV accident.
A Massachusetts law, enacted that year restricting the use of ORVs to those age 14 and older led to significant reductions in both emergency department visits and hospital admissions resulting from ORV injuries in the following three years according to a study by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital, comparing injury rates before and after the law’s enactment.
Lt Carlow also mentioned that they will try to do an ORV education class. Anyone in Massachusetts who is younger than 18 years old has to have this education to drive an ATV, dirt bike or side by side along with other age requirements. A class has not been held in the Berkshires in a while because only certified officers can teach it. There are no specifics on it yet.
Lastly, she also mentioned an incident where MA EPOs assisted with a case that resulted in an arrest in Maine. A guy from Attleboro, MA was paying people in Maine to trap wild snowshoe hares and he was taking them back to Attleboro for his own beagles to run. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) also got involved. He received a 1-year probation, a $10,000 fine, and a $1,800 restitution to Maine for the hares.
Migratory Bird Regulations
At that same BCLS meeting, Madden reported that The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to move MassWildlife’s proposed Migratory Bird regulations to public hearing. This annual process sets dates and limits for seasons on Migratory birds within a framework set by the USFWS.
The primary changes include the following:
- Increase the Mallard Bag limit from 2 to 4
- Increase the Berkshire Goose season from 30 days to 45 days and increase the bag from 1 to 3
- Open the Berkshire duck season October 9 (Holiday)
- Open the Central duck season October 14th (Saturday)
Here they come again
MassWildlife officials are reminding the public that March is the month when hungry bears emerge from their winter dens and seek out food. Natural foods such as acorns and other nuts are usually available on the ground, but last year’s fall hard mast crop was meager. Bears will often ignore seasonally available natural foods including skunk cabbage in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species including wild turkeys and coyotes may also frequent bird feeders leading to a variety of nuisance issues.
To avoid these problems, MassWildlife asks property owners to be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources including garbage or open compost. If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature, growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears. Taking these actions may prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.
There are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and their range is expanding eastward. Act by educating yourself and your neighbors about proactive measures to avoid conflicts with bears. For more information about black bears in Massachusetts, visit mass.gov/bears.
Gala Event
On April 1, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association/Ducks Unlimited (LSA/DU) 7th Annual Youth Sports Gala will take place at the Country Club in Pittsfield. There will be raffles, live and silent auctions. Doors open at 4:00 pm, dinner served at 6:00 pm. Tickets cost $100 per person and can be purchased at leesportsmen.com or mail to Lee Sportsmen’s Association, PO Box 175, Lee, MA 01238.
Keeping with the LSA, Turkey Shoots will take place every Sunday through March 26, from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm. Prizes include: NY Strip steaks, turkeys, pork loins, and spiral hams. Cost: $3/shot-meat, $3/shot money shoot. Lunch available for purchase. Contact President Doug Frank at (413) 822-6490 with any questions.
Pistol License Course
On Saturday, March 25, Pete’s Gun Shop is hosting the MA Pistol License Course which qualifies you to apply for a MA LTC or FID, plus pistol licenses issued by AZ, CT, FL, ME, NH, PA, etc. The course includes firearm laws, safe gun handling, operation, maintenance, shooting fundamentals, etc. Live fire is also included, and is required by CT, FL and several MA municipalities. You will receive new wrap-around shooting glasses and folding muff type hearing protection that are yours to keep.
This will be a one day all inclusive, live fire class at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club. The class starts at 9:00 am. They spend time at the range and you get to shoot. You are also given an NRA Basic Pistol Safety textbook which is included in the class cost of $160.00.
You also get a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop in appreciation for taking the course. You are asked to pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited. This live fire course fills up very quickly so call or stop in early to pre-register.
Prepayment is required at the time of registration. They do accept credit cards in person at the shop or by phone.