Category Archives: Conservation

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Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters

The Massachusetts Youth Pheasant Hunt Program was developed by MassWildlife to provide an opportunity for Hunter Education graduates aged 12 to 17 to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt under the guidance of an experienced adult hunter.

Picture provided by Cheshire Rod & Gun Club

The program is divided into multiple parts:

  • Seminar and Range Practice: Participants get hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals and firearm safety, learn upland hunting basics, and focus on how to have a safe and fun hunt.
  • Pheasant Hunt: Participants get to experience a real pheasant hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter on 1 of the 6 Saturdays prior to the regular pheasant season.

 

Several sporting clubs across the state offer the Youth Pheasant Hunt Program which includes a seminar and a mentored hunt. You do not need to be a member of the club to participate in the seminar or the hunt. All participants must complete the seminar before the day of the hunt.

Registration is now closed for the 2022 youth pheasant program, but you might consider entering your youths into this program next year.

 

Requirements:

  • Be between the ages of 12 to 17
  • Have graduated from a Basic Hunter Education course (in any state) before the day of the hunt
  • Participants 15 to 17 years of age must have a hunting license, a pheasant/quail permit and a Firearms Identification Card (FID). Note: A FID card is only required if using a shotgun.

According to Astrid Huseby, DFW Coordinator of the Youth Pheasant Program, some 60 students were registered for the program from 6 clubs statewide. The participating club in our area was the Lee Sportsmen’s Association which had 7 participants.  The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club ran its own program and had 3 youths participating.

According to Karen Kruszyna, Cheshire Rod & Gun Club spokesperson, the three boys who participated there were Wyatt Bellows, Jacob Trudeau and Tim Morgan, Jr.  They were treated to a pancake breakfast, safety talk/hunting plan and then out they went hunting.

They had a great time pheasant hunting behind the bird dog Beau which is owned by Rick Moffett, and as the picture shows they had great success.

Sorry, details of the Lee Sportsmen’s Association were not made available in time for this column.

I’ll bet that picture congers up wonderful memories to older upland game hunters, for one never forgets the experience of their first pheasant hunt.

Second Bear Hunting Season

The second bear hunting season opens on Monday, November 7 and runs until November 26.  The hunting implements that are allowed are rifles, muzzleloaders and archery.  No revolvers or shotguns are allowed.

This past September’s bear hunting season ended with a harvest of approximately 153 bears. This was substantially more than last year’s 112 and is on track for a good year for bear hunters.

New DFW Western District staff member hired

 

Colby Kellogg-Youndt was recently hired as a Wildlife Technician in the Western District. Colby is originally from upstate New York but is now living in Pittsfield. She is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and brings excellent experience from previous biological technician positions, including her most recent work with shorebirds on Cape Cod. Colby will be stocking fish and pheasants, maintaining Wildlife Management Areas, working check stations, collecting biological data, and providing field support for all MassWildlife programs. “The District is excited to add Colby to our excellent crew.” said District Supervisor Andrew Madden.

District Biologists and particularly District Technicians provide most of the on-the-ground conservation service that benefit hunters, anglers, and the general public.

 

Trout Spawning under way

 

MassWildlife stocked over 63,000 trout into Massachusetts waterbodies this fall. While fall stocking has concluded, hatchery staff are hard at work preparing fish for the year ahead.

 

Have you ever wondered from where all these trout come from?  Well, MassWildlife operates five fish hatcheries in the state, located in Sandwich, Belchertown, Montague, Sunderland, and Palmer. Each fall, hatchery staff manually spawn trout at Palmer and Sandwich hatcheries to produce more than 1.5 million fertile brook trout, brown trout, and tiger trout eggs.

Eggs from the female and milt from the male are combined, then water is added to activate the sperm. Spawning happens when hatchery staff carefully mix trout eggs and milt together. The process begins when eggs are gently squeezed from a female and collected in a bowl. Milt from a male is then squeezed into the same bowl and a small amount of water is added to activate the sperm. Male and female fish are quickly returned to the water to minimize stress.

 

The mixture is gently stirred to encourage fertilization. The eggs are placed in a bath containing a mixture of water and a special buffered iodine-based disinfectant. This process reduces the risk of disease and allows the eggs to absorb water and become fully formed and firm, a process called water hardening. The water-hardened eggs are then counted and placed in incubation troughs where they remain until they hatch. These million and a half eggs, coupled with rainbow trout eggs obtained through a cooperative program with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will be reared at MassWildlife’s five hatcheries.

 

After incubating for about two months, the eggs hatch into fry. When they are about two inches long, the fry are moved from the indoor “hatch house” to outdoor rearing pools. The fish grow in these pools for 1.5–2.5 years until they reach stocking size. Depending on the species, trout are stocked when they are between 12–14 inches long.

 

Trout are stocked in hundreds of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds throughout the Commonwealth every spring and fall.

 

Free Stream Smart Training

The Berkshire Clean, Cold, and Connected Partnership is hosting a workshop on how to implement Stream Smart Culvert Replacements to help conservation commissions, nonprofits, highways, and towns with navigating culvert replacements to ensure they are fish-friendly and flood resilient.

 

You are encouraged to join Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to learn how to design, permit, build, and finance culvert replacement projects that address flood resilience and Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP).  Presentations will be targeting projects in the Housatonic, Hoosic, and Farmington watersheds that are within Berkshire County. Presentations include:

 

  • Stream Geomorphology Demo with Billie Li and Alison Dixon from Housatonic Valley Association
  • Field Reconnaissance and Location Prioritization with Erin Rogers from Trout Unlimited
  • How to Create Stream Smart Crossings with Carrie Banks from Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration
  • Legal Requirements for MassDOT Chapter 85 review and Conservation Commission Notices of Intent with Scott Jackson from University of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation, and Mark Devylder from Mass DOT
  • Funding Opportunities with Holden Sparacino from Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Carrieanne Petrik from Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

 

Support for this training provided by the Massachusetts Natural Resources Damages Fund and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration.

 

The free workshop will be held at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in the Koussevitsky Arts Center on Thursday, December 1, from 7:45 AM – 12:15 PM. Participant space is limited, and pre-registration is necessary. (413) 298-7024.

 

Results of Berkshire Beagle Club field trial

 

According to club spokesman, Jeff St John, there were 95 total entries at the Jack Silvernail Memorial Field Trial which was held at the Berkshire Beagle Club last weekend.  Some 37 registered on Saturday and 58 on Sunday.

Picture provided by Berkshire Beagle Club

 

The winners on Saturday were: 13-inch males – Larry Mazza, of Warren, MA .and

15-inch males – Zinny Swanson of Brattleboro, VT (who is a club member).

 

The winners on Sunday were:  13-inch Females – Michael Hebert, Michael Santos of Fairhaven, MA and 15-inch Females – Scott John Howard Harrington of Cambridge, NY.

 

Next best qualifier honor went to Bubba Allen of Hadley, NY.

 

Congratulations to all.

 

Veterans Day

If you know or happen to see any veterans next week, you might want to give them a fist bump to show your appreciation of the sacrifices they made for our country.  Let them know that you do not consider them “losers” or “stupid” as a former US President once called them.

It was a good year for MassWildlife/ Department of Fish & Game land acquisitions and conservation

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In his October report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that the MassWildlife/Division of Fish & Game land program was very successful once again in FY22 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022) completing 11 projects and protecting 937 acres. These projects were

completed using bond funds, Land Stamp funds, and cooperative partnerships with area Land Trusts.

The following is the full list of projects:

  • Soda Creek Wildlife Conservation Easement (WCE) in Sheffield  – 301 acres along Water Farm Road in cooperation with Berkshire Natural Resource Council.
  • Elizabeth Woods WCE – 86 acres along North Egremont Road in cooperation with Alford Land Trust
  • Karner Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) – 19 acres near Smiley Pond in Egremont in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy.
  • Misery Mountain WMA – 5 acres along Route 43 in Hancock abutting the existing WMA
  • Fox Den WMA – 26 acres of landlocked woods in Chester abutting the existing WMA on Smith/Patterson Road
  • Hinsdale Flats WMA – 15 acres along Washington Road abutting the existing WMA
  • Konkapot River Access – 8 acres along the Konkapot River in New Marlborough
  • Ram Hill WMA – 86 acres of oak woodlands along old Chesterfield Road in Chesterfield
  • Tower Brook WMA – 207 acres along Bronson/West Branch Brook in Chesterfield
  • Fox Den WMA – 10 acres abutting the existing WMA along Starkweather Road in Worthington
  • Jackson Swamp WCE – 175 Acres along Route 112 in Worthington in cooperation with Hilltown Land Trust

All these properties are open to hunting, fishing, and trapping.

All projects can be viewed on the MassWildlife Land Viewer https://www.mass.gov/howto/masswildlife–lands–viewer

Archery deer hunting and fall turkey hunting starts next week

Archery Season starts in Zones 1 – 9 on October 17 and runs until November 26.  A hunting or sporting license is required along with an Archery Stamp.  Two antlered deer may be taken annually with at least one antler 3 inches or larger.

Archery season can be dangerous as many hunters hunt out of tree stands. Almost every year we read about someone falling out of a stand and getting seriously injured or killed. Bow hunters should bone up on safe procedures in climbing to and getting into the tree stand.

Wild turkey hunting also opens on October 17 in Zones 1 – 9 and also runs until November 26.  A hunting or sporting license is required as well as a turkey permit and an official safety sticker.  The sticker must be placed on the gun in such a way that it must be visible when the hunter is sighting down the barrel.  One turkey of either sex may be taken during the fall season.

Good luck hunters and be careful.

Great Barrington approves a new ordinance to help curb problem bears.

Like other nearby towns Great Barrington is experiencing problems with bears looking for food in bird feeders, garbage pails and business dumpsters instead of in wild environs where they feed on wild apples, berries and other natural foods. Such close encounters with humans usually do not result in happy endings for the bears.

In an effort to reduce the numbers of bear/people encounters, the Board of Health voted unanimously last week on a bylaw that restricts such access. They enacted a new law making it illegal to feed wildlife, intentionally or not. Bears have been breaking into houses in recent years and health officials say it’s the unsecured restaurant trash bins, neighborhood trash and compost containing animal products or bones that put people at risk. The ordinance will seek to lessen conflicts that can result in a dead bear.  It’s time to crack down on people whose behavior draws wildlife to places they shouldn’t be. The new ordinance took effect immediately.

A first violation would involve a written warning with information and suggestions for securing food and other attractants. A second violation comes with a $50 fine; beyond that, fines rise to $200.  It doesn’t make bird feeders illegal, but if they are found to be the source of a problem, residents will be ticketed.

OLA (Old Lard Ass) seen resting before taking on an apple tree. Picture provided by Paul Knauth

According to MassWildlife’s Black Bear Biologist David Wattles, the new law doesn’t preclude the use of bird feeders. “However; some people hide behind this and claim that they are just feeding the birds. They have many bird feeders out in the backyard or they have trays of black oil sunflower seed. It is Waddles’ opinion that they’re clearly feeding other wildlife. When a bear finds food rummaging through garbage, it will return, Wattles said.

Great Barrington Conservation Agent, Shepard “Shep” Evans, said he is relieved the town will police human behavior he calls “inexcusable.”  “It really is important not to pervert the wildlife feeding world with thoughtless garden garbage and intentional feeding,” he said. A bear can grow habituated and lose its fear of humans.

When asked if there was any “push back” from the town residents or business owners, Evans was not aware of any.  The residents seem to agree with the Board of Health decision.

The town of Stockbridge put its ordinance on the books last year. Businesses with dumpsters were a major attractant and the ordinance enabled the police and town officials to encourage them to comply.  “It made a difference in resolving some of the issues where they were having bears walking down Main Street on a regular basis,” Wattles said.

MassWildlife’s stocking procedures are questioned.

Last week a reader called expressing disapproved with how trout are being released into our waters.  They simply throw the fish into the lakes out of pails or nets rather than bending down and releasing the fish more gently so that they can leisurely swim away.  It’s a reasonable question, in fact for a while, I questioned the procedure myself.  I learned that there is a reason.  I forwarded the question to DFW Western District supervisor Andrew Madden to give a more complete answer that I could.  It is as follows:

Proper handling of fish that are caught and released is an important part of fishing that all anglers should understand. When someone catches a fish that will be released, either by regulation or by choice, that fish is already acclimated to the water and so a slow and gentle release is often the best way (particularly with trout).

In contrast, our stocked trout are going from one environment (truck) to another (lake/river/stream). These environments have differences in temperature, oxygen, even water chemistry. Because of this, when fish are stocked into a river, stream, or lake they need to adjust physiologically. When we toss fish, it stimulates a response which causes them to swim more actively, move water over gills, find cooler water, and adjust more quickly. When fish are placed gently into the water along the shore they often lay in place, taking a longer time to adjust. MassWildlife staff have stocked millions of fish over the years and we have learned from experience that the tossing technique is generally the best approach.

 

Much better explanation that I could have given.  I believed it had something to do with the effects of the aerated stocking trucks affecting their air bladders and the rougher treatment is something like burping the baby.

 

Drivers, brake for moose and deer

Because fall is the breeding season for both moose and white-tailed deer, MassWildlife reminds motorists to be mindful of increased deer and moose activity, especially during early morning and evening hours. Moose, found in central and western parts of Massachusetts, breed in September and October. White-tailed deer breed from late October to early December.

Moose on the road are especially hazardous. The dark color and height of moose make them difficult to see in low light; moose eyes rarely shine like deer eyes because their eyes are above headlight level. In addition, long legs and heavy top bodies make moose very dangerous to motorists when struck. Observe road signs for moose and deer crossings and slow down. Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer because it may lead to more risk and damage than hitting the deer. Moose are less likely to move from the road than deer, so stay alert and brake when you see a moose in or near the road.

Deer and moose/vehicle collisions should be reported to the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

 

SBA wraps up 75th birthday with a walk among old giants

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The Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) was formed on August 30, 1946 in order to protect the natural beauty of Stockbridge Bowl and to set standards that aid the cause of conservation. Today, the SBA pursues the same objectives as at its founding, seeking to protect and preserve the ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic value of Stockbridge Bowl and the SBA properties, including Bullard Woods and Kwuniikwat Island. It is an all-volunteer organization.

 

Last Sunday, they met at Bullard Woods to celebrate its 75th birthday and there was a great turnout. Bullard Woods is at the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Hawthorne Street in Stockbridge, across from Tanglewood’s Linde Center.  It is comprised of 52 acres of land along Stockbridge Bowl.

Leading up to the event was an exhibit at the Stockbridge Library on June 25, a Beach Island Day with a boat parade on July 16, Annual Meeting with reminiscences on August 6 and an “Old Growth Forest Walk” led by Bob Leverett on this day.

Kicking off the events was Board Member Rick Ruben.  “Today is a culmination of a series of events that have been sponsored by SBA.” he said, “One level is to commemorate the SBA 75th anniversary.  Another reason is to bring the community close to the lake and to celebrate this resource that we all love and that we have at our fingertips.”

He proceeded to bestow medals on several VIPs for all they do to protect and love Stockbridge and the Bowl.

Stockbridge Selectboard Chairman Patrick White spoke about environmental things the town is working on:  culvert repair – part of a municipal grant working with Pittsfield, New Marlborough and Lenox to assess every culvert in town looking for undersized culverts not only for fish to go upstream but also washouts of roads. It is working on a FEMA grant for 900,000 or 90% to fix just one nearby culvert.

The town is working with a climate partners program with the State.  They are basically working on how to save our local forests.  Some significant problems were discovered with trees at Ice Glen and they were able to treat 50 old growth ash trees through injections and all survived.  Hemlocks have been more difficult and are too stressed and damaged to benefit from treatments.

The town is working with State to get charging stations downtown.  “It is working hard on climate issues.” he said.

Kevin Foran, better known as “Moose”, who Ruben called “The curator and grounds keeper for nearby Kripalu and also Bullard Woods, super guru and guardian of the Bowl.”

Moose was groundskeeper and supervisor for the properties of the old Shadowbrook Estate for 38 years and has represented Kripalu on the SBA Board for 15 years.  He chairs the Property and Trails Committee.

 

Moose led a hike down to one of the meadows where 2 young pin oak trees were just planted, not far from an older lovely red oak.  (Here-to-fore to be referred to as the three sisters).

The first tree was planted in honor of heroes who stepped forward during the covid pandemic placing themselves and families at great risk.  Medical professionals, first responders, and the essential workers who played a big part of the supply train that was able to take us through this pandemic up to now.

The second tree honors all the individuals, commissions and committees in the Town of Stockbridge who have dedicated their time to protect the beauty of Stockbridge, who partnered with the SBA in the most beautiful way possible.

Dr. Dan Doyle represented the Berkshire Medical Community.  He is director of Pulmonology at BMC and also is the Director of the Public Health Alliance.  He referred to a phrase by George Elliot which he interpreted as follows:  The strength of a community is powered by community spirit, something that carries on from generation to generation and sustained by the efforts of multiple individuals who help and strengthen it all the time. Bullard Wood and the SBA are certainly examples of that.

Canyon ranch volunteer guides led the way to the meadows. When we got to the new trees, we were encouraged to write messages on bio-degradable paper to the trees to inspire their growth. The messages were buried at the foot of each tree. Plaques were placed under both trees honoring those listed above.

Then the “Old Growth Evangelist” Bob Leverett took over and led the group into the nearby woods to see some old growth trees.  Bob Leverett is world renowned, known for his work in locating, identifying and measuring old growth trees.  He has been written up in the February 2, 2022 issue of Smithsonian Magazine (where we first saw his title of old growth evangelist.) He was the subject of this column’s March 5-6 issue entitled “They call Bob Leverett “the old growth evangelist.’

 

When he started hiking the most difficult ridges in Massachusetts  he began seeing patches of forests that looked like old forests he saw growing up in the smokey mountains.  Bob explained that it has long been believed that old growth forests around here are gone, having been cut down in the 17th century to be used as fuel, fields to farm and timber with which to build.  But the loggers missed a few spots over the 300 years, such as areas in Ice Glen Ravine in Stockbridge, the Mohawk State Forest in Rowe, MA, on Mount Greylock and yes, here in Bullard Woods.  About 1,400 acres of old growth forest and old growth trees were discovered in MA which could be saved.

“Somewhere along the line someone said you ought to see Bullard Woods,” said Bob, “I came and said this is really great.  Not sure what the history is but there are a lot of the original trees in here and it is a hell of a tree growing environment”.

In our walk, we saw oaks and hemlocks 250 years old, a giant white pine over 300 years old. At its last measuring, it was 161 feet high and 13 feet at its trunk, with 1,000 feet of trunk volume.  That tree is larger than the famous Monarch pine that grew in Hartly Pine State Park in Michigan. This is one of the great pines in the northeast. We saw a black birch over 200 feet tall, a tulip tree over 100 feet and a very tall shagbark hickory.  He referred to the large old trees as “honkers”

Old growth, primary is given to places that were never cleared or logged and exist primarily with the same species that we would have seen in the 1600’s or earlier.  They are being impacted for sure, but they also have a certain resilience about them because they have created their environment naturally over several centuries so there is usually a very deep organic layer on the forest floor that deters the invasives.  They also are a link to the past.  One black gum tree in Orange, MA is 537 years old.  A hemlock in Morris Trail State Forest in PA is roughly 500 years old.  A lot of old trees are still here scattered around the landscape.”

He talked extensively on the importance of how the old growth trees capture and hold carbon, and even when they fall they release the carbon slowly to the ground.

When asked to define an old growth tree, he said that there is no real definition of how old a tree has to be to be considered an old growth tree.  What makes an old growth environment is that it has been controlled by natural processes over several centuries.  Whatever you get from that, that’s old growth.  There should be in there old trees, certainly older than 250 years or so (if maximum age of the species is about 350).  Outside of that we get into deep discussions on how you identify an old growth forest.

“Bullard Woods is not a terribly large forest of old growth trees, but it is quite diverse.”  said Moose. “There is something very special about these woods.”.  His feelings were summed up by words once written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

 

Beech Trees are being threatened in MA, NY and other states

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Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a newly described disease, first identified in Ohio in 2012. The disease complex is associated with a foliar nematode species, Litylenchus crenatae. The disease causes damage to a tree’s leaves, leading to reduced vigor and can eventually lead to tree mortality

According to MassWildlife there are still many unknowns about how the disease is spread, how new trees are infected, or how long it takes for symptoms to develop. However, they do know that American beech, European beech, and Oriental beech can be infected. Infected trees of all ages and in both urban and forested settings have been observed.

 

BLD has quickly spread from its initial detection point in Ohio. Currently, it is being found in 10 US states and 1 Canadian Province. The first detection in Massachusetts was in June 2020 in the town of Plymouth. (Plymouth County). Symptomatic trees have since been found in all Massachusetts Counties. As of July 2022, BLD had been confirmed in 83 communities in Massachusetts.

The MA Department Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Forest Health Program is surveying beech trees across the state to determine the extent of the disease in Massachusetts. Based upon a map provided by DCR, it appears that the disease has been detected in several southern Berkshire towns this year.

BLD can be identified by the distinctive leaf symptoms it causes. Early BLD symptoms will include dark stripes between the veins on leaves. When looking up at the tree canopy from underneath, you might notice dark green bands on the underside of the leaves. As the disease progresses, leaves may become withered, curled, or develop a leathery texture. A heavily impacted tree may appear to have a thinner canopy or have sections of branch dieback.

Other insects and pathogens can also cause leaf damage on beech. However, this damage is usually easy to distinguish from BLD. Mites and aphids will feed on beech leaves and cause discoloration, but this is usually lighter in color than the leaf compared to BLD with has darker bands forming. Other insect or pathogen damage can cause leaves to look brownish and become more brittle, in comparison with BLD that will develop a more leathery texture as it withers and curls the leaves. Beech will also naturally hold onto leaves into the winter, if you see a beech with brown leaves still attached in the winter, this is normal.

If you think your beech tree might be infected with BLD, you are advised to report it to the DCR Forest Health Program by sending an email to Nicole.keleher@mass.gov or calling

(857)337-5173. Any details you are able to provide about the location, symptoms and severity of the disease, or any pictures of the tree will help them in their monitoring efforts of the progress of this disease in the Commonwealth.

We are not alone with this problem.  The NY Department of Conservation (DEC) announced recently that BLD was identified in 35 counties in New York State to date. DEC began tracking BLD in 2018 after it was confirmed in Chautauqua County. Fourteen of the counties with BLD were confirmed in 2022, and more are likely to be identified.

“Many American beech trees are already heavily impacted by beech bark disease, but Beech Leaf Disease appears to be an even bigger threat,” said NY DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The decline of beech in New York could have far-reaching consequences, including significant changes to the composition of our northern hardwood forests and the loss of a valuable food source for wildlife (deer, squirrels, turkeys, etc.).  BLD affects all beech, so the impacts would also be felt in our urban forests where ornamental beech trees, including the popular copper beech cultivar, are widely used for landscaping and street trees.”

Much is still unknown about BLD, including how it spreads, but it can kill mature beech trees in six to 10 years and saplings in as little as two years. There is no known treatment for infected trees. It is unknown whether the Litylenchus crenatae nematode causes all of the damage, or if it is in association with another pathogen such as a virus, bacteria, or fungus.

At this time there are no specific recommendations for managing trees that are infected with BLD, however, NY DEC encourages the public to report potential BLD infections using iMapInvasives to help track the disease while research is ongoing.

It’s an alien ship!  It’s Nessie!  No wait, it’s a Picnic Table Boat!

One never knows what’s out there drifting in our Berkshire lakes. Look what drifted by our place on Ashmere Lake in Hinsdale last Sunday. It’s what they call a Picnic Table Boat. I thought I’ve seen it all, but this is something else.

The boat is owned by Chad and Maureen Ezzell of Hinsdale.  They purchased the boat from Maine Float, a company out of Winthrop, ME and it arrived on July 22.

It is powered by an electric motor, and if you run out of power, it has a solar panel on the top of the umbrella which recharges the battery.  (Clean energy!).  The battery has a USB port into which they plug in lights and a speaker for their sunset cruises. They can also plug in an iPad, cooler, etc. In addition to dining, they enjoy playing scrabble, taking video conference calls for work, and reading.

 

Aah, this is pure luxury.  I can hear it now, Maureen, want to dine out tonight?  Pass the potato salad please.  Imagine, you can bring out a lantern at night and get out the cards while you’re fishing for bullheads.

 

This is ideal for folks who work at home.  Bring along your iPad and conduct some business, entertain prospective clients and who knows, maybe you can write it off as a business expense.

When we saw it, the umbrella was down, because of the wind. It was the Ezzells’  first weekend on the boat and they didn’t want to chance it.

Fishing events for beginners coming to a lake near you

 

If you are new to fishing MassWildlife has a series of events which can help you learn how to fish.  Adults and families who want to learn how to fish on their own can get instruction and have fun practicing skills including setting up a rod, baiting a hook, tying knots, casting, and identifying fish.

 

When you arrive, instructors will cover the fishing basics with the balance of the time spent fishing. To get the most out of the in-person class, participants are encouraged to watch MassWildlife’s online video tutorial before the day of the class. You will receive a link to the video with your confirmation email when you register. This class is designed for adults and families; participants ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

 

The events are free, family friendly, and open to all skill levels. No fishing license is required. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow theirs. Limited gear and bait will be provided. Unless it says it is required, event pre-registration is encouraged but optional.

 

The events being held in the Berkshires are as follows:

Tuesday, August 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Lakeway Drive near Onota Lake in Pittsfield; Thursday, August 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Pontoosuc lake parking, North Street, Pittsfield, and Saturday, August 6 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. at the Windsor Lake Park in North Adams.

 

License-to-Carry/FID Class

 

Mass State Police and NRA Certified Instructor Dan Peck will be holding a LTC/FID Class for residents and nonresidents on Sunday, August 21 at the Greylock Community Club, 548 State Road, North Adams, MA.  The cost is $100 and starting time is 9:00 am

 

Everything will be provided in the class and all safety guidelines for Covid will be in place.

Seating is limited for this class and seating will be set up under covid guidelines at the time as well.

 

Anyone interested in signing up call Dan @ 413-663-4896 prior to class for info and registration.

Good news for Red Brook’s “salter” population

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You probably never heard of Red Brook.  Well, it’s a small spring fed, 4.5-mile brook that serves as the boundary between Plymouth and Wareham in southeastern Massachusetts.  It empties into Buttermilk Bay near the Cape Cod Canal. Its claim to fame is that it is among just a few streams south of Maine to hold a viable population of so-called “salters.”   (brook trout that move back and forth between fresh and saltwater).

A little history:  Having been lured to Red Brook by its sea-run brook trout fishery, Theodore Lyman III began buying land along its banks in 1870. His first purchase was a small house, salt marsh and shoreline on Buttermilk Bay.  Over the years, adjacent pieces of property were acquired and the total amount of land became substantial and difficult for the family to properly manage.

The Lyman family eventually deeded over their Red Brook property to the MA Council of Trout Unlimited, with the understanding that TU would restore the brook’s sea-run brook trout fishery. At the time, there were approximately 5,000 members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with a dozen or so chapters.  They are volunteers dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of cold waters and their fisheries, not to acquire land. Now it was tasked with the responsibility of preserving some 650 acres through which the stream flows. It was a daunting task trying to raise funds in order to manage it.

In 2001 TU National signed an agreement with The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) that created the 638-acre Red Brook Reserve. The 210-acre Lyman Reserve, owned by the TTOR, is jointly managed by the three parties. The 428-acre Red Brook Wildlife Management Unit section of the reserve was expanded in 2009 to protect the entire stream by the purchase of 245 acres at its headwaters.

Between 2006 and 2009, four dams were removed from Red Brook in the Lyman Reserve by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, TU and TTOR, along with extensive habitat restoration. TU and its partners have invested millions of dollars and tens of thousands of hours to help protect those salter brook trout and because of that Red Brook’s brook trout population is healthy once again. Herring, eels and brook trout now swim an unobstructed Red Brook for the first time in 150 years. A restoration of Red Brook in cranberry bogs at the headwaters began.

All that effort was put at risk recently by a proposed change to zoning on a large parcel in the stream’s headwaters, which then allowed only single-family homes on lots of three acres. The change was to create a “hospitality, recreation and entertainment” overlay district on 756 acres of pine barren land. If approved, it could have led to development of hotels, multi-family homes and possibly even a horse track and casino.

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The proposal elicited fierce opposition from TU members and supporters, among many others.

A town vote was scheduled for April 10, 2022 in Wareham and as the vote approached, volunteers from TU chapters and the MA Council rapidly initiated a campaign to advocate for the defeat of the proposal. Donors helped raise over $15,000, which helped with advertising to urge citizens of the town to vote against the proposal.  (Our local Taconic Chapter of TU kicked in $500).

Jeff Yates, TU National’s Director of Volunteer Operations did a terrific job of designing placards and yard signs and creating catchy slogans, such as, “Save the Salters!”

Other organizations opposed to the proposed zoning change included the Wareham Land Trust, the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, TTOR, the Community Land and Water Coalition, the Sea Run Brook Trout Coalition, Wildlands Trust and the Northeast Wilderness Trust. The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe has also opposed the measure.

“Big box developments such as the one proposed in the headwaters are as common as bird poop on a summer windshield,” TU President and CEO Chris Wood wrote in a column prior to the vote. “The people of Wareham can send a powerful message to communities across New England by voting ‘no’ on April 10 and demonstrating that we are not a desperate nation willing to fill in every open space with concrete, glass and metal.”

And that’s what the voters did with an overwhelming “no” vote.  “The rout was welcome to all who so quickly mobilized to ensure the protection of one of Massachusetts’ natural treasures and will, we can hope, show the power of a community coming together to fight for something it loves”, wrote the Wareham Week newspaper.

Because of its efforts, Peter Shilling, former Massachusetts Council Chairman and current delegate nominated it as the Council of the Year as a part of TU’s Annual Awards, and it was selected.

“Congratulations” wrote Beverly Smith, VP for Volunteer Operations. “The work you all have put in has shown clear results in the rivers and communities you support. The opening of Peter’s nomination says it all:

“Successful organizations like the Massachusetts Council have a fabric, a tapestry woven and held together over time by the relationships of people bound by common beliefs and goals. The quality of those connections, what people pass along person to person over time, is what leads to success in accomplishing significant goals, conservation or otherwise. The nomination of this award for the Massachusetts Council comes out of its work last year saving Red Brook, a fully restored sea run brook trout stream, from devastating development in its headwaters. But the story really is longer, broader and deeper than just one year’s actions, however significant.”

“We can’t say it better than that” wrote Smith.

The Massachusetts Councill will be honored in front of TU volunteer peers from across the nation at TU’s Annual Award celebration on Friday, July 22 in Portland, Maine. Most likely current MA Council President Henry Sweren, from Lanesborough, will be there to accept the award on behalf of the Council.

“It’ll be a real treat to honor and celebrate you!” wrote Smith. “On behalf of all of us at TU, a big thank you and congratulations!”

I should mention that although the Massachusetts Council and its statewide chapters steadfastly supported the Red Brook project over the past 30 years, the brunt of the workload (manual labor, fundraising, etc.) was carried out by members of the Cape Cod and Southeast Chapters of TU with serious funding by the Greater Boston Chapter.  There have been many wonderful volunteers fighting to preserve that little brook over those years, especially Cape Cod TU member and Council delegate Warren Winders.  He deserves an extra pat on the back for his unwavering and steadfast efforts.

But wait, there’s more.  Don’t be surprised if the Massachusetts Council, and particularly the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of TU, receive another award in the future for work they are doing on the Deerfield River.  DRWTU members Kevin Parsons, Chris Jackson and others are receiving national attention for their brown trout studies and their efforts in working with various state and federal agencies and Brookfield Power Co. in trying to level off the year-round water flows which to date have been so harmful to the reproduction of the wild brown trout population.

The current FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license allows for minimum flows of 125 cfs (cubic feet per second) year-round. For the new license, DRWTU, MA DEP and MA DFW have been pushing to increase the minimum flow to 225 cfs from November to April to protect wild brown trout redds and eggs from being de-watered and exposed to the air, killing them off.

Two past brown trout spawning studies showed that nearly 40 percent of identified trout redds were de-watered at flows of 125 cfs. Further studies showed that at 225 cfs, the redds, flowing water would cover the eggs and keep them protected.  Parsons and Jackson have been doggedly pursuing this goal for many years and there may be a breakthrough this year.

Incidentally, Trout Unlimited has approximately 300,000 members nationwide with about 390 chapters.  The chapter in the Berkshires is the Taconic Chapter.  Most states have a TU Council with delegates from all chapters.

On a personal note, I have been a card-carrying member of the Taconic Chapter for nearly 40 years now and as I wrote in last week’s column, “Stuff like this (above) is what makes me proud to be a member of such great organizations”.

Operation Dry Water will be taking place over the July 4th holiday

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Operation Dry Water will be taking place over the July 4th holiday

 

At the last Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s meeting, Lt. Tara Carlow, of the Massachusetts Environmental Police reported that local officers will be closely monitoring our lakes and ponds over the July 4th weekend for boaters operating under the influence.

In fact, law enforcement officers across the country will be on heightened alert for those in violation of boating under the influence laws as part of the annual Operation Dry Water (ODW) weekend, July 2 – 4.   ODW is a year-round boating-under-the-influence awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities. The U.S. Coast Guard, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, recreational boating safety advocates and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) are gearing up to spread awareness and prevent tragedies related to boating under the influence (BUI).

Alcohol use continues to be the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. Since the commencement of the ODW campaign in 2009, law enforcement officers across the nation have removed over 4,700 impaired operators from our nation’s waterways, preventing dangerous and potentially catastrophic consequences. Law enforcement agencies from every U.S. state and territory are expected to participate in the ODW campaign, focusing their efforts on detecting impaired boaters and educating the public about the dangers of BUI. In 2020, 620 agencies from every state and territory took part in the ODW weekend.

“Our mission is to ensure that everyone on the water has a safe and enjoyable experience,” says Tim Dunleavy, NASBLA Chair. “This means that all operators and passengers should choose to boat sober all season long. Boating under the influence is a 100% preventable crime. ODW, participating law enforcement agencies and our boating safety partners encourage boaters to stay safe by staying sober while boating.”

Not only is alcohol use dangerous for operators, but also presents hazards to passengers as well. Intoxication can cause slips, falls over board and other dangerous incidents. Where cause of death was known, nearly 80% of fatal boating incident victims drowned.  Passengers under the influence are at-risk of serious injury and death, whether the boat operator is sober or impaired, and whether the boat is underway or not.

For more information about Operation Dry Water visit http://www.operationdrywater.org.

Incidentally, a local radio station interviewed Lt. Carlow last year and discussed such matters as ATV’s regulations, jet ski regulations, boating safety, what is allowed on boat ramps, no swimming in boat ramp areas, operating under the influence in boats and kayaks and the effects on their automobile drivers’ licenses. She also discussed bear complaints, leaving fawns alone and deer ticks.

The interview will be re-aired on WTBR 89.7 FM and PCTV on July 8th.   Check your radio station listings for you won’t want to miss it.   There is also a link to last year’s radio show at:

https://episodes.castos.com/5e471e591dc128-48970570/OnPatrolPodcast061121.mp3.

 

I listened to it, and am confident that you will enjoy and learn a lot from it.

 

Another link that explains the National initiative for Operation Dry Water is as follows:

 

https://www.nasbla.org/operationdrywater/home  https://episodes.castos.com/5e471e591dc128-48970570/OnPatrolPodcast061121.mp3

 

Dead birds are being found throughout the state’s coastlines, Avian Flu suspected

“Over the past week, Massachusetts has seen a substantial uptick in reports of dead and dying seabirds, including eiders, cormorants, and gulls,” said MassWildlife State Ornithologist Andrew Vitz. “We are asking for the public’s help in reporting observations of sick shorebirds along the coastline. Prompt reporting will expedite testing and diagnosis in cooperation with our state and federal partners who have been monitoring HPAI for several years”.

MassWildlife, MA Department of Public Health and the MA Department of Agricultural Resources are advising the public to refrain from touching or removing birds from coastal areas that appear sick, injured or deceased. Impacted birds include seagulls, ducks, terns and cormorants. If anyone finds a wild sick, injured or dying seabird, they’re asked to file a report at mass.gov/reportbirds. For other species of wild birds, like songbirds, only report 5 or more birds at one location. If one finds a sick domestic bird, contact MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795.

cormorant

Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with avian flu. While raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds and scavengers are most at risk for infection, any bird species is considered susceptible. Although birds may show no symptoms of infection, they also may die suddenly. Other symptoms include decreased energy, appetite and egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, swelling of the head, comb, eyelids, wattles and hocks, nasal discharge, diarrhea and an uncoordinated gait.”

“Avian Influenza rarely infects humans,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “Although the risk is low, direct contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments can sometimes spread the disease to people. The public is urged not to handle or feed any birds suspected of being infected”.

Around 10,000 salmon stocked in the Quabbin Reservoir

Recently the MA Department of Fish and Game announced that thousands of landlocked salmon were stocked in the Quabbin Reservoir last month. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, (MassWildlife), restocked the reservoir with its annual allotment of 10,000 landlocked salmon raised at their Roger Reed Fish Hatchery in Palmer. The fish were stocked throughout the reservoir on May 24 and 25.

The Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer is the only fish hatchery in the state that raises salmon. The other four raise trout, officials said.

The eggs originally come from Maine and are raised for 1.5 years, reaching eight to ten inches before being released into the reservoir.  Once when they reach 15 inches, or about three years from now, can they be legally caught.

Land-locked salmon, which do not normally swim to the ocean, have been put into the Quabbin Reservoir for over 40 years.

According to MassWildlife, the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs are the only two water bodies that have land-locked salmon.  A primary reason is that there are smelt populations in them, which I suspect the salmon consider a delicacy.

Results of recent Hoosic River clean-up

According to John Burns, President of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited, volunteers did “pretty well” on the Hoosic River clean-up recently in spite of the fact that the predicted number of volunteers didn’t show up.  They cleaned from the Alcombright Ball Fields at New Street, North Adams, down to the bridge at Protection Avenue, about a quarter mile.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) and the Hoosic River Revival (HRR) joined forces for this project.

Can you believe the amount of junk collected out of the river in that one quarter mile stretch?  How can people treat our beautiful rivers this way?

So, what’s the DFW Western District folks up to these days. 

Well, they have been pretty busy answering bear complaints.  Some people still persist in putting out their bird feeders which predictably results in visitations by the bears.  There are some people who are outright feeding them. One wonders if they are aware that at least one Berkshire County town has an ordinance against willfully feeding bears and another town is seriously considering doing the same.  (We are not talking bird feeders here, but actually feeding them.)  One wonders if they are aware that feeding a bear could actually result in an unhappy ending for that bear.

To quote MassWildlife, “Bears that are frequently fed may completely lose their fear of people. (They) may break into sheds, garages, cages, and homes in search of food. If a bear behaves in a way that is a threat to public safety, it may be euthanized.”  “Many wild animals are attracted to bird feeders including wild turkeys and coyotes. Since bird feeders attract small mammals like squirrels, they can also attract animals like fishers and bobcats who prey upon the smaller animals”.

Last year, a neighbor of ours who has several bluebird houses lost all of their newly hatched bluebirds to the bears.

Please, don’t intentionally or indirectly feed the bears.

The staff of the DFW Western District is also busy:

  • Banding eaglets (baby eagles). So far this year they have banded five of them.
  • They will also be doing some goose banding this summer.
  • They will be mowing the fields located in their Wildlife Management Areas. The mowing runs from June to October.

What do you do if you find a fawn?

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MassWildlife says, leave it alone. The animal may be motionless and seem vulnerable, but this is the normal behavior. Even if you see a fawn alone for several days, leave it alone. The mother is probably feeding or bedded nearby. Does visit their fawns to nurse very infrequently, a behavior that helps fawns avoid detection by predators. It is not uncommon for fawns to be left alone for 6-8 hours at a time. Young fawns are usually quite safe when left alone because their color pattern and lack of scent help them to remain undetected.

A couple of years ago, I wrote about a doe that gave birth on an island in Lake Ashmere, probably to get away from people and predators.  While fishing one early morning, the doe swam past me and went up on the island.  A few minutes later, there they were mother and a tiny happy fawn splashing along its shoreline.

If you have taken a fawn into your care, you should immediately return it to where you found it, or to safer cover nearby (within 200 yards). Then, quickly leave the area to ensure the fawn doesn’t follow you and so the mother feels safe enough to return. The mother will soon return to nurse the fawn, even after it has been handled by humans. Don’t try and feed fawns as they have sensitive stomachs.

If a fawn is visibly injured, call MassWildlife at 508-389-6300. Fawns cannot be cared for by wildlife rehabilitators.

e facts from MassWildlife

  • A fawn that is still and unresponsive. Fawns view humans as predators and will drop their head and freeze to avoid detection.
  • A fawn that is crying. Fawns can bleat (vocalize) in a way that sounds like crying if they are disturbed or are trying to locate their mother.
  • A fawn that is in your yard. Fawns are commonly found bedded in brushy areas with vegetative cover or even in some grassy areas – even in suburban areas close to homes or near roadways. Their mother felt this was a safe place for the fawn. On occasion, a fawn that has been disturbed may wander into a dangerous area or an area where the mother may not feel comfortable going (e.g., onto a road, near people, into a garage, etc.). Only if a fawn is in real danger should you interfere by moving the fawn to nearby forested or shrubby area where there is thick cover. Then leave quickly, so the fawn does not follow, and don’t linger. The mother will not come if you are nearby.
  • A fawn alone for long periods of time. Young fawns remain bedded, alone for most of the day and night. The mother will return several times to nurse briefly. She will not approach if people are nearby.
  • A fawn that looks skinny and weak. All fawns appear skinny, but it’s not an indication that they are abandoned or starving. If disturbed, they may also look like they are weak or having trouble walking. Never feed a fawn; their stomachs are sensitive and the food or milk you give them can be very harmful.

These are all normal things for fawns, and while they may be alarming, you do more harm than good attempting to care for a fawn.

At the June meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, MEP Lt. Tara Carlow commented on this subject.  To date, the MEP took only one fawn to a rehabber and that was because the fawn’s mother was dead and the fawn would not leave her.  She noted that in the entire state, there is only one fawn rehabber.

Habitat management grant application opens mid-July

Private and municipal landowners of conserved lands can apply for grant funding to support active habitat management projects that benefit wildlife and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP) provides financial assistance for projects that:

  1. improve habitat for game species
  2. manage for State Wildlife Action Plan species, with an emphasis on State Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species, and
  3. enhance habitat in ecological communities disproportionally susceptible to climate change.

Although MassWildlife and other conservation organizations have made unprecedented investments in land acquisition in Massachusetts, acquisition alone is not enough to guarantee the persistence of biological diversity. Investment in habitat restoration and management is urgently needed on public and private lands across the state. To address this need, MassWildlife and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs have substantially increased their investment in habitat management on state wildlife lands and are committed to working with partners to promote these efforts on conserved lands across the state. Over the past 7 years, the MHMGP has awarded over $2.4M in funding to 35 different organizations and individuals for 92 habitat improvement projects.

MassWildlife is offering technical assistance to landowners who want to apply to the MHMGP from now until July 15. If you are interested in speaking to a MassWildlife Habitat Biologist about habitat management on your property or your eligibility for the MHMGP, contact James Burnham, Program Coordinator.

If your project site is within priority habitat, a pre-review of the project is highly encouraged. Email Emily Holt, Senior Endangered Species Review Biologist with a site map and description of the project to begin the pre-review process.  Requests for pre-reviews should be made at least 3 weeks before the MHMGP application deadline.

Grant applications will be accepted starting July 15, 2022 and are due by August 31, 2022. Technical assistance on potential grant application projects needs to be completed by the opening of the application period. Visit the MHMGP webpage at any time to learn more about the application process and to see examples of funded projects. For general questions about the grant program, contact James Burnham, Program Coordinator.

Report wild turkey sightings

MassWildlife encourages all wildlife enthusiasts to contribute to our state’s annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey.

Record and report observations of hens (female turkeys), poults (newly-hatched turkeys), jakes (juvenile males) and toms (adult males). Be especially careful when counting broods, because small poults can be tough to see in tall grass or brush.

Every year from June 1 to August 31, your wild turkey reports help state biologists determine productivity, compare long-term reproductive success, and estimate fall harvest potential. Reports come from all regions of the state, from our most rural communities to our most densely-populated areas. Citizen support for the brood survey is a cost-effective way to gather valuable data. It’s also an additional fun way for people to connect with nature. Please note that turkey nesting success can vary annually in response to weather conditions, predation and predator populations, and habitat characteristics.

The easiest method for reporting your wild turkey observations is online. If you prefer to report on paper, you can download and print a Turkey Brood Survey form, complete it over the summer, and mail it to, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, Attn: Brood Survey,1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

Another nice field trial held at the Berkshire Beagle Club

 

According to Berkshire Beagle Club (BBC) Board Member, Jeffrey St John and Club Secretary Pat Barry, they had a good turnout at its Derby Trial last Saturday.  A Derby Trial is for dogs 6 months old, up to the day they turn 2 years old.  The club ran the trial by AKC SPO (Small Pack Option) rules.   There were 25 entries which far exceeded their expectations. The beagles were classified as either 13-inch or 15-inch males and females combined.

The winner of the 13-inch class was Butlers Bilbo owned by BBC member Kate Butler of East Chatham, NY.  The winner of the 15-inch class was OT’s Finnegan Fluffy Cakes owned by Emmelia Elizabeth May and handled by Scott Harrington, both of Cambridge, NY.  BBC President Al Costa’s dog, Timberswamp Miss Lulu, took the Next Best Qualifier (NBQ) honors in the 15-inch class.

 

According to St John, Club members Sal Dabbraceio, Filipe Ribeiro and John Morris put on a delicious feast, with rabbit, pork and turkey in various entrees along with potato salad and beverage.

Darn!  I was unable to attend the trials.  I especially wanted to try Filipe’s rabbit meal of which I heard many positive comments.

Big fish caught on little fishing pole

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Last week, 13-year old Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield had a fishing day that he and others probably will never forget.  Accompanied by his dad, Bill Middlebrook, he was fishing on Pontoosuc Lake with Smelly Jelly, (a commercial stink bait).  He was fishing for bullhead with the hopes of catching one large enough to be awarded a bonze pin from MassWildlife.  All of a sudden, he hooked into a really big fish – a carp.

According to Bill, when Logan hooked the fish, it immediately raced for deep waters making a prolonged “zzzz” sound from the reel and it didn’t stop until it reached the end of his line which fortunately was well attached to the reel.  It almost pulled the rod out of Logan’s hands.

Some 15 or so people were present there watching the event.  One guy shouted “You are out of line!”, while another told Bill that “He ain’t never going to get that fish in, that’s a big fish!” It swam almost out to the island near Narraganset Avenue.

Get this, Logan was using a kid’s fishing outfit with a 4-foot telescope rod and a push button reel (Probably a Zebco reel).   Earlier, Bill offered to buy him a real “big boy” fishing pole, but Logan refused, preferring to fish with this cheap little rod.  He felt that little rod brought him good luck.

It took 28 minutes with no reel drag and no extra line to get the fish somewhat back near the shore and once he got it there, he had to walk across 2 house lots, a couple of bridges and over people’s docks fighting the fish all the way.   Although he got it close to shore, it was a distance from where he hooked it. He reeled more, fought it more, and wound up at another property.  And then it fought some more.

At one point Logan had to stop because his hand was cramped up.  “It won’t work, won’t even move”, he said.  Nevertheless, he refused to let anyone touch the rod.   According to Bill, every person there said that with no drag and no line, it was crazy that he got it to come back from half way out in the middle of the lake.  Bill said everyone was “breathtaken”.  “Look at his pole”, one observer commented, “its bent completely in half.  How is the pole holding together?  I don’t know how he’s doing it”.

Meanwhile, some guys were saying that, just because he got it back to shore, that doesn’t mean he is going to land it.  “It can snap that line at any time”, they said.  But Logan “just kept wearing it out and wearing it out”.  One person told Bill that one needs strong one-piece poles, 10 to 12 feet long, with 15 to 20-pound test line to catch these things.  Another observer stated that he has snapped $80 – $100 poles trying to land a 10 or 12- pound carp.  How can a little kid’s telescopic fishing pole that’s only 3 ½ feet long hold up?

The battle continued onto another guy’s yard whom they didn’t even know.  When that guy saw the battle and Bill with a net waiting to net it for Logan, he said, “That’s a trout net.  Here I’ll give you mine, I got an ocean net”.  And when this fish finally came in, Bill said, “Holy Mackerel.”  He couldn’t believe the size of it.  It appeared to be as big as Logan.

The following day, they brought it over to the Onota Boat Livery for certified weigh-in. It weighed in at 13.3 lbs. and was over 30 inches long. The day before, Bill’s scale  weighed it as being 15 lbs, but due to evaporation, it lost at least a pound overnight, which is not uncommon. Onota Boat Livery Co-owner Caryn Wendling (along with her husband Rick) said that no adults have weighed in any carp like that this year.

While at the Boat Livery, they checked the MassWildlife Freshwater Angling Awards page.  In the Youth Catch & Keep category, any carp caught over 10 lbs. will result in a bronze pin being awarded.  Incidentally, so far this year no carp that size has been reported statewide.  If no one gets a larger one by year-end, Logan will receive a gold pin and a trophy.

Logan just started fishing last fall and he enjoyed it.  Earlier this spring at Laurel Lake he caught a 3 lbs. rainbow trout and that really got him hooked.  This came as a pleasant surprise to Bill because he used to like to fish in his younger years but hasn’t fished in the last 30 or so years.  Now that Logan has latched onto the sport, it gives them something to do together.  Bill now has a fishing partner and they go out a couple of times a week. “Now, I get to do something that I used to enjoy again.” said Bill.

Within a week after catching that large carp, Logan caught a 5 lbs., bronze pin shad from the Connecticut River in Holyoke and 1 ½ lbs. bronze pin rock bass from Onota Lake.  He wants to catch as many fish as he can in each category and get a pin for each one.  He has a bucket hat now and he is going to put all his pins on it.

One other tidbit of information as relayed to me by Bill.  Logan’s mother (Ashleigh) got him a shirt that says “Here fishy, fishy, fishy”. When she gave it to him, he said he wasn’t going to wear it.  (After all, he is 13 now).  Ashleigh told him to just wear it, he needed to wear a tee shirt.  Logan relented and wore it on the day he caught the big carp.    Now, he won’t wear any other shirt fishing, and he considers it his lucky shirt.

I wonder if he will let Ashleigh wash that shirt, lest she might wash the good luck out of it.  Be careful treading there, mom.

Berkshire Natural Fish Hatchery Youth Fishing Derby

The Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be sponsoring a free fishing derby on June 11 at the lower pond of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough from 9:00 am to 10:30 am for children 13 and under.  They must be accompanied by an adult.

Mill Street Riverway pedestrian walkway plan review

James McGrath, Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager, City of Pittsfield has the following message for us:

“While the world was hunkering down during a global pandemic in the spring of 2020, the City of Pittsfield was knee deep in the complex project to remove the Mill Street dam.   Despite all of the challenges that working in an active river (and COVID) posed, the dam was successfully removed – along with over 8,000 tons of contaminated sediments – and the river banks were restored.

Fast forward two plus years, and we’re still focused on that site.  Though, this time around we’re planning for something a bit less tricky and a lot more user-friendly:  a walkway along the restored river system.

Working with engineers and landscape architects from SLR and the MA Div. of Ecological Restoration, the City has been working to develop design concepts for a new stretch of pedestrian walkway along this stretch of the West Branch of the Housatonic River.  The idea behind the walkway is to afford visitors an opportunity to experience the river in a new way while learning about the dam removal and how this river contributed to the growth and development of Pittsfield.

We welcome you to join our webinar next Tuesday evening, June 7 at 7:00 pm to learn about the project!  Register in advance for this webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_biIk5-RmRcCfGrNwim-RMw

Hoosic River Clean-up

Next Saturday, June 11 from 9:00 am to noon, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) and the Hoosic River Revival (HRR) are joining forces to conduct a Hoosic River clean-up.  Volunteers will meet at the Alcombright Ball Fields.

The clean-up will take place from the ball fields to Protection Avenue.  Bags, gloves and tools will be on hand, but if you can bring your own, it’s always helpful.  And, oh yes, bring your waders.

Sign-up not required.

Its fishing derby time

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The annual Stockbridge Bowl Fishing Derby yesterday took place last Saturday.  According to coordinator Tim Minkler, it was rain free and nice and warm (85 to 90 degrees). There was a total of 73 participants including 17 youths.  The results are as follows:

Results:  $100 winners:

Largest Trout:  Lukas Trumps of Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 9 oz / 16.5”  long

Largest Bass:  Adam Henderson, Westfield, Weight:  4 lbs even / 20” long

Largest Pickerel:  Tynia Harrington, Lee, Weight: 3 lbs, 9oz / 25” long

Largest Bullhead:  Seth Slemp, Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 8 oz / 13.5” long

 

Age 12 and under Winners:

Largest Trout:  Sandie Prew, 6 years old, Lee,  Weight:  1 lb, 7 oz, 16” long

Largest Bass:  Trentonn Santotin, 6 years old, Lee, Weight:  1 lb, 1 oz, 12” long

Largest Pickerel:  Connor Casey, Housatonic, 11 years old, Weight: 1 lb, 15 oz., 21”

Largest Bullhead:  Mya Methe, Washington, 8 years old, Weight:  11.3 oz, 11” long.

 

The Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby also had a great turnout

 

Last Saturday the Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby took place.  And, for a change, the weather was great with some 90 youths registered.  This was the 8th year that the City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission and Lyon Aviation sponsored the event. 

 

Representing the City of Pittsfield were Becky Manship, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator and Rob Van Der Kar, Pittsfield Conservation Agent. Assisting the anglers were Onota Fishing Club President Fred Ostrander and his team of OFC volunteers. Dave’s Sporting Goods Store and Onota Boat Livery provided the worms and some equipment, Lyon Aviation donated funds for the event and The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery provided the brook trout.   Al Lussier, co-owner with his wife Tracey of Ozzies Steak and Eggs Restaurant in Hinsdale, catered the event out of their food van.

Even though some 300 Brook trout were stocked into the pond, they were hard to catch, in fact, only 1 of them was caught.  Four -year-old Johanna Sheran caught a respectable 11”, .5 lb brookie.  Fortunately, bass, yellow perch and bull head filled the gap.  Of the 25 fish caught, 17 of them were bass.  During slow periods, some kids entertained themselves catching bullfrogs

 

The youngest angler who took home a trophy was 2-year-old Carina Roy who also caught a respectable fish, a 11 ¼ ‘.6 lb yellow perch.

 

Our hats are off to Lyon Aviation, the City of Pittsfield, the Onota Fishing Club and everyone involved for providing the kids with such a wonderful day.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this year due to testing positive for Covid and being quarantined.  I missed seeing the excitement and the sheer glee on the faces of the youngsters as they were catching their fish.  Many thanks go to Joshua Christman for taking photos and providing information as did Dan Miraglia.  Also, a huge thank you goes to Becky Manship for her hard work in providing me the names of all the derby winners and other pertinent information.

Annual Harry A Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby coming up

 The 30th Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby, will take place next Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing Weekend for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In my opinion, this fishing derby is perhaps the most important and largest of our local derbies.  Open to the public, its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.

15 trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners of the fishing derby – 8 trophies for children, 4 trophies for adults and 3 trophies that can be won by adults or children. There is even a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow. All fish must be weighed in at 12:00 p.m. and can be caught at Onota Lake from a boat or the shore.  Don’t be late as the scales will be removed immediately after 12:00pm.

The fee is $10 for adults, $5 for children 14 years old and younger. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Avid Sports, Dave’s Sporting Goods, & Onota Boat Livery. Everyone needs to register at the Frank Controy Pavilion before all fish can be weighed in.  You must be wearing your wrist band provided at the registration desk in order to receive food and to weigh in your fish.

Even if you can’t make the derby, donations to the cause will be graciously accepted.

Trout stocking

 

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week, subject to change: Deerfield River in Buckland, Florida and Charlemont; East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington, Chesterfield and Huntington; Housatonic River (C/R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond.

The DFW Western District spring stocking is now complete.

Once again, a hearty thank you goes out to Western District Clerk Deb Lipa who took on the added workload of providing the stocking information to us this spring.  If you happen to visit the District Office in Dalton, you might want to thank her personally.

As previously mentioned, it is free fishing weekend next weekend with no freshwater license needed.  You have a whole week to clear your calendar and take the family fishing.

Congratulations to BEAT

Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn recently announced that BEAT was awarded $200,000 from the Cultural Facilities Fund of the Massachusetts Cultural Council to renovate their new Environmental Leadership & Education Center.  Also, they will be restoring the riverbank by removing invasive species and replanting with native, wildlife-supporting plants. Funding from the Cultural Facilities Fund will allow them to make renovations to their building, which among other things includes a balcony to observe wildlife and the river.

Next Sunday, on Sunday, June 5, they are doing a river cleanup by canoe with the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). They’ll meet at Decker Boat Ramp in Lenox at 1:00 PM and paddle down the river collecting trash caught behind trees and other natural areas. They will end around 4:00 PM.

If you’re interested in joining and can bring your own boat or kayak, register with Noah at noah@thebeatnews.org.

 

Help monitor for bacteria in the Housatonic Watershed

HVA could use some help collecting water samples in the Housatonic watershed once every two weeks, mid-June through mid-September from about 8:00 to 9:00 am.

If interested, the HVA will be holding two training sessions for volunteers to learn how to do the monitoring.  The monitoring sites will primarily be in Monterey, Egremont, Alford and Dalton.

For more information, email Shannon at spoulin.hva@gmail.com or call 413-298-7024 (be sure to leave a message).

Memorial Day Weekend

 

It’s that time again when we honor those who have fought, suffered and/or and died in defense of our nation.  I repeat my hope of last year, that as a nation we can set aside our differences and come together this weekend to remember them and their sacrifices.  They deserve nothing less.

Also, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the health care workers who risked so much to see that as many people as possible received proper medical attention during the Covid pandemic.  While they did not risk life and limb in armed combat, they sure experienced horrific stress.  I suspect that many currently are experiencing PTSD.

Lastly, let’s not forget the one million plus US residents who succumbed to the deadly disease.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their surviving family members.

Questions/comments:  Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.   Phone: (413) 637-1818

 

 

 

Specialty license plate provides new funding to restore trout streams

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The leaping brook trout license plate has been available to motorists since 1998, and has provided funding for grassroots conservation efforts through the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) for many years. Thanks to a new agreement, the plate now also provides funding for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) to target high-priority restoration efforts in trout streams.

Eastern brook trout, the only type of wild trout native to Massachusetts, are listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan and require cold, clean water to thrive. Brook trout are an important recreational resource for anglers, and their presence is considered an indicator of high-quality coldwater habitat. Unfortunately, wild trout in Massachusetts are at risk from warming water temperatures, changes in stream flow, and disruptive human activities on the landscape, like dams and culverts that block their movements.

“The conservation projects funded through the brook trout license plate will complement and advance MassWildlife’s existing efforts to manage and restore coldwater habitats in Massachusetts,” said Todd Richards, MassWildlife’s Assistant Director of Fisheries. “As climate change and habitat degradation increasingly threaten habitats for wild trout and other coldwater species, it’s more important than ever to bring together partners to conserve these resources.”

Half of the proceeds will go directly to MassWildlife for the conservation and management of coldwater fishery resources, while the remaining funds are distributed through a grants program to other conservation partners that are engaged in management activities that benefit brook trout and their habitats. Funds will be directed to high-priority projects, like those developed to restore habitats and improve fish passage, improve knowledge of coldwater fisheries ecology, and address emerging issues such as climate change.

“The Massachusetts Environmental Trust is pleased to continue and refine its partnership with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife on the Brook Trout license plate,” said R.J. Lyman, Chair of the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. “The Trust has always focused its funding on public and non-profit initiatives to protect threatened species and critical habitats, in marine, estuarine, and fresh water resource areas. More plates mean more protection!”

The plate is available through the Registry of Motor Vehicles to all motorists who are registering a vehicle in the Commonwealth. For motorists who already have a vehicle registered and want this plate, they can visit Mass.gov/myRMV to order one. Like all specialty plates, the cost to the motorist is $40 every two years, in addition to the cost of a standard passenger plate every two years. MET also offers other specialty environmental plates including the striped bass plate, the right whale plate, and the Blackstone Valley plate.

Trout Stockings

 

The following waters were stocked with trout the week of May 9- 13:  Trout Brook in Worthington and Peru, Wahconah Falls Brook in Dalton, Windsor Brook in Windsor and Hinsdale, Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Clam and Buck Rivers in Sandisfield, Town Brook in Lanesborough, Hoosic River in Cheshire and Adams, Yokun Brook in Lenox, West Brook in in Lee and Great Barrington, Sackett Brook in Dalton and Pittsfield, Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge, Greenwater Brook, Goose Pond Brook and Beartown Brook in Lee; Konkapot River in Monterey and New Marlborough, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Little River in Worthington and Huntington, Westfield River in Huntington, Littleville Lake in Huntington and Chester, Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Windsor Pond in Windsor and Onota Lake in Pittsfield

 

Waters scheduled to be stocked during the week of May 16 – 20:  Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, West Branch of the  Westfield River in Becket, Middlefield, Chester and Huntington; East Branch of the Westfield River in Windsor, Cummington and Chesterfield, North Branch of the Hoosic River in Clarksburg and North Adams, Chickley River in Charlemont and Hawley, Cold River in Florida and Charlemont, East Branch of the Housatonic River in Hinsdale and Dalton, Southwest Branch of the Housatonic River in Pittsfield, Green River (North) in New Ashfield and Williamstown, Plunkett Reservoir in Hinsdale, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham, Laurel Lake, Otis Reservoir and Richmond Pond.

 

Good showing at the Beagle Club Field Trials

 

On April 23 and 24 the Berkshire Beagle Club held an American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned field trial on its land in Richmond, MA.  Contestants from PA, NY, MA, VT, NH, CT and RI participated in the two-day event. According to Club Secretary Patrick Barry, it was one of their biggest field trials.  They had 43 entries on Saturday and 75 entries on Sunday, for a total of 118 hounds

Ralph Harington

 

Males ran on Saturday and females on Sunday.  Classes were further identified as 13-inch and 15-inch beagles. Awards were given for first through fourth places as well as NBQ (next best qualifier).

 

Ralph Harrington of Cambridge, New York, who is a Berkshire Beagle Club member, took home a blue ribbon.  Or, I should say his 13-inch 2 ½ year old male named Ralph’s Copper City Eaton Stew (pictured) did. Quite an accomplishment when you consider the stiff competition that was there that day.  According to Ralph, his handsome beagle has also placed in other field trials recently.

 

Pictured with Ralph and to his left is Scott Bisbee and Bob Kane, Jr.to his right.  Both are field trial judges

 

Ralph also commented that it was a nice event with good food and good judges.

 

He’s at it again

Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, who has been named Massachusetts Angler of the Year (Adult Catch and Keep Category) in 2016, 2020 and 2021 by MassWildlife and a frequent multi-gold pin awardee is off to another good start this year.  Check out the huge rainbow trout which he caught recently out of Berkshire County waters.  It measured 24 inches long and weighed 4 lbs.

Josh Christman with large rainbow trout

It looks bigger, ey?

Dept of Fish & Game/ Army Corps of Engineers Agreement

Last month, at the Silvio O. Conte Awards Banquet, which was held at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, Ron Amidon, Commissioner of MA Department of Fish & Game Department (DFG), was called upon to say a few words.  He didn’t plan on speaking, but I think you would be interested in what he did say in his short speech.

About 4 years ago DFG started negotiations with the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE).  DFG owns land that abuts the ACOE in a lot of locations, but one of the locations that has the most land (8,000 acres) is called Birch Hill Dam of Central MA that ACOE owns.  The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have a lot of abutting land.  If one puts those 3 landowners together, there’s almost 14,000 acres of open, conserved land.

Most people agree that the DFW and DCR are doing a good job of managing their lands but the ACOE will be the first to admit that they do not. They acknowledge that land management is not what they do, but rather flood protection.  According to Amidon, the ACOE in effect asked the DFE to manage their lands. After 2 ½ years of negotiations, an agreement was signed.  DFW will get to manage the ACOE land and, they get to keep the money for up to 5 years as long as they put that money back into the management of those lands.  That includes prescribed burns, invasive species control and improvement of the roads.

Amidon believes that is the first license agreement with the ACOE in the entire northeast and perhaps in the country in terms of pilot programs.  So, all of the other areas where they (DFG/DCR) own land that abuts land owned by the ACOE, such as the Knightsville Dam area are being looked into with the hopes of coming to similar management agreements.

Amidon discussed other interesting projects which we hope to get into in future columns.