Category Archives: Conservation

Shotgun Deer Hunting Season ends today

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 The season started with a nice coating of snow which made locating and tracking deer much easier.  Local hunters took advantage of the snow and checked in nearly 500 deer after the first week of hunting.

 

Some 119 deer were checked in at the DFW Western District Headquarters in Dalton, 45 at B & D Variety in Huntington, 121 at Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams, 60 at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association, 122 at the Mill River General Store and 32 at Papa’s Healthy Food in Otis.

 

Michael Winters of Cheshire got a 6-point buck in Egremont which weighed 201 lbs.  Eli Pease, DFW Technician, said that it had 4 points on the left side of his head and 2 on the right.  He said that it was an old buck, perhaps 6 ½ to 7 years old. Steve Ray of Pittsfield got a nice 189 lbs, 9-point buck in Pittsfield.  Dan Kruszyna of Cheshire got an 8-point 190 lbs buck in Cheshire.

 

The beginning of the second week of shotgun deer hunting started off with rain.  During that week, hunters are not required to physically check their deer at a checking station, but have the option of checking them in on-line through MassFishHunt. Therefore, unless hunters chose to physically check in locally, I have no way of finding out about them, not until the figures are released by MassWildlife in Westborough.

 

As of last Saturday, District Supervisor Andrew Madden felt that the deer tally was comparable with other recent years. Last year, close to 1,000 deer were harvested in the two-week shotgun season for Zones 1 through 4.

Bear hunting tally

The last of the three seasons of bear hunting also ends today.  Bear hunters were not required to physically check in their bears at checking stations, but could do so on-line.  Some lucky hunters chose to physically check them in and as of last Saturday, 5 bears were recorded with 3 of them being checked in at the Mill River General Store and 2 of them checked in at Papa’s in Otis.  Nate Buckhout, DFW Western District biologist, weighed in one in Mill River that tipped the scales at 400 lbs.

We will have to wait for the final bear harvest figures to be released by MassWildlife.

Primitive Firearms deer hunting season opens Monday

 Hunters who didn’t get their deer during the Archery or Shotgun seasons have one more chance to connect.  Starting this Monday, the Primitive Firearms, (a/k/a Black Powder or Muzzleloader) deer hunting season begins and runs through December 31.  Deer may only be taken by a muzzleloader firearm or by bow and arrow.  A stamp is required to hunt this season.

Here’s hoping you have an enjoyable, successful and safe muzzleloader hunt.  Let people know where you are hunting, be careful, stay hydrated and keep your powder dry.

Other hunting seasons still open

Rabbit, hare, squirrel, coyote and fox hunting seasons resume this Monday.  In our zones, duck hunting resumed on December 6 and runs until December 25.

2022 Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Laws

Commonly called “the abstracts”, they are out and available in the usual places. The booklet has a cover picture of a big old gobbler.

New for 2022:

  • License/Stamp/Permit Fee Increases.  I frequently covered the fee increase matter during this past year and you are encouraged to check the details on page 8 of these abstracts.
  • New Pheasant/Quail Permit.  A permit is now required for any person 15 years or older who hunts, takes, or possesses pheasants or bobwhite quail, unless they were harvested on a licensed commercial shooting preserve. (page 6 of the abstracts).
  • Seasonal bag limits for pheasant and quail have been eliminated.  Daily and possession bag limits have not changed (page 34 of abstracts).
  • Hunting hen pheasants will now be allowed statewide
  • Controlled Hunts were eliminated on the Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area in Newbury, MA.

Be sure to read DFW Director Mark S. Tisa’s comments on the future of conservation.  Perhaps in the future, I can print his comments verbatim in this column.

2022 Licenses

The 2022 hunting, fishing and sporting licenses, permits and stamps are now available.  Most of them can be bought online at mass.gov/massfishhunt with a computer, tablet or smartphone.  To purchase them in person, use mass.gov/fishhuntlicensemap to find a license vendor near you.  Of course, you can always buy them at our DFW District Headquarters in Dalton.

MassWildlife advises you to use care when purchasing them during December, as both 2020 and 2021 products are available.

Water chestnut pulling campaign

At the November meeting of the MA F&W Board, Western District Fisheries Biologist Leanda Fontaine Gagnon gave an excellent presentation about this past summer’s efforts on controlling water chestnuts on Three Mile Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA)  in Sheffield.  The WMA has over 1,000 acres and the pond is within its boundaries. It is a 155-acre enhanced and enlarged great pond with a maximum depth is approximately 10 to 15 feet.  It is nutrient rich with a floating island possibly with endangered species.

 

Water chestnut, an invasive plant native to Asia and parts of Europe, was introduced to North America in the late 1800’s and spread to several states and to Canada.

Because it’s floating rosettes can be up to 2 feet in diameter, it can shade out the native plants.  Its 12 to 15 feet root system roots into shallow, nutrient rich lakes with muddy bottoms.  Each plant produces a round and spikey fruit.  When they drop off and float, they are spread by unsuspecting boaters and waterfowl.  And they spread from water body to water body.  Despite their being an annual plant, they do spread easily because of this fruit.  Each fruit is viable for up to 12 years. Requiring a long-term management project, it can be controlled if caught early.

It was first discovered at Three Mile Pond in 2011.  Some brief efforts at removal occurred in 2013, but upon revisiting the site in 2017 it was noticed that it had proliferated to another area of the pond. Extremely dense cover and large patches were noticed in the northwestern cove as well as in the northern cove near a brook inlet.

District personnel began hand pulling in late August and early Sept of 2017 and a more intensive effort was started in 2018 and continued annually.

They learned that pulling in late summer was too late.  Most of the plants had already matured fruit and started to drop off and move around in the water body. Green fruit are viable, the black ones typically don’t germinate.  They began plucking the plant in the first week of July, where the majority of the fruit had already emerged but the fruit had not matured enough to start dropping.

They hesitated doing drawdowns in Three Mile Pond due to the floating island and endangered species on it.  Seeds can be in the mud for 7 years, and could be viable for up to 12 years.  Also, they can exist in deeper sediment.

Crews of kayaks paddled out to infected areas, hand pulled and loaded them onto other water-craft which brought them to the boat ramp.  There they were offloaded onto pickup trucks which took them to a dump site about ¼ mile away (but still within the WMA) and where no hikers, animals or water sources would bring them back to the pond.

In 2017, with assistance from WD staff, Field Headquarters and Natural Heritage, they removed about 10 truckloads and spent 25 cumulative hours in this removal effort. Each year when they return, they discover less and less plants from the previous year. As early as 2019 there had been significant reduction and native vegetation really started to pop up.

They will continue annual monitoring and removal as they find them, knowing full well that the plants will continue through 2027.  Starting in 2028 they intend to start bi-annual harvesting.  They hope to implement this removal effort onto other MassWildlife properties such as Mill Pond/Smiley’s Pond in Egremont.   That water body also is nutrient rich and deemed to have a considerable water chestnut population, too. They hope to reach out for volunteers to help.

 

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Fall hunting seasons about to start

 

Massachusetts sportsmen and women are heading into the woods for the fall 2021 hunting season.

The Early Canada Goose hunting season (statewide) began last Wednesday and runs through September 24.  For Early Canada Goose season only, hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.  The daily bag limit is 15 and the possession limit is 45.  The reason for this early season and the large numbers of geese allowed to be taken is to reduce the large local resident population that is befouling our lawns and beaches.  The regular goose hunting season in the Berkshires opens on October 11 and runs through November 13.

Waterfowl hunters aged 12–14 do not need stamps (or a license), but waterfowl hunters aged 15 or older must possess a MA waterfowl stamp which may be obtained online at mass.gov/massfishhunt or wherever hunting licenses are sold. Waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older are also required to possess a federal waterfowl stamp. Both stamps are valid from January 1 through December 31.

Federal eDuck stamps may be obtained online at mass.gov/massfishhunt or wherever MA hunting licenses are sold.  They are temporary stamps expiring 45 days from the date of purchase. Before the eDuck expires, a physical federal duck stamp will be sent to customers via US mail. Upon receipt, it must be signed across the face in ink and carried while waterfowl hunting. If a physical duck stamp does not arrive after a few weeks, contact Amplex at duckstamp@amplex.com or (800) 852-4897. Physical federal waterfowl stamps are also available at all National Wildlife Refuges and select post offices

Waterfowl stamps are required for most hunters who hunt any ducks (including sea ducks), geese, and brant. Two statewide Active Military & Veteran Waterfowl Hunt season dates (September 25 and October 9, 2021), concurrent with the Youth Waterfowl Hunt days, are open for waterfowl hunting by veterans and current members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty (other than for training). The term “veteran,” is defined, per section 101 of title 38, United States Code, as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. Proof of eligibility is required and must be carried on person while hunting. All regular season waterfowl regulations and bag limits apply

The early Black Bear hunting season opens statewide on September 7 and runs through September 25, 2021

 

There are no blaze orange requirements during this season.  Hunting implements allowed during this season are rifles, revolvers, muzzleloaders and archery equipment.  Be sure to check the regulation abstracts dealing with caliber size, draw weights, etc. Shotguns are not allowed during this season. If you are a Massachusetts resident bear hunter, you must have a hunting or sporting license and a bear permit.  If you are a non-resident, you must have a big game license and a bear permit. Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset.

It is illegal to use dogs for bear hunting and to bait bear. This includes the use of lure, scents or any other substance as a bear attractant.

Successful hunters are asked to submit a tooth and hair sample to MassWildlife. Teeth are used to determine a bear’s age, and hairs are used to study bear genetics. You can learn how to collect and submit them by clicking onto the MassWildlife web page.

It is unlawful for hunters to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead game animal in the field or the forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and use it. Each retrieved animal shall be retained or transferred to another until processed or used for food, pelt, feathers, or taxidermy. This does not apply to animals unfit for consumption or use—animals and their parts that are damaged, destroyed, decayed, rotting, diseased, or infected.

No hunting is allowed on Sundays.

 

Land Acquisitions

According to MA DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, MassWildlife and the Department of Fish and Game once again had an excellent year for land conservation in the Western District. “Land Protection is one of the most important conservation actions and ensures that wildlife habitats and public access to wildlife lands will be protected in perpetuity. All the MassWildlife Western District acquisitions are open to passive recreation including hunting, fishing and trapping. Land protection in the Western District is a multi-person effort led by Land Agent Peter Milanesi.” said Madden.

Maps of MassWildlife lands are best viewed on the land viewer at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/masswildlife-lands-viewer.

The following is a list of Western District lands protected in Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021). Some have already been mentioned in prior columns:

  • Worthington – 1-acre gift parcel along the Little River in Worthington.
  • Windsor – 13-acre gift abutting the Chalet Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The property contains part of the Tyler Brook wetlands and expands the portion of Chalet WMA accessible from North Street.
  • Lanesborough – 159-acre gift of Wildlife Conservation Easement (WCE) in cooperation with Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC). The area known as Widow White Peak WCE includes steep hillsides and the high point of Potter Mountain. It can be accessed from Silver Street.
  • Williamstown – 6-acre gift adding on to Misery Mountain WMA
  • Dalton – 9-acre gift of WCE in partnership with BNRC. The parcel abuts existing BNRC land with a MassWildlife Conservation Easement. Addition of this parcel improves access the existing protected property.
  • West Stockbridge – Two parcels totaling 44-acres between the Williams River and Route 41 abutting the Maple Hill WMA. Parking is unavailable at this time.
  • Otis – 55-acres abutting the Long Mountain WMA. This property includes road frontage on Giles and Stebbins Road and improves access to the WMA
  • West Stockbridge -260-acres of WCE with BNRC at the northern end of Tom Ball Mountain.
  • Rowe – 39-acres abutting the Maxwell Brook WMA. This property expands on the existing WMA and abuts town conservation land
  • Peru – 130-acres abutting the Peru WMA. This property is a combination hardwood and spruce forest with road frontage on August Smith Road, East Windsor Road and Frary Road.
  • Egremont -Two parcels totaling 114-acres near the Karner Brook (Jug End Fen WMA) section of Egremont. The property includes the well-known Smiley Pond (a/k/a Mill Pond) which is visible from the intersection of Route 23/Route 41 and Mt Washington Road. The pond is an important stopover for migratory waterfowl and is home to several sensitive habitats.
  • Great Barrington – 360 acres of WCE in cooperation with BNRC. The property encompasses much of the western shore of Round Pond and the eastern slopes of Tom Ball Mountain. Access to the area is limited by lack of parking, but improvements are being developed.

Fishing Derby

All good things must end.  The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is scheduled to have its last Youth Fishing Derby of this year next Saturday, September 11, from 9:00 to 10:30 am at its Lower Pond at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA.  Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.    The following of any State guidelines regarding social distancing, face masks etc., is required.

 

Please be more considerate

Recently, I received an email from a full-time resident on Goose Pond in Tyringham who has lived there since 1972.   (I am keeping his name anonymous). Over the past few years, he claims the bass fishermen routinely cast their lures and hooks near the docks.  Last fall when he went to take out his dock, he noticed something shiny on the anchor rope.  It was a huge hook and spinner stuck in the rope.  If he had reached down to pull up the anchor, the hook would have become embedded in his hand. Most recently, he found a hook and rubber worm stuck on the tie-down point on his boat.

“It is very disrespectful to all of us who live on the lake”, he wrote.  He asked me to put this blurb into the column and to remind/ask these anglers to be more considerate.  (Not only on Goose Pond, but on all lakes).

Happy Labor Day.

 

Don’t feed any wild duck, unless its Raymour

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For various valid reasons, we are discouraged by Mass Audubon and MassWildlife from feeding wild ducks and geese.   Here are some reasons given:   

  • Feeding attracts large concentrations of waterfowl to areas that can’t naturally support such numbers. Left on their own, ducks and geese will occupy areas that provide sufficient natural food. As they deplete food in one location, they fly to new feeding areas, often miles away.
  • Artificial feeding encourages unnaturally large flocks to gather in one place where the competition for food can cause unnecessary stress. This may weaken the birds and make them more susceptible to disease.
  • Artificial feeding may allow frail birds to survive, reproduce, and diminish the species as a whole. Mortality is normally high in bird populations—it’s a natural mechanism, important in maintaining populations that the environment can support.
  • Feeding may encourage species of waterfowl not normally found in the area to concentrate. This can lead to an increased incidence of hybridization, which can eventually weaken the gene pool in certain species. This is a rising problem in Mallard and Black Duck populations in Massachusetts.
  • Deposits of fecal matter can affect water quality and compromise human health. Children can also come into contact with droppings left on the surrounding landscape. Also, birds crowded into these areas are often defecating in the same location where they’re feeding.
  • Ducks and geese are well suited to survive New England winters. Their feathers provide air pockets that stabilize body temperature and control heat loss. When birds fluff their feathers, they are merely increasing the air space and insulation. Waterfowl sitting with puffed feathers on a frozen pond are perfectly fine and do not need our help.

Ron Smith, a well-known area outdoor sportsman, knows this. He and his wife Jan live on the shores of Onota Lake in Pittsfield and have close encounters with ducks and geese daily. He made one exception to the “no feeding” rule.

Two summers ago, a male mallard duck (drake) came up on their shore.  Ron noticed something wrong with that duck and thought it had a broken beak and had trouble moving its mouth. There was a mass of something sticking out on the side of his mouth (turned out it was his shriveled-up tongue).  He tried to eat but had difficulty. Not only that, the other ducks picked on him and chased him away. Ron suspected that the damage could have been caused by being hooked in the mouth with a fishing lure and perhaps damaged himself trying to flee. Perhaps a turtle did the damage.

Ron took pity on the poor quacker and tried feeding him dried whole kernel, whole wheat bread and “quack snacks”, but he had trouble sucking food up, he could only scoop things up, one kernel at a time with difficulty.  To Ron’s amazement, the duck let him put food in his mouth, especially when he soaked the bread in water first.  According to Ron, that’s his favorite.  Now, when the duck sees Ron, he runs up to him wanting food, and of course Ron accommodates him.  Since last summer and all through the winter, he has been feeding it this way.

Ron guesses that he is probably 3 years old now.  He and his wife Jan named him “Raymour”.  He can fly, but he spent last winter there on Onota Lake.  He would waddle up from the lake twice a day for Ron to feed him.  He would even come up when the snow was chest deep for him. The Smiths have a fairly long, steep lawn sloping to the lake.  “You should see that duck, in the winter pushing snow with its breast to get up to their house.” said Ron.

Raymour can’t quack but he does make a clicking sound, which Ron has mastered, and the duck responds to him.  (New research suggests that some birds may know who their human friends are, as they are able to recognize people’s faces and differentiate between human voices).  Beside the clicking sound, he has a funny habit of fluffing up and shaking his wings when he sees Ron (like a baby bird would do).

Lately, there has been a female Mallard that must have watched Raymour and now comes running up to Ron to get a handout. But he’s trying to discourage her because he doesn’t want her to lose her fear of humans (and to rely on handouts rather than to find her own food in the wild).

 

“I can justify my feeding the damaged Drake, he would have died without my help.” said Ron.

I say Kudos to Ron.    It just seems that was the right thing to do.

TU Chapter honored the reopening of the Bridge of Flowers with donated stone benches

 

Recently, in an on-site ceremony, Deerfield River Watershed Trout Unlimited (DRWTU) unveiled new stone benches in downtown Shelburne Falls, to help celebrate the re-opening of the Bridge of Flowers, after being closed due to Covid-19, and to highlight the importance of the Deerfield River.

 

DRWTU’s mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance the Deerfield River Watershed and its cold-water fisheries. “This is a great opportunity to let visitors know how important the Deerfield River is to this region and to welcome them to the historic Bridge of Flowers,” said Kevin Parsons, past president of DRWTU who spearheaded the effort.

Visitors to Shelburne Falls will now have a new place to sit and rest after a busy shopping, sightseeing, floating and fishing day, with the benches located appropriately near the Bridge of Flowers, just behind State Street’s West End Pub. The Bridge of Flowers welcomes more than 60,000 visitors per year, according to Bridge of Flowers Committee Chair Annette Szpila.

 

The benches would not be possible without the generosity of Ashfield Stone Company of Shelburne Falls that produced and largely donated them. JS Rae, also of Shelburne Falls, delivered and placed the benches in their current location behind West End Pub, at 16 State Street.

 

Although not located in the Berkshires, events dealing with the Deerfield River are usually carried in this column.  There are lots of people from the Berkshires, especially northern Berkshires, who travel over the mountain to flyfish and float this exceptional river.

 

Want to experience a quiet, peaceful lake?  Get up and out early.

 

There’s something about being on a lake at the crack of dawn on a warm summer morning.  The lake is usually calm as a mirror and there’s no telling what you might encounter on it.

 

I was out trolling for crappie on Ashmere Lake last Sunday using an electric motor to propel my old rowboat.  Around 5:30 am, out of the morning fog appeared the two young ladies (pictured) paddling their canoe., and they appeared to be having a ball.   I asked them what time they started paddling and they said around 5:15 am.  They allowed me to take a picture of them for this column and we exchanged email addresses so that I could send the picture to them and perhaps get their names.  Well, don’t you know, their email address accidentally got deleted from my cell phone. So, ladies, if you contact me at the address below, I will gladly send you the pictures. 

 

Later, around 7:00 am two young fellas trolled past me in a pram.  They had a boom box in their boat and as they were fishing, they were singing along with the music and having a grand old time.   The music wasn’t loud or offensive at all, and it was kind of nice to see.  A little later, some serious bass fishermen arrived and steered their bass boats into the various coves.

 

That morning, I saw two bald eagles, (one adult and one premature,) a blue heron, many ducks and geese and from afar (probably Cleveland Reservoir), I heard that unmistakable call of loons.  I trolled past three separate snapping turtles; with one being quite large.  I had to pull my lure out of the water when I approached them because they wanted to eat it.  Last thing I want is an encounter with one of them.

 

After catching a sufficient number of crappies for a fish fry I headed back to shore.  Ah, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Trout study launched on the Swift River

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The Swift River is one of the most unique and popular trout fishing destinations in Massachusetts. In addition to the wild brook trout found in the Swift, MassWildlife also stocks rainbow and brown trout from its McLaughlin Hatchery. Many anglers travel for miles to fish the cold, clear waters of the Swift in the hopes of landing a big trout. But what exactly happens to the hatchery trout once they are released into the river? This spring, MassWildlife launched a study to get a better understanding of the survival and movement of stocked trout from month to month and from year to year.

The Swift is bounded by the Quabbin Reservoir’s Winsor Dam to the north and by the Bondsville Dam about 5 ½ miles downstream. So, while some fish enter the reach from Quabbin or from the adjacent McLaughlin Hatchery and some escape over the Bondsville Dam, the study area is a mostly closed system. This means that biologists can estimate population size and learn about fish survival by conducting a series of mark-recapture surveys. MassWildlife biologists will mark every fish stocked into the Swift and then periodically sample the stream and record information on the fish they catch. This type of survey allows biologists to estimate fish populations throughout the year in an area where it is impractical or impossible to count each individual fish.

The fish will be marked in two ways. Biologists will use Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE)—a dye injected just below the skin—to tag trout and indicate the month in which they were stocked. For 2021, all VIE tags will be placed just behind the left eye and different colors will indicate the month the fish was stocked. Additionally, the adipose fins of fish stocked upstream of Route 9 will be clipped; fish stocked elsewhere will not be clipped. The adipose fin is a small fatty fin on the dorsal surface (back) of the fish. MassWildlife staff will use electrofishing equipment to sample the river about once a month for most of the year. This method briefly stuns fish so they can be easily netted, inspected, and then quickly released. By looking at the combination of markings, biologists can learn when and where a trout was stocked in the river compared to when and where it was re-captured.

Anglers will also be able to use the marking to learn about the fish they catch. A website has been launched with details about this ongoing project. Anglers and interested individuals can visit mass.gov/swift-trout to get a list of VIE tag and fin clip combinations that shows release dates and release location. A schedule of electrofishing sampling dates will also be available on the website.

In time, study results will also be posted to mass.gov/swift-trout. Results from this study will provide valuable details about the short- and long-term survival of stocked brown and rainbow trout.

Trout stocking

 

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW:  South River in Ashfield, Swift River in Ashfield, Goshen and Cummington, Stones Brook in Goshen, Hoosic River (North Branch) in Clarksburg and North Adams, Green River (North) in Williamstown and New Ashfield, Mill Brook in Cummington and Plainfield, Westfield Brook in Windsor and Cummington, Housatonic River (Southwest Branch) in Pittsfield, Upper Highland Lake in Goshen, Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Lake Garfield, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Richmond Pond and Stockbridge Bowl.

 

Heritage Hub

MassWildlife recently launched a new online portal called “Heritage Hub” which allows users to report observations of animals and plants, natural communities, and vernal pools. The system can be used to report any species and they are especially interested in reports of animals and plants listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. The Heritage Hub is replacing the Vernal Pool & Rare Species Reporting System (VPRS) and makes electronic reporting easier than ever. MassWildlife is grateful for the many citizen scientists, consultants, and researchers who have contributed 21,537 observations to VPRS over the years and they are looking forward to the launch of the new platform. Visit mass.gov/heritagehub to learn more and register for an account.

The Heritage Hub is a more user-friendly application, improving the functionality from VPRS and offering several new features, including: Updated plant, animal, and vernal pool observation reporting; a natural community form; enhanced user interface via a new mobile-responsive platform; streamlined account creation, electronic signature capture, and many other features.  Reports made through Heritage Hub help MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program protect rare animals and plants across Massachusetts. The Heritage Hub was built in collaboration with the Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs IT Department.

Drivers:  Watch out for turtles

The following is a message from MassWildlife:  From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles throughout Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may find turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive. Turtles have a keen sense of direction and may be on their way to wetlands or open, upland sites such as lawns, gravel pits, or roadsides for nesting. If you find a turtle, do not move it far away.

“Adult turtles can live past 80 years. Young turtles and eggs, on the other hand, have a variety of predators and a low chance of reaching adulthood,” says Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist. “This is why it’s especially important to protect older adult turtles from cars, especially during this time of year when turtles are crossing roads more frequently.” Losing any adult turtles, particularly adult females, is a serious problem that can lead to the eventual local extinction of a population.

Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle from the road occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. The turtle is trying to get to habitats and resources it needs and knows. Do not take turtles home or move them to a “better” location; turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.  Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. A snapping turtle can reach your hands if you lift it by the sides of its shell. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the tail; this can injure its spine.

Slow down. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. Also, remember areas where you’ve seen turtles crossing in the past. Turtles are animals of repetition and chances are, more turtles will likely cross there or somewhere close by.

Report them to MassWildlife. Information that you provide on the Linking Landscapes online portal helps MassWildlife and MassDOT prioritize transportation projects to help turtles and other wildlife safely cross roads and keep drivers safe. Just as importantly, contact your town Conservation Commission and local conservation partners to evaluate resources within your town to help turtles. Signage, barrier fencing, or seasonal speed bumps help reduce roadkill.

Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the ten species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Learn more in MassWildlife’s Guide to Turtles of Massachusetts.

Fishing Derby

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is scheduled to have a youth fishing derby next Saturday, May 8 from 9:00 to 10:30 am at its Lower Pond at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA.  Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.   These fishing derbies will run once a month through September.  Following State guidelines, masks are required as is 6 feet social distancing.

SPRING TURKEY HUNTING SEASON OPENS ON APRIL 26

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Paul and Homer OuelletteBut some youths, 12 to 17 years of age, are out hunting already because today is the special one-day Youth Turkey Hunting Day. Hopefully they met the eligibility requirements (basic hunter education and the mandatory youth turkey program),  have a mentor and are having a great first day of turkey hunting.  Maybe they have bagged a bird already, but if not, they have until 5:00 p.m. today to bag one.  Hopefully, they will check themselves for ticks as soon as possible afterwards.

Upon harvesting a turkey, the mentor must immediately fill out and attach the paper tag from the permit to the carcass. The bird must remain intact (other than field dressing), with the harvest tag attached until it is reported. After it is reported, the tag can be removed when it is prepared for food or taxidermy purposes.

On this upcoming Monday, April 26, the regular spring turkey hunting begins and runs until May 22. Massachusetts residents must have a Hunting or Sporting License, Turkey permit and a Safety sticker.  Non-residents must have a Big Game License, Turkey permit and Safety sticker. Stickers are required if hunting turkey with a shotgun or muzzleloader.  In the spring season, the bag limit is 2 bearded birds (2 birds may be harvested on the same day).  Hunting on Sundays is not allowed.

Spring season hunting implements allowed:

  • Shotgun: No larger than 10 gauge. No larger than #4 size shot.
  • Muzzleloader: No larger than .775 caliber smoothbore muzzle loading shotgun. No larger than #4 shot.
  • Archery equipment: All bows must have a draw weight of at least 40lbs at 28 inches or at peak draw. Arrows must have a well sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than 7/8 inches in width. Expanding broadheads and mechanical releases are legal. Crossbows may be used by certain permitted disabled hunters. Airbows are prohibited.

The wearing of blaze orange is not required during the spring hunting season.  It is now unlawful for hunters to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead game animal in the field or the forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and use it.

 

Tagging, transporting, and reporting requirements:

  • You must report your game within 48 hours of harvest.
  • Fill out and attach the paper tag from your permit on the carcass immediately after harvesting a turkey.
  • The game must remain intact, with the tag attached, until reported and prepared for food or taxidermy purposes.
  • You can report your harvest at an official check station or online.

Here’s hoping you have a safe and enjoyable spring turkey hunting season.

 

Trout stocking

 

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW: Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland,  Chickley River in Hawley and Charlemont, Green River (South) in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Westfield River (Mainstem) in Huntington, Montgomery and Russell; Greenwater Pond in Becket, North Pond in Florida, Mansfield Pond in Great Barrington, Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham, Lake Garfield in Monterey, Plunkett Lake in Hinsdale, York Lake in New Marlborough, Windsor Lake in North Adams and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

 

Ducks Unlimited reaches major conservation milestone

In a recent meeting of DU’s Board of Directors it was announced that more than 15 million acres (or more than 23,000 square miles) of habitat has been restored or protected in North America since its inception.  In Fiscal Year 2020 alone, DU’s on-the-ground work protected or restored more than 600,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands. Conservation staff worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, sleeping in repurposed ice fishing houses, campers and even tents to ensure their work never stopped. In fact, they’re accelerating their efforts to ensure they reach 16 million acres in record time.

“Ducks Unlimited’s mission of wetlands conservation has always been driven by science to deliver the best possible outcomes for waterfowl, wildlife and people,” said DU President Doug Schoenrock. “This was a true Team DU effort, and we’re proud of what we have accomplished. While this is a historic milestone, we will not stop working toward our vision of skies filled with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.”

Ducks Unlimited and its conservation partners provide on-the-ground solutions that benefit waterfowl populations and maximize water resources through the dynamic natural functions of wetlands. In addition to providing habitat for waterfowl, wetlands slow and store water to help recharge watersheds and aquifers, improve water quality and provide important wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

Paul Ouellette passed beyond the riverbend

 

Recently, Paul Ouellette of Lanesborough passed away at age 97.  He was an ardent fly fisherman, perch fisherman and deer hunter.  I should mention from the start that the comments about Paul also applied to his younger brother the late Homer Ouellette of Pittsfield who has been fishing beyond the riverbend since 2016.    They were inseparable and when you saw one in the outdoors, you inevitably saw the other.

Paul and Homer Ouellette

Paul was a charter member of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited (established in 1974) who eventually became an officer and a director.  He was an early recipient of Taconic TU’s highest award, the Crooked Staff Award.   He was a volunteer in the Atlantic Salmon restoration program, stocking salmon fry in the Westfield River.   He helped to establish the Friends of the Williams River group and conducted river surveys for them.   He was an excellent fly tyer and fly fisherman and helped teach it at Berkshire Community College in the 1970’s.  In fact, that is where I first met him over 40 years ago while taking that course.  He was such a colorful and knowledgeable fly tyer/fisherman/sportsman that I immediately joined TU because of him.

 

What wonderful memories of him flyfishing the Westfield River at Indian Hollow Campground and those times when we flyfishermen sat around the evening campfire after a day of fishing.  We enjoyed the soft music which emanated from Homer’s harmonica, accompanied by Paul’s jaws harp.  Oh, how we enjoyed his flyfishing and deer hunting stories.  It was from him that I first heard the term “passing beyond the river bend”, a term used when a fly fisherman passed away.

 

Paul first brought to our attention a poem that the famous poet Joyce Kilmer had once written about a “shiftless and good for nothing” angler named Dave Lilly who was deceased but when he was alive frequently fished a brook near Williamstown. According to the poem, Dave Lilly’s ghost still fished that brook and he caught “ghostly trout” years after his passing.   Paul located the poem in the North Adams library, brought it to a TU meeting and it immediately became very popular with the members, many citing parts of it by memory. (Google Joyce Kilmer/Dave Lilly poem).  I could go on and on with wonderful stories about Paul.  I tried to emulate him as much as I could, even to the point of buying a jaws harp of my own.  (I put it to good use one time – another story, another time).

 

He was also a member of the tongue-in-cheek organization known as Perch Unlimited or “PU!”  While staying at their cottage in Vermont (the Owl’s Nest), Homer and Paul would often ice fish for perch on Lake Champlain and they certainly caught their share of them.  They did a lot of deer hunting out of that camp, also.  (You may recall a couple of articles that I wrote about the camp in October 2015.)

 

Paul was an excellent bowhunter and for many years he and Homer taught the bowhunting course for the Mass DFW.  They both received the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award.  To quote the plaque citation, “They have devoted countless hours to stream improvement, salmon fry stocking and bowhunting safety instruction courses.  They have been instrumental in instructing thousands of archers in dozens of courses they have hosted as Bowhunting Education Instructors.  Every sportsman can think of one or two people who helped spark their passion for the outdoors.  Homer and Paul Ouellette have touched many sportsmen’s lives.”

 

Paul Ouellette will be fondly remembered and sorely missed, but take heart, he is now probably out fishing with Homer…..somewhere beyond the riverbend

2020 marks 30 years of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act

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Through the implementation of MESA, MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) conserves and protects the most vulnerable native animal and plant species of Massachusetts and the habitats upon which they depend. Currently, there are more than 400 native plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern.
Many rare species have benefited from the protection afforded under MESA and the work of NHESP over the years, including the restoration and conservation of several notable species such as the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and northern red-bellied cooter. However, there is still a lot to do and in the face of habitat loss, emerging diseases, invasive species, climate change, and other threats, this work is more important than ever!
NHESP staff are diligently working to recover rare species and their habitats. NHESP’s conservation efforts include targeted restoration and active management of habitats; collection, management, and analysis of statewide biological data; conducting regulatory reviews; and the development of educational programming, publications, and conservation tools to connect residents with nature and help guide state and partner conservation priorities.
NHESP’s work is primarily funded through grants, regulatory review fees, and donations from supportive citizens. Donations to NHESP are received through a voluntary check-off o
the state income tax form and direct donations throughout the year. NHESP donations go directly into the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Fund, which can only be used for administering NHESP programs.
These donations are critical to ensure the dedicated NHESP staff can continue to perform important conservation work, including field research and surveys, regulatory review, habitat management, land protection, and education. Without such support, NHESP cannot protect, manage, and restore the Commonwealth’s most imperiled animals and plants and the sensitive communities and habitats on which they depend. In addition to donations, citizens can help by reporting the location of a rare species or vernal pool to help NHESP keep its database current.
MassWildlife suggests that you go to Mass.gov/30MESA throughout the year to learn about MESA and how you can support NHESP.

The pictures of the two adult bald eagles (beneficiaries of MESA/NHESP) were photographed by Mark Thorne of Pittsfield. He said that he went to Onota Lake for a couple hours on January 5 and easily found the adult pair that has been residing at the Point for the past several years. The male was sitting on the nest and went out a couple times to the west for sticks, and the female was a couple hundred feet away just watching a few people ice fishing on the lake. The eagles occasionally called to each other, and finally the male came over to roost with the female. Lots of preening and head scratching (tricky with those claws), but no other activity.

After a while the male got closer to the female, both calling loudly to each other, and Mark really thought they were going to mate. But he’ll never know because it was noon and he had to leave to do errands.

Before leaving, he got a good look at the leg bands colors/numbers and, to no surprise, it’s the same pair he had been watching in prior years. She is 18 years old this coming spring, and he’ll be 14. This year will be their 7th year together. Mark first identified her tag 9 years ago, but he’s sure she’s been here much longer.

Thank you, Mark for sharing the terrific picture.

Congratulations to the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Skeet Team
According to the most recent SSC newsletter, the club won the coveted Tri-Club Championship this year, edging out Sheffield by 13 birds, and “leaving Lee in the rearview mirror.” After the Championship, the attendees enjoyed a delicious BBQ chicken dinner.
Basic Hunter Education courses being offered
By state law, if you are 18 years of age or older and you want to purchase your first-ever hunting license, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. Hunters 12 to 17 years of age must adhere to the regulations which are specific to their age. While minors are not mandated to complete a Basic Hunter Education, it is a prerequisite for certain youth programs and it allows minors 15 to 17 years of age to hunt without direct supervision.
In a Basic Hunter Education course, students receive instruction in the safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, care and handling of game, and wildlife conservation. Courses are typically 15 hours in length and are offered in different formats to meet the public’s needs. Students under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian’s permission to attend this course. All courses are free of charge and open to the public.
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club will be conducting a 6 session Hunter Education Course at its clubhouse on 310 Curran Road, Cheshire. The sessions will run Mondays and Fridays for three weeks from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on February 24, 28, and March 2, 6, 9 and 13.
To enroll, call (508) 389-7830.
Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp
At the last Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) meeting, the delegates voted to sponsor two camperships this year to the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp (MJCC) one for a boy and one for a girl. The MJCC is a two-week program designed to teach teens between 13-17 years old various outdoor recreation skills as well as educate campers about conservation of natural resources and responsible use of the environment. (Click onto www.mass.gov/service-details/junior-conservation-camp for more information).
This year’s dates are from August 2 to August 14. The camp tuition is $1,000 for the full two weeks and covers lodging expenses, food, and activities.
The total cost to send both kids is $2,000. Fortunately, $1,000 of that amount was donated by: $500 from BCLS Vice President Bob McCarthy (he was awarded that amount by the National Grange for his civic duty in Williamstown) and $500 from Whitetails Unlimited. The remaining $1,000 will be picked up by the BCLS. (In the past, the late George “Gige” Darey sponsored one or two kids a year.)
If you know a kid who is interested in the outdoors and who truly wants to attend the camp, have him/her send a letter to Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, 150 Phelps Ave., North Adams, MA 01247 explaining why he/she wants to attend.

Incidentally, there a couple of other area local sportsmen’s clubs that also sponsor kids for the MJCC. If the League has too many applicants, I’m sure it will pass the letters on to them.

Upcoming Ice fishing derbies
On Saturday, February 8, the Ashfield Rod & Gun will be holding its 29th Annual Children’s Ice Fishing Derby on Ashfield Lake. It is free and runs from 8:00am to 12:00 pm. All school ages are welcomed to participate. Prizes will be awarded to fish caught legally during derby hours and checked in at derby headquarters (The Ashfield Lake House). After the fishing derby there will be a spaghetti dinner held at the Sanderson Academy. The price is $5.00 for adults and children eat for free. Following the dinner there will be a presentation given by Tom Ricardi on birds of prey.
The 34th Annual Jimmy Fund Ice Fishing Derby will be held the following day, Sunday, February 9 at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake, Pittsfield from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at the Onota Boat Livery (413)443-1366 and Maces Marine @ (413)447-7512. Admission: Adults $15.00, Kids $5.00. Trophies and prizes for kids, young adults and adults. Free with ticket will be dogs, burgers, chowder and soft drinks.
I am including these ice fishing derbies a week early in order to have more space available for an interesting column coming up next week. On February 2, 1954 there was some exciting ice fishing news that became the talk of the community. If you were around, do you remember it? If not, can you guess what it was? Make sure to read next week’s column.

Junior Duck Stamp Program: Connecting youth with nature through science and art

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Since 1938, the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp or “Duck Stamp” has been required of anyone hunting ducks or geese, although anyone can purchase a duck stamp. The funds generated from these stamps have helped restore and improve important wetlands and the stamps have become collectors’ items. Duck stamps are one of the most successful wildlife restoration programs in the history of this nation.
Conservation through the arts: The Junior Duck Stamp Program (JDS), modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp, was launched in 1991 by the US Fish & Wildlife Service with the aim of increasing young people’s awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. In 1992, the US Fish and Wildlife Service printed the first ever Junior Duck Stamp with the funds used to provide awards, incentives, and scholarships to participating students, teachers, and schools.
This dynamic conservation program is designed to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, the program helps students communicate visually what they have learned by creating an entry for the Junior Duck Stamp Program art contest. The non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both science and the arts and teaches greater awareness of our natural resources. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition (which will be hosted by Massachusetts in 2020).
In Massachusetts the Junior Duck Stamp Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Junior Duck Stamp educational curriculum: Created over two decades ago as an innovative way to teach youth about wetlands and waterfowl, nationally, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program reaches more than 27,000 students each year, giving them the opportunity to learn scientific principles, connect with their natural world, and artistically express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity and interdependence of wildlife. A redesigned educational curriculum has been developed that will spark students’ interest in habitat conservation and careers in natural resources through science, art, math, and technology. The curriculum guides meet a number of national education standards, including the National Science Education Standards, North American Association for Environmental Education Standards and National Visual Arts Education Standards.
You can support JDS by purchasing a stamp: The overall national winner of the art contest graces that year’s JDS and is sold by the U.S. Postal Service (www.usps.com or 1-800-782-6724) and Amplex Corporation (www.duckstamp.com or 1-800-852-4897) for $5. All proceeds of the stamp are invested in the program to fund environmental education programs; award the students, teachers and schools that participate in the program; and to market the JDS program.
Artwork submissions must be postmarked by February 15 of each year. For complete JDS program details visit, mass.gov/dfw/jds or contact: Pam Landry, Wildlife Education Coordinator (508) 389-6310, pam.landry@mass.gov.
If you are a subscriber to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, you are in for a real treat. In the most recent issue (No 3, 2019) there is a picture of artist Jenna Gormley when she was 5 years old and her Mallard artwork which was submitted to the JDS when she was 18 years old. Her article is entitled, “One Artist’s Journey with the Junior Duck Stamp Program”. When she was three years old, she was diagnosed with a receptive and expressive language disorder. She did not speak, so her form of communication was drawing pictures.
It is a very interesting and inspiring article, so be sure to read it. If you are not currently a subscriber, click onto the MassWildlife web page, click onto Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine and follow the instructions. A 2-year subscription (8 copies) only costs $10.
Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting Season opens tomorrow
Shotgun deer hunting ended yesterday. If you haven’t gotten your deer yet, (don’t feel bad, you are not alone), you still have an opportunity to get one during the Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting season. It opens tomorrow and runs through December 31. A Primitive Firearms stamp is required and there are special regulations governing this season listed in the Massachusetts Fishing & Hunting official laws. Archers can hunt during this season but must purchase the Primitive Firearms stamp. Here’s hoping you have an enjoyable, successful and safe hunt trudging through our winter wonderland. Be careful and keep your powder dry.

Licenses are on sale now
The 2020 Massachusetts Fishing, Hunting and Trapping licenses are on sale now. They can be purchased online through MassFishHunt, at a license vendor location, or at a MassWildlife office. Good news! No increase in the license fees again this year.
MassWildlife suggests you use care when purchasing licenses during December, as both the 2019 and 2020 licenses are available.

Important studies ongoing by DFW
MassWildlife and the UMass Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are working together to conduct fish surveys in rivers at current and former dam locations. So far, nearly 50 rivers have been surveyed as part of a broader project to more fully understand the impacts of dams and dam removals on fish and aquatic invertebrates. Coldwater fish like native eastern brook trout are particularly dependent on upstream and downstream movements for reproduction and survival. Previous research suggests that abundances of coldwater and coolwater fish, including brook trout, longnose dace, and white suckers, increase following dam removals. Monitoring will continue for the next several years.
MassWildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service have completed a third year of cooperatively monitoring juvenile American shad in the Connecticut River. Biologists capture shad at night during the summer and fall using an electrofishing boat. Abundance, length, and weight measurements are collected and used to assess the growth, survival, and productivity of the population. This study is designed to help determine the impacts of dams on juvenile shad. Shad populations have significantly declined as a result of 19th century dam construction, which prevent adults from migrating upriver to find spawning habitat. Shad are an abundant food source for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, perch, and northern pike. Shad also provide food for birds and terrestrial mammals, as well as marine fish including striped bass.
Don’t forget to submit your hunting logs
Massachusetts hunters spend a significant amount of time in the woods observing wildlife of all kinds. These observations can provide wildlife biologists with a tremendous amount of information to better understand wildlife distribution and abundance across the Commonwealth. If you are an archery deer hunter or a game bird hunter, perhaps you have been keeping a hunting log on all the days you hunted this season. These logs must be submitted before December 20, 2019 to be entered into a drawing. Prizes, donated by Cabela’s, include a Polar Cap Equalizer cooler (value $249.99) and two $25 Cabela’s/Bass Pro gift cards. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in late December. If you completed both types of logs, your name will be entered twice.
Gige has not been forgotten
Hard to believe but it has been a year since our old buddy George “Gige” Darey of Lenox passed away. As you may recall, he was the long time MA Fish & Wildlife Board Chairman (35 years), our greatest conservation champion and beloved by the outdoor sports community. He surely has not been forgotten. In fact, his partner, Ginny Acabane, noted that several people have recently approached her saying how much they still miss him.
Rumor has it that the Town of Ripton, MA will heretofore have a moment of silence in his memory each December 21.

Large black bear taken in Sheffield. Is it a state record?

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It was a pleasant afternoon on November 5 and after work, Mike DiGiovanni of Sheffield decided to go hunting for bear on a local farmland. He hunted out of a tree stand with a crossbow. (Due to a permanent disability, he had permit to hunt with a crossbow). After a while he saw a deer (doe) in the nearby field acting oddly and then ran off. Then Mike saw why. A bear approached the field, hugged the edge of it and headed right toward him. He held off his shot until the bear was about 10 yards away and let the bolt fly. The first bolt hit him high in the shoulder and the second shot was a lung shot and down he went.
He knew it was a decent sized boar, perhaps around 300 lbs, but it wasn’t until he climbed down from the tree stand and approached it that he realized how big it was. Mike described himself as being “dumbfounded”. Then came the realization of what to do now. He took a picture on his cell phone and sent it to his wife Molly saying, “I’m going to be home a little bit later than expected”.
Then, he called a couple friends while Molly called his brother-in-law for help. Mike also reached out to the farmer for an extra set of hands. The farmer had a 4-wheeler to help him get it out of the woods and into the field. Dragging a bear of this size is no small feat and the more help he could get, the better. It took 6 guys, the farmer’s 4- wheeler and a pick-up truck. Thank goodness it was only 10 feet from the field, said Mike, because if it was deeper in the woods, there was no way to get him out…..not without equipment. With permission from the farmer, they were able to drive a truck into the field to get to him.
Can you imagine what it was like lifting that bear onto Mike’s truck?
After getting the bear out of there, they weighed it at a gravel bed truck scale and the weight they came up with was 540 lbs. Roughly a day and a half after, they got it to the DFW Headquarters in Dalton and it weighed 535 lbs. on those scales. Perhaps the day delay could have made the 5 lbs. difference (drying out). Anyway, the official weight stands at 535 lbs. Mike has been bear hunting for 12 to 14 years and never got a bear this large.
One of the biologists at the DFW headquarters guessed it weighed around 640 to 650 lbs. live weight and estimated the age as being between 7 and 12 years old, but it could be older. They can’t know until a tooth is sent to the DFW labs for analysis.
Is it a state record? Not sure. Massachusetts doesn’t keep official state bear records; however, they do maintain a database of the largest bears on record. I am not aware if there has ever been a larger bear checked in with DFW so it is quite possible that it is the record. If the DFW wants to establish a state record for black bears, may I suggest that they start with this one.
Mike said that he lost some of the meat due to the weather, but will salvage as much as he can to eat. “It’s quite good”, he said, “if I didn’t like the meat, I would not shoot a bear.”
He is going to get a whole rug mount done by Kevins’s Taxidermy of Middlebury, CT. Incidentally, the taxidermist measured the hide from nose to the tail at 86 inches and girth at 65 inches. The unofficial Green Score skull came in at 21 ¼ inches. To make the Pope & Young record book, it has to be 18 inches; however, cross bow kills are not recognized.
The farmer was ecstatic over getting rid of that bear. Not only because he kept destroying his crops, but also once a week the boar was flipping dumpsters over on his property.
Mike met a couple of neighbors who live on the same street and they were very grateful that that bear is gone. They were intimidated by the size of it. Bears are opportunistic, wherever the food is, that is where they are going to be, whether it is at your house or somewhere in the woods. They are going to eat whatever they want and you are not going to stop them, said Mike. He has heard stories of bears taking livestock, goats, pigs and all sorts of animals (not to mention the deer fawns).
Mike was adamant that the names of the helpers be included in this column for without them, he could not have gotten the boar out of the woods. (They were: Jameason Russin, Tony Bleau, Kolby Bleau, Dave Ullrich and the farm owner Bob)
That feat was” something I’ll never forget”, said Mike.
A Patriotic Turkey Shoot

The Murphy-Leary American Post 298 and Adams-Budz VFW Post 8183 of Housatonic will be jointly sponsoring a Turkey Shoot at the Great Barrington Fish and Game Association Club, 338 Long Pond Road, Great Barrington on December 1 starting at 12:00 noon. The purpose of this event is to raise funds to help the organizations foster strong national security, provide help for disabled and needy veterans and their families and promote Americanism by educating our communities in patriotism.

Also, they sponsor and provide scholarships to civic programs such as the Boys/Girls State Program, Student Trooper Program and to local students. In addition, their fund-raising initiatives also allow them to offer academic and vocational scholarships to selected graduates from local High Schools.

The turkey shoot is billed as a great opportunity to come out and compete for a turkey, pork, steak, beef, or maybe a money prize as well as enjoy a barbecued hamburger, hot dog, fries, and refreshments. You don’t even have to shoot to win a prize. There are many people that will be there who will shoot for you.

You are invited to come out and have some fun with family and friends in one of the most picturesque locations in the Berkshires. In addition to having some old-time outdoor fun, you will be helping our Housatonic American Legion and VFW to raise money so that they may give back to the youth in our community.

MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program

Thirteen municipalities, conservation organizations, and private landowners were recently awarded a total of $341,396 for habitat management projects to improve habitat for rare or declining populations of wildlife. The grants will fund 13 wildlife habitat improvement projects totaling 698 acres in 14 communities across the state.
In its fifth year, MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program provides financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife deemed in greatest conservation need and certain game species. The projects are also designed to complement ongoing habitat management efforts on state lands and expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation.
“Fish and wildlife habitat management for both rare and common species and to enhance wildlife-related recreation opportunities is a top priority for MassWildlife,” said Dr. Mark Tisa, Director of the DFW. “Because 80% of Massachusetts is in private ownership, working with committed municipal and private landowners is a no-brainer. These grants help protect everyone’s investment in wildlife, habitat, and the enjoyment of outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, or watching wildlife.”
Congratulations to the following local recipients of the 2019 MassWildlife Habitat Management Grants:
• Great Barrington: The Nature Conservancy was awarded $28,576 to create and improve old field and shrubland habitats at the Schenob Brook Preserve.
• Lenox: The Town of Lenox was awarded $26,810 to remove the invasive hardy kiwi plant at Kennedy Park and Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
• South Lee: South Lee Associates was awarded $13,655 for efforts to control invasive species on Housatonic River properties.

It was a good year for DFW Land Acquisitions

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According to a report made by DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden and Western District Fish & Wildlife Board Member Stephen Sears at the October Meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, fiscal Year 2019 (July 2018-June 2019) was another good year for the MassWildlife/Department of Fish and Game Land Protection Program.

Statewide they protected more than 2,400 acres. They completed 15 projects in the Western District alone, accounting for 1,078 acres, which is almost half of the statewide total. The annual budget for land acquisition is approximately $5.5 million.

They both highly complimented DFW Western District Land Agent Peter Milanesi for the superb job that he does every year. The list of the Western District projects is as follows:

 

Town Acres Description
Otis 29 Abuts Long Mountain WMA on Stebbins Road.
Plainfield 1.57 Small Inholding at Swift River WMA
Windsor 18.4 Along the East Branch of the Westfield
Dalton 100 Abuts the Chalet WMA on three sides.
Sheffield 70 Guilder Hollow Road. Abuts Dolomite Ledges WMA
Chester 100 Builds on the Western side of Fox Den WMA
Worthington 13 Improves access to Fox Den WMA.
Middlefield 90 Abuts the Fox Den WMA. Protects upper portion of the Westfield watershed
Chester 55 Part of the Fox Den WMA.
West Stockbridge 26 Extensive Frontage along the Williams River
West Stockbridge 48 Wetlands along Williams River. Part of Maple Hill WMA
Cummington 86 Stage Road. Part of the Cummington WMA
Worthington 315 Part of Fox Den WMA along the Middle Branch of the Westfield River
Chester 75 Abuts the JJ Kelly WMA.
Worthington 51 Provides access to Fox Den WMA from the East

Do those land acquisitions make you happy? Well wait until you get out and enjoy them.

I hope you read the article in the October 21, 2019 issue of the Berkshire Eagle entitled “Study: Want to be happier? GET OUTDOORS”, written by Christopher Ingraham of the Washington Post. According to scientific studies, people who got in two to three hours in nature were about 20% more likely to report high overall satisfaction with their lives than those who spent no time outdoors at all. They were 60% more likely to report being in good health than their cooped-in counterparts.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out these new acquisitions!

2019 Youth Deer Hunt Day results
On September 28, 950 young adults participated in this year’s Youth Deer Hunt Day. The statewide preliminary harvest total was 77 deer reported through the online MassFishHunt system.

MassWildlife created the Youth Deer Hunt Day to allow young hunters to hunt deer with their own permit. The hunt occurs on a special one-day season before the state’s annual deer hunting seasons. Shotgun deer season regulations apply during the hunt. Licensed hunters who hunt other animals on this date must follow special restrictions.
Fifth Annual Berkshire Natural History Conference
Next Saturday, at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Williams College will host the 5th Annual Berkshire Natural History Conference. It will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You are invited to celebrate the incredible diversity of Berkshire County.

The Conference brings together residents and visitors to celebrate the remarkable biological diversity of Berkshire County and the efforts to preserve, restore, and learn more about species, landscapes, and the myriad interactions among all of them. An impressive list of speakers, exhibitors, and displays will cover such wide-ranging topics as historic naturalists, native brook trout, unknown organisms, and local forests.
Birds, Bogs, Little Snakes, Trout, and Slime Mold Highlight This Year’s Conference
• Botanists/historians Maida Goodwin and Allison Bell retracing the steps of the remarkable, prolific, (and somewhat erratic) late 19th century naturalist Grace Greylock Niles.
• Evolutionary biology student Jenks Hehmeyer introduces the world of incredible organisms, including the Berkshires Giant Amoeba Slime Mold.
• Author Lauren Stephens illuminating Thoreau’s decision to spend the night atop Mt. Greylock.
• Dr. Ron Bassar detailing the plight of native brook trout in light of the Climate crisis.
• Biologist, Pete Hazelton will introduce MassWildlife’s new Citizen Science initiative – the use of the cell phone app, iNaturalist, to record everything on state Wildlife Management Areas.
• Other speakers introduce the incredible density of little snakes, local efforts to restore Cliff Swallows, how the new technology, Lidar, can tell a great story, and more. Ending the day is Williams College ecologist Hank Art on the changing landscape of Western New England.
You can also check out a wide array of displays by more than a dozen local and regional natural history organizations. Purchase new and historic books and join in a Silent Auction that helps support student attendees. A Natural History quiz, where participants can test their knowledge of the Taconic/Berkshire environment, is ever popular.
It is sponsored by the Hoffmann Bird Club, BCC, MCLA, Green Berkshires, BEAT, Mass Audubon’s Berkshire Sanctuaries, Hoosic River Watershed and others.

Pre-registration is required ($25 per person; $15 per students) at: www.berkshirecc.edu/bnhc. Contact Tom Tyning for details at ttyning@berkshirecc.edu
Community Conversation: Love/Hate Relationship with Mother Nature?

This Thursday evening beginning at 7:00 pm, the Lenox Land Trust will hold its Annual Meeting at the Lenox Community Center, 65 Walker Street, Lenox. They are featuring two noted local environmentalists to help homeowners understand their own properties as part of larger landscapes and habitat.

Fighting the Good Fight – Presenter Jess Toro, of Native Habitat Restoration, will offer advice and guidance on identifying and controlling those pesky, persistent Invasive Plants in our yards and neighborhoods: knotweed, bittersweet, and barberry, among the most common of the dirty dozen species.

Where the Wild Things Are– Tom Tyning, Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College, literally “wrote the book” (A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles), highlighting the indispensable role of Vernal Pools to biodiversity. Discover and protect the Vernal Pools in your neighborhoods and woods – they’re an essential habitat for the life cycles of many species, including the protected Spotted and Jefferson Salamanders, and an incredible landscape feature – half land, half water.

(In 2017, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen awarded Tom its Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in this area).

The program is open to the public — to any homeowner or property-owner in Lenox or elsewhere! And dessert is on them!

Help needed in planting trees and shrubs along the Housatonic riverbank

In Great Barrington, the Housatonic River access on Division Street has been improved and a new parking lot installed thanks to a great partnership with the property owners, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) and funding from the Great Barrington Community Preservation Council.
The area was heavily infested with invasive plants which have been treated by Native Habitat Restoration. Now it’s time to plant.
On Tuesday, November 12 from 1:30 to 4:00 pm (Rain Date/Extra Date is November 20) you are invited to help plant native trees and shrubs along the riverbank. The Housatonic Valley Association will supply the tools, but if you have a favorite digging implement, bring it along.
The event is in partnership with BNRC.
If you think you can help, contact Alison Dixon at 413-298-7024 or adixon@hvatoday.org
Directions: Please note, the bridge on Division Street is closed so the access and parking area can only be accessed from Rte.183.
Dam Removals in Massachusetts

The Department of Environmental Restoration (DER) is presenting a six-part film series entitled River Run – A Story of Dam Removal in Massachusetts. It was created in partnership with UMASS Amherst’s Science Media Collaborative. Each short video highlights the efforts of DER and partners to advance river restoration projects across the Commonwealth. These films highlight the benefits, challenges, and local perspectives of dam removal across Massachusetts. One film addresses the Tel-Electric Dam on Mill Street in Pittsfield.

To see the films, click onto:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/river-run-a-story-of-dam-removal-in-massachusetts.

Veteran’s Day

What are you going to do on Veteran’s Day? It is a day off from work/school so maybe you will watch a parade. Will you visit some veterans in nursing homes or assisted living facilities? They would love to see you.

Perhaps you’ll go hunting, preferring to spend some quiet time in a tree stand or a duck blind or just taking a break and sitting on a stump near a stone wall. Whatever you do, you might want to take a moment to remember and thank our living and deceased veterans for their service to our country.

Let’s pay more attention to the health of our lakes

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More and more attention is being paid to controlling native and invasive aquatic vegetation in our lakes these days. (Calling them weeds is out nowadays, those green plants growing in and choking our lakes are now called aquatic vegetation.) Some think that lowering our lake levels in the winter to freeze and kill them is the way to go. That is a controversial subject and others wonder if we are accomplishing anything by lowering the lake levels other than protecting people’s docks and other property.

And what about the cyanobacteria stuff that showed up in Stockbridge Bowl last year and Pontoosuc Lake this year. Where did that come from? What is causing it?

I don’t think anyone has the perfect solution for controlling excessive vegetation growth and bacteria in our lakes but we need to do something. Inaction is not an option for we could lose these beautiful bodies of open water. We need to educate ourselves and pay more attention to the health of our lakes. Here are a few opportunities:

LAPA-West Symposium

The Lakes and Ponds Association will be having a symposium on Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First Street in Pittsfield. There will be a significant focus on cyanobacteria (AKA blue green algae) which is a potential threat to all our lakes and can pose a serious health threat to all lake users, especially children and pets. It made the local news last fall when a bloom in Stockbridge Bowl forced the relocation of the 2018 Josh Billings paddling leg.

All lake association members, Conservation Commission members, other municipal officials and anyone else with an interest in protecting and improving our lakes are invited.

The objectives of the cyanobacteria presentations are to provide background needed for lake managers on:
• The basics of what it is and what are the risks.
• How to test for it?
• How to prevent and/or treat a bloom?
• What precautions must be taken to avoid risks to lake users without over-reacting and needlessly restricting access to our lake resources.
• What federal, state, and local agencies are involved, what regulations are in place, and how can local lake managers get help.
Other symposium topics, many of which are follow-up to previous symposium presentations, are:
• Drawdown effectiveness and risks.
• Increased State funding for our lakes and ponds.
• Improved coordination among the EOEEA regulatory agencies.
• Guidance from the DFW on maintaining and improving healthy fisheries.
Registration with a light breakfast starts at 8:15. Tours of the USEPA CMC mobile laboratory will be conducted after adjournment at 1:00 pm. (This facility is used to provide on-site trainings on the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative program to lake associations, state water quality managers and staff, drinking water suppliers, NGOs, school systems, private research entities and the like. Trainings and/or demonstrations of the program can be provided on request. The mobile lab provides a platform where individuals can participate in collecting and analyzing samples adjacent to the waterbody and become familiar with the equipment, steps, and protocols used for understanding and managing harmful cyanobacteria and blooms. The mobile lab has been used to teach hundreds of individuals throughout New England how to appropriately collect and identify samples for cyanobacteria analysis).
The symposium which is free, is sponsored by the LAPA West member associations. Invited exhibitors include state agencies with responsibilities for lake management and contractors who work on our lakes.

There will be opportunities to network with experts in lake ecology and management, and with other lake advocates. Bring lake plants you want identified. Any other questions you have specific to your lake can be raised with the experts and other attendees during the presentation breaks.
You are asked to let them know if you are planning to attend. Also please indicate whether you will be staying after the 1:00 pm adjournment to tour the CMC Mobile lab.

 

Lake Winter Drawdowns
An article in Volume 64, Issue 8 of Freshwater Biology which came out in June of this year and dealt with annual winter drawdowns might be of interest to local conservation commissions, lake and pond associations, anglers and the general public. The 15-page article, entitled Annual winter water level drawdowns limit shallow-water mussel densities in small lakes detailed the findings of a 2-year study (2015 and 2017) of 13 western and central Massachusetts lakes. The 9 lakes studied in the Berkshires were the following lakes: Onota Lake, Ashmere Lake, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl, Goose Pond, Greenwater Pond, Lake Garfield, Lake Buel and Otis Reservoir.
The report provides evidence that annual winter water level drawdown regimes in lakes constrain mussel distributions below drawdown exposure zones during normal water levels in addition to causing stranding and mortality soon after drawdown exposure.
In addressing the drawdown effects on mussel distribution, density and size, the report provides evidence that they negatively impact surface and buried mussel densities in areas annually exposed during winter even though these areas remain submerged from spring to autumn. Winter drawdowns also negatively affect buried mussel size.
Interestingly, the study provided evidence that mussel mortality did not correlate with drawdown rates. They found no difference in mussel mortality in experimental dewatering rates of 4 cm/day verses 8 cm/day.
The study concluded that “given that the documented ecosystem services mussel populations provide, including biofiltration, water column and sediment nutrient coupling, and habitat structure for macroinvertebrates and primary producers, the constraint of mussels deeper than the drawdown exposure zone may reduce these ecosystem services in the exposure zone. The extent of these potential functional losses relative to the whole lake ecosystems may depend on winter drawdown regime character (e.g. magnitude, rate, timing, frequency) relative to mussel population density-depth distribution and population size”.
Further research to examine the extent of potential ecosystem function loss in annual winter drawdown regime was encouraged. (Personally, I would like to see a study done to see what, if any, effects the herbicides that we are annually putting into our lakes are having on the mussels and other crustaceans).
So, why do we care about freshwater mussels? Well, according to MassWildlife, more mussels mean cleaner water. They are nature’s great living water purifiers. They feed by using siphons to filter small organic particles, such as bacteria, plankton, algae, and detritus, out of the water. This filtration doesn’t just take nutritious bits out of the water for the mussels to eat, it also takes floating debris like silt and algae out of the water, making the water cleaner for everyone.
One mussel can filter up to 15 gallons of water moving over it in a single day. We need them and should take care to see that we have healthy populations of them in our waters.
Map, Compass and Survival course
The free course will be offered by MassWildlife on Saturday, October 12 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the DCR Visitor Center, 740 South Street in Pittsfield. This course is not recommended for students less than 12 years of age.

 

Students will spend a lot of time outside in the woods practicing map and compass skills. MassWildlife recommends wearing comfortable footwear (i.e. hiking or running shoes), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and bright outer clothing. Students should also carry insect repellent, sunscreen, and water with them while in the woods and, if available, a whistle.

 

Timberdoodle time
Woodcock, (also known as timberdoodle) hunting season opens on October 3 and runs through November 23. The daily bag limit is 3 and the possession limit is 9. The woodcock is a migratory bird so hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) each calendar year. Waterfowl stamps are not required nor is the use of non-toxic shot when hunting woodcock.

For more information on the regulations, click onto https://www.mass.gov/service-details/migratory-game-bird-hunting-regulations