Category Archives: Deer Hunting

Be careful while on our frozen ponds

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Its that time of year again and for long-time readers of this column, you have read the following many times. Please bear with me again in passing on MassWildlife’s warning about ice thickness. There are always new people taking up the sport of ice fishing or ice skating. There may also be some people who have recently moved north and are not familiar with the dangers of walking out onto our ice-covered lakes. Actually, it wouldn’t hurt if we all took a few moments to review these ice safety tips and ice thickness guidelines. The following comments are taken nearly verbatim from the MassWildlife web site:
How can you tell if ice is safe?
There are no guarantees. Always consider ice to be potentially dangerous. You can’t judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone; many other factors like water depth, size of waterbody, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions impact ice strength.
Ice tips to remember:
• New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.
• Ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto the ice.
• Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often more dangerous. Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams, as the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds may contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.

Before heading out onto the ice
• Tell someone your plans, including where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Go prepared. Carry a cell phone in case of emergency. Always carry ice picks and rope with you on the ice. In case of emergency, drive the picks into the ice and pull yourself to safety while kicking.
• They suggest that you wear a life jacket. If you can get it over all of your heavy clothes, it will keep you at the surface and can provide insulation against the effects of cold water.

Ice thickness guidelines
The guidelines below are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice and can be very treacherous. Use an ice chisel or auger to make a hole in the ice and determine its thickness and condition.
Ice Thickness (inches) Permissible Load (on new clear/blue ice on lakes or ponds)
2″ or less STAY OFF!
4″ Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5″ Snowmobile or ATV
8″–12″ Car or small pickup truck
12″–15″ Medium truck

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

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

If a pet falls in:
Do not attempt to rescue the pet, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners have become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice.
Outdoor Recreation in the Berkshires
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is requesting your input for a Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation Plan. They encourage outdoor sportsmen and women to take a 10 to 15-minute survey at surveymonkey.com/r/BRKOutdoorRec.
On Wednesday, January 8 they would like to hear more of what you want in terms of outdoor recreation experiences in the Berkshires. Join them at Hotel on North from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Space is limited, so register in advance at www.bit.ly/BRKORforum.
Outdoorsmen and women, this is your opportunity to have input in developing a Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation plan. Don’t pass it up!
Did you get, kill or harvest a deer this year?
Every year I get phone calls or emails regarding the use of the words “deer harvest” in this column. “Call it what it is”, they say, “it’s the killing of deer”. Perhaps you have read similar letters in the Berkshire Eagle’s “Letters to the Editor” this fall.
Hunters, raise your hand if anyone ever asked if you “harvested” a deer. I thought so, me neither. Have you ever asked other hunters if they “harvested” a deer? Of course not. Like me, you probably equate the term “harvest” to farming, as in harvesting a crop.
The first time I saw the term “harvest” was from news releases from MassWildlife, and when passing on such information, I am not about to change their words. It was my feeling that they used that term because MassWildlife handles the lands under its control in such a way as to make it more hospitable for deer and to maximize their food sources (acorns, apples, browse, etc.). They control the deer numbers so that they have optimal conditions, which makes for a happy, healthy herd. Much like a livestock farmer does.
I discussed this subject with DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden recently, and he said that the term “harvest” is used not just by MassWildlife, but also by most wildlife biologists nationwide. “Harvest” is the general term used for the killing and utilization of the animals.” “Also, using the term “harvest” allows the distinction between animals that are legally taken and utilized by hunters versus other types of mortality such as roadkill, nuisance animals, etc.”

Hunters that I know usually don’t use the term “kill” either. Hunters rarely ask another if he “killed” a deer. They use the term “get” or “got.” Perhaps they avoid using the “kill” word because of the negative connotation that goes with it. Hunters don’t like to be referred to as killers, just like farmers don’t like to be called that either. Farmers prefer to use the term “butcher”. They butcher their chickens or steer, not kill them. Perhaps a few hunters use the term “shoot” or “shot”, but none that I know. They just don’t ask one another if they shot a deer, they ask if they “got” a deer.
About the only time I hear a hunter use the word “shot” or “bagged” is when he is talking about small game hunting. For example, I shot two rabbits today, or did you bag any pheasants? Nobody has ever asked me if I “got” a pheasant.
To me, the word “kill” is usually used when describing a murder or taking down an enemy on the battlefield. The only time I hear a hunter use the term kill is when he is referring to eliminating a predator animal, such as a coyote.
Let’s face it, some people who are anti-hunting like to use the word “kill.” It is frequently used to put the hunter in a negative light. Well, as they say, words have meaning, and most people suspect that word was chosen for a reason. Just remember, unless you are a vegetarian, chances are good that you will be dining on something today that was “killed”. You probably prefer to use the word “processed”.
It’s interesting that the term “kill” is rarely used when discussing fishing. Fishermen “catch” or “land” a fish. They don’t like to be referred to as killers either.
At this time of year, a character frequently thought of is that skeletal figure in a long-hooded robe who carries a scythe, known as the grim reaper. How come nobody is jumping all over him? We all know what he does.
Happy new year!

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Regulations to prohibit wanton waste and predator contests approved
By now you have probably heard or read that the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted 6 to 1 to approve regulations prohibiting the waste of certain game animals, prohibiting hunting contests for certain predator and furbearing animals, and changing the harvest reporting requirements for fox and coyote. Board member Robert Durand was the sole negative vote. He then proposed two amendments to the regulations and they were both voted down 6 to 1.
So, here is a summary of regulation changes as established by the board. It cautions that the regulations are not yet in effect and are still subject to administrative processing prior to promulgation. MassWildlife anticipates that the regulations will go into effect well before the 2020 fall hunting season. A summary of the regulations is provided on its web page https://www.mass.gov/news/regulations.
Prohibition on Contests for the Capture, Take or Waste of Predator and Furbearer Animals
It shall be unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in a contest for the take of coyote, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, weasels, mink, skunk, river otter, muskrat, beaver, fisher, raccoon, and opossum. A predator or furbearer contest is where participants compete for prizes or other inducements in the capture or take of predatory or furbearing animals.
Prohibition on the Waste of Certain Game Animals
It shall be unlawful for any person while hunting or trapping to waste an animal. “Waste” means to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead 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, the pelt, feathers, or taxidermy.
The waste regulation does not apply to:
Animals “unfit for consumption or use” – animals and their parts that are damaged, destroyed, decayed, rotting, diseased, or infected.
Defense of people or property.
Problem wildlife, such as Beaver Emergency Permitting and Problem Animal Control.
Certain animals such as English sparrow, starling, crow, chipmunk, flying squirrel, red squirrel, porcupine, skunk, weasel, or woodchuck.
Wounded or dead animals that cannot be retrieved after a reasonable effort has been made.
Change harvest reporting requirements of Hunting of Bobcat, Fox and Coyote and the Hunting and Trapping of Certain Game Mammals
Fox and coyote shall be checked within 48 hours of harvest, consistent with deer, bear, and turkey requirements. Fox and coyote may be checked online or in person.
To the livestock farmers who perhaps will be more affected by the wanton waste regulation than anyone else, MassWildlife included the following comments:
The regulations are specifically designed to preserve all options currently available to the public and to farmers experiencing livestock depredation by coyotes, and do not, in any way, reduce the opportunity for coyote hunting. The following options currently available to livestock farmers and other property owners will all remain available and unchanged under the new regulations:
• Whenever lethal removal of an animal causing conflict is warranted, MassWildlife recommends that a farmer or landowner invite hunters onto the property during the regulated season in order to promote the utilization of the resource and ensure that the animal is not wasted.
• MassWildlife assures property owners, their families, and employees will still be able to protect their property year–round by killing an animal that is in the act of causing damage (including depredation) and this is exempt from the wanton waste regulation. Also, property owners can hire a licensed Problem Animal Control Agent to trap or shoot the offending animal, an activity that is also exempt from the wanton waste regulation.
• MassWildlife can also issue a special permit to farmers experiencing livestock depredation from coyotes. This option allows the farmer to invite licensed hunters onto their property, both during and outside of the regulated seasons, to take coyotes in order to mitigate the issue and the wanton waste rule would not apply.
• MassWildlife asserts that while the regulations do not decrease options available to landowners and farmers experiencing property damage or reduce the opportunity to hunt coyotes or other furbearers, it is important to note that coyote hunting in Massachusetts cannot control the coyote population and has not and cannot prevent livestock depredation or other types of human-coyote conflict. This is due to the inherent biology and population structure of coyotes.
• MassWildlife believes hunting can randomly remove animals that are depredating on livestock or causing other conflict, but it may also remove animals that are not. Because hunting cannot control the population, there will always be coyotes around farms and some livestock depredation is unfortunately inevitable. MassWildlife has always been and will continue to be committed to working with farmers and livestock producers to minimize and mitigate conflict when it occurs.

So there you have it folks; like it or not, it will shortly become the law and we must comply. Let’s hope that it isn’t the gateway for implementing more hunting restrictions in the future.
Big Cut in Bluefish Bag Limit
If you enjoy going down to the Cape or Rhode Island fishing for blues, this will be of interest to you. Earlier this month, fishery managers approved new regulations for the 2020 recreational bluefish fishery. These measures, which include a 3-fish bag limit for private anglers and a 5-fish bag limit for for-hire fishermen, represent a substantial reduction compared to the federal 15-fish bag limit that has been in place since 2000.
The most recent assessment of the Atlantic bluefish stock concluded that the stock is overfished. In October, managers called for an 18% decrease compared to 2019 and considered several combinations of bag limits and minimum size limits. Although the Bluefish Monitoring Committee recommended a coastwide 3-fish bag limit, the majority of comments from the public and Bluefish Advisory Panel (AP) members expressed opposition to this option, noting that it would have severe economic consequences for the for-hire sector, which was only responsible for 3.6% of coastwide landings from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, AP members and the public emphasized that these proposed reductions come at a challenging time for for-hire stakeholders as they are also facing new restrictions on striped bass, black sea bass, summer flounder, and scup.
After an extensive discussion and thorough consideration of public comments, the Council recommended and Commission approved a 3-fish bag limit for private and shore modes and a 5-fish bag limit for the for-hire mode. No restrictions were made to minimum fish size or seasons.
“For many years, bluefish has been one of our most abundant recreational fisheries,” said Council Chairman and ASMFC Board member Mike Luisi. “The Council and Commission are fully committed to the effective conservation and management of this stock, but we also recognize that a sudden change in regulations could have severe socioeconomic consequences for some stakeholders. After evaluating a wide range of options and considering numerous comments from the public, we feel that this approach is the most fair and effective way to achieve the necessary reduction in harvest next year.”
Ladies LTC Classes
The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be holding its first Ladies Only License-to-Carry and Utah firearms course on January 5, 2020. The course, which is Mass State Police Compliant will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The stand-alone prices for the various states are: $70.00 MA, $125.00 UT, $125.00 AZ, $125.00 CT and $125.00 FL. Combine any two for $150.00, any additional state above two is $50.
Pre-registration required. Contact Tom Nadolny at 413-822-6451 or tnadolny1@gmail.com
Last of the deer hunting seasons end this Tuesday
After December 31, the only hunting seasons open will be crow, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, bobcat, coyote, fox, opossum and racoon. These seasons end at different dates so be sure to check the hunting laws.
Happy new year!

 

Deer tally lower this year due to all the snow

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Most shotgun deer hunters hoped that they would be dragging their deer out of the woods last Monday morning. Sadly, many couldn’t even get out of their driveways because of the heavy snow that fell the previous day and earlier that morning. Many spent the entire morning clearing their driveways of snow. Too bad for those hunters who took the day off from school or work to go hunting on opening day. Oh well, some thought, they will go hunting on Tuesday. Well, as you know, it was déjà vu with even more snow to clear.
Some hearty souls were able to get out, but with nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas, the walking was tough. Many hunters felt that the deer weren’t moving and just hunkered down for the duration of the storm. Some deer were taken, but the overall deer count was considerably lower than other opening days.
By noontime on Wednesday, 45 or so deer were checked at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton. In a normal year, they would have checked 50 deer on Monday alone. A couple of nice deer had been checked in at that time; one was a 206 lbs, 8-point buck taken by Aaron Rocha. Another was a 161 lbs, 12-point buck taken by Joe Hinckley. A black bear was also checked in.
As of mid-afternoon on Wednesday, only 1 deer had been checked in at the Becket General Store. The deep snow was also blamed for the low count, but this was the first year that the store restarted checking in deer and perhaps few hunters were aware of it.
Some 52 deer had been checked in at the Mill River General store as of Wednesday afternoon, which, according to DFW Biologist Nate Buckhout is about half of the normal count. A lot of those hunters had to work, plowing and sanding driveways. The largest deer so far checked in was a 176 lbs, 7-point buck which was taken in Great Barrington. A 150 lbs doe (which is a huge doe) was taken in Sheffield. Two black bears were also checked in.
By the way, all deer weights were field dressed weights.
At the Lee Sportsmen’s Association, some 21 deer had been checked in, at Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams, 39 deer and at Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel in Otis 17 deer were checked in. No detail information was provided on these last three check stations.
As previously suggested, blame the snow for the lower counts on Monday and Tuesday, but I suspect the hunting got better as the week progressed.
While at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton getting the deer count, I found District Supervisor Andrew Madden surrounded by a group of Wahconah High School students accompanied by Wahconah Environmental teacher April Lesage. The youths were part of the 50 or so students (three classes) in its Environmental Science Program.
Andrew gave them lots of information about deer, deer hunting, what DFW’s role is in all of it and other information. If kids were interested in deer hunting (and there were a few) he encouraged them to take a hunter education course. The boys and girls were very interested in what he had to say. They had the added thrill of seeing a deer being weighed and aged while they were there. Too bad they had to leave when they did for shortly thereafter a black bear was checked in.
Madden mentioned that 4 classes of BCC students also visit during the first week of shotgun deer season. He gets into the subject a little deeper with them discussing such things as deer population management.
2019 lake trout survey
Each fall, MassWildlife samples the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs to monitor lake trout populations. With the help of DCR, MassWildlife surveys lake trout to examine population characteristics. The 2019 fall sampling is complete and crews on Wachusett Reservoir captured and released 142 lake trout including a 37-inch, 18-pound fish.
Crews at Quabbin Reservoir captured and released 130 lake trout, 34 at Goodnough Dike and 96 at Windsor Dam. The largest lake trout encountered was originally tagged in 2015 and then recaptured in 2017. That fish, pictured above, measured 33.5 inches and 13.3 pounds. In addition to lake trout, several large landlocked salmon were captured at Quabbin weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.
To capture lake trout, field crews set nets on spawning areas starting at sunset and check them about every 20 minutes. Captured fish are removed from the nets and placed in a livewell. Next, biologists record length, weight, and sex and implant a small Passive Integrated Tag (PIT) in the fish. Prior to release, the adipose fin is clipped to provide an external mark indicating that the fish has been captured before. Data collected provide biologists with an understanding of the current condition of lake trout populations. If fish are recaptured from previous tagging efforts, biologists can calculate individual growth rates. Lake trout are long lived and slow growing and it is not uncommon for a tagged fish to be recaptured 10 years later. In fact, the longest recapture interval recorded was 24 years! When other species like landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and white perch are captured, biologists record information including length, weight, and sex but do not implant PIT tags.
Lake trout typically spawn in late October and November when the surface water temperatures are around or below 50°F. The spawning grounds are typically shallow, rocky waters on windy shores of the Reservoirs; spawning occurs mostly after dusk. Night sampling on big waters can be cold and icy in November, but the information it provides biologists is well worth the effort.

New book out entitled Surfcasting Block Island and Cuttyhunk
Hot off the press, this is the fifth and latest book on striped bass fishing by D.J. Muller. It is a detailed guide to two legendary surfcasting destinations which are considered home to some of the best striped bass fishing in the world.
Block Island, just off of the coast of Rhode Island, is 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. It has some of the richest varieties of surfcasting venues from sand beaches to boulder fields. Muller explicitly details 24 good surfcasting areas on the island (He even provides a map) explaining in detail how to get to them, where to park, what type waters the angler will encounter, when to fish them, what rods, reels and lures to use and more.
He gets into wetsuit fishing off of boulders at night. He related some of his scary experiences such as being washed off of the boulders by large waves, being caught in thick fog at night with no waves hitting the shores thus denying him the ability determine in which direction to wade back to the shore.
Cuttyhunk is 35 miles northeast of Block Island and is the last island in the Elizabeth Islands chain. Arguably, it is one of the most remote and beautiful places to fish for striped bass in the world. It was there in the latter half of the 19th century that surfcasting was born and the angling remains as interesting and challenging as ever. The island is ¾ mile wide and 2 ½ miles long. You cannot bring an automobile onto it.
Muller provides a map of that island, too and the 18 best places to fish it.
He offers advice as to where to stay and eat on both islands. What I found particularly interesting was that he gave histories of both islands going back before being “discovered” by the Europeans.
It is a well written, informative book that you should read before visiting these islands. Be sure to take it along with you as I suspect you will be referring to it often.
The 141-page softcover book, which would make a great Christmas stocking stuffer, is available at bookstores, online book retailers and specialty shops. If you purchase it from the publisher Buford Books at www.bufordbooks.com, it will cost you $18.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling.
I doubt that your saltwater anglers already have this book as it was just published on November 2, 2019.

Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrow

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Well, here we go again. For some of us the opening day of shotgun deer hunting is still a big event and its anticipation results in a sleepless night. Before we go to bed tonight, we will have had all of our hunting equipment ready………gun, bullets, drag rope, knife, hunting license, sandwiches, thermos bottle, hand warmers, cell phone and/or compass, warm hunting clothes, etc, etc. We’ll be all set to go roaring out of our driveways early tomorrow morning headed to our hunting spots. The weather forecast predicts snow so that is good for tracking, as long as there isn’t a severe storm which would prevent us from getting up into the mountains.
I don’t know about you, but chances are pretty good that I will be tossing and turning all night until its almost time to get up around 4:00 am. Chances are that during the night we’ll be reliving some past opening days, people we hunted with, the deer that we shot…or missed, the weather, etc.
If you are a baby boomer or older, you remember when deer season ran only one week, the first full week in December. We planned our vacations to coincide with deer season. (you’ll note that I use the term deer season, not seasons). Years ago, there was no separate archery season and there was definitely no such thing as a primitive firearms deer hunting season.
So, the deer hunter had one week, 6 days, to hunt in Massachusetts. I could go on and on relating what it was like deer hunting in those days. That may be a good column, possibly for opening day next year Good Lord willing. What I decided to write about today is how our Berkshire Eagle covered deer seasons back then.
Ask any boomer about the old days of deer hunting and one recurring subject keeps cropping up, the popularity of deer hunting back then and the superb coverage in the Berkshire Eagle. The boomers undoubtedly remember that in the Berkshire Eagle, there was always a listing of all of the successful hunters. Usually, on opening day there was a headline and/or picture of a very large deer along with the hunter.
Just out of curiosity, I accessed the archives of some old Berkshire Eagles, specifically the hunting season of 1959, some 60 years ago. Sure enough, there were articles about deer hunting every day from Saturday, December 5 through Tuesday, December 14, 1959.
On opening day the headline was,” Deer kill total down but quality is high”. It had a picture of a 200 lbs, 10-point buck hanging from a tree or garage Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrowand standing next to it was the successful hunter Frederick W. Woodin of Stockbridge. The accompanying article also listed the names of 40 successful hunters. It not only listed their names, but in what town they lived, the town where they shot the deer, whether it was a buck or doe, the number of points, if applicable, and its weight.
For the next 8 days, there were articles about the deer hunting season along with the above information on the deer kills. During that deer season, the names and information on over 200 successful local deer hunters were listed. There was usually special attention given to successful women hunters and teenagers who bagged their first deer.
Can you imagine the amount of work that went into gathering and listing all that information? The articles were greatly appreciated by the sportsmen and were required reading. It was a big disappointment if you shot a deer and didn’t get your name listed in the newspaper. Such coverage was common in the Berkshire Eagle for 25 years or so, definitely from 1950 through 1975.
In the December 14, 1959 Berkshire Eagle article (the Monday after the hunting season closed), Bryant R. Chaplin of the Information & Education Section of the DFW, reported that some 2,290 deer were checked in state-wide. (Contrast that with the 2018 statewide kill from all deer hunting seasons of 14,513). The “Big Deer” contest was won that year by Frank Guida of Pittsfield with a 200 lbs., 7-point buck. Some 500 hunters were registered in the contest that year.
There was no name of the reporter who obtained the information for the daily articles, but there was little doubt in anyone’s mind, it was Ted Giddings who, I believe, was the City Editor in those days. What a difficult job that must have been gathering and typing all of those names and details.
I scanned the listings of the successful hunters to see if there was anyone that I knew. There were many. Most of them have passed away over the ensuing 60 years. But today there are some who are still trudging up our Berkshire mountains, albeit a tad slower.
So, you may ask, what with all of the modern-day technology, why is it that we can’t have these listings anymore? Computers should be able to easily compile this information more rapidly, right? Well, please consider this. These days there are some forms of deer hunting on-going from October 21 through December 31, and that doesn’t include the paraplegic and youth deer hunting days. The deer taken during the archery and primitive firearms as well as the second week of shotgun season can be checked in on-line or at the various deer checking stations. Some of these stations don’t report the kills on a timely basis. So, DFW personnel can’t really get accurate harvest numbers on a daily basis and usually have to wait until the seasons are over and the reports are in. They do provide me with some information on the larger local deer kills so I can mention them in this column.
You will note that on-line reporting of deer taken during the first week of shotgun season was not mentioned above. That’s because during the first week of shotgun season, the deer must be physically checked in at an official check station. That allows DFW personnel to inspect and gather important data on the animal such as condition, age, weight and antler beam diameter.
According to the MassWildlife web site, the following are authorized Berkshire County deer checking stations which you may use during the first week of the shotgun deer hunting season:
• Ernie’s Auto Sales, 400 Curran Hwy., North Adams, No phone, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday.
• DFW Western District Headquarters, 88 Old Windsor Rd., Dalton, 413-684-1646, Monday-Friday 8am-6pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; closed Sunday.
• Lee Sportsmen’s Association, 546 Fairview St, Lee, No phone, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday
• Becket General Store, 3235 Main Street, Becket, 413-623-6026, Monday 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Saturday 7am-7pm; Sun 7am-5pm.
• Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel, 2000 East Otis Road, Otis, 413-269-7779, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday
• The Mill River General Store, 10 Great Barrington Mill River Rd., New Marlborough, 413-229-2663, Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 7am-7pm; Sun 8am-12pm.
Here’s wishing you all a safe, enjoyable and successful hunting season.

Don’t deck the halls with invasive species

 

MassWildlife cautions us to avoid using exotic, invasive plants such as Oriental Bittersweet and Multiflora rose in holiday decorations. Using them in decorations can impact native species and habitat. Birds eat and carry away the fruits from wreaths and garlands and the digested but still-viable seeds sprout where deposited.
Exotic, invasive plants create severe environmental damage, invading open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows, and backyards, and crowding out native plants. Bittersweet can even kill mature trees through strangling. It is illegal to import or sell bittersweet and Multiflora rose in any form in Massachusetts.
You can learn more about invasive plants from their publication: “A Guide To Invasive Plants”.. It can be purchased from MassWildlife for $5.
TU Holiday Party
The Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be having its Holiday Party on Thursday, December 5 at Mazzeo’s Ristorante on Rte. 7/20, Pittsfield. Open to the public, the social hour and auction will begin at 5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to pick up some neat used flyfishing stuff at bargain basement prices. At 6:45 PM dinner will be served.
The cost is $35.00 pp. On-line tickets must be purchased by this Tuesday. For more information, contact Henry Sweren at (413)822-5216 or hsweren8@aol.com.

Paraplegics enjoy another deer hunting season

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According to Susan (Ingalls) McCarthy Wildlife Biologist and Paraplegic Deer Hunt Coordinator for the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) the weather statewide was “pretty terrible” for this year’s paraplegic hunts but participants and volunteers alike still had a positive experience. Here in the Berkshires, eight hunters participated – four in the southern and four in the northern Berkshires sites.
Since 1972, MassWildlife has offered paraplegic hunters the opportunity to participate in a special 3-day hunting season. This year’s hunt was held October 31–November 2, 2019 at five sites statewide in the Northern Berkshires, the Southern Berkshires, the Quabbin Reservoir, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Lancaster, and Otis/Edwards Military Reservation in Falmouth.

Eighteen hunters participated in this year’s hunt and 5 deer were harvested (1 six-point buck and 4 does) for a 28% success rate. Hunters at all five sites observed deer and many were presented with shooting opportunities.

Over 35 volunteers and MassWildlife staff assisted the hunters. Staff and volunteers strategically placed hunters in safe locations where deer signs had been observed. If a hunter shot a deer, staff and volunteers assisted by tracking and retrieved the deer, field dressed, reported the harvest on site, and coordinated with a local butcher for processing.

“This is my ninth year staffing the deer hunt for paraplegic sportsmen and my second year as the coordinator of the program. Participating in this special hunt has always been an incredible honor and such an enjoyable experience,” said McCarthy,  “This program could not possibly be successful without our many volunteers, MassWildlife staff, DCR staff, military personnel at both Devens RFTA and Otis/Edwards MMR, and of course our amazing hunters.”

The southern Berkshires folks hunted in the Mount Washington area and the hunt was coordinated out of the DCR Headquarters at Mount Washington State Forest. Fred Lampro and Mark Portiere once again headed up the hunt this year. The hunters were as follows: Sidney Eichstedt of Lee, Steve Gladding of Westfield, MA, Vyto Sablevicius of Norwich, MA, and Greg Baumli of New Lebanon, NY.

The Mount Washington helpers and the number of years they have served as volunteers included: Shaun Smith (46 years), Al Vincent (46), Marc Portieri (30), Greg Arienti (24), Matt Roache (14), Chuck Pickert (12), Rick Thelig (11), Tom Dean (8), Dallas Tidwell, Jim Santolin, Mike Gaffeny, and Gavin Ziegler. Vyto’s brother-in-law Paul was also a volunteer. Once again, the cook was Chuck Pickert.

The volunteers did a lot of prep work by scouting several areas and placing (donated) trail cameras to see where the best deer activity was. They analyzed the pictures to determine the best places in which to place the hunters. Volunteers transported the hunters to the locations and helped to drive the deer toward them. When a hunter shot a deer, they tracked it, field dressed it and dragged it to the vehicle.

And what can I write about Chuck Pickert, his wife Beverly and Tricia Volmer. For the last 12 years in a row, Chuck brought his trailer-mounted smoker/grill and they cooked breakfasts and lunches for the three days. A lot of friends who own restaurants and businesses donate food, charcoal, condiments, etc., every year (See donor list below).

On Thursday, the lunch menu was Irish Stew prepared by Tricia Vollmer and Chuck’s Grandma’s Poor Man Stew with corn bread. (Good meal on a cold, rainy day). On Friday it was roast beef served with mashed potatoes, etc., and on Saturday it was brined pork loin cut thin like minute steak. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the event this year, but you better believe I already have my calendar marked for next year’s hunt which is October 29–31, 2020.

So how did the hunt go this year in the Southern Berkshires? Well, Sid Eichstedt shot a 6- point 145lb buck and Steve Gladen got a 110lb doe. Vyto Sablevicius and Greg Baumli both saw deer but didn’t shoot any.

Eichstedt’s 6 pt buck

Gladen’s doe

Southern Berkshire Paraplegic Hunt Donors included: Roma Pizza, Pop’s Diner, C A Lindell, Jay Lawn Care all from North Canaan, CT, Cranes Outdoor Power Equipment and Davis Tires of Canaan, CT , Wood Creek Bar & Grill from Norfolk, CT, Mill River General Store, Mill River, MA, JTC & Sons, Greg S. Massini Bus Co. and Massini Bus Co. from Sheffield and Fiddleheads Grill in Great Barrington.
Rick French coordinates the hunt with the volunteers and hunters at the Northern Berkshires site. The four hunters at the Northern Berkshires site were: Dale Bailey of Clarksburg, Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA, Dave Alderman of Petersburg, NY and Kevin Hollister (Greenfield area). Volunteers included French, Tony Mei, Robert Mei, Stacy Sylvester, J. Sylvester, Joe Benoni and Ben Pike. With permission, they hunted private properties in the Williamstown area. No deer were taken up there but nearly everyone saw deer.

DFW Western District biologist Nate Buckhout along with DFW staff Jacob Morris-Siegel, Derek McDermott and Ray Bressette were on hand at the sites to help out and check in the deer.

For more information about the paraplegic hunt, contact MassWildlife Field Headquarters at (508) 389-6300.

Lastly, thanks to you eighteen Massachusetts hunters for staying in the game in spite of the lousy hands that you have been dealt in this life. You are an inspiration to all of us, especially those who also are struggling with physical and emotional problems. And kudos to the volunteers and everyone involved with this program for your time and energy in helping them enjoy a couple of days in the outdoors. We could use more of that selfless, “caring for our fellow man” attitude in these turbulent times.

New Pheasant Stocking Map
At the last meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden announced that the Division is working on a new map showing pheasant stocked areas across Massachusetts. The map is still in development, and your feedback this season will help them finalize the features and design. The map shows general stocking locations and stocking frequency, provides directions to parking and special notes about stocked properties. Check it out on https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-pheasant-stocked-area. Feedback is welcome

New England Outdoor Writer Association Board Member Lyon killed in boating accident

NEOWA Board Member Harold “Hal” Lyon, 84, of Meredith, NH, was killed when his and his close personal friend’s boats collided on Lake Winnipesaukee on the evening of November 9. His friend, Jim Hanson, who piloted the other boat died also. Jim’s wife Carmel suffered serious, but non-life- threatening injuries. She was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, NH. Hal was in the boat alone.

Both boats were making a turn round Bear Island (the second-largest island in Lake Winnipesaukee) at the same moment, shortly after 6:00 pm when they collided. Friends said that it wasn’t a windy night, but it was cold and dark.
Jim and Hal were close friends and they often hunted for deer together. Friends said that the very reason that Hal was away from his home was so that he could scout for hunting spots to go with Jim once the season opened.
Lyon, was the author of seven books including the award-winning “Angling in the Smile of the Great Spirit” a guide on big glacial lake fishing based upon his fishing experiences on Lake “Winni”. Incidentally, the Native American name given to the lake means either “smile of the Great Spirit” or “beautiful water in a high place.”
I first met Hal at the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show shortly after he wrote that book in 2008. He was manning a booth there and when he spotted my NEOWA ID tag as I walked by, he stopped me and started up a conversation. He was a pleasant, friendly person, someone who you would instantly like. We had a lengthy chat about outdoor writing and when it came time for me to move on to other exhibitors, Hal gave me a numbered, autographed, limited edition of his excellent book. We stayed in touch off and on over the years and the last time we chatted was at a NEOWA function on Post Pond in Lyme, NH a few years ago.
Isn’t it ironic that his final moments were spent boating on the lake he loved so much in front of the island where he and his wife Karen were married in 2009.
I think NEOWA Board Member Joe Judd put it best. “His writings were legendary. Now, he is a legend lost … but will live on through his writings forever.”

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.

What are MassWildlife’s Habitat Programs?

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Habitat Programs conserve rare and declining wildlife through restoration and management of grassland, shrubland, and young forest habitats.
MassWildlife’s Habitat Programs works to conserve a variety of wildlife and plants including rare and declining wildlife species identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan, as well as game animals and more common species. In many cases, this happens through restoration and management of grassland, shrubland, and young forest habitats on public and private lands across Massachusetts.
Using information from scientific literature, from biological monitoring, and from private conservation organizations, their Biologists and Foresters set statewide habitat goals for MassWildlife lands. These habitat goals were set to provide high quality habitat for both game and non-game species, and include the establishment of forest reserves.
Many types of wildlife rely on grassland, shrubland, and young forest habitats – all of which are declining in Massachusetts. MassWildlife’s Habitat Programs work to expand these habitat types on state wildlife lands. These lands include Wildlife Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Easements, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
MassWildlife management goals for grassland, shrubland, and young forest habitats.

Why is habitat management needed?
Human infrastructure and development have substantially restricted certain natural disturbance processes that historically provided diverse open habitats for wildlife. In particular, flooding and fire are greatly constrained across the landscape today. While control of flooding and fire is essential to protect human life and property, it also creates an obligation on MassWildlife’s part to provide the dynamic habitats for wildlife that these natural processes formerly did. Habitat management is sometimes needed to create, restore, and maintain a variety of habitat types including grasslands.
History of the Massachusetts landscape
Open habitats (grasslands, shrublands and young forest) were part of the New England landscape for centuries prior to European colonization due to:
1. ubiquitous beaver activity
2. spring flooding and ice scouring along rivers and major streams
3. wildfires and fires set by Native Americans in coastal areas and major river valleys
4. occasional catastrophic windstorms

These open habitats started to decline after European colonization due to:
1. extirpation of beaver from Massachusetts
2. extensive development of roads and buildings in portions of the landscape that formerly supported abundant beaver activity
3. flood control
4. fire suppression (especially in portions of the landscape that supported fire-associated natural communities like pitch pine/scrub oak).
Human activity has also reduced the impact of wind storms across the landscape. Today’s forests are relatively young (75 to 90 year old) compared to the old growth that once existed, which means that trees are more pliant and resistant to wind disturbance than original old growth forests. Forests are also fragmented by development in many portions of the landscape, which means that when wind disturbance does occur on forested lands, it is typically interrupted by adjacent development.
MassWildlife uses active management to provide a range of grassland, shrubland, and young forest habitats that are no longer created frequently enough by natural processes. Forestry practices, along with mowing, prescribed burning, and invasive plant control are often used to manage sites.

Wildlife in decline
Many kinds of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants thrive in or near open habitat types. The continuing decline of open grasslands, shrublands, and young forests has impacted a number of wildlife and plant species.
Native grassland and shrubland birds are declining at an alarming rate. Even some forest nesting birds are declining, despite the fact that Massachusetts has more forestland now (nearly 3 million acres) than at any time in the past 300 years. This is because some forest birds (e.g., chestnut-sided warbler) are specialized to nest in young forest, and because other forest birds (e.g., wood thrush) nest in mature forest but then move their young into shrubland and young forest habitats after fledging to utilize abundant food and cover found in these areas.
Reports from the yearly North American Breeding Bird Survey, Massachusetts Audubon Society’s 2013 State of the Birds report, and other published scientific articles, show that species including Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, and the Brown Thrasher are all showing alarming declines. Populations of Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow (all classified as either Threatened or Endangered in Massachusetts) are also declining. It is clear that without the maintenance and creation of open habitat, birds that require this type of habitat will continue to decline.
Other animals and plants that rely on open habitats are in decline. The New England Cottontail, Massachusetts’ only native cottontail (not to be confused with the Eastern Cottontail, which was introduced to the state in the early 1900s), was once common throughout all of the New England states; now it occurs only sporadically. The Regal Fritillary Butterfly, once common, no longer occurs in the state. Black Racer Snakes and Eastern Box Turtle rely on open habitats for various stages of their life cycle. In addition, many field and grassland plants including New England Blazing Star (a state Special Concern Species), Sandplain Gerardia (a state Endangered Species), and Eastern Silvery Aster (a state Endangered Species) are becoming increasingly rare.
MassWildlife uses active management to provide a range of grassland, shrubland, and forested habitats that are no longer provided frequently enough by natural disturbance processes to help support both common and declining species. Forestry practices, along with mowing, prescribed burning, and invasive plant control are used to manage sites.
Here in the Berkshires, MassWildlife has implemented successful management plans in several areas such as the Stafford Hill Wildlife Management Area in Cheshire and the Moran WMA in Windsor to name a couple. I believe a prescribed burn was scheduled sometime this year in Sheffield.
If you are of my generation, you may remember many of our local farms going out of business and their grasslands becoming overgrown with shrubs, wild blackberries, black caps, raspberries, blueberries, grapes and other vegetation that the birds and critters liked to eat. The abandoned orchards were especially good places for deer, rabbit and partridge hunting. MassWildlife does not have to work hard to convince us of the value of its habitat programs. We grew up in those places and saw the wildlife first hand……before the housing developments.
Go to the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan for more information.

The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt
The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt is an annual event conducted on Quabbin Reservoir watershed lands, implemented as part of the management program to maintain a balance between deer herd densities and forest regeneration. Participants are selected from an applicant pool in a special lottery in early September. The application must be filled out on line and submitted from the DCR Deer Hunt web page between July 1 and August 31. Hunters can get assistance completing the online application at the Quabbin Visitor Center on Saturdays (9 a.m. to noon) and Wednesdays (noon to 3 p.m.) during the application period.
Following input from the public, Quabbin Park has been added to the White-tailed Deer Management Program at Quabbin in 2019. The application is available from August 1 to August 31.
Once selected, all successful applicants will receive written notification by early to mid-October. If you have any questions or concerns, contact https://www.mass.gov/service-details/quabbin-reservation-deer-hunt:
Bird Language

Next Tuesday at J Allen’s Clubhouse,41 North Street, Pittsfield, the Pittsfield Green Drinks will be having Kevin Bose as its guest speaker to talk about bird language. Starting at 5:15 PM they will chat and nosh, and at 6 PM Kevin will give a 30-minute talk.

All animals (and once all humans), listen with great awareness to the vocalizations of the birds. When we practice tuning our awareness to bird language, we can learn about so many unseen things happening on the landscape – such as where the fox, weasel, and cooper’s hawk are. Through this practice we can come to a deeper understanding of ecological interconnections, as well as make us better listeners throughout our lives.

Kevin Bose has mentored children and adults of all ages in nature and permaculture for over a decade. In a year-long program that combined these two things (called RDNA) he was mentored by Jon Young (author of What the Robin Knows), in bird language as a core routine for Nature Connection.

So, who/what is Green Drinks? Sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), it is a group of people who meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month, .and usually have a guest speaker. It is billed as great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring your questions! It is free and open to the public.

 

New Turkey Hunting regulations to take effect in 2020

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The Fisheries and Wildlife Board recently voted to approve changes to turkey hunting regulations affecting bag limits, fall season dates, shot size, and the Youth Hunt. These regulation changes will take effect with the 2020 season. There are no changes to the 2019 fall turkey hunting season.
The summary below provides an overview of the changes.
Increase the annual limit to three birds (2 bearded turkeys in the spring and 1 of either sex in the fall). Currently, hunters may harvest either two bearded birds in the spring with no fall birds or one bearded bird in the spring and one bird of either sex in the fall, for an annual limit of two birds. The change allows all hunters to take two bearded birds in the spring and an additional turkey of either sex in the fall, increasing the annual bag limit to three birds.
Increase the daily bag limit to two per day during the spring season. Currently, turkey hunters may harvest one turkey per day during the spring season. Increasing the daily bag limit to two allows hunters to take their spring season limit in a more efficient manner.
Expand the fall season (ARCHERY ONLY) to coincide with the archery deer season. Currently, the fall turkey hunting season begins the second to last Monday in October and ends the second Saturday thereafter, during which hunters may use a shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment. This change allows turkey hunters to harvest turkeys with archery equipment during the entire duration of the archery deer season (6–8 weeks depending on zone). Turkey hunters would continue to be permitted to use shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment during the traditional 2-week season from the second to last Monday in October through the second Saturday thereafter.
Allow no larger than #4 shot size. Currently, turkey hunters may only use #4–#7 size shot for turkey hunting. The change removes the minimum shot size restriction. Due to advancements in ammunition technology, there are now shotshells available that are made of lead alternatives like tungsten which are denser than lead. These alternatives can utilize small shot sizes (#7 or #9) while still maintaining lethal ballistics down range to effectively and humanely harvest a wild turkey at common hunting ranges. These types of ammunition allow hunters greater flexibility when choosing ammunition/shotgun combinations for turkey hunting, including the use of smaller gauge shotguns that may be easier or more convenient for hunters to carry and shoot.
Expand Youth Day turkey hunting hours to ½ hour before sunrise until 5 p.m. The Youth Turkey Hunt Day occurs on only a single day the Saturday before the last Monday in April; approximately 250–285 young adults ages 12–17 participate each spring. This change provides young hunters the opportunity to hunt on a special day before the start of the regular spring hunting season. The expansion of the hunting hours will greatly increase the total time available for hunting.
Allow Youth Turkey permits issued to youth aged 12–14 for use in the fall turkey hunting seasons. At this time, youth 12–14 years old who successfully complete the mandatory training program for the Youth Day are issued a free Youth Turkey Permit with two turkey tags and must always hunt with a licensed adult mentor hunter. These tags are currently only valid on the Youth Day and the remainder of the regular spring turkey hunting season. When hunting turkeys in the fall, these young hunters must currently use their accompanying mentor’s turkey tags and license. Because young adults who complete the mandatory training workshop for the Youth Day demonstrate significant initiative to earn the Youth Turkey Permit and must always hunt with a mentor, it is unnecessary to restrict the use of their tags to the spring season only.

This change provides additional opportunity for young hunters with the Youth Turkey Permit to use their own tag during the fall season by providing them with 2 spring tags and 1 fall tag. (Note: Under current regulations, youth aged 15–17 are required to have their own hunting license and turkey permit, which allows them to hunt in the spring or fall seasons.)

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The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt
The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt is an annual event conducted on Quabbin Reservoir watershed lands, implemented as part of the management program to maintain a balance between deer herd densities and forest regeneration. Participants are selected from an applicant pool in a special lottery in early September. Since 2016, all applications must be submitted online; the application must be filled out and submitted from the DCR Deer Hunt web page between July 1 and August 31. Hunters can get assistance completing the online application at the Quabbin Visitor Center on Saturdays (9 a.m. to noon) and Wednesdays (noon to 3 p.m.) during the application period.
Once selected, all successful applicants will receive written notification by early October.
Organization of the Hunt
During 2019, hunting will occur at Petersham between Gates 38 and 40. This area will have one, two-day segment, December 12 and 13.
Access will be restricted to designated gates. Hunters must check in and out by posted times on each day they hunt and obey all regulations and directions of DCR and law enforcement personnel.
Hunters will be assigned to a specific access zone where they must check in and out each day. There will be a limited number of Antlerless Deer Permits available to participating hunters, so unlike in past years, not all hunters are able to purchase an Antlerless Permit.
Since 2007, hunters have been able to use muzzleloaders for the Quabbin Deer Hunt. However, all hunters must possess a valid FID Card in order to participate in the hunt.
The hunt may be cancelled due to severe weather conditions or security situations.
Application Process
The application must be filled out and submitted online through the DCR Deer Hunt web page. There is no application fee. To minimize vehicular traffic and increase efficiency, hunters may apply in groups of up to six with a MINIMUM of two. Hunters may only apply on one application. There are several required fields on the application which must be completed before it can successfully be submitted, including a valid email address for Hunter #1. This hunter will receive an email message confirming successful submission of the application.
Once selected, hunters will be assigned to a specific access zone where they must check in and out each day.
This is the application for the Petersham hunt only. There are plans to hunt other areas of Quabbin in 2019. Details will be posted on the web page when available.
Hunter Selection Process
The drawing to select hunters will be based on the last digits of your MassWildlife Customer ID Number. All eligible Customer ID numbers listed on the application will be included in the lottery.
Selected hunters will be required to complete an orientation session prior to the 2019 Quabbin deer hunt except for those who completed an orientation session in 2018, 2017, or 2016. DCR has developed an online orientation session option for returning hunters who have not completed an orientation session in 2018, 2017, or 2016 but have attended an orientation session at some point in the past. New Quabbin hunters will still be required to attend an in-person orientation session.

For more information, go to https://www.mass.gov/service-details/wild-turkey-hunting-regulations

All about rivers program
On Wednesday, July 24 from 5:30 to 6:30pm the Housatonic Valley Association is having a free community program all about rivers. This is an opportunity to meet river critters, learn about our river ecosystem and our current river issues. You will be able to take home tips for protecting our rivers’ health. If interested, meet at the Stearns Elementary School parking area, 75 Lebanon Avenue, Pittsfield. Heavy rain or thunder cancels. Call 413-298-7024 for more information.

MA Antlerless Deer Allocations will be increased this year

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MA Antlerless Deer Allocations will be increased this year
Though Massachusetts is the 3rd most densely populated state in the country, it is a state where quality deer can be found anywhere. MassWildlife biologists estimate that there are over 100,000 deer statewide. Estimated densities range from about 12-18 per square mile in western and central Massachusetts to over 50 deer per square mile on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Islands, and certain areas of eastern MA where hunting access is restricted.
MA DFW Deer and Moose Project Leader David Stainbrook presented his annual Deer Review to the MA Fish & Wildlife Board on May 15, 2019. The following information was obtained from the minutes of that public board meeting.
He briefly explained how MassWildlife manages deer in the state, and recommended a management range adjustment in the eastern zones, to 12-18 deer per square mile of forest. He explained that the Board-approved density ranges are meant to be benchmarks to meet the agency’s goal of keeping deer numbers below the point of major impacts to forest, including on the diversity of plant species and the forest’s ability to regenerate, but in balance with public desire and tolerance for deer. Other 2019 deer chart
Noting that the Board had approved an expanded range for zones 1-9 in 2015, he stated that the range for zones 10-14 has not been changed since it was set in 1985, when there were fewer than 5 deer per square mile on most of Eastern Massachusetts. His staff believes that the benchmark of 6-8 deer per square mile for zones 10-14 needs to be updated and aligned with the rest of the state, to 12-18 deer per square mile.
Stainbrook reported that the change would not affect the way they manage deer, because the goal is still the same; the change would instead provide a more realistic benchmark to attain. He explained that the way MassWildlife manages the deer population across the state is through regulated female harvest, and that this is accomplished by allocating antlerless deer permits zone by zone in response to population trends. The number of permits allocated per zone depends on the targeted direction they want deer density to go – Increase, Stabilize, or Decrease – and the previous year’s harvest data and success rates. He then presented the data on the 2018 deer harvest and current trends. (See chart)
Stainbrook reported that some of the reasons for such a high harvest may include increasing numbers of deer in the west and central regions from a period of low permit issuance; increasing numbers in the east from lack of hunting access; good weather for hunting and the presence of tracking snow, which led to high shotgun season harvests; and low food availability, i.e., deer have to move more frequently and further for food.
He presented his deer population analysis by management zone, since, he reported, statewide harvest does not tell them about deer population trends in each region of the state. Using graphs to show the trends in numbers of deer harvested, he stated that it is helpful to break the state into two areas when looking at deer management issues and trends.
In general, in zones 1-9, deer numbers have been kept relatively stable over the past 30 years through careful antlerless deer permit allocations and regulated hunting. Staff has kept antlerless deer permit allocations low over the past 10 years in many of these zones, to allow conservative population growth. Analyzing deer density in the context of the state’s management ranges, Stainbrook reported that they have kept antlerless deer permits low for the past 5-10 years in zones 1-4 (our area) to allow some population growth. Acknowledging that there are highs and lows in areas of any zone, they are seeing increasing deer numbers that are approaching the upper end of the current management range. They are also documenting some forest impacts on their Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other lands that are open to hunting, such as state forests. In response, the staff recommended a conservative increase in the allocations to stabilize deer numbers.
In Wildlife Management Zones 5-8, Stainbrook reported that the deer numbers appear to be within their management range to near the upper end in some areas and appear increasing to stable. The Quabbin area also reduced the female harvest over the past 2 years and ‘rested’ more areas from hunting, which will help bring Zone 6 back into the middle of the management range. They are also seeing forest impacts in these zones on their WMAs and other lands that are open to hunting. They recommended a conservative increase in the allocations in zones 5, 7, and 8, with no change to allocation in Zone 6.
There is some variability in Zone 9 relative to development, with lower numbers along the border with zones 5 and 8, and higher numbers along the eastern edge, along I-495. In general, it is at the upper end of the state management range and increasing. Also, they are documenting forest impacts in most of the huntable areas. They therefore recommended an increase in the allocation to stabilize deer numbers and allow for additional permits relative to the Wachusett area hunt.
Stainbrook observed that, on average, the deer population is within the management range in zones 1-9, but there is always variability within each zone, with some areas having lower deer numbers and some with higher deer numbers. The variability typically comes down to hunting access, hunter effort, and habitat quality.
Turning to the Eastern zones, 10-14, deer numbers have gone from very low (when it was rare to see a deer in some areas), to quite abundant, and much of this is related to the lack of hunting access and the discharge setbacks that create a lot of sanctuary areas, which limits harvest. In areas where there has been adequate hunting access, he reported that they have likely kept deer numbers stable to slowly growing, but in areas with limited to no hunting access, deer numbers have been steadily growing. While there is enough hunting access in the west and central zones to afford great management ability, the eastern zones show a quite different story.
Deer numbers can be close to goal levels in areas with adequate hunting access and very high in areas with a lack of hunting access and major restrictions to hunting. Overall, average densities are higher than their management range for all of the eastern zones and they are seeing increasing trends in many areas.
He pointed out that though they typically increase the permit allocations to reduce population, in zones 10, 13, and 14, antlerless permits are essentially unlimited, given how long it takes the surplus permits to sell out in recent years (almost 2 weeks in 2018 in Zone 10; never in zones 13 and 14), so an increase in the allocation will not lead to more deer harvested, just more unfilled permits per hunter. However, he stated that that is not completely the case for Zone 11, which sold out within a few days. Thus, they recommend increasing the allocation of antlerless permits in Zone 11 to help increase antlerless deer harvest.
Mr. Stainbrook then provided recommendations, based on this year’s review. He proposed to update the management range in zones 10-14 from 6-8 to 12-18 deer per square mile of forest, producing one statewide management range and one goal. He also provided the proposed 2019 Antlerless Deer Permit allocations, by Wildlife Management Zone. For context, he also provided the 2018 allocation numbers, indicated the size of the proposed changes, and the desired outcomes. (See chart) Both proposals were approved by the Board.
In a further discussion, Mr. Stainbrook was asked whether it would be advantageous to have smaller set-backs for archery hunting, so that the deer population could be managed more effectively in more areas, and he agreed that it would.
Incidentally, if you want an antlerless permit, the application deadline is July 16.