Author Archives: Gene

About Gene

Gene was born and raised in Lenox, MA. He grew up on a small family farm where he developed his love for the critters that also lived on that land. At an early age he fished for the wild speckled brookies that were in the brook that crossed his land. After a 4 year stint in the USAF and graduated from college, he returned home to Lenox. Although a banker by trade, he was an avid sportsman and loved hunting and fishing. Among his many accomplishments were: President of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU), Chairman of the MA/RI Council of TU, received the Stream Champion Award from TU National, received various awards from the Housatonic Valley Assoc., Secretary of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen. He was the recipient of the 1990 Berkshire County Sportsman of the Year Award, After retiring from his banking career, he began writing a weekly outdoor sports column for the Berkshire Eagle in 2004 and continues to do so to this day. Since becoming an outdoor sports columnist, Gene picked up three more awards: The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen John Zuber Award, the Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council R L Gribbons Award, and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's "Words of Wisdom" Award.

Joshua Christman, Angler of the Year – again

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Each year, MassWildlife recognizes anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish in waters open to the public.

Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, has been named 2021 Catch & Keep Angler of the Year by MassWildlife. This is his third win in the last five years, having won that award in 2016, 2020 and 2021.  Last year’s award was for catching the following gold pin fish in the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program:  A 29 lbs. 13 oz carp out of Laurel Lake in Lee, and a 7 lbs. 8 oz largemouth bass out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  I’m sure he was awarded many bronze pins also.

 

In the Youth Catch & Keep Category, Philip Prieur of South Hamilton was named Angler of the Year.  He caught the following gold pin fish: A 6 lbs. 6 oz bowfin out of the Taunton River in Taunton, a 6 lbs. 12 oz channel catfish out of the Westfield River in Agawam, a 2 lbs. crappie out of the Merrimack River in Lawrence, a 6 lbs. 4 oz white catfish out of the Charles River in Cambridge and a 3 lbs. 10 oz shad also out of the Merrimack River.

The Catch & Keep Angler of the Year Award is given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet the minimum weight requirements for the previous calendar year.

I should mention that Gabriel Christman (Joshua’s son) caught the following gold pin fish in the Youth Catch & Keep Category:  A 3 lbs. brook trout, a 10 lbs. brown trout, a 7 lbs. 13 oz largemouth bass and a 4 lbs. 6 oz smallmouth bass all out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  He also caught a 14 oz sunfish out of Richmond Pond in Pittsfield and a 1 lbs. 11 oz white perch out of Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough.

Gabriel’s 10 lbs brown trout caught out of Onota Lake

In the Catch & Release Category, David Desimone of Amherst caught the following gold pin fish:  A 32 inch bowfin out of Oxbow Pond in Easthampton, a 20.75 inch brook trout out of the Swift River in Belchertown, a 28 inch brown trout out of the Deerfield River in Charlemont, a 27.25 inch rainbow trout out of the Swift River in Belchertown, a 25.50 inch tiger trout out of Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, and a 24 inch white catfish out of the Charles River in Cambridge.

The Catch & Release Angler of the Year Award is awarded to the person who submits the largest number of species that meet the minimum length requirements for the previous calendar year. Nearly 1,000 pins are awarded annually.

Other gold pin fish that were caught out of Berkshire waters last year were:

In the Adult Catch & Keep Category:  A 15 lbs. 13 oz brown trout caught out of Stockbridge Bowl by James Pollard of Hinsdale and a 23 lbs. 8 oz northern pike caught out of Onota Lake by Jeffrey Klammer of Adams,

In the Youth Catch & Keep category gold pins were awarded for the following Berkshire catches:  2 lbs. bullhead caught out of Otis Reservoir by Colten Andras of Westfield, a 5 lbs. 10 oz chain pickerel caught out of Stockbridge Bowl by Cooper Shepardson of Lenoxdale and a 16 lbs.5 oz northern pike caught out of Pontoosuc Lake by Caesen Kendall of Pittsfield.

In the Catch & Release Category, a gold pin was awarded for a 45.50 inch northern pike caught out of Onota Lake by Craig Strong of Springfield.

Angler of the Year recipients and gold pin winners are honored each year at a MassWildlife awards event where they will get a gold pin and a plaque. The date and location TBA.

I have only listed the names of the gold pin winners. There is another pin awarded and that is the bronze pin.  If you submit a fish that meets the minimum weight or minimum length requirements for an eligible species, you’ll get a bronze pin from MassWildlife for that species.

There were 9 new state records all in the Catch & Release Category:  DeSimone’s previously mentioned 32 inch bowfin, 20.75 inch brook trout, 27.25 inch rainbow trout, and a 25.50 inch tiger trout;  a 21.50 inch bullhead caught out of Stiles Pond in Boxford by Roger Aziz, Jr. of Methuen, a 44 inch carp caught out of the Connecticut River in South Hadley by Kenneth Langdon of South Deerfield, Craig Strong’s 45.50 inch northern pike out of Onota Lake, a 13 inch sunfish caught out of Wright’s Reservoir in Westminister by Griffin Sabolevski of Winchendon, and a 40.40 inch tiger muskellunge caught out of Spy Pond in Arlington by Jacoby Chalmers of Arlington.

Congratulations to all the 2021 winners!

Ice fishing derbies

Next Saturday, February 26, the Ashfield Rod & Gun Club has scheduled an Ice Fishing Derby which will run from 8:00 am to noon.  Registration will take place at the Ashfield Lake House Beach.  Participants can park at either the Ashfield Lake House or the Town Beach.      Bring your own equipment, but some holes will be drilled.  A warming fire and refreshments will be provided.  Awards will take place at 12:00 noon.  For more information, contact ARGC president Jack Shea at 413 522 6150.

The Tom Wren Memorial Derby is scheduled for February 26 from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm on Pontoosuc Lake.  Sign in at the camper near the Narragansett Park.  Entry fee is $10, all cash paid out 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaviest fish.  There may be something for kids, too.

The 38th Annual Springfield Sportsmen’s Show

 

Billed as the largest pure hunting and fishing show in the Northeast, it is filled with hundreds of booths, seminars and action areas. The show is filled with an outdoorsman’s dream of fishing and hunting gear, outfitters, charter boats and adventure destinations, along with great deals on fishing boats, ATV’s and UTV’s. There will be great attractions and displays such as The Northeast Big Buck Club, Trout Pond, and more.

The Outdoor Sports Expo Group brings together just the right mix of hunting and fishing celebrities, industry experts, and entertainment features to produce a sporting and outdoor show that is educational, entertaining, and fun.

Each year, the show draws exhibitors from all over the Northeast who are eager to present their products and services to outdoor sporting enthusiasts throughout the greater New England area.  Returning and all new fishing tackle vendors will exhibit and sell fishing reels and rods, hard and soft plastic baits, fishing kayaks with accessories, boats of all types, etc.

The show take place at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, MA on February 25 through 27.   The show hours are Friday from noon to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM.  Admission:  Adults – $15, kids 6 to 12 – $5 and under 6 free.

MassWildlife winter chores

 

In the February Berkshire County League of Sportsmen meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported the following less newsworthy but important projects were completed:

  • Wood Duck Boxes– The Western District has completed its winter wood duck box checks. They checked 130 boxes. Hooded Mergansers attempted nests in 47 of the boxes, most of which were successful to hatch. Wood Ducks used 9 boxes, most of which were successful to hatch. Some 41 boxes were unusable because of damage from wind, weather, flooding, age or other damage. The remaining boxes (33) were not used by any duck species.
  • Apple Orchard Restoration Efforts – We are fortunate in the Western District to have extensive remnant apple orchards. Each winter they spend time recovering some of these sites to increase soft mast for wildlife. So far through January they have daylighted and pruned more than 40 apple trees on the Chalet Wildlife Management Area in the towns of Cheshire, Dalton, Lanesborough and Windsor.

Endangered Wildlife Conservation

MassWildlife reminds us that tax season is here, meaning it’s a great time to help keep Massachusetts wild. One easy way to help endangered animals and plants is by donating on your state tax return. Simply fill in the amount you would like to donate on Line 33A for Endangered Wildlife Conservation.

Such donations go to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund, a fund dedicated specifically to the conservation of rare species. It supports MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, responsible for the hundreds of species that are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern in Massachusetts.

MassWildlife makes proposals dealing with small game

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MassWildlife makes proposals dealing with small game

Recently, MA fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to proceed to public hearing with proposed changes to regulations around pheasant hunting and small game.  I tried to paraphrase them but I think I would just confuse the readers.  Therefore, I am passing on the proposed changes verbatim:

Extend opportunity to harvest pheasants/quail through December

A small portion of stocked pheasant/quail survive the regular season from mid-October through November. Following the shotgun deer season, extending the pheasant and quail season through the end of December provides an additional opportunity for enthusiastic and skilled game bird hunters to harvest remaining stocked pheasants/quail. Additionally, rabbit/hare/squirrel hunters would gain hunting opportunities from this season extension as well. Given the late-season nature of this proposed hunting opportunity, we anticipate relatively low participation rates and therefore minimal, if any, concerns or conflicts with other hunters, recreationalists, and/or landowners.

Expand allowable hunting implements on stocked WMAs, and standardize hunting implements (shotgun and archery only) for pheasant/quail

Current regulations unnecessarily restrict hunting implements on stocked Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to shotgun and archery for hunters pursuing species other than pheasant and quail. Many stocked WMAs are large or occur as multiple, disjunct parcels such that restricting implements unnecessarily hinders hunting for other game. This change is also critical since the proposed expansion of the pheasant/quail season occurs during the muzzleloader deer season. Expanding hunting implements would most benefit black bear hunters during the November season and hunters of other furbearers.

In addition, regulations would be amended to specify that pheasant/quail hunters may only use shotgun and archery equipment on both stocked WMAs and other stocked properties. Currently, shotguns and archery equipment are specified for pheasant/quail hunters on stocked WMAs, while on non-WMA stocked properties there are no existing implement restrictions.

Expand hunting hours for archery deer/waterfowl, etc., hunters on stocked WMAs, and standardize hunting hours for all pheasant/quail hunters

On pheasant-stocked WMAs, current regulations unnecessarily restrict hunters during archery deer, bear, fall turkey, waterfowl, etc., seasons from being able to hunt during some of the best time periods for hunting those species. Stocked WMAs can readily accommodate hunters who are not targeting pheasant and quail from 1⁄2 hour before sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after sunset, thereby standardizing hunting hours both on and off WMAs and simplifying regulations.

Additionally, pheasant/quail hunting hours would run from sunrise to sunset, regardless of whether hunting is occurring on a stocked WMA or any other property. Currently, hunting hours are not the same on stocked WMAs (sunrise to sunset) compared to other pheasant-stocked properties (1⁄2 hour before sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after sunset).

Simplification/expansion of gray squirrel, cottontail, and snowshoe hare seasons

cottontail picture provided by MassWildife

Regulations associated with the hunting of gray squirrel, cottontail, and snowshoe hare are unnecessarily complicated. The proposed simplified framework would include a statewide season for cottontail/hare starting mid-October (the Saturday after Columbus Day) and end the last day of February. The gray squirrel season would run from early September to February 28. Harvest of these small game species is minimal relative to population size, and any expansion in season would not be detrimental to long-term population health. These changes greatly simplify the regulations and provide additional opportunities in the early and late season for both new and experienced hunters.

Remove the black tailed jack rabbit season

Black tailed jack rabbits have been extirpated from Nantucket for decades. There is no reason to have an open season for an extirpated, non-native species.”

So, there you have it, direct from MassWildlife. The MA Fish & Wildlife Board agreed to pursue the recommendations and will shortly be setting up a public meeting date. The Board is asking some preliminary input from the various county sportsmen’s leagues and clubs.  At its February 2022 monthly meeting, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen unanimously approved the proposals, as did the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club.

Desired hunting legislative proposals are gaining traction

 

Reliable sources report that the following legislative proposals will be reported out favorably from the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Most of them have been covered in recent articles in this column:

 

1.Senator Gobi’s Bill S. 546 – An act to Reimburse the Inland Fish and Game Fund. This will reimburse MassWildlife for the free licenses made available to those aged 70 and older and could mean upwards of $2 million annually. – Reported out Favorably

  1. H. 991 – An act relative to the use of crossbows in hunting. Petitioned by Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli and Representative Viera’s bill H. 1024 – Reported out Favorably
  2. S.552 – Senator Gobi’s bill on setbacks reducing from 500 to 250 feet for archery. Favorable Report
  3. Finally all the Sunday Hunting Bills were put in a study.

 

Hunters are encouraged to contact their representatives and politely ask them to support these bills.  Thanks to Rep. Smitty for his petition on the crossbow bill.

 

Hunting is still very popular here in the Berkshires

 

To hear some people, one would conclude that hardly anyone hunts around here anymore. The percentage/number of hunters in relation to the total state/county population are quite low.  One reason, they claim, is that the rewards for the efforts are hardly worth it.  Well, have you checked the price of meat lately, or what a roast duck meal will cost you in a restaurant?

 

Rarely are the other rewards that the hunter reaps ever mentioned.  Things like fresh air, physical exercise, the comradery of friends and family, and just being out there with mother nature and all of the beauty she has to offer.

 

Lest you be swayed by any misleading comments, please consider these statistics which were provided by MassWildlife to F&W Board Member Bob Durand.  Bob kindly passed them onto us:

 

According to MassWildlife’s Year 2020 license sales (last year provided), there were 5,510 hunting and sporting licenses sold in the Berkshires (A sporting license allows hunting and fishing).   My friends, that’s a lot of local hunters.

Ice Fishing Derbies

If you like to fish in NY, the Canaan Conservation Club will be holding its 23rd Annual Hard Water Fishing Derby on Queechy Lake on February 19.  It will run from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.  You can register and pay online or by visiting its website https://canaanconservationclub.weebly.com.

The entrance fee is $15 for adults and $5 for youths aged 15 and under.  There will be prizes, raffles and more.  Remember, next weekend is free fishing weekend in the state of New York with no license required.

Also, don’t forget, the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and the Adams Outdoor for Youth organizations have scheduled an ice fishing derby on Sunday, February 20 on the 1st and 2nd Hoosac Lakes in Cheshire, MA. It will run from sunrise until 4:00 pm with weigh-in at the Farnams Causeway.  The ticket holder with the heaviest fish wins an Eskimo Quickfish 3 Ice Shelter and an 8-inch K-Drill Auger.

Prizes and refreshments will be at 5:00 pm at the Cheshire R&G Club House.  Kids 14 and under free with adult ticket holder ($10 donation).

Go Fish MA!

MassWildlife encourages you to use the Go Fish MA! map to target fish on ice.  The detailed depth information from the map can help you decide where to go and where to set up on a pond.  You can even view waterbody depth in real time on your phone.  I tested it on a couple of locations where I ice fish on Stockbridge Bowl and it is spot on.

Take a boating safety course

A boating safety course is recommended for anyone who wishes to operate a boat. Young boaters aged 12–15 are required to complete a state-approved boating safety course to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Boat Massachusetts is a free course 10-12 hours in length offered by the Massachusetts Environmental Police. Family participation is encouraged and has proven to be very rewarding.

There is such a course coming up at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club on the following evenings: February 28, March 3, 7 and 9.  All classes must be attended. approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

For more information, click onto https://www.mass.gov/services-details/boating-safety.

Could Sunday bow hunting, revised setbacks be around the corner?

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Maybe, if the State Legislature approves it. One of the items that was included in Governor Charlie Baker’s recent recommendation was to include Sunday archery hunting.  Here is the exact verbiage:

 

Sunday Bow Hunting of Deer Section 57 of Chapter 131 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:  This section shall not prohibit the Director, with the approval of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, from authorizing the hunting of deer by bow and arrow on any Sunday, and shall not render unlawful the possession or carrying of a bow and arrow for the purpose of hunting deer, as authorized by the Director with the approval of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board.

 

In summary, this section would allow for bow hunting for deer on Sundays.

Another item included in the governor’s recommendations was to change the setback requirements (from occupied dwellings) from 500 feet to 250.  Exact verbiage:  Section 61 Decreased Hunting Setbacks Section 58 of said Chapter 131, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following words: Provided that a person may hunt with a bow and arrow not less than 250 feet from any dwelling in use.

In summary, this section would reduce bow hunting setbacks from a dwelling from 500 feet to 250 feet to align with the setbacks in neighboring states.

 

Now the question is, will the Legislature approve them?

 

I am retired now and can hunt any day of the week except Sunday.  But there was a time when nothing angered me more than not being able to hunt on Sundays.  For many, December is a very busy time with projects to be wrapped up before year end, and working 6 days a week is a requirement. If a hunter wants to hunt on his only day off, (Sunday) he has to buy an expensive non-resident license and drive to a neighboring state – NY, VT or CT. That is not right.  Sunday hunting is the only remnant of the archaic and long-discontinued Sunday Blue Laws.

Friends would frequently tell me that Sunday is the only day that they can go hiking in the woods without fear of being shot.  My response has always been, well there are a lot of hunters where that is the only day that they can hunt. It always griped me that I could not go hunting or allow others to hunt on my own land on Sunday.   Hikers and bird watchers shouldn’t be there without permission, so what’s the problem?

In my opinion, the fear of being shot or killed in the woods is unfounded. Many don’t know or fail to accept the fact that hunting is one of the safest recreational activities in America.  The last survey that I saw based upon figures originated from the Centers for Disease Control are very telling.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, has compiled data that shows hunting ranks third in safety when compared to 28 other recreational pursuits, ranging from baseball to wrestling. Hunting with firearms has an injury rate of 0.05 percent, which equates to about 1 injury per 2,000 participants, a safety level bettered only by camping (.01 percent) and billiards (.02 percent).

Comprehensive hunter education classes that emphasize the basic rules of firearm safety and a culture of hunters helping fellow hunters practice safe firearms handling in the field are probably responsible for this good record.

To quote the NSSF, “To put hunting’s safety standing into perspective, compared to hunting, a person is . . . 11 times more likely to be injured playing volleyball, 19 times more likely to be injured snowboarding, 25 times more likely to be injured cheerleading or bicycle riding, 34 times more likely to be injured playing soccer or skateboarding, 105 more times likely to be injured playing tackle football.  Hunting is even safer than golf.

The number of hunters nationwide who went afield in a recent year was estimated at 16.3 million. Of that total, approximately 8,122 sustained injuries, or 50 per 100,000 participants. The vast majority of hunting accidents, more than 6,600, were tree stand-related.

I have the same issue with DFW Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).  Those properties were acquired using funds derived from hunting and fishing license sales and excise taxes on firearms and other sporting equipment. Unfortunately, everyone else can use those lands on Sundays except the hunters.  That also is not right!  Hikers have thousands of acres of land to hike on DCR lands which do prohibit Sunday hunting.

Another problem I have is the issue of setbacks (mandatory distances from an occupied dwelling one can hunt).  Current Massachusetts law prohibits a person from possessing a loaded firearm or hunting by any means on another person’s land within 500 feet of a dwelling in use, unless allowed.  That includes WMA’s.

These mandatory distances also apply to bowhunters.  Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t even think William Tell could launch an arrow anywhere near 300 feet. Bow hunters traditionally use tree stands and fire their arrows downward at their prey. No way an arrow under those conditions could traverse much over a couple hundred feet, not even with a ricochet.  It would seem to me that a 250 feet setback should be sufficient.

The reduction of such a setback would enable hunters to hunt more land which hitherto could not be hunted.  That would be good news to the archers in the heavily populated eastern part of the state who cannot hunt certain towns due to the high housing density.  Towns incidentally which need to severely reduce their deer populations to prevent destruction of their young trees and shrubbery and possibly reduce the number of deer ticks.

Let’s hope the Legislature reacts positively to the Governor’s recommendations.

Ice Fishing Derbies

On February 12 the Great Barrington Fish & Game Club will be sponsoring an ice fishing derby on Mercer’s Pond.  It starts at 7:00 am and runs until 1:00 pm. Entrance fee is $15.00 for adults and children 12 and under $5.00.  The grand door prize for adults will be an ice auger, for the children it will be a bicycle. Other prizes include heaviest fish overall.  Tickets must be purchased at the clubhouse prior to the derby.  No exceptions.  There will be a spaghetti and meatball dinner following the derby.

On February 13, the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department’s 5th Annual Ice Fishing Derby will take place on the North Basin only of Cheshire Lake.  Registration will take place from 6:00 am to12:00 pm, with derby hours from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.  All fish must be weighed in by 4:00 pm and prizes will be awarded at 4:30 pm at the Bass Water Grill.

The registration fee is $15.00 for adults and youths 12 and under free with the purchase of an adult ticket. The entry fee also enters you into thousands of dollars-worth of raffle prizes to be drawn throughout the day.   Prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish of any specie for both adult and youth age groups.  The grand prize, which was donated by Bedard Bros Auto Sales, is a Milwaukee 2804-22 Drill with 2 batteries, charger, and hard case and Eskimo 8” Pistol Bit Auger.

The second-place prize, donated by Harry’s Auto Sales, is a Jet Sled filled with a full set of 5 Heritage Tip-Ups, bait bucket, bait net, chipper/skimmer. Third prize, donated by Eskimo, is an Eskimo QuickFish 2 Ice Fishing Shanty.

But wait!  There’s more!  The largest bass of the day wins a full set of 5 Jack Trap tip-ups donated by Colin Haas and Laina Main. Also, a full set of prizes for the youth group donated by JCB Bait.  Trophies were donated by NEBASSIN NY/MA as part of their FHF Tournament Series.

Gosh it’s so nice to be able to write about ice fishing derbies again. With the combination of iffy ice conditions and the Covid scare in prior years, they just weren’t being held.

The last time I checked (Stockbridge Bowl last Wednesday) there was at least 14 inches of hard ice.  If you are able, round up the kids and get out there and enjoy the day.  Don’t forget to bring gramps and grandma, too.

Ice fishing, winter hiking and snowshoeing can be fun, but stay safe

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MassWildlife advises us to stay safe this winter by taking a few moments to review these ice safety tips:

  • New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.
  • Ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto the ice.
  • Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often more dangerous. Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams, as the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds may contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.
  • Before heading out onto the ice tell someone your plans, including where you are going and when you expect to return.
  • Carry a cell phone in case of emergency.
  • Carry ice picks and rope with you on the ice. In case of emergency, drive the nails into the ice and pull yourself to safety while kicking.
  • Wear your life jacket. If you fall in, a life jacket will keep you at the surface and can provide insulation against the effects of cold water.

 

The following ice thickness guidelines are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice and can be very treacherous. Use an ice chisel, auger, or cordless drill to make a hole in the ice and determine its thickness and condition. Bring a tape measure to check ice thickness at regular intervals.

If the ice thickness is 2 inches or less, stay off; 4 inches usually is safe for ice fishing; 5 inches safe for snowmobile or ATV; 8-12 inches ok for car or small pickup and 12 to 15 inches should be safe for a medium truck.

If you fall in: 

  • Don’t panic: Call for help if there are people nearby.
  • Don’t remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float.
  • Turn the direction you came from: Ice you previously walked on should be the safest.
  • Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks or a pair of nails, use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking.
  • Lie flat and roll away: Once your torso is on firm ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.
  • Find shelter and get warm: Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry coverings. If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice from your physician on medical attention.

If someone else falls in, Remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.”

  • Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way.
  • Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them.
  • Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim.
  • Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves.

 

If a pet falls in:

Do not attempt to rescue the pet, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners can easily become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice.

Now, as for winter snowshoeing or hiking

Berkshires knapsackers on the trail

The NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has provided some safety and education tips from which we all can benefit.

A well-packed emergency kit will help you manage any circumstance the outdoors throws your way. Include the following items in your emergency kit:

  • A whistle will help you attract the attention of nearby hikers or rescuers.
  • A signal mirror can reflect sunlight up to rescue aircraft, indicating your location if you are lost.
  • Bright colored clothes make it easier for rescuers to spot you. If you need to leave the trail for any reason, tying cloth to a tree at the edge of the trail can help you navigate your way back safely.
  • Duct tape is handy for fixing gear or making quick shelters.
  • A pocketknife or multitool can serve many purposes, both in an emergency and in general.
  • A space blanket provides warmth and protection from the elements and can be used to make an emergency shelter.
  • An emergency shelter is good to have on backcountry trips, too. This could be a tent or simply a tarp and rope.

Stay safe my friends.

Ice Fishing derby

NY ice fishers, please know that the Chatham Lions Club ice fishing derby is scheduled for Saturday, February 5 from 6:00am to 2:00pm on Queechy Lake in Canaan, NY.   Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, 4 fish categories, $1,000 in raffle prize equipment and a 50/50 raffle, Entry fee is:  $15 for adults $5 for children 15 and younger.  To preregister send entry fee to Chatham Lions Club, PO Box 216, Chatham, NY 12037.  For more info contact Al Meier at 518-755-0330.

 

MA residents interested in entering this derby, shouldn’t forget to buy their 2022 non-resident NY fishing licenses.

Creel surveys on Lake Champlain to be conducted

Staying in NY ice fishing for a while, the NYDEC announced ice fishing creel surveys will be conducted for a second year on the New York waters of Lake Champlain from January through March 2022.

“Last year’s ice fishing creel surveys provided valuable data that will help DEC continue to manage Lake Champlain as one of New York’s top fishing destinations,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos. “Continuing that work this year will help us better understand what anglers are targeting and catching so we can evaluate and adjust our management practices as needed.”

The ice fishing survey is part of a larger, two-year effort to survey both ice and open water anglers. Data gathered during these surveys will serve as a baseline to help DEC Fisheries biologists better understand angler use and expectations, while also informing management actions on Lake Champlain.

The 2022 ice fishing survey will take place at four access points: Plattsburgh Boat Launch on Cumberland Bay; Willsboro Bay Boat Launch; Bulwagga Bay Campground; and South Bay Boat Launch. Anglers coming off the ice will be asked to participate by sharing information about their day of fishing and providing DEC creel clerks data such as target species, number caught, and size.

Such information will help DEC develop Lake Champlain management practices that benefit anglers and the fishery. As an incentive to participate, anglers will be entered into a drawing for several ice fishing gear prizes, including a jet sled, jigging rod, rechargeable aerator, and an insulated bait bucket.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet

 

The Bay State Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will be holding a banquet on February 12 at 5:00 pm at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, 24 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge.  There are a dozen entrance fee scenarios, but a single ticket costs $90, or a couple ticket costs $140.00.  There will be great food and chances to win top notch firearms, premium trips, and exclusive gear. Seats and tickets are limited and you can reserve your tickets by registering online (www.rmef.org/Masssachusetts) or by calling Gary Johnston at (413)441-0361.  You might want to check on Friday to make sure it has not been cancelled due to covid.

 

Annual Pheasant Fundraising/Turkey Shoot and Dinner


The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) is tentatively holding its Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot and Dinner on Sunday, February 6.  The turkey shoot will run from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Prizes include NY strip steaks, turkeys, pork loins, and spiral hams.  Dinner is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  The cost for adults is $15.00 and for children 12 and under $7.00.

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 them.  They are stocked for recreational hunting and are paid for by revenues from license fees; however, the cost of raising them is the responsibility of LSA, and the caretakers are all club volunteers.

 

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Conservationists unite to help MassWildlife

Recently a letter was sent to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture by Linda Orel, Policy Director of the Trustees of Reservations.  The letter speaks for itself:

“Our organizations respectfully offer testimony in support of S.546, An Act to Reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund, sponsored by Senator Anne Gobi. We are united by a commitment to conserve and restore the Commonwealth’s most critical natural resources, and we regularly work closely with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) to protect and restore rare, threatened, and endangered species across Massachusetts.

MassWildlife is primarily funded through the sale of hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping licenses, permits, and stamps, as well as dedicated federal funds from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. A small remainder of MassWildlife’s annual budget comes from bond-funded initiatives, donations, and funds from the state’s annual operating budget. Unlike other state agencies, MassWildlife receives only a small percentage of its operational budget from general funds. All funds from freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and dedicated federal funds go directly into the Inland Fish and Game Fund (hereafter, the Fund), which can only be used for administering programs by MassWildlife.

Despite a variety of funding sources that support MassWildlife’s work, the agency is chronically underfunded. Wildlife and habitat have always faced threats from development, fragmentation, pollution, and invasive species, and now climate change is heavily impacting ecosystems and natural areas, making MassWildlife’s work more important than ever.

Currently, the state reimburses the Fund for the loss in revenue from discounted hunting and fishing licenses offered to residents ages 65-69.2 However, the state does not reimburse the loss of revenue associated with free licenses offered to residents over age 70, which was approximately $1 million per year prior to the fee increase approved in 2021. Between 2022 and 2026, license fees will essentially double, meaning that by 2026, MassWildlife could be losing nearly $2 million in annual revenue if the status quo is to continue.

S.546 would annually reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for all loss of revenue for any fishing or hunting license provided at a discount and for any license provided free of charge. This language would create consistency and require the state to reimburse MassWildlife for loss in revenue resulting from issuing free and reduced licenses – helping to restore taxpayer-supported funds to conserve and manage critical fish and wildlife habitat and plant species. Reimbursing these funds, as well as a more generous allocation from the General Fund, is part of the broader need to diversify funding for MassWildlife programs, which has been identified through MassWildlife’s assessment of fee increases.

We are grateful to the Legislature for adopting Senator Gobi’s amendment to the FY22 Operating Budget to reimburse the Fund for lost revenue attributed to the issuance of discounted or free hunting and fishing licenses. However, this language is included in a line item (2300-0100), rather than amending Section 11 of Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which governs the licenses and fees associated with the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund. We respectfully request that the Legislature make permanent the forward-thinking reimbursement they included in the FY22 budget by passing S.546, and therefore, updating Chapter 131.

The work of MassWildlife benefits all citizens of Massachusetts. MassWildlife’s Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife Conservation Easements provide places for recreation and meditation; healthy ecosystems that ensure we have clean air and water and that sequester and store carbon; well-managed habitats that support our most imperiled species; and educational programs that inspire residents of all ages. The challenges of climate change and habitat degradation have made the work of MassWildlife critically urgent.”

The following were signers of that letter:  Trustees of Reservations, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Appalachian Mountain Club, Mass Association of Conservation Commissions, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Mass Conservation Alliance, Mass Audubon, Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Mass Land Trust Coalition, Mass Rivers Alliance and Massachusetts Council of Trout Unlimited.

Incidentally, the late George “Gige” Darey, Lenox resident and long-time Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board, spent many years working on forming a coalition of organizations such as those above.   He knew that each one had its own set of priorities and many times they conflicted.  But there were some things upon which they all agreed, such as open space and endangered species preservation.  In those cases, it made perfect sense to join forces and establish a coalition.  He called it his “Guns and Roses Coalition”.  I’d bet he would be tickled pink to see all the signers of this letter.

Junior Duck Stamp art contest

There is still time to enter the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) contest. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 can submit original artwork to participate in this fun and educational competition. The entry deadline is February 15, 2022. The process of creating these works of art allows students to appreciate the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights and diversity of wildlife. Even if students do not enter the competition, science and art teachers will value the JDS curriculum as a useful resource, advises MassWildlife’s Wildlife Education Coordinator, Pam Landry.

The JDS program links the study of wetlands and waterfowl conservation with the creation of original artwork. Students learn about the habitat requirements of various kinds of ducks and geese and then express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of these species artistically, by creating a drawing or painting which can be submitted to the JDS art contest. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition; the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition. Art teachers, science teachers, and parents who home-school can visit the MassWildlife website for an information packet and entry information.

For more information contact Pam Landry at pam.landry@mass.gov.

If there are any local winners, I will gladly include their duck stamp pictures in this column.

 

Upcoming Ice fishing derbies

 

The Coles Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby is scheduled to take place on Goose Pond on Sunday, January 30 from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tickets are available on the ice near the boat ramp or in the office at Dresser Hull during normal business hours and must be purchased by 10:00 am in order to fish. Tickets cost $10.00 for adults and free for kids 12 and under.  There will be cash prizes for adults.  All proceeds will go towards a memorial donation to the boat ramp in Evan Colbert’s name.  Prizes and raffles will be held near the boat ramp at 2:00pm.

Event updates and more information can be found on Facebook at the Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby page.

 

The  Lanesborough Fire Department will be sponsoring an ice fishing derby on Pontoosuc Lake on January 29 from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.  It will be held behind the park on Narragansett Avenue.  The cost is $15 entry fee for adults, kids 12 and under free.  Entry fee includes a chance at the door prize (Weber Grill), trophies for kids, refreshments and a raffle ticket drawing after the derby.

It might be wise to check on Friday to see if these derbies are still on.

 

Flyfishing Show Cancelled

Hopefully, fly fishing enthusiasts got the word of the cancellation and rescheduling of the Flyfishing Show in Marlborough, MA.   Originally scheduled for this weekend, it has been rescheduled to April 22 -24. Unfortunately, the announcement of the rescheduling came out too late for me to include it in last week’s column.

Donated lands

Recently, I have been receiving a number of requests to comment on a proposed bike track complex in a local municipal park.   I decline to do so because I don’t believe it belongs in this column.  That matter should be addressed and, if necessary, voted upon by an informed citizenry.

Generally speaking, my feeling is this: Unless there is a dire emergency or a public safety issue, I believe that when parcels of lands are donated and accepted with management stipulations, those stipulations should be adhered to.   To do otherwise, (regardless of the passage of time), means the agreement has been reneged upon and could be considered a double cross to the donors and their surviving families.

Sick of being housebound?  Check out these upcoming events.

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Many outdoor sports folks want to resume attending banquets, shows, derbies, etc., in spite of the Covid-19 variants that are still around. Sportsmen’s clubs especially want to get their banquets, dinners and derbies going again as they rely heavily on the income derived from them to run their programs, pay their real estate taxes, send kids to camp, etc. Yes, people still like to attend Zoom meetings such as the one listed below, but they prefer to actually get out of the house and attend some of them with their friends.  Event organizers are more than happy to accommodate them.  Today and in future columns, I will be listing upcoming events.  Grab your mask and attend some.

Wildlife tracking presentation

On Tuesday, January 18 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Richard Greene will speak at the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) Pittsfield Green Drinks meeting via Zoom. He will talk about his experience with wildlife tracking and the many places this passion has taken him.

Greene has studied track and sign, as well as wildlife biology, with Keeping Track, Cybertracker, and Mass Audubon’s Field Naturalist Program. These interests have taken him throughout New England, Canada, and South Africa. Although he spends most of his time nowadays at his home in southern Berkshire County, he has also presented many talks on the use of trail cameras in wildlife study.

As part of the discussion, he will present a slide show and narrative from his collection of wintertime track and sign photos. And perhaps even give us some tips and techniques on how to notice and identify wildlife tracks and signs.

Click onto the BEAT website to register to join this event.

Incidentally, Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are.

Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field meet for a drink and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from non-profit organizations, academia, government, business, and the general public. Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured.   Due to COVID-19, they are virtual until further notice.  Registration is required to join this event. 

Marlborough Fly Fishing Show is back

 

The 2022 FlyFishing Show® will take place from Friday April 22 through Sunday April 24 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center,181 Boston Post Road, West Marlborough, MA.   The hours are:  Friday –  10am-6pm, Saturday – 9am-5:30pm and Sunday  9am-4:30pm.

More than 10 demonstrations or audio/visual presentations each hour together with wall-to-wall displays of the newest fly rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies during the three-day mid-winter run.

In addition to tackle, lodges and exotic destinations, show visitors can view continuous fly-tying demonstrations, how-to-do-it seminars and presentations ranging from fly fishing for trout in Yellowstone National Park to Surf Fishing for Striped Bass on Martha’s Vineyard.

Seminars include Introduction to Spey fishing by Tim Flagler, salt water fishing by Jeff Currier, Nymph Fishing Secret Weapons by Jason Randall, Catching Difficult Trout by Ed Engle and much, much more.

Casting demonstrations are scheduled by Gary Borger, Alan Caolo, Sheila Hassan and others.

Featured fly tiers include Borger, Caolo, Flagler, Engle, Joe Cordiero, Bob Clouser and others.

The world premier of the 2022 Fly Fishing Film Festival is Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  Cash-only at the Box Office, ATM available.

The FlyFishing Show® admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days.  Children under age 5 are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under 16 in uniform.  Children under 12 are $5.  Active military with an ID are $10.

For a complete list of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars, door prizes, demonstrations and more, visit www.flyfishingshow.com/marlborough-ma/ or phone (814) 443-3638.

Whitetails Unlimited Banquet

The Knox Trail Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited (WTU) will be holding a banquet on Saturday, January 29 at the Knox Trail Inn, Rte.  23, in East Otis, MA.  Tickets cost $50 for a single and $30 for a spouse, with the ticket order deadline being on January 20.  There will be games and raffles.  The social hour begins at 12:00 pm and the dinner at 1:30 pm.  Wow! There’s going to be some terrific prizes, too many to mention here.  Its best to check them out online at whitetailsunlimited.com.  Contact Bill Bailey at 413-244-2304 for tickets.  First come first served.  Tickets will not be sold at the door.

WTU’s purpose is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations.  To date, over $109.9 million has been expended on program services that enhance and foster its mission.

I can tell you from personal knowledge, that the Knox Trail Chapter has provided lots of enjoyable, memorable days for many Berkshire County kids over the years.  All the funds they raise don’t go somewhere else.

Incidentally, depending on ice conditions, Knox Trail WTU has scheduled an ice fishing derby on February 5 at Laurel Lake.  For more information such as start and weigh in times, entry cost, etc., contact Bill at the above phone number.

Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet

The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club (CR&G) will be holding its second annual Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet on Saturday, February 5 at its 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.

Staying with the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, they and the Adams Outdoor For Youth organization have scheduled an ice fishing derby on Sunday, February 20 on the 1st and 2nd Hoosac Lakes in Cheshire, MA. It will run from sunrise until 4:00 pm with weigh-in at the Farnams Causeway.  The ticket holder with the heaviest fish wins an Eskimo Quickfish 3 Ice Shelter and an 8-inch K-Drill Auger.

Prizes and refreshments will be at 5:00 pm at the Cheshire R&G Club House.  Kids 14 and under free with adult ticket holder ($10 donation).  If cancelled it will only be because of lack of ice.

Important notice for deer hunters:

 

Recently, MassWildlife issued the following notice.  If you were fortunate enough to get a deer on December 30 or 31, it may apply to you: “MassWildlife is aware of a technical issue that prevented hunters from reporting deer online at the end of the 2021 primitive firearms season. If you harvested a deer on 12/30 or 12/31 and were unable to report online using the MassFishHunt system, we still need to collect your harvest report. Gathering this information is important for managing deer populations throughout the state”.

 

To submit this information, you can either:  Try to use the MassFishHunt form online to enter your harvest report (or) call (508) 389-6300 during regular business hours (M–F, 9am–4pm) and one of its staff members will take your information over the phone. If you get a voicemail, please leave your full name, customer ID, and a phone number for them to call you back.

 

If you already reported your harvest in person at a check station or contacted them about this issue, no further action is needed.

 

MassWildlife apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates your cooperation. They hope you all had a safe, successful hunting season.

 

Hey!  If any of you ever lived through a “conversion” at work, then you know what MassWildlife is going through right now.  Be patient my friends, they’ll work it out.

 

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BOW 2021 deer hunt results

Seventeen women deer hunters participated in MassWildlife’s 2021 Becoming-an-Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunt Program. On opening day of the shotgun deer hunting season on November 29, they experienced a guided deer hunt with the assistance of volunteer mentors at Fort Devens.

women deer hunters

According to Marion Larson, MassWildlife Chief of Information & Education, nearly all the women saw deer and all participants enjoyed their hunt. Two women harvested their first deer ever.  “Sharing that experience was both exciting and overwhelming. This course was amazing. Thanks to everyone who makes it what it is!” said one of the seventeen novice women deer hunters.

MassWildlife expressed its sincere appreciation to their enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer mentors who shared their knowledge and support with these new hunters.

To prepare for the mentored hunt, the women attended a virtual seminar in October where they learned about deer biology and management, hunting regulations, where to find places to hunt deer, and deer hunting tips. Later in the month, they took part in an in-person field seminar at the Shirley Rod and Gun Club where they learned about proper clothing and other useful hunting gear, spent time on a shooting range, discovered how to look for deer sign, estimated distances and when to shoot or not shoot at a deer, and then followed a blood trail.

In addition to offering shooting skills workshops and hunting seminars designed for adult women, the BOW Program has other workshop offerings such as: basic fishing, beginning shotgun, kayaking, map & compass, reading the woods, archery, pond and stream adventures, nature photography, martial arts, outdoor and game cooking, edible plants and more.

To learn more about MassWildlife’s BOW Program click onto the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman page of the MassWildlife web site.

The Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp

I’ve written about this camp in the past, but it is such a wonderful program it bears repeating.  The MJCC provides a unique experience of conservation, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation education to young people. The camp’s program introduces them to the ethical responsibilities of hunting and fishing and encourages careful stewardship of our natural resources. It also aims to educate campers about conservation of natural resources and responsible use of the environment. Natural resource professionals from state agencies provide hands-on experiences and demonstrations and lead discussions of wildlife, fisheries, and forest management.

The MJCC program is open to boys and girls aged 13 to 17. The dates for this year’s camp are August 7–19, 2022.  This year, they will host the camp at the Moses Scout Reservation located at 310 Birch Hill Road in Russell, MA.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. (Reservations opened on January 1, 2022).

Although campers may apply on their own, over 85% of them are sponsored.  Each year, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), sponsors two kids (a boy and a girl) and the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club sponsors four.   (The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and the Adams Outdoor for Youth kick in funds to both to help defray the costs.)  The cost of the scholarship is $1,100 per youth for the full two weeks which covers lodging expenses, food, and activities.   (Now you know why these clubs hold so many raffles and events – to raise monies to send youths to the MJCC for free.  No better places to spend our funds than on our youth).

The camp reserves the right to limit the number of campers of a particular sex in order to create balanced separate sleeping accommodations.

Campers need to be prepared to function in an environment which requires good behavior, teamwork and attentiveness. Much of the Camp is spent in an educational environment and students are expected to be attentive, courteous and non-disruptive.

A large portion of the instruction is “hands-on,” and all students participate in instruction that includes firearms of several types, bows, arrows, fishing and camping equipment and wildlife interaction. Students are expected to understand the seriousness of handling such equipment and interacting with wildlife.

The happiest campers are those who are interested in the outdoors and in wildlife management programs before attending the MJCC. Teenagers who are sent because a relative is an avid outdoorsman may dislike the camp curriculum, unless they personally have an interest in the outdoors, and will often end up being sent home. For this reason, the BCLS (and probably other clubs) require the youths to write a letter explaining why they want to go to the camp.

If you are unsure of your child’s interest in the camp, it is suggested that you let him or her browse the pictures of the camp program. Or, just ask 15-year old Jerry Conlin.   Last year, the BCLS sponsored him.

Jerry said that what he liked best about the camp was “Probably, the shooting, all types of shooting like the trap, targets for rifles, and archery.  They had some 3-D targets there, too.  It was just really fun.”  They also had some swimming, boating and fishing classes there.

Asked if he learned anything new, he said, “They had one class about plants.  “We were taught about specific plants, those you can and those you should not eat and what they would do to you if you did eat the wrong ones.”

Jerry won some awards.  At the very end of the 2 weeks, there was a camp-wide competition and he won 1st place in the shotgun sporting clays and he took 3rd place in archery.  “The day before the actual competition, shooters had to qualify. Only 3 people in the entire camp qualified for archery, rifle and shotgun, and he was one.

Jerry had a good time. “Being around a group of kids with the same interests is cool”, he said.  He became close friends with basically all of the people in his campsite, and he keeps in touch with them.

If parents would like their child to attend the camp, but need financial assistance, click onto the MassWildlife web site, complete  the Camper Request for Scholarship and send it in as soon as possible. They will do their best to match your child up with groups that have reserved a spot, but do not have a camper.

Is that a vagrant eagle? 

Did you hear about that strange lost eagle?  Well, according to a MassWildlife it’s a Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus, which is native to Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, China and Russia.  It was first seen in August 2020 in Alaska on the Denali Highway about 4,700 miles away from its native range.  It has since been sighted in New Brunswick and Quebec, Canada in July of 2021, in Nova Scotia in November, 2021 and, guess what, a couple of weeks ago it was spotted on the Taunton River in Massachusetts.

It has a distinctive yellow beak with unique white marking on its wings with large white tail feathers.  A Steller’s Sea Eagle weighs up to 20 pounds and has a wingspan of up to 6 1/2 feet, making it one of the largest raptors in the world.

Birders are confident the same eagle in Nova Scotia was also seen in various parts of North America because of the unique white markings on its wings. The New York Times thinks that it may have been spotted in Texas this year, but they are not positively sure because it was only photographed perched, not with outstretched wings where distinguishing markings would be visible.

Experts say that it is possible for birds to lose a sense of direction when they stray out of range of their normal habitat, potentially due to climate change effects or a navigational error.  Or was it a vagrant, which is not uncommon.  According to Alexander Lees, an avian vagrancy expert at the Manchester Metropolitan University (United Kingdom), vagrancy occurs when a bird veers off course, possibly due to a navigation error, or it may have been blown off course by extreme weather patterns. Vagrancy may also help migratory birds expand ranges, an advantage to their survival as global warming changes suitable habitats for many species.

Experts suspect it may migrate with native bald eagles along the coastline, make its way back to its normal ranges in northeastern Asia or stick around the east coast.

Time will tell.

Stay safe!

Goodbye 2021, good riddance!

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Well, chalk up another dismal year.  At the beginning of 2021 we were hoping that things would be better than 2020, but it wasn’t to be.  We remained a divided nation, arguing over the wearing of masks, getting covid shots, social distancing, the 2020 presidential election and more.  We nearly lost our democracy on January 6, reached 800,000 covid related deaths, were still plagued by one variant after another of covid, experienced the great resignation causing shortages of service and produce, which in turn resulted in high consumer prices.  There were fights on commercial airplanes, etc., etc.  And, oh yes, let us not forget about the devastating fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes.

Personally, other than during wartime years, I can’t remember a worse time for our nation.  Day after day, we were besieged with bad news making it difficult to be positive and upbeat.

Hopefully, during the past year, this column got our minds off of some of that negativity which constantly surrounded us.  So, what were some of the more interesting subjects covered last year?  Unfortunately, I can’t cover them all but here are some of the more memorable ones:

To start January off on a positive note, we visited two Berkshire Natural Resources Council properties:  its 550-acre Clam River property in Sandisfield and its Old Mill Trail in Dalton/Hinsdale and recommended readers do likewise.  MassWildlife reported record or near record 2020 deer, bear and wild turkey harvests.  However; during that month we mourned the loss of Raymond “Skip” Whalen a highly respected outdoor sportsman who received many awards from the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) and other sportsmen’s organizations.

In February, we covered several ice fishing stories.  Young Allison caught a 25 ½ inch, 4 lbs 2 oz chain pickerel out of Laurel Lake for which she will definitely receive a bronze pin in the MA Youth Sportfishing Award Category.   Jamie Pollard of Hinsdale caught a 15.8 lbs 32 ¼ inches long brown trout out of Stockbridge Bowl. Surely it will capture the gold pin in the Sportfishing Award Program. There was a big largemouth bass weighing 6 lbs 14 oz caught out of Laurel Lake by eleven- year-old Nolan Bloomrose of Blanford.  He caught it during a Whitetails Unlimited ice fishing derby and he will also win a bronze pin.

In March, MassWildlife announced that there were 13 gold pin winners from the Berkshires in several fish categories in the Sportfishing Award Program.  Joshua Christman of Pittsfield was named the MA Adult Catch and Keep Angler of the Year.  Eight of the 13 gold pins were won by Joshua or his 7 year old daughter Alice or his 5 year old son Gabriel.

I also did a column recalling memorable ice fishing scenes on our lakes last winter highlighting an ice boat and a unicycle rider.

In April we congratulated Henry Sweren for being elected the Chairman of MA/RI Council of Trout Unlimited (TU).  Later that month, we mourned the loss of Paul Ouellette, of Lanesborough, a well-known local flyfisherman and deer hunter.  He had received awards from the BCLS and Taconic TU.  We also did an article on the Keystone Arches in Becket/Chesterfield.

In May there was an article on bald eagles succumbing to rodenticides.  We covered the Wild Acres fishing derby. Young Gabriel Christman pulled out of Laurel Lake a 21 1/2lbs carp.  We covered a trout research program being conducted by MassWildlife on the Swift River.

In June we wrote an article about Mark Markham and the 10 lbs brown trout that he caught out of Onota Lake.  Joshua Christman also hauled a couple others out of there near that same size. There was an article about a rare turkey taken on Mount Greylock by Karen Fachini of Pownal, VT.  It had 7 beards!

In June we did an article on the Youth Outreach Fishing Derby at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire.  There was an article about wild tiger trout swimming in our local waters. Also, a big bowfin fish was taken out of Onota Lake that month by Crystal Taylor.  There was an article entitled “poacher’s paradise”.  It was about the ridiculously low fines and penalties assessed to those who break the fish and game laws.  It was in June when we got a look at the potential MassWildlife license fee increase. A couple of friends and I took a wonderful flyfishing trip to the AuSable River.

In July I did an article about flyfishing the Westfield River years ago and my using the jaw’s harp to try to get another angler out of a fishing hole in which I wanted to fish.   Remember the sounds -“Boing, boing”.  Shame on me! There was an article about a 7 to 9 lbs smallmouth bass, caught by Michael Fabrizio, that came out of Onota Lake.

And then there was Raymour.  He was the duck with the damaged bill that talked Onota Lake shore resident Ron Smith into hand feeding him for about 2 years.  Ironically, that duck disappeared on the very day the article came out.  For 3 weeks people were looking high and low for him but to no avail.  It is believed that he was taken away by a resident bald eagle.  My hopes rose recently when I received a report of his sighting.  But when I heard that the sighting was by a fellow who also said he saw Elvis Presley last fall at a barn dance over in Berlin, NY, well….

In August, there was an article about MassWildlife’s prescribed fires.  Also, there was an article about beginner’s luck by fishermen (Luis Martinez from Ortonville, MI) who caught a record Chinook (King) Salmon out of Lake Michigan.  It weighed 47.86 lbs and measured 47.5 inches.  Unfortunately, that month we received news that another eagle and other birds fell victim to rodenticides/pesticides.

In September, there was a follow-up article on the Keystone Arches.  We received word that MassWildlife had settled on its new license and fee schedule.  There was an announcement of another deer disease spreading across the nation, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).  A large carp was taken out of Onota Lake by Anthony Barone. There was an article about the many acquisitions of land and conservations restrictions in the Berkshires by MassWildlife and an article speculating as to why people fish.

In October there were two articles about Yellowstone National Park.  The first was about local anglers Attorney Mike Shepard, Craig Smith, Paul Knauth and me doing some flyfishing out there.  Craig cleaned our clocks by consistently catching the most and largest fish every day.  The second trip was a sightseeing one with my wife Jan and me.  There was a touching bird dog article written by Gary Scarafoni entitled “Angie’s Last Retrieve”.  Also an article about some buddies fishing for large brook trout in Labrador and the possibility of a world record being caught there.  Jeff Vincent hit the “grand slam” while fishing the Salmon River in NY which feeds Lake Ontario.  He caught brown trout, steelhead and King, Coho and an Atlantic Salmon.

In Nov, there was an article about paraplegic deer hunters and that 3 deer were taken by them in the Berkshires. News came out that month that covid was discovered in the nation’s deer population.  A stone bench was created on Lenox Mountain in honor of the late George “Gige” Darey.  George Wislocki proposed a toast in his honor. There was an article about “precious deer hunting memories.” Oh, how they linger.

In December, we received news of how the recently passed Infrastructure legislation will provide funds for, among other things, the removal and replacement of impediments which will help fish migrate upstream to spawn.  We did an article on the hand pulling of water chestnuts in Three Mile Pond by DFW staff. Also, an article about the fight to the death by two large deer that got their antlers hopelessly entangled while fighting.  Sadly, we lost two notable sports columnists, Frank Sousa of the Springfield Republican and Mark Blazis of the Worcester Telegraph and Gazette.

Thanks for taking the time to read the columns last year and hopefully you’ll check them out again this year. Good Lord willing, I’ll still be cranking them out.

Let’s hope and pray that things will be better for us this year.

Happy New Year and be safe!

Cotton bleaching company fined for acid spill that killed more than 270,000 fish in nearby river

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Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Baker-Polito Administration announced recently that Barnhardt Manufacturing Company, a North-Carolina-based cotton bleaching company, has agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million to settle allegations that it spilled dozens of gallons of concentrated sulfuric acid from its Colrain, MA facility into the North River, killing more than 270,000 fish, including thousands of state-listed rare species. Colrain is located in nearby Franklyn County.

 

“The sulfuric acid spill caused by this company was devastating for the Colrain community and left long-lasting damage to the North River,” AG Healey said. “(The) settlements will hold Barnhardt accountable for harming this rich ecosystem and will provide significant funding to restore nearby natural resources and fisheries.”

 

Between approximately 53 and 60 gallons of concentrated sulfuric acid were allegedly sprayed out of an outdoor above-ground storage tank at Barnhardt’s Colrain facility directly onto the ground. The AG’s Office alleges that Barnhardt knew the storage tank had a leak and neglected to repair it. Dozens of gallons of acid allegedly flowed into a nearby brook and down a three mile stretch of the North River, a pristine river and popular recreational fishery that feeds into the Deerfield River. Apparently, the acid dissolved nearly everything in its path, killing more than 270,000 fish and damaging more than 14 acres of protected wetland resource areas and over 12 acres of designated habitat of two state-listed rare species—the Longnose Sucker fish and the Ocellated Darner dragonfly.

 

Barnhardt also allegedly discharged wastewater from its facility in excess of permitted limits on numerous occasions, improperly operated and maintained its wastewater treatment facility, and mismanaged hazardous waste oil. EPA’s administrative settlement alleges, among other things, that the company failed to maintain its sulfuric acid tank in violation of the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act, which requires users of extremely hazardous substances to take steps to prevent and mitigate accidental releases

 

Under the terms of the settlement with the AG’s Office, Barnhardt is required to comply with state regulations to protect water quality and natural resources at and around its facility and undertake additional training, planning, and operations to prevent future releases. Barnhardt will also pay up to $500,000 in penalties, including $200,000 to the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund. Barnhardt will also fund the replacement and/or enhancement of one or more culverts located in the Deerfield River watershed in Colrain, at a cost of $300,000. Additionally, Barnhardt will pay the state more than $360,000 to fund environmental restoration projects in the Colrain area, to compensate for the harm to natural resources and fisheries, and to reimburse the costs of assessing natural resource damages.

 

EPA’s settlement requires a civil penalty payment of approximately $305,000 to the U.S. Treasury and work to ensure that chemical hazards at the plant are identified and addressed.

 

 

“This appalling situation was entirely preventable, and we trust that the settlement and improvements at the facility will prevent similar events in the future while helping to restore these local fisheries and natural resources.” said MA Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides.

 

MA Dept of Fish & Game Commissioner Ron Amidon thanked the Deerfield River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, local anglers, and the many fishing guides who serve as ‘eyes and ears’ on the river and first reported the fish kill that led to this action,”  “We are very pleased that the Attorney General’s Office negotiated a settlement that provides $292,000 to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife for fisheries and rare species restoration, and $300,000 to the Town of Colrain for culvert improvements that will further benefit cold water fish and native wildlife. We look forward to working with the local partners on efforts that will benefit trout and other wildlife in the North River and greater Deerfield River watershed.”

 

“EPA’s case complements the Commonwealth’s by addressing the root cause of the spill,” says EPA Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro. “It’s critical that companies handling hazardous chemicals identify hazards and ensure that their facilities are designed and maintained safely. Carefully following the Clean Air Act’s chemical accident prevention provisions helps prevent releases from occurring in the first place.”

 

Ice thickness

 

Around this time of year, when ice is starting to form on our lakes, the urge to get out and do some ice fishing or skating is strong.  Patience, my friends, patience. We shouldn’t think about going out onto the ice until there is at least 4 inches of new, strong ice.  The MassWildlife web site (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/ice-strength-and-safety) lists everything you need to know about ice thickness and strength.

 

Rarely discussed but equally dangerous are the mud flats which are exposed when the lakes are severely lowered in the fall.  Walking in some exposed shallow coves and mud flats could cause you to sink in the mud so deeply that is nearly impossible to pull yourself out.

 

In a recent Berkshire County League of Sportsmen meeting, local angler Dan Miraglia related how he was fortunate enough to be nearby to pull someone out of the mud using sticks and branches a couple of years back.  He believes that the woman would never have gotten out on her own.  Her boots are still stuck in the mud there

 

He strongly suggests that municipalities should post warning signs advising the public to stay out of them.  At this time of year they may be frozen a little on the surface, but once you break through and sink into the mud, you are in trouble.

 

Certified gun safety course

 

Pete’s Gun Shop in Adams is holding a one day all inclusive, live fire class on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club at 8:30 AM. It is an NRA and Massachusetts State Police Certified License-To-Carry (LTC) Safety Course. It consists of classroom instruction followed by live firing.

 

It is a hands-on live fire class where you spend time at the range and get to shoot. You are also given an NRA Basic Pistol Safety Textbook which is included in the class cost.

 

It will qualify MA residents and non-residents alike for the MA LTC or FID Card.  You will receive a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop in appreciation for taking the course. The cost is $100 and covers use of the range, firearms, ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, and the NRA Safety Textbook.

 

Interested parties should pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780 ASAP, as space is limited and it fills up very quickly.   A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat at the time of registration. They do accept credit cards in person or by phone.

 

Bunnies want your used Christmas trees

Photo by Mark Thorne

The Berkshire Beagle Club will once again be accepting used and unsold Christmas trees at its club at 380 Sleepy Hollow Road, Richmond.  There should be an A frame sign by the drop spot.  In case it’s not there just put them to the right of the driveway as you pull in. The bunnies nibble on the branches and use them to provide cover from predator raptors.  Please make sure to remove all tinsel, angle hair and other decorations and ornaments.  The bunnies have a tendency to eat them and can die from their ingestion.  And please no plastic or metal trees.

 

No shotgun deer harvest figures available yet

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So far, there have been no figures released by MassWildlife regarding the statewide or district harvests totals.  Those figures have been transferred to MassWildlife’s new system and more than likely we will have to wait a while.  The new system undoubtedly will have a few bugs to be ironed out.

 

Readers may recall that the new licensing system was started on December 1. In his December report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden said the roll out was not without problems and complications, but much of them had been worked out pretty quickly. He advises us to be patient with it.  If we have some kind of emergency situation and can’t report a harvest, or if we need to print something and can’t, call his office and his staff will do its best to help.  Madden believes it will be a really good product once they get the glitches worked out.

 

As for local deer harvest numbers, his general impression was the numbers were pretty good at most of the WD check stations compared to past year.

 

Madden noted that MassWildlife did some Covid-19 sampling tests at the various stations, per request of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).  He will try to stay on top of it and let us know the results when made available.

 

A fight to the death

So far, this Primitive Firearms deer hunting season has been rather comfortable, weather wise.  Not like some years with cold winds blowing snow or sleet in my face, down my boots and plugging up the scope on my gun. This year has been downright pleasurable.

Sometimes, while sitting on my deer stand (a stump) for long periods of time without any deer even thinking of coming my way, my mind tends to wander.  Let me tell you about my most recent wandering.

I vividly remember an occurrence while deer hunting on Beartown Mountain about 40 years ago.  I was walking down a logging road to where my truck was parked after a long unsuccessful day of hunting.  From where I was walking, I could look across a ravine and brook and see Beartown Mountain Road.  There, I could see a hunter using a drag rope, dragging a deer down that road to his vehicle which was parked next to mine.  As I followed the wood road down and got closer to the other hunter, something just didn’t seem right.  Yes, he was dragging a deer alright, for I could see the large antlers – but something wasn’t right.

It wasn’t until I reached the road and we both converged that I could see what was awry.  He was dragging the heads of two huge bucks with intertwined antlers.  He came across the two dead bucks in the woods and decided to remove their heads in order to mount them.  What an interesting mount that would be.

It was evident that one of the bucks was dead longer than the other for the flesh was not as red.    I can’t remember the number of points on each deer, but the sizes and thickness of the broad beams and antlers were tremendous.  They had to be the two largest bucks on that mountain, and they fought to their deaths for the right to breed with the does.  I couldn’t help but think how long the one deer lived after the other one died, and how they both must have suffered.  Probably some puny little 6 pointer got to breed all those does. Sometimes the old adage of “survival of the fittest” doesn’t always hold true.

I didn’t get the other hunter’s name but wish I had.  I would love to see how that mount came out.

I have never forgotten that sight after all these years, and probably never will.

Nice BNRC articles

The Berkshire Natural Resource Council’s (BNRC) mission is to protect and preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires for public benefit and enjoyment. They preserve or keep land so we can all have access to it, enjoy it, find peace and serenity in it. They keep land so we can all experience the beauty that the Berkshire mountains have to offer.”

If you are a donor to the BNRC, you probably look forward to reading their periodic report entitled the Land keeper’s Report.  In this fall’s issue, there are two especially nice articles.  One is an article entitled “Hunting, Land Protection, and the Berkshires.”

 

In bold letters it begins the article thusly: “For nearly a century, hunters have had an enormous role in North American conservation – and the formation and support of BNRC.  The article highlights Rich Montone, a bowhunter and BNRC’s Development Director. “There’s no healthier meat than venison, says Rich, “high in protein, low in fat, obviously free of preservatives or growth hormones.  Two deer will feed my family for half a year or more and it’s a good way to help conserve what’s special about this region.”

 

MassWildlife relies on conservation funding created by the sale of hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping licenses – and the sale of related permits – to conserve land in the Berkshires and throughout the Commonwealth.  Such funding has enabled BNRC and MassWildlife to collaborate on many Berkshire conservation projects, such as Alford Springs in Alford and Steadman Pond in Monterey/Tyringham.

 

The article then went on and explained the training and licensing process to legally hunt in Massachusetts.

 

“Some hikers worry about being in the woods during hunting season.” wrote DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden. “Hunting is a very safe activity and accidents are extremely rare.  Even so, it is a good idea to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons, and to have your dogs in blaze orange, too.”

 

The article ends in these words: “The conservation ethic of hunters, and the funds created through legal hunting, have made an enormous difference for BNRC’s ability to protect the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires.  We wish hunters an enjoyable, safe and fruitful hunt this fall, and thank them for their part in making the Berkshires outdoors free for everybody to enjoy.”

 

It’s no secret that hunters rarely have anything positive written about them. What a nice change to read this article, ey?  Thank you for that BNRC.

 

The other article was the announcement of the BNRC’s acquisition and protection of some 360 acres of forest and waterfront on Round Pond (Housatonic) from the Long Pond Road Nominee Trust. That property complements the recent transactions on Tom Ball Mountain in West Stockbridge and weave together over 1,000 acres of conservation land.

 

To complete this project, BNRC partnered with the MA Department of Fish & Game who purchased a conservation restriction over the acreage. These steadfast partnerships allow BNRC to leverage their donations and secure tracts of land that might otherwise be out of reach.

 

We are asked to be patient until BNRC can open the reserve, have off-street parking and marked trails.

 

And now, comes yet more good news. In last Tuesday’s, (December 14)  Eagle “Big slice of Monterey now preserved”  by Heather Bellow, it mentioned that 180 or so acres surrounding the Bidwell House  are about to be protected from development after the non-profit gave the land to the Monterey Preservation Land Trust and the BNRC to be jointly held.   According to the article, the land is close to the Appalachian Trail Corridor and more than 12,000 acres at Beartown State Forest. The Bidwell land also connects to 797 acres of other conservation property held by the Monterey Trust and BNRC.

 

It would not have been possible without the donation of $300,000 to the Monterey Land Trust by Louis and Joyce Scheffey, in an effort to preserve the Bidwell property. Be sure to read that Berkshire Eagle article.

 

Long time, and now retired, BNRC Director George Wislocki, once described what they do as “God’s Work”.   No argument here.

 

If you happen to have a few extra bucks lying around, that is a good place to donate it.  Who knows, maybe you’ll earn some extra points at the Pearly Gate.