Category Archives: Fishing

Hunters are asked to complete MassWildlife Survey

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Biologists with Mass DFW are conducting an annual survey of Massachusetts hunters to better understand their preferences and efforts in Massachusetts and to receive important “on-the-ground” information to aid in the management of game species they hunt. The survey takes around 10-20 minutes to complete. It is set up so all responses remain anonymous.
If your email address is not listed in the MassFishHunt electric license system, you can go online and enter it if you want to participate in future hunter surveys.
Within the next few weeks, all sporting or hunting license holders with email addresses in the MassFishHunt system should receive an email invitation from Novi Survey with a link to the survey. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for any emails from Novi Survey in case it is flagged by your security system. The link you are provided is assigned to each email address, therefore you should not forward the invitation to others as the survey can only be filled out once. A reminder will be emailed to those license holders who have not responded within a week.
Accompanying the survey is a link to see a brief summary of last year’s survey and for answers to common questions from the survey. Last year over 8,900 hunters took the survey and provided valuable information. DFW encourages all hunters to take this survey so that there is a larger data base and theoretically more accurate information. *****
Here are the results of some ice fishing derbies which were recently held: 9th Annual Thomas Wren Derby held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 16, 1st place Shawn Burbank, 3 lbs 8 oz pickerel, 2nd place went to Keter Ostrander with a 3 lb 1 oz largemouth bass, 3rd place went to Austin Consolati with a 2 lb 14 oz largemouth bass.

The 1st Annual Megan Babcock Memorial was held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 22. 1st place went to Jeff Kuka with a 16 lbs 6 oz northern pike, 2nd place went to Bob Thornburg with a 1 lb 5 oz perch and 3rd went to E. Sagendorph with a 10 oz perch.

According to spokesman Ed Carmel, approximately 65 fishermen participated in spite of difficult walking conditions. On the 16th, there was over a foot of snow on top of 6 inches of slush. On the 22nd, there was over 2 feet of snow.

Club spokesman Fred Ostrander reported that the following individuals won the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club ice fishing derby on February 16: Adult division: 1st place – Brian Vincent, 2nd place – Jim Miller and 3rd place – Rick Saldo. Winners in the junior division: 1st place winner – Zack Mielke, 2nd place – Jordan Mielke and 3rd place – Hadley Mielke. *****

Gary Johnston, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club (SSC) Newsletter Editor reports that over 80 youngsters have signed up for its Youth Archery Program, which will run until March 15. Other Archery Shoots at the SSC include the Berkshire County “300” Round Championships on March 15 and 16.There will be a “450” shoot on the 16th. Call John Mange for more information at (518) 794-7868. *****

Ryan Livernois, who works at Crea’s Bait Shop on West Street in Pittsfield told me about Dylan Crea, a 12 year older from Pittsfield, who is an avid fisherman with lots of passion for the sport. Fishing Pontoosuc Lake, he already has weighed in 4 huge Northern Pike this year.
He caught a 14.2 lb, 26 ½ inch length and 17 inch girth monster pike on January 27. The very next day Dylan landed another pike only this time it weighed 15 lbs. Then on February 16 he caught an 18.9 lb pike. But wait, there’s more! On February 28 he caught another one weighing 19 lbs 8 oz. He caught that one in the dark at 8:50 PM in 10 below zero weather. The picture of that fish did not come out so too well as it was taken in the dark. You might be able to see it on the Crea Bait Shop web page. The fish pictured above is a smaller one.
“It is nice to know that ice fishing provides something (for youths) to do out here in the Berkshire’s”, says Livefnois. Dylan’s parents are very proud of him. “He is so deeply passionate about fishing. He’s an A class sportsman and he is an angler to watch as he continues his awesome fish catching skills.” said his mother Dianna.
He releases all of the fish using a live well to keep them alive in order to weigh them in at the bait shop. Once the fish arrives they move as fast as they can with the fish out of the water to weigh and measure it. Then it is put back into the live well, transported back to the lake and released back into the water.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413) 637-1818).

Berkshire County League of Sportsmen is looking for a few good kids

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The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) is looking for a group of kids to enjoy its Youth Outreach Fishing Day on June 7. Trout are stocked into a private pond, fishing equipment and bait are provided and burgers and hot dogs are cooked up. Every kid catches fish which will be cleaned by volunteers so that they can bring them home to show their parents and to eat. Some kids prefer to let them go. They also go home with the fishing equipment and big smiles.
The League foots the bill, and volunteers from Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and Adams Outdoor for Youth do the cooking, prepare the equipment, etc. The kids usually have one-on-one mentoring from volunteers from throughout the Berkshires. This annual event is geared toward kids that don’t normally have the opportunity to learn how to fish. The maximum number is 25. In the past, the League has hosted: Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Cerebral Palsy kids, Key Program, COTY, Northern Berkshires Neighborhood, State Street “T” Youths, and others.
If you know of a group that would benefit from such a day, contact Mike Kruszyna at (413) 743-7156. ****
Wayne MacCallum, of Grafton, MA, Director of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW), recently received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Wayne Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to wildlife conservation. (Wayne Bailey was a legend of modern turkey management and a key player in the development of the NWTF).
“MacCallum, an avid angler and hunter, particularly for turkey and white-tailed deer, serves as an outstanding example of conserving wildlife to preserve our nation’s hunting heritage”, said Becky Humphries, NWTF Executive Vice President of Conservation. “From his early days as a wildlife biologist to now, he has demonstrated his commitment to sustaining wildlife, habitat and hunter numbers.”
“Winning this award is a reflection not of my work, but of the collective efforts of wildlife professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years,” MacCallum said. “The hunting community is responsible for conserving wildlife, and we’ve done a phenomenal job. It’s an honor to preserve and pass on conservation and hunting ethics to future generations.”

MacCallum is the longest serving director of the MA DFW and is the senior director in the United States. He serves as chair of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, Clerk of the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation and a board member of the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp. He is a former president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).

The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is a pistol shooting organization that sets rules for competitive pistol matches. Locally, the outdoor matches are held at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) in the warmer months. While competitive challenge pistol matches continue to grow, additional Safety Officers are needed.

LSA will be hosting an IDPA Safety Office Class next Saturday from 8AM-4PM. The cost is $30 for Lee members and $55 for non-Lee members. This IDPA certified class will give instructions on the rules of setting up stages, scoring, officiating matches and range safety.

Prerequisites: Must have a pistol permit from your state of residence, be a member of IPDA for 6 months prior to the class and reviewed the IPDA rule book and participated in matches. Non- members of IDPA can join now at www.idpa.com. Cost is $40/year and they will holding future safety officer classes that you will qualify for. Contact Andy Swanton berkshire.idpa@gmail.com for more information.

Incidentally, the LSA will be holding turkey, steak, pork loin and money shoots every Sunday in March. Click onto leesportsmen.com for more information.*****

Basic Hunter Education courses will be conducted at the following locations: Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, on March 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 from 6 to 9 PM. Pittsfield High School, on March 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20 from 6 to 9 PM. As of this writing, there were still openings. To enroll, call (978)772-0693.

Some 100 ice fishermen participated in the 23rd annual Locker Room Ice Fishing Derby which benefitted Lee Youth Football. The heaviest fish (adult) was a 4 lbs 2 oz pickerel caught by Brandon Lucchese. In the youth category, there was a tie between Lucas Trumps and Shyloe Gray with pickerel weighing in at 1 lb 2 oz. *****

As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you are having fun.” I can’t believe I have been writing this column 10 years now. The Magnificent Scribbler, Ted Giddings, wrote the weekly outdoor sports column for over 50 years and stepped down in December, 2003 at the age of 97. The following March 7, 2004 my first column was run. Although I could never fill Ted’s shoes, it truly has been an honor to follow his steps. Many thanks go to the Berkshire Eagle for running this column and for the sports editors (Brian Sullivan and Matt Sprague) who sometimes had to straighten out my messes.

Thanks also to my home-based editor, my wife Jan, for her perspectives, especially from a woman’s point of view. If she didn’t understand something that I wrote, then chances were good that other women wouldn’t either, and appropriate clarifications were made before the article was submitted.

Thanks to the numerous DFW folks, local sportsmen and women, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts for constantly feeding me interesting subjects to write about along with pictures. Most of all, thanks to you, the readers who invited me into your home to share your morning coffee these past 520 Sunday mornings. Your readership has never been taken for granted and I pray that it never will. What a wonderful way to retire.

Gotta run, I’m already working on column number 521.

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

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Successful anglers to be honored
In the Freshwater Sport Fishing Awards Programs, anglers receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species. They must have their catch weighed at a certified weigh station and submit an affidavit and photo of their catch to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator. Beginning in 2005, a youth category was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for their accomplishments.
Anglers who catch the largest fish in each category in a calendar year receive a gold pin and plaque commemorating their accomplishment. During 2013, Berkshire waters yielded four trophy fish
In the Adult Division, Richard Garhartt, of Berlin, NY, took the largest brown trout. It came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield weighing11 lbs 4 oz. In the Youth Division, Nathan Luczynski, of Cheshire caught the largest bullhead out of Cheshire Lake weighing 6 lbs 1 oz. (You may recall seeing a picture of that fish and the 6 year older in my March 3, 2013 column). Tauri Adamczyk, of Taunton, MA caught the largest carp weighing 23 lb 2 oz out of Woods Pond (Housatonic River) in Lenox Dale/Lee. The largest northern pike, one weighing 21 lbs 4 oz was caught out of Lake Buel by Hunter Kempf, of Sullivan, NH.
It is interesting how so many out-of-area fishermen are focusing on our waters. I hope the Chamber of Commerce is paying attention.
Since 2002, the Angler of the Year Award has been given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet minimum weight requirements for the previous calendar year. The award promotes awareness of the Commonwealth’s underutilized fish species and recognizes an angler’s ability to catch a wide variety of trophy species. Beginning in 2013, the Angler of the Year is now awarded in two categories: Youth and Adult.
The 2013 Adult Angler of the Year was Mark Mohan Jr., of Pembroke, MA. He caught 16 bronze pin fish. They were: 1 smallmouth bass, 2 bullhead, 1 crappie, 2 white perch, 1 yellow perch, 6 sunfish, 1 brown trout, and 2 rainbow trout.
The 2013 Youth Angler of the Year was Jake Souza of Berkley, MA. He was also Angler of the Year in 2012. Last year he caught 21 bronze pin fish. They were: 2 largemouth bass, 1 smallmouth bass, 2 bullhead, 1 white catfish, 1 crappie, 2 white perch, 2 yellow perch, 1 chain pickerel, 4 sunfish, 2 brown trout, 1 rainbow trout and 2 tiger trout.
None of the above fish were caught in Berkshire waters but rather down east or on Cape Cod. *****
Hard water anglers (ice fishermen) will be able to take advantage of an early February stocking of broodstock Atlantic salmon. Each district received a limited number of them ranging in size from 3-11 pounds from the Nashua National Fish Hatchery in Nashua, New Hampshire. Last week, DFW personnel stocked an undisclosed number in Windsor Pond in Windsor and Stockbridge Bowl. *****.
John Burns will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s monthly meeting at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire this Thursday evening. He is a River Steward, botanist, and TU Crooked Staff winner. He has been involved in watershed associations in VT and MA., while also working with state fisheries in electro-sampling, stocking, shoreline surveys, and macro-invertebrate inventories. He will be presenting a watershed approach to fishing and conservation efforts focusing primarily on the Housatonic, Westfield, Deerfield, and Hoosic Rivers. The event is free and open to the public. Social hour starts at 5 PM, the presentation at 6 PM and dinner off of the menu (if you so choose) to follow at 7 PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413) 684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net. *****

The Springfield Sportsmen’s Show is taking place on February 20-23, 2014 at the Big E, West Springfield, Massachusetts. The show includes the best of hunting, fishing, boating and adventure recreation that the outdoor world has to offer all bundled together in one great event. For those interested in purchasing 2014 MA hunting and fishing licenses, MassWildlife staff will be on hand to assist; however, those purchasing licenses must use a credit or debit card for the transaction. Cash or checks will not be accepted. Click onto http://www.osegsportsmens.com for more information. *****
There have been some big fish caught through the ice this winter. Usually, I show those caught by youngsters. Lest people think we old timers can’t catch big fish any more, take a look at the 18 lb, 40 ½ inch northern pike caught out of Pontoosuc Lake recently by grandpa Tom Tatro of Dalton.

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

2013 Preliminary deer season results are in

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Recently, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) reported that the preliminary deer harvest for 2013 (excluding Quabbin and any data not yet received) was 11,413. Although preliminary, this figure is up 4% from last year’s total harvest. The harvest figures for the previous four years beginning with year 2009 were as follows: 10,381, 10,699, 11,081 and 10,938. In the Western District (WD), which includes all areas west of the Connecticut River (Zones 1 – 4) some 1,664 deer were taken. For the previous four years beginning with year 2009 the figures were 1,667, 1,568, 3,417 and 1,626. Interestingly, Zones 10 and 11 in eastern Massachusetts yielded over 5,000 deer in 2013.
The statewide archery season harvest was 4,474, up 15% from last year. Harvest figures for the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 were as follows: 3,492, 3,778, 3,765 and 3903. In the WD, 577 were taken with the bow last year. The WD archery harvests for the previous four years, beginning with year 2009, were as follows: 449, 466, 522 and 453. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 2,321 in 2013.
The statewide shotgun season harvest was 4,625, down 7% from last year. For the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 the harvests were as follows: 4,927, 4,846, 5,349 and 4,950. The WD shotgunners checked in 739 in 2013, which compares with the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009: 857, 815, 904 and 842. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 1,661 in 2013. Some 660 more deer were taken with the bow out there last year than with shotgun.
The statewide primitive season harvest was 2,314, up 11% from last year. The previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 were: 1,958, 2,068, 1,959 and 1,958. In the WD, muzzleloaders checked in 350, which compares with the previous 4 years as follows: 360, 285, 251 and 301. Zone 10 and 11 muzzleloaders checked in 1,020 deer in 2013.
Online reporting was available during deer season for the first time during the 2013 archery and primitive arms seasons. Over 70% of the deer taken during those seasons were reported by hunters through the MassFishHunt system.
Not only is the online reporting system convenient for hunters, DFW claims it allows them to provide preliminary harvest totals much earlier than in previous years. It also allows them to break down the preliminary harvest information by Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ). While total harvest by zone can be informative, it doesn’t provide the complete picture for monitoring trends in deer density because total harvest is influenced by antlerless deer permit allocations in each zone.
The DFW Deer Project Leader analyzes harvest, biological, and hunter effort data, along with hunter success rates, female versus male harvest, and other factors to manage deer populations in each zone. A complete harvest summary will be posted on the DFW website shortly after the annual deer review. Hunters who included their e-mail addresses in their MassFishHunt profile will receive a hunter survey by email in February. *****
The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be having its annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance next Saturday evening at 7PM at the clubhouse on New Lenox Road. Tickets costing $25 pp are available from all board members. There will be a roast beef dinner catered by That’s Amore Fine Catering and dancing to DJ Russ Davis. BYOB.

Members should be in great shape for the 6AM registration for their annual Hard Water Open, ice fishing derby on Stockbridge Bowl the next morning.

If that isn’t enough, on the following day (President’s Day) the LSC will be having its 32nd annual rabbit hunt. Pre-registration is required, (Ron Carr at (413)442-5122). The entry fee is $10 with prizes for the heaviest dressed hare and cottontail. Weigh-in deadline is 4 PM followed by a venison goulash dinner. *****

Starting next Friday and running through Sunday, the 17 annual Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center at 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. Click onto http://www.fishinghuntingshow.com for more information. *****

Congratulations to 12-year old Dylan Sondrini of Pittsfield who caught the above pictured largemouth bass last weekend and winning the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Ice Fishing Derby on Echo Lake. It weighed 6 pounds, was 22 inches long and had a girth of 17 inches. Although he was ice fishing with his dad, Nathan, he set up his own tip-ups and figured out how to catch that big fish. Thanks to his proud mom, Nina, for sending in the picture.

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

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2014 ICE FISHING DERBIES
Cost
Day(s) Date(s) Organization’s Name Lake Time Adult Child Notes:

Sat 02/08/14 Great Barrington Fish & Game Mercers Pond 7AM – 2PM $15 $5 All kids win something! Includes spaghetti dinner
Sat 02/08/14 Ashfield Rod & Gun Club (Kid’s Derby) Ashfield 8AM – 12PM N/A Free Prizes for kids only & spagehetti dinner ($5 for adult)
Sun 02/09/14 Jimmy Fund Onota 6AM – 2PM $15 $5 Free food with ticket!
Sun 02/09/14 Lee Sportsmens Association Goose Pond 6AM – 2PM $10 $6 Includes dinner @ Club House (565 Fairview St, Lee)
Sun 02/16/14 Cheshire Rod & Gun Club Cheshire Daybreak-4PM $10 Free 1st & 2nd lakes only
Sun 02/16/14 Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Stockbridge 6AM – 2PM $10 Free Kids under 12 free with registered adult
Sun 02/16/14 Tom Wren 9th Annual Memorial Pontoosuc 5AM – 3PM $10 $5 100% of fees paid out
Sat 02/22/14 Megan Babcock 1st Memorial Pontoosuc 6AM – 3PM $10 $5
Sun 02/23/14 Onota Fishing Club (Gelaznik Derby) Onota 6AM – 12PM $10 $5 Includes breakfast, lunch and prizes @ Pavillion
Sun 02/23/14 The Locker Room (Lee Youth Football) Laurel Dawn – 2PM $10 $5 All kids win something! Includes pasta dinner.
Sat 03/01/14 Wayne Mickle Memorial Pontoosuc 6AM – 5PM $10 $5 100% of fees paid out

Schedule of 2014 ice fishing derbies is now available

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The above is the schedule of upcoming ice fishing derbies this winter. The Lanesboro Voluntary Fire Dept. and Izaak Walton derbies have already taken place and the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Echo Lake derby ends today at 1:30 PM. No information has been received as to whether Smitty’s is having a derby this winter. Our thanks go out again this year to Paula Dailey at the Onota Boat Livery in Pittsfield for compiling the 2014 schedule of ice fishing derbies and posting them on its web site Simply log onto Onotaboat.com to access that list.
While there, check out the leader board current standings in the Onota Boat Livery Ice Fishing Contest. If you are entered into that contest and catch fish smaller than a 20 lb 1 oz northern pike, a 5 lb largemouth bass, a 1 lb 10 oz perch, or a 5 lb 9 oz trout, throw it back, unless of course if you intend to eat or mount it. Actually, the leader board is updated frequently and you might want to check it before going out ice fishing. *****

This year the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo will be held on four days at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. The hours are as follows: Next Thursday from 3 to 8 PM, Friday from 12:30 to 9 PM, Saturday from 10 AM TO 7 PM and Sunday from 10AM to 5 PM. It is advertised as the region’s biggest, most talked-about annual fishing and outdoor sports show. Attendees can experience the latest innovations in fishing, hunting, boating and camping. They can try out the best gear, talk to top manufacturers and learn from world-class outdoor sporting professionals. Click onto http://www.newenglandfishingexpo.com for a listing of exhibits, guest speakers and more.

MassWildlife reports that they will have a booth at the Expo and will be selling hunting, fishing and sporting licenses. They will only make credit card sales (no cash or checks). Staff will be available to help people purchase their licenses.

Also, the MassWildlife Sportfishing Awards will not be presented at the DCU Center this year like they have in the past. Instead, the winners will be notified by mail, probably next week, if they won the gold pin and trophy. The awards will most likely be presented to the winners this summer in the new energy-neutral Westborough Field Headquarters building. I hope to announce the award winners in next week’s column. ****

Hey tree huggers (term of endearment), did you know that there are trees in our state that are very, very old? For example: there is a yellow birch that is 386 years old, a northern red oak that is 336, eastern hemlock 285, white ash 256, black birch 255, pignut hickory 253, American beech 252, pitch pine 229, red maple 228, sugar maple 225, white pine 198, shagbark hickory 197 and hop- hornbeam 183? According to an excellent article written by Joe Choiniere in the most recent issue of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, they are located on Mt. Wachusett in Princetown/Westminister. Most of that issue is devoted to managing our forests. If you can get ahold of that issue, it is well worth the read. Better yet, get a subscription, 8 quarterly issues for only $10.

Karen Kruszyna, of Cheshire, last year recipient of the Berkshire County League of Sportsman Lifetime Achievement Award, made an excellent suggestion at a recent League meeting. She suggested that each sportsmen’s club check with the various town and school libraries and donate subscriptions to Massachusetts Wildlife if they are not already receiving it. I’m sure kids and adults alike will enjoy this publication. *****

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will have a prime rib and chicken marsala buffet dinner at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday February 15 at 5:00 pm. The cost for an individual supporting ticket is $70 which includes meal and membership in the RMEF. Couples tickets cost $105 and include two meals and one supporting membership. Many quality items will be offered through live and silent auctions, drawings and door prizes. Contact Gary Johnston at (413) 298-3623 or Howie Wilson at (413) 528-2497 for more information. Don’t delay for there is an early bird special (2 for 1) on the general raffle tickets if you purchase a ticket by February 8.

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

Fish & Game to celebrate 200,000 acres of protected land

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This Tuesday, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) invite us to celebrate the protection of 200,000 acres of conservation land for Massachusetts citizens and wildlife. We are encouraged to join Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, DFW Commissioner Mary Griffin, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, and the Fisheries and Wildlife Board at the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area in West Stockbridge. The recent 192 acre acquisition and addition to the Maple Hill WMA made by the DFW with the assistance of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) helped them to achieve this significant milestone. The celebration begins at 10 A.M.
Readers may recall that a couple of weeks ago I did a column about a habitat site walk on this new acquisition. Tuesday may be a good opportunity to see for yourself how valuable and beautiful this land is. It would be nice if a good contingency of local sportsmen and conservationists show up to demonstrate their support of the land conservation program. If you plan to attend, please let them know by emailing mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or by contacting the folks at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton.
I only wish the late Attorney Sarah (Sally) Bell could be with us to share this celebration for she played such an important role in the acquisition of several parcels of land by the DFW here in the Berkshires. She passed away earlier this month. Tad Ames, President of the BNRC, in his October 14, 2013 Berkshire Eagle commentary Remembrance of Sally Bell put it this way: “She habitually underbilled the Mass DFW for legal services and she did even better for the BNRC.” Most of the time, she refused to take a penny for her time. The Lenox Land Trust also benefited greatly from her assistance.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to nominate Sally for the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award and asked if she would accept it. Although greatly honored, she declined saying “maybe a little later”.
I’m sure Sally will be with us in spirit this Tuesday morning on Maple Hill. *****
Readers may recall my columns regarding the discontinuance of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration program due to poor returns and federal budget cuts. Well, as anticipated, the Merrimack River Atlantic Salmon Restoration program drew to a close on September 5 for the same reasons.

According to Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director of the NH Fish & Game Dept (NHF&G) things had looked promising as recently as 2011, when more than 400 Atlantic salmon made their way to the Essex Dam Fish Lift in Lawrence, Mass. But in 2012, just 137 sea-run salmon returned, and this year only 22 returned.

The NHF&G would prefer to continue the program, but, like MA DFW they cannot take on the costs associated with a salmon hatchery operation. Normandeau noted that the US Fish & Wildlife Service will continue to focus on restoration of Atlantic salmon in the Saco and other Gulf of Maine rivers, the last remaining wild Atlantic salmon in the country.

“This was a hard decision, but the science tells us that there is little chance that we will successfully restore Atlantic salmon to the Merrimack,” said Wendi Weber, the USFWS Northeast Regional Director. “While the science is driving our decision, our declining budgets hastened it. We need to prioritize. With the lack of success, we need to shift our scarce resources to priority restoration efforts where we can make a difference.”

I have a bad feeling that we have not heard the last from her. Now we will have to watch out for hatchery closings. Hope I am wrong. *****

The Hoosic River Watershed Association is holding a State of the River Conference in Williamstown at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, November 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The main discussion will be on PCB’s in the Hoosic River. Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman, along with students Amanda Schott and Austin Paul have analyzed crawfish taken from the Hoosic River and most recently from the Green River and North Branch. Professors Richardson and Thoman and Mr. Paul will report on their research findings and on other PCB studies going back to 1991. The conference is free and open to the public. *****

On another watery subject, the fall trout fishing has been excellent this year. The folks at the DFW have been saying all along that they stocked very nice rainbow trout this fall, some exceeding 14 inches. Its true! I had a spectacular afternoon flyfishing the Westfield River last week. How good was it? To quote a phrase sometimes used by expert local fly fisherman, Dr. Charles Wohl of Lenox, in describing a good fishing day, “It was obscene”. *****

According to the most recent Lenox Sportsmens Club newsletter, Board member Cliff White of Pittsfield competed at Camp Perry and came in as the highest Non-Distinguished revolver shooter, thus earning the distinguished badge #156 (that’s the total number of such badges in the country). *****

The Whitetail Unlimited (WTU) banquet which was held recently at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club was a success. Some 120 folks attended and had a great time. Chris Sweet of Great Barrington won the preseason raffle called the “Pick of the Herd”. It is the top prize and if your ticket is drawn, you win your choice of any items in the auction. He chose the Mathews Z7 bow. Have you priced one of those bows lately? Incidentally WTU wants to form chapters in Berkshire County and if anyone is interested in starting one contact Bill Bailey, New England Field Director at 413-244-2304.

Archery deer, fall turkey hunting seasons open tomorrow

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Archery season opens tomorrow morning one half hour before sunrise (unless you hunt on a Wildlife Management Area which opens at sunrise) and it ends on November 30. Hunters are allowed to take two antlered deer and a doe if they have an antlerless permit. If they take all three during the archery season, they are done for the deer hunting season (including the shotgun and primitive arms seasons).

Also, the fall wild turkey hunting season opens tomorrow and runs until November 2. Be sure to check the regulations governing this sport.

New this fall, hunters and trappers have two options for checking in deer, turkey, bear, and most furbearers. As in the past, animals may be brought to a game check station, or they can use the online MassFishHunt system to report or check their game via computer. There are two exceptions to this process:
1. During the shotgun deer hunting season, all deer must be checked in at a deer check station in order for the DFW to collect biological data.
2. All bobcats and otters must be checked in at a furbearer check station because they are internationally regulated species.
Tagging and online reporting for bear, deer, and turkeys: are as follows:
Attach the paper tag from permit or license for bear, deer, or turkey to the carcass immediately upon harvesting the animal.
Log in to the MassFishHunt system to report them online within 48 hours of harvest. NOTE: Hunters must complete this checking/reporting process BEFORE processing game for consumption, or taxidermy.
After answering the online game checking questions, the system will assign a confirmation number for each individual animal reported. This number must be written on the tag attached to the carcass. The confirmation number written on the tag is the official seal issued by MassWildlife and takes the place of the traditional metal seals used at check stations.
The tag must remain attached to the animal until the game is skinned, butchered, or otherwise prepared for food purposes; or for mounting by a taxidermist.
Confirmation numbers are non-transferable to other animals and they cannot be used for any other game animals except the ones for which they were issued.
Deer hunters are reminded that during the shotgun season for deer, all deer must be checked in at a deer check station.
Hunters and trappers can report their furbearers (beaver, coyote, fisher, fox and mink) online also. Log in to the MassFishHunt system and follow the instructions on how to report the harvest of these animals.
Meat processors and taxidermists can only take into possession bear, beaver, coyote, deer, fisher, fox, mink, or wild turkey with either an official DFW metal or plastic seal affixed to the carcass or pelt or with a tag noting the assigned MassFishHunt confirmation number affixed to the carcass or furbearer pelt. It is illegal to accept any of the above game animals without a DFW official seal or confirmation number written on an attached tag. Bobcat and otters may not be accepted into possession unless tagged with an official plastic seal. *****
Flyfishing guide and author Marla Blair will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting this Thursday evening, at the Bass Water Grill on Rte 8 in Cheshire. She will be discussing “The Hatch and body language for trout and choosing a pattern”. She will also demonstrate the tying of her iconic Jailbird emerger fly during social hour. Marla achieved international fame when she wrote the popular fishing book Practical Fly Fishing. The event is free and open to the public. Social hour starts at 5 PM, Marla’s presentation starts at 6 PM and dinner off of the menu (if you so choose) to follow at 7 PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413)684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net.
Staying with TU, congratulations go to the Mass/RI Council of TU for receiving national recognition in TU National’s quarterly publication of Trout. Magazine Members of the 13 Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapters received an appeal for help in replanting a portion of river bank at the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Indian Hollow Campground. Located along the banks of the Westfield River in Chesterfield it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Some 225 willow tubelings were secured and 85 volunteers from each chapter (including our local Taconic Chapter) planted them in about 2 hours. Their efforts have been praised by the ACOE and the Chesterfield Conservation Commission. Incidentally, Paul Knauth of Dalton is in his third term as Council Chairman. *****.
There will be a Multi-State Firearm License Course next Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club. This course is unique in that it qualifies you to apply for licenses in Massachusetts, Utah, New Hampshire and Maine. A Utah concealed firearm permit issued to a non-resident is honored in 32 states. If you apply for all 4 licenses, you will be legal in 36 states. The fee for the entire 5-hour course is $150 or you can take just the Utah segment for $100 or just the Massachusetts segment for $80. The fee is due in cash at the course. There is no exam but bring a pad and pen to take notes. Seating is limited and preregistration is required. Call or e-mail and provide your full legal name plus date of birth to Robert J. McDermott at (413)232-7700 or robmcdermott@verizon.net.*****
In last week’s column I erroneously listed the end of the coyote hunting season as being March 28, 2014. The correct date is March 8, 2014. I knew that and don’t know why I wrote otherwise. Freudian slip, I guess, or wishful thinking.

Get ready for good autumn angling

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Some 64,500 rainbow trout have been allocated among the five wildlife management districts across Massachusetts. The trout slated for stocking average a whopping 14 inches long and weigh one pound. “This is the best production of fall trout I have seen in my time with the Division,” said Dr. Ken Simmons, Chief of Hatcheries. “The hatchery staff should be proud of the fish they have produced.” The fish are grown at MassWildlife hatcheries in Belchertown, Montague, Sandwich, and Sunderland.

Trout stocking began the week of September 23 and is expected to be completed this week. A list of trout stocked waters is posted on the agency website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife). Water bodies stocked in the fall are underlined.. Western District waters normally stocked in the fall are as follows:

Ashfield Pond, Deerfield River, Littleville Lake, Westfield River (E. Branch), North Pond, Upper Highland Lake, Norwich Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Windsor Lake, Big Benton Lake, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond.*****

Woodcock hunting season began last Wednesday and will run through October 26. It reopens on October 28 and runs through November 16. There are no regulation changes this year; still a 3 daily bag limit and a 9 possession limit. Because they are migratory birds, a Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey is required. You can take it either on line at www.mass.gov/massfishhunt or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Non-toxic shot is not required while hunting woodcock and shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells may not be used unless plugged.

Duck and Canada goose hunting seasons open Monday, October 14 and run through November 30. They shut down during the first week of shotgun deer hunting season and reopen on December 9. The goose hunting season ends on December 17 whereas the duck hunting season ends on December 28.

A state and federal waterfowl stamp is required. When purchasing a state stamp, hunters are automatically registered with HIP. Waterfowl hunters must also use the 3-shot gun and non toxic shot. You are allowed to bag 6 ducks a day (possession limit of 18), but the breakdown of types of ducks is complex and you must refer to the 2013 Migratory Bird Regulations for that and other important information. You are allowed to bag 3 goose a day (possession limit of 9).

If you heard shooting near our rivers and ponds yesterday morning, that could be because there was a youth waterfowl hunt. Youths aged 12 – 15 could duck hunt yesterday as long as they were accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with a valid Massachusetts waterfowl stamp (no federal stamp is required). One firearm only. Adults may not hunt and may carry firearm only when unloaded and cased. No license or stamp is needed for youths ages 12 – 14, but are needed for youths aged 15. There will be another youth waterfowl hunt day this Saturday.*****

As expected, I received some correspondents from local deer hunters about my article last week on deer predators. Some just flatly refuse to believe DFW’s claim that coyotes don’t take the fawns until they develop their scents. Somel claim to have seen the coyotes grab the fawns as soon as the does dropped them. (I am one of them.) Coyotes know when a doe is about to give birth and follow it. Still others questioned why no mention was made of the toll the coyotes take during the winter (especially on pregnant does). A few have sent me pictures of deer being killed right on their lawns during winter.

Incidentally, DFW biologist Laura Conlee gave a presentation to the Mass. Fish & Wildlife Board at its meeting in Dalton last week. Here is some interesting information based upon surveys: Of the nearly 9,000 hunters who responded to their questionnaire, 13% specifically targeted coyotes. Most coyote hunting is done during the daylight hours and not at night. Of the daylight hunters approximately 62% use rifles of a larger caliber than 22 long rifle. Of those who hunt at night only about 5% use night vision gadgets. It is illegal to project a beam while hunting coyotes at night. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 coyotes living in Massachusetts

Board Chairman George “Gige” Darey commented that surrounding states have year round hunting seasons on coyotes, but not Massachusetts. Here they are considered a valuable resource and are allowed to be hunted when their pelts are most valuable. Incidentally, pelts must be tagged and reported.

In response to a Board member question, Conlee reported that Massachusetts statutes allow property owners to remove an animal which is caught in the act of causing damage, such as to their livestock. The landowner is required to submit a written report to DFW by the end of the year.

In conclusion, Conlee recommended that the Board not change the coyote season length, not change the current hunting hours, and make no changes to the use of implements or equipment. Any such changes would require a statutory change. *****
On October 19, pre-school educators are invited to a fun, practical hands-on 6-hour workshop, entitled Growing Up WILD, that focuses on early childhood education. The Guide is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the Growing Up WILD guide and a certificate of completion. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation. Pre-registration is required, fee is $30. Registration deadline is October 9. To register contact Gayle Tardif-Raser at MassAudubon’s Pleasant Valley Sanctuary at gtraser@massaudubon.org or call (413) 637-0320 or register online at www.mass.audubon.org/pleasantvalley (click on Program Catalog).