Category Archives: Deer Hunting

Statewide deer harvest in 2018 set a record

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According to figures provided by MassWildlife, the preliminary statewide deer harvest for 2018 was 14,513 – a new record high. That compares with the 2017 total of 13,220. The 2018 preliminary harvest figures by season are as follows:
• Youth Deer Hunt Day (Sept. 29): 138
• Paraplegic Deer Hunt (Nov. 1–3): 3
• Archery Season (Zones 1-9: Oct. 15–Nov. 24 and Zones 10-14: Oct 1-Nov. 24): 5,190
• Shotgun Season (Nov. 26–Dec. 8): 6,495
• Primitive Firearms Season (Dec. 10–Dec. 31): 2,687
Zone Adult Male Button Buck Female Total
1 304 14 85 403
2 438 6 97 541
3 462 28 180 670
4N 456 16 154 626
4S 299 11 68 378
5 487 31 186 704
6 111 2 34 147
7 410 46 248 704
8 595 40 250 885
9 786 115 557 1,458
10 1,220 238 1,193 2,651
11 1,773 299 1,292 3,364
12 181 17 101 299
13 354 120 426 900
14 297 123 363 783
Statewide 8,173 1,106 5,234 14,513

MassWildlife believes that deer density and hunter effort tend to be the most important factors influencing harvest from year to year. However, there were two important changes for the 2018 season that may have led to the record harvest. One factor was the opening of over 7,500 acres of Wachusett Reservoir Public Land resulting in a Zone 9 harvest increase from last year by about 300 deer. The other factor was the two-week extension to the archery season in Zones 10-14. That resulted in an increase of over 700 deer being taken during that period.
According to my unofficial figures, the deer harvest has been on an increase over the last several years as evidenced by the following figures which were provided yearly by MassWildlife. Total statewide harvest beginning in 2014 and ending with 2018 were as follows:11,165, 10,142, 12,233, 13,255 and this year’s 14,513. In our Western District WMZ 1 through WMZ 4, the figures were: 1,737, 1,887, 2,197, 2,318 and this year’s 2,618.
MassWildlife noted that while total harvest by zone can be informative, it doesn’t provide the complete picture. Thus, it is important to assess harvest data and monitor trends by Wildlife Management Zones. Total harvest is influenced by deer density and the number of antlerless deer permits that they allocate in each zone, as well as annual changes in hunter effort, harvest-rates, success-rates, weather, etc.
MassWildlife Deer Project Leader David P. Stainbrook will spend the next few months thoroughly analyzing the deer harvest and biological data as well as assessing deer population trends in each zone. The results and recommendations for the 2019 season will take place at the annual deer management review, (usually at the June Fish &Wildlife Board Meeting). A complete harvest summary will be posted on the MassWildlife website shortly after the annual deer review.
Turkey Regulation proposed changes
In my November 18, 2018 column, “MassWildlife proposes new turkey-hunting regulations”, I listed the proposed new regulations and the reasons for the changes which were presented to the F & W Board in November. Here is a condensed recap of the proposed changes.
• Increase the annual limit to three birds (2 bearded turkeys in the spring and 1 of either sex in the fall).
• Increase the daily bag limit to two per day during the spring season
• Expand the fall season (ARCHERY ONLY) to coincide with the archery deer season.
• Allow Youth Turkey permits issued to youth aged 12–14 for use in the fall turkey hunting seasons.

MassWildlife staff will be hosting two informational meetings in February to provide the public with an opportunity to give feedback. Turkey Biologist Dave Scarpitti will make a short presentation on the turkey hunting review and regulation proposals, followed by a Q&A session for the public to give feedback. The meeting dates are: Thursday, February 7 at 6 pm at MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581), and Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 pm at the Palmer Public Library (1455 N. Main Street, Palmer, MA 01069).

If bad weather requires rescheduling or cancellation, they will post a notification.
Anyone unable to attend the informational meetings may comment on the changes by mail to: Turkey Season Feedback, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Public feedback will be considered by MassWildlife staff and provided to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board. Please note that if changes are endorsed by the Board, a formal public hearing and public comment period will be scheduled and publicized.
Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program

The MA Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, is seeking proposals from Massachusetts municipalities interested in replacing an undersized, perched, and/or degraded culvert located in an area of high ecological value. Total funding available in FY20 is anticipated to be $750,000. Additional funding from other sources may be available and further details, including eligible towns and projects, will be included when the Request for Response (RFR) is issued on February 20, 2019. The purpose of this funding is to encourage municipalities to replace culverts with better designed crossings that meet improved structural and environmental design standards and climate resiliency criteria.

Only projects that intend to meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards will be considered for funding. Incorporating these Standards into culvert design will improve river function and access for fish and wildlife, and will reduce hazards to public safety, such as flooding, culvert failure, and road washout. Massachusetts municipalities are eligible to apply for funding to support advancement of one culvert replacement project toward completion. Interested communities should view the full announcement, including eligibility and evaluation criteria, at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/culvert-replacement-municipal-assistance-grant-program.

The PRE-Request For Responses (RFR) period, January 23, 2019 to February 20, 2019, provides a preview of the RFR that DER will issue February 20, 2019. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Carrie Banks to discuss possible projects during this period. The RFR will be released at 3:00 PM on February 20, 2019. The application deadline is 5:00 PM, March 20, 2019.

Applicants are encouraged to attend a Grant Briefing to learn more about this funding opportunity. During Grant Briefings, DER Staff will explain the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program, answer questions, and be available to meet one-on-one with municipalities to discuss proposed projects. A local Grant Briefing information is scheduled on February 4 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at the Adams Town Hall, 8 Park Street, Adams. Attendees should RSVP to carrie.banks@mass.gov or 413-579-3015 in case of inclement weather and the briefings either need to be canceled or postponed. Check the Division of Ecological Restoration’s website (www.mass.gov/DER) for the most up-to-date information regarding grant briefings.

Bunny Hunt Results
Some 20 hunters signed up for the Berkshire Beagle Club bunny hunt and game dinner which was held on Saturday, January 26. Four cottontail rabbits were checked in and the largest one weighed 2.89 lbs. It was bagged by David Morris, of Lee, in front of Tom King’s (of Cheshire) dog Bomber. Only one snowshoe hare was checked in and it weighed 3.46 lbs. It was bagged by Pat McGrath of Dalton who shot it in front of Tony Cornwell’s (of Peru) dog Izzy.
A delectable meal of venison chili, bear chili, venison spaghetti, venison meat loaf and bear stew was prepared by members Dick Kalisz and Ted Billis. There was also a great raffle.
Upcoming Derbies

The 33rd Annual Jimmy Fund Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, February 10 at the Frank Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Admission is: Adults – $15, Kids – $5. Tickets are available at Onota Boat Livery (413)443-1366, Maces Marine (313)447-7512 or on the day of the derby at the Pavilion. There will be three divisions of trophies and prizes and plenty of good food. For more information, contact Leo Kruczkowski (413)822-2745 or Chico Gelinas (413)282-9486.
The Ashfield Rod & Gun Club’s Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, February 9 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Prizes will be awarded for all legally caught fish checked in at the The Ashfield Lake House. After the derby, a spaghetti dinner will be held at Sanderson Academy. There will be a $5 charge for adults, free for kids. Following the dinner, there will be a presentation given by Tom Ricardi on birds of prey. For additional derby information, contact Joe Miraglia at (413) 628-4400.

Armstrong youngsters have a great deer hunting season

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Readers may remember the December 2, 2018 column titled Lenox Youth’s arrow drops after-school buck. The article was about 17-year old Richard (Ricky) Armstrong and how he dropped a 10-point, 215lbs buck while archery hunting on November 19.
Well, on December 24, his 13-year old brother Brendan, while hunting with his father Richard, brother Ricky and uncle Harold Armstrong, dropped the pictured 8-point 190lbs buck, using a muzzleloader firearm. His older brother Ricky drove the deer into them and Brendan made a 100-yard shot.
“It was kind of crazy”, said Brendan, “The deer came running like wicked fast but my dad yelled at it three times and got it to stop and I put the scope on it. When I shot, I couldn’t tell if I hit it real good.” (The smoke from the black powder blocked his view). “It ran, and we couldn’t really see it. When we found it, it had only run about 75 yards. I was shocked!”.
His dad had previously told him if his brother Ricky pushes anything good into him, make sure to put the crosshairs on its chest. That’s just what Brendan did. Brendan’s dad said that it was a 100-yard shot and he couldn’t have hit it any better. It went about 60-75 yards after being hit.” There was some snow and they trailed it and found it about 75 yards away. It was a long drag, but Uncle Harold caught up with them and helped drag it out of the woods. The couple of inches of snow really helped them drag it out.
You weren’t shaking or anything were you? I asked him. “I really didn’t have time to shake”, he said, “it came so fast that I was kind of ready. After I shot it, I was shaking a little.” The antler “green score” was roughly around 136 or 137 inches, a little less than young Ricky’s 167 3/8inch score. They intend to get that deer mounted also, just like Ricky is having his mounted. Brendan and I discussed how cool it will be to have two large mounted deer heads on the wall. I asked him if he had a nice den wall to put them in and he said that they will be hung on the wall on each side of the TV.
Brendan took the hunter safety course and at age 13 could hunt with the close supervision of his father. Only one gun between them can be used. Richard made note of the fact that his sons worked hard to get these deer. “They just didn’t walk down the road and choose one”, he said.
Sensing a serious outflow of cash, Brendan’s mom, Pam, asked her hubby, “Do we have to have this one mounted, too?” Actually, the deer has such a beautiful rack it looks like it came out of a magazine. They really should get it mounted. Rick feels that February and March will be costly months, when he gets the bills for mounting those deer. (Will they also need a larger freezer?) While Richard and I were discussing the deer, we both agreed that these two deer were bigger than anything either one of us ever shot in our lifetimes, and here these youngsters getting deer like that, especially Brendan getting his in his first year of hunting.
But wait, there’s more! In between the two huge bucks that Ricky and Brendan got, Nathan, the 16-year old brother, dropped a nice spike horn buck. Even though it was shotgun season, Nathan opted to use his muzzleloader firearm. All three deer were taken at undisclosed areas in Lenox. It may be the smaller of the three deer, but the venison from his buck will probably be the most tender.
So how about that? Have you ever heard of 3 sibling teenagers taking three bucks during one year’s hunting seasons? I haven’t. This is quite a testament of the skills taught to the youngsters by their dad. He must be so, so proud of his three sons.
In my previous article about the Armstrongs, I mentioned that Ricky (and now Nathan and Brendan) are fourth generation deer hunters, following in the footsteps of their great grandfather, Richard, their grandfather Ricky and great uncle Billy, their father Richard and uncle Harold. Dare I suggest that they are a deer hunting dynasty?
Lest anyone think otherwise, deer hunting is not just a man’s sport any more. Some 19 women participated in the 2018 MassWildlife’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman Deer Hunt during shotgun deer hunting season. As noted on the MassWildlife facebook page, everyone had a great day in the field, especially the mother-daughter duo of Martha Hill and Liann Graf pictured herein.
Deer hunting seasons are over
Deer hunting in Massachusetts ended on December 31, 2018. It will be a while before all of the harvest figures are accumulated and reported, but, if you followed this column during the season, you already know that some large, older deer have been taken.
The only game hunting seasons still open are cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare hunting seasons which end on February 28, 2019. The furbearer hunting seasons end as follows: bobcat, coyote and fox on March 8; opossum and raccoon on January 31.
Wildlife Grants
The Baker-Polito Administration recently awarded over $300,000 to municipalities and organizations across the state for projects to improve wildlife habitat. The grants were provided through the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s (MassWildlife) Habitat Management Grant Program.
“Active habitat management is vitally important for many forms of wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that often need less common habitats,” said DFG Commissioner Ron Amidon. “These grants will enhance habitat on municipal and privately-owned conservation land, and also improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts.”
Twelve wildlife habitat improvement projects, totaling 307 acres, will be funded. Western Massachusetts will receive 6 such grants as follows:
• Great Barrington – The Nature Conservancy has been awarded $39,325 to create and improve old field and shrubland habitats at the Schenob Brook Preserve.
• Lenox – The Berkshire Natural Resources Council will receive $34,100 to remove the invasive hardy kiwi plant at Parson Marsh Reserve.
• Plainfield – The Franklin Land Trust has been awarded $32,228 to increase young forest cover on Guyette Farm.
• South Lee – South Lee Associates will receive $12,350 to control invasive species on Housatonic River properties.
• Sheffield – The Sheffield Land Trust has been awarded $17,290 to improve the Ashley Falls Woods riparian corridor by conducting invasive species removal.
• Stockbridge – The Laurel Hill Association has been awarded $25,800 to treat invasive species at the Four Corners – Larrywaug Brook property.
“Preserving wildlife habitat and open spaces is vital to our environmental stewardship in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Adam G. Hinds. “I am grateful these awards will sustain partnerships and projects across my district and will help residents and visitors in Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Plainfield, Sheffield and Stockbridge to enjoy these natural resources for generations to come.”
“Berkshire County is known for its accessibility to nature and the outdoors” said State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli. “My district is home to a great number of sportsmen, fishermen, and hikers just to name a few, and the Habitat Management Grant Program allows locals and visitors to enjoy the outdoors while helping communities promote the wellbeing of local wildlife. As Dean of the Berkshire delegation and House Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, I’m very grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and (Energy and Environmental Affairs) Secretary Matt Beaton for recognizing the responsibility we have to protect our natural habitats by making this funding available to our towns.”

New regulations go into effect for Wildlife Management Areas

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The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has a long tradition of welcoming dogs on its Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Dogs are still welcome, but dog handlers must comply with new leash and waste disposal regulations. The new regulations, which take effect on all WMAs on January 11, 2019, require the following:
Dogs and other domestic animals must be on a physical leash/tether while on WMAs. Leashing dogs decreases conflicts with people and other dogs, resulting in a safer and more positive experience for everyone.
Dogs may be off-leash only when hunting or hunt-training with licensed hunters under existing regulations, or if they are participating in retriever or bird dog trial events that have been permitted by MassWildlife.
Dog feces in the WMA must be picked up by dog handlers and disposed of offsite. Licensed hunters engaged in hunting or hunt training, and those participating in sanctioned field trials are exempt from this requirement.
Dog feces in WMA parking areas and within 100 feet of the parking area must be picked up by ALL dog handlers and disposed of off the WMA.
MassWildlife protects and manages its WMAs to sustain wildlife abundance and to provide wildlife-related recreation such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching. At the same time MassWildlife strives to provide a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all visitors.
Over the years, MassWildlife had received numerous complaints from WMA users about negative and unsafe encounters with unleashed dogs and issues with dog waste. The most common complaints included: dog attacks and bites on other dogs (both off- and on-leash) and people, and piles of accumulating dog waste: a nuisance and health concern for pets, people, and wildlife.
Other incidents and complaints from WMA users involved: user conflicts between loose dogs with hunters, birders, field trial dog participants, naturalists and hikers; observations of dogs harassing or chasing wildlife; dogs chasing or killing livestock on abutting property; chasing/harassing neighboring property owners and families; dogs spooking horses, resulting in injuries to riders or horses; dogs trampling through posted endangered species restoration projects or newly planted agricultural crops.
The new regulations were drafted after a staff review and presentation to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board. A public hearing was held in February 2018. After considering written and oral comments submitted during the public hearing process, amendments were made and the final regulation package was approved by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board March 14, 2018. The regulations will go into effect on January 11, 2019.
Though many municipalities have leash or animal control bylaws, they do not have legal standing on state lands; the new WMA regulations address this disparity. Enforcement of these regulations, as with all Wildlife Management Area Regulations, is carried out by the Massachusetts Environmental Police. State and municipal police departments also have authority to enforce Wildlife Management Area regulations.

Monitoring the Commonwealth’s lake trout
This fall, MassWildlife has been sampling the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs in an ongoing effort to monitor lake trout populations. Each year, with the help of DCR, MassWildlife collects lake trout from the Quabbin Reservoir to examine population characteristics. For the past few years, MassWildlife has also been sampling for lake trout at the Wachusett Reservoir.
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. Sampling efforts like this are just one way that MassWildlife monitors the health of the fish resources of the Commonwealth.
In 2018, sampling crews at Quabbin Reservoir captured and released 163 lake trout despite the frigid temperatures and rain experienced throughout November. Of note was a 26-pound male lake trout that was first captured and tagged in 2014 and recaptured this year. On Wachusett Reservoir, crews captured and released 65 lake trout including two 18-pound fish. An article with details about the lake trout sampling effort will be appearing in the next issue of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, which will be in mailboxes in January. In addition, a scientific article has been composed and is currently in the peer–review process with publication expected in 2019.
Reminder to gamebird and archery deer hunters

If you completed a MassWildlife log while hunting game birds or during archery deer season, it’s time to send them in. If you complete and submit either an archery deer hunting log or a game bird hunting log before December 14, 2018 you will be entered into a drawing. Prizes include 1 stainless steel tabletop gas grill, donated by Cabela’s, 10 blaze orange MassWildlife caps, and 10 one-year subscriptions to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in late December. If you complete both types of logs, your name will be entered twice. You can email scanned logs to mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or mail completed forms to MassWildlife, Attn: Game bird hunting log / Archery deer hunting log, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
Information for the above three articles was obtained from MassWildlife’s November newsletter.

TU Holiday Party
The Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited is having its annual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 13 at the Crissey Farm @ Barrington Brewery, 420 Stockbridge Rd, Great Barrington. The party will be opened to the general public again this year. It will be a buffet dinner which costs $30 pp. Social Hour with hors d’oeuvres begins at 6:00 PM. The event features a door prize and donation bucket raffle. For more information Contact Henry Sweren at (413) 447-9429 or e-mail hsweren8@aol.com. Reservations must be made no later than tomorrow, December 10.
Incidentally, at its last meeting, the Taconic Chapter elected the following officers for the 2019 season: Henry Sweren of Lanesborough – President, John Burns of Cummington – VP, Fran Marzotto, of Pittsfield – Secretary and Bill Travis, of Pittsfield – Treasurer.
Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting Season opens tomorrow

Muzzleloader deer hunting

Shotgun deer hunting ended yesterday. If you haven’t gotten your deer yet, you still have an opportunity to get one during the Primitive Firearms deer hunting season. It opens tomorrow and runs through December 31. A Primitive Firearms stamp is required and there are special regulations governing this season. Archers can hunt during this season but must purchase the Primitive Firearms stamp. Here’s hoping you have a very enjoyable hunt trudging through our winter wonderland. Be careful and keep your powder dry.

Lenox youth’s arrow drops after-school buck

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Seventeen-year old Richard (Ricky) Armstrong III of Lenox had a memorable day of deer hunting on Monday, November 19. While archery hunting in Lenox after school, he dropped a 10- point, 215lbs buck. The deer was weighed by Ricky and his dad Richard Jr. on new scales purchased from Cabela’s. (During Archery Hunting season, deer can be checked in on-line without having to take them to official deer weighing/checking stations).
There is an interesting story as to how he was able to come across such a magnificent deer. On the previous Saturday afternoon his buddy, Luke Patella, saw the deer in his back yard. He told Ricky about it and sent a picture of it. On Sunday afternoon, Ricky walked and drove around looking for the tracks of the deer in the snow to find out where it crossed and where it might be. During the past summer, he knew where the deer usually bedded down in a nearby thick patch of woods.
On Monday afternoon, after school, he went after the big buck. He set up around 3:00 pm near one of the deer trails that comes out of the thick patch. He chose to hunt off of the ground rather than to use a tree stand. At about 3:15 two does and the buck came down the trail near him and when the buck was about 15 yards away, he let an arrow fly. He knew he hit the buck pretty good and expected it to run away, but it just stood there. Ricky reached back behind him to get another arrow out of the quiver and when he looked back, the deer took a couple of steps and fell over.
Based upon the picture that Luke had previously sent him, Ricky knew it was a big deer. But not that big!
Getting the deer out of the woods was not much of a problem according to his dad, Richard Jr., because there was snow on the ground. They were able to put it in a sled and drag it out fairly easily.
Ricky is going to have the deer head mounted by taxidermist Dave Berger of Wild Arts Taxidermy Studio in Berlin, CT. The “green” or rough score of the antlers was 167 3/8 total inches and the spread was 22 inches as determined by the Northeast Big Buck Club. The Pope and Young Club will also measure it. (The Pope & Young Club is recognized as the official repository for records on bow-harvested North American big game. The Northeast Big Buck Association also provides scoring and record-keeping services). Ricky will have to wait 60 days for the antlers to dry before getting the final official score.

His dad said that when Ricky got the deer he was shaking with excitement. He said that everyone who learned about it was excited about Ricky’s feat because of his age and the fact that there are not as many youths involved in the outdoors today as there once was. He said that fortunately he has three sons all into hunting and fishing.

Ricky III is at least a 4th generation family deer hunter. His great grandfather Richard, was a hunter, as were his grandfather (also known as Ricky) and his great uncle (Billy). I went to school with them and remember them as being avid outdoor sportsmen. Both of them have since passed over the ridge but I would bet that they would be very proud of young Ricky today. Ricky’s father, Richard Jr. is a hunter as is his uncle Harold – hunting is an age-old tradition in this family. (Incidentally, I went to school with young Ricky’s grandma Nancy, too, but I don’t think she hunts.)

Other big deer were harvested during the Archery season
The final archery deer hunting results have not yet been released, but we do know that other large deer have been harvested in the Berkshires. For example, Robert Zieba of North Adams took a 199lbs, 11-point buck in Savoy. It was weighed on a certified DFW scale. Brian Bishop of Adams took a 204lbs, 8-point buck in Adams, Michael Kinna of Egremont took a 200lbs, 7- point buck in Egremont, and Matt Zamboni of Lee took a 205lbs, 8-point buck in Lee.
Incidentally, Matt is having quite a year of hunting. During the bear hunting season, he took a 342lbs bear (dressed weight) in Otis. Let’s hope he has a large freezer.
Commonwealth to give River and Wetland Restoration Grants
Some $188,600 will be issued for river and wetland restoration projects in Falmouth, Northampton/Easthampton, North Adams, and Plymouth through the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration’s Priority Projects Program. The program provides projects with grant funding, project management, and contracted technical services for wetland and river restoration, urban river revitalization, and streamflow restoration projects that present the greatest benefit to the Commonwealth, ecologically, socially, and economically.
The five projects help local partners remove aging dams, restore a floodplain forest, rejuvenate historic wetlands on retired cranberry bogs, revitalize an urban river and leverage $3 million in federal and private funding. The projects will restore river habitat for river herring and eastern brook trout, wetland habitat for several rare plant and animal species, and increase municipal resilience to climate change.
“Removal of unwanted dams, upgrading undersized culverts and restoration of floodplain and wetland habitat benefits the environment and helps communities adapt to climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “We look forward to working with the communities receiving Priority Project funding to protect and restore these wetlands and rivers and increase biodiversity across the state.”
“These projects improve fish and wildlife habitat, increase resilience to severe weather events, and further protect public safety,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ronald Amidon. “They benefit a number of fish and wildlife species throughout the Commonwealth, including eastern brook trout, river herring, and waterfowl.”
Priority Projects are evaluated by DER on their ecological benefit, feasibility, contribution to climate readiness, opportunity for public education and recreation, available program resources, and partner support. They are chosen through a statewide, competitive process.
One of those grants is earmarked for the Hoosic River Flood Chute Naturalization Project in North Adams. The City of North Adams, The Hoosic River Revival, The Hoosic River Watershed Association, and state and federal agencies are working together to re-naturalize and revitalize the North and South Branches of the Hoosic River as the rivers flow through North Adams.
The project will improve public safety, reduce annual operating and maintenance costs while improving habitat, access, connectivity and climate resilience. This phase of the project includes the design and permitting of a flood management system within North Adams to replace the existing 2.5 mile concrete chute system, an aging structure that has outlived its design life.
The Hoosic River, one of the few remaining mainstem cold water fishery resources in the Commonwealth, supports a viable wild brook trout population on both branches of the Hoosic River upstream of the city. The funding will be used to build local capacity to advance the project, negotiation for land-sharing of the Phase 1 project area and community outreach around the goals of the project. The grant is matched 2:1 through private funders.

Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrow, prompting another sleepless night

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Well, here we go again. Tomorrow marks another opening day of shotgun deer hunting season and tonight marks another sleepless night. I’ll be so hyped up about the anticipated thrill and excitement of the hunt that sleep will be next to impossible. Some people count sheep while trying to get to sleep, tonight I’ll count deer.
Inevitably, I’ll be going over my list of things that must be brought tomorrow; gun, bullets, knife, drag rope, hunting license, a fully charged cell phone, etc. Boy, does that 4:00 am alarm come fast.
This year marks my 60th year of deer hunting (with the exception of those years away in school or serving Uncle Sam). While tossing and turning tonight, inevitably, some of those past deer hunts, which evoked vivid memories, will be relived.
I especially remember one year, nearly 25 years ago, when I decided to hunt land in West Stockbridge. Early that morning I left a note telling my wife Jan where I would be hunting. Unfortunately, I saw neither a deer nor fresh track there. Even though there was no snow on the ground, I should have been able to see ruffled leaves, hoof prints in the mud or something that would give an indication that there were deer in the area. Around noontime, I decided to call it a day and go home.
While nearing my street, I started thinking that deer hunting season comes only for a short period once a year. Why am I going home so early? I made a last-minute decision to hunt October Mountain for a couple of hours that afternoon. (I know! I know! I shouldn’t have done that).
I planned to take a stand no more than 100 yards or so down the hill, on the edge of a swamp. (For you old timers, it was behind the remnants of the old fire tower). I didn’t take my backpack for I had already consumed my lunch and coffee. I just carried some shells, the drag rope and knife. What the heck, I wasn’t going that far and could almost see my truck from there. Before reaching the stand, I spotted freshly disturbed leaves and hoofprints and decided to follow them. The leaves were a little crunchy and noisy, but the wind was in my favor so I thought I might be able to sneak up on the deer. After trailing it for about a half an hour, I spotted the deer.
It was standing still in some brush facing the other way. It was a fairly long but makeable shot and I got down on one knee to steady my aim. The only problem was that I couldn’t determine if it was a buck or doe and I didn’t have a doe permit. The size and location of the brush (around its head) was such that I couldn’t make the determination. Another concern was that the slug might deflect off of some of the brush and I would miss it.
I stayed on one knee with gun aimed for a long time, but the deer refused to move. I knew that as soon as I moved, the deer would bolt off. After a while, my legs and arms started aching from being locked in that position, and I couldn’t take it any longer. I dropped to my second knee and, sure enough, it spooked the deer and off it ran. I never did determine if it was a buck or doe.
Oh well, it was getting late (around 3:00 pm) and time to head back to the truck. I back-tracked the best that I could, but every time I tried to go back up the hill, I hit that swamp. Funny, I didn’t remember going through it while tracking that deer, but then again, I was so focused on the tracks that I didn’t pay much attention to the surroundings. I could see the hill that I came down from the truck, but I just couldn’t get across a brook in that swamp to get to it. I tried crossing it several times at different locations, but to no avail. By the time darkness set in, I realized that I was turned around (Not lost!). Great! I thought, my compass was with the backpack in the truck. Fortunately, it was a bright moonlit evening and I could see fairly well.
Even though I was hunting a mountain with which I was somewhat familiar, my heart started pounding indicating panic, whether I liked it or not. Guess what Gene, it told me, you are going to spend the night here.
Oh boy! If I wasn’t home by 8:00pm, Jan would probably call the police, report me missing and tell them I was hunting in West Stockbridge! No way for me to call her for there were no cell phones at that time.
Well, I thought, if I am going to spend the night here, I might as well get out of this swamp, head up the hill behind me, find a big tree to shelter me from the wind and hunker down. Besides, I reasoned, when I get high enough on this hill, I might be able to look east across the swamp, see the tree line in the moon light and perhaps find my way out. It was bright enough out that I could take periodically short walks around the tree to warm up. (Forget a fire, my lighter which I always carry, was also in the backpack).
Every now and then while trudging up the hill, I looked back and tried to see if I could find a passage through that swamp and up the hill to the road. I was hoping a vehicle would drive by on that road and I could see its headlights. No luck.
About half way up my hill, I spotted something shining up ahead. As I neared it, it appeared to look like an automobile, reflecting the moonlight. Strange, I thought, how did someone get a vehicle up here, there are no roads.
As I closed in, the mystery was solved. It was my own truck! Talk about being happy! All that time, I was trying to go the wrong way. What if that deer was a buck and I shot it. I would still be dragging it.
This true event occurred when I was in my 50’s and I am ashamed to say that I made some major blunders. Let’s recap them: Hunting in an area where no one knew where I was; not taking mental notes of landmarks and such as I was trailing the deer; not carrying the compass in my pockets but rather attached to the backpack; not bringing the backpack with me which contained an extra shirt, fire starter, food, etc. Some would even argue that I shouldn’t have been hunting alone to begin with.
Deer hunters please remember

If you harvest a deer during the first week of shotgun deer hunting season, you must bring it to a physical check station to allow biologists to collet important data needed for deer management. During the second week and during the muzzleloader deer hunting season, deer harvested may be reported online. Reporting is required within 48 hours of harvest.

Firearms Safety Course
Pete’s Gun Shop will be having an NRA & Massachusetts State Police Certified Firearms Safety Course next Sunday December 2nd, at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club in Cheshire, MA. This is to qualify MA residents and non-residents alike for the MA License -To-Carry or FID Card. This will be a hands-on LIVE FIRING, one day course.
Lunch will be provided as well as a give-back of a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop. The cost of $100 covers all ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, a hardcover NRA textbook and food. Sign-in is at 8:45am, class starts at 9:00am and it ends around 4:30pm Interested parties should pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited.
The Massachusetts LTC is now recognized for concealed carry in 29 states including:
Arizona, Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Check with Pete’s periodically for new additions.
Residents of Vermont can get the MA Non-Resident LTC by taking this course, and if National Reciprocity passes, they can then take advantage of it.

New Turkey Regulation Changes are being proposed

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At the request of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, and in response to a request submitted by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), MassWildlife initiated a review of wild turkey hunting regulations with the goal to evaluate potential changes to enhance turkey hunting opportunities. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board is considering the following regulatory changes:
1. Youth Day – Expand hunting hours to ½ hr before sunrise until 5 P.M on the single day designated for the Youth Turkey Hunt.
2. Allow all permits issued to youths aged 12-14 to be utilized across the entire spring AND fall season.
3. Spring Season – Increase the daily bag limit to 2 per day.
4. Fall Season – Expand fall season (ARCHERY ONLY) to overlap the exclusive archery deer season.
5. Allow 2 spring tags and 1 fall tag (3 turkeys total per year) for all permit holders.

In making the case for the above proposed changes, David Scarpitti, MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader, presented the following background information to the Board:
The goal is to maintain hunter satisfaction in a way that will not compromise other hunters (pheasant, deer, rabbit, etc.). In order to find the right balance, an elaborate review was conducted with a good cross section of people and agencies
They looked at the harvest data from the 1980’s until present and learned that turkeys now exist in over 350 municipalities and towns in MA. After sharp harvest rises in the early years, the population and harvest stabilized over the last 10 years to around 35,000 turkeys and annual harvests of about 3,000 birds.
They analyzed the ratio of adults in the spring season to the juvenile ratio and determined that hunters are choosing to select adults. There is a good brood production year after year and they are getting lots of recruitment of mature birds. The ratio is 3 to 3 ½ adults to juvenile. MassWildlife is confident they have a high robust population and high satisfaction of hunters across the state. Allowing 3 turkeys total per year should pose no problems.
They have never had a lot of harvested birds in the fall. The harvest sex ratio is 50/50. With 350 towns in MA, and hunters harvesting 100 hens a year, and that is less than 1 female for every 3 towns. “That tells us we have a lot of potential in the fall season and can harvest considerably more females. There is little threat from over harvesting”, Scarpitti said.
One component of fall turkey hunting season that is increasing is the archery component. Last fall archers took 40% of last year’s total fall harvest. Studies show that half of the fall turkey hunters are doing so in conjunction of archery hunting season for deer.
Scarpitti cited figures showing that 20 to 25% of successful spring turkey hunters do not have an opportunity to hunt in the fall. By expanding the archery turkey hunting season in the fall, it will allow archery deer hunters to hunt turkeys. He recommended expanding the current 2-week season to overlap the archery deer hunting season.

MassWildlife is looking for feedback on these proposed changes. Berkshire hunters are welcome to contact the Western District Office (413) 684-1646 or David Scarpitti, Turkey Project Leader (508) 389-6300 David.Scarpitti@mass.gov .
At its November 1, 2018, Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden discussed the proposed changes. After discussions, the League delegates voted and unanimously approved going on record as supporting the proposed turkey regulation changes.

Update on Youth Deer Hunt Harvest Report
The 2018 Youth Deer Hunt Day was held on September 29. This unique opportunity allowed young hunters to hunt deer with their own permit during a special one-day season that preceded the Commonwealth’s regular annual deer hunting seasons. This year MassWildlife issued 1,115 youth permits and 125 harvested deer were reported online. Deer reported at physical check stations will be tallied and added to the total at the conclusion of the regular deer hunting seasons.
Disturbing Environmental Police statistics

During the latest MA Fisheries & Wildlife Board Meeting which was held on October 25 in Lenox, the Massachusetts Environmental Police representative, Major Loos, reported that there were 59 ORV/ATV accidents in 2018 with 9 fatalities. There were also 104 boat accidents with 12 fatalities.

How tragic! Please, please exercise caution when out on these vehicles/water craft.

Do you know about the 37-mile Taconic Crest Trail?
If you’ve ever hiked through the Pittsfield State Forest, over Berlin Mountain, to the Snow Hole in Petersburg or along some of the Shaker Trails above Lebanon Mountain, you’ve seen the bright blue triangles that mark the Taconic Crest Trail.
If you love this kind of access to recreational opportunities along the Taconic Range, the Taconic Hiking Club (THC) wants to extend an invitation to you to join them.
The THC has been in existence since 1932 and has a strong legacy of trail advocacy at the state and local level. It maintains thirty-seven miles of the Taconic Crest Trail and five of its access trails. It also protects and secures parking and trail access and offers seasonal outings for hikers, bikers, and paddlers. It runs a well-attended and supported biennial End-to-End hike over 29 miles of the trail from Berry Pond to Vermont.

Over the years the Club has provided social opportunities for people who love the outdoors and has published two series of professional-level maps of the trail. Members have volunteered hundreds of hours of trail clearing, blazing, and marking and have turned out in force to keep the trail motor-free and free of irresponsible logging.

The trail winds along the Taconic Ridge in and out of New York and Massachusetts. When either DEC (Dept. of Environmental Conservation in NY) or DCR (Dept. of Conservation and Recreation in MA) have issues in that region they include THC in the discussion. The Club is an important agent for protection of this large forested area.

Both New York State and Massachusetts cite the Taconics as areas of special interest in their Open Space Plans, and there is a new consortium of land trust groups from the surrounding 4-state area that is focused on the Taconic Range. The Taconic Range provides recreation in one of the last remaining intact forested areas and serves as an important wildlife corridor.

The Club is seeking new members. By joining you help solidify the membership base and give recognition to the Club’s mission and purpose. Dues are minimal at $10.00. No activity is required, but you might want to order that map and check out the trail on some beautiful fall day.

Many thanks to Karen Ross of New Lebanon, NY for the info. She has forwarded it to us because she believes that many people in the Berkshires have never heard of the Taconic Crest Trail or the Taconic Hiking Club. For more information on the Taconic Hiking Club, click onto http://taconichikingclub.org.

Incidentally, Karen began volunteering her time with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in 2001, “doing monitoring, blazing, boundary marking, trail clearing, map making, writing, editing, documentation—whatever was needed”.

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 which were held on November 1 through 3, but participants and volunteers alike still had a positive experience. Here in the Berkshires, the same six hunters who participated in last year’s hunt showed up again this year. – four in the southern and two in the northern Berkshires sites.
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. Adam Morris is the Beartown Complex Forest and Park Regional Coordinator which includes the 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, Greg Baumli of New Lebanon, NY, Steve Gladding of Westfield, MA and Vyto Sablevicius of Norwich, MA.

The helpers and the number of years they have served as volunteers included: Shaun Smith (45 years), Al Vincent (45), Marc Portieri (29), Greg Arienti (23), Paul Mullins (20), Matt Roache (13), Chuck Pickert (11), Rick Thelig (11), Fred Lampro (10), Tom Dean (7), Rohan Nair (1), and Adam Morris (1)) all from the Berkshires.

Hunter Sidney Eichstedt looks forward to this hunt every year. “Spending time in the woods is relaxing and therapeutic”, he said. To other paraplegics, he recommends that they “give it a try, they have nothing to lose”. Vyto Sablevicus agrees with Sid. “Cold and rainy weather is a big factor with paraplegic hunters” he said, “and these new ground blinds are a blessing.” This event is their “deer camp” each year. “This hunt was established to provide these hunters a safe environment to hunt as well as to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hunters. It is kind of a social event for them.” Said Shaun Smith.

The volunteers are amazing. They 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. This year, thanks to donations, they were able to provide ground blinds (tent-like enclosures) where the hunters could hunt from inside them and be sheltered from rain and inclement weather. Volunteers transported the hunters to the locations and helped to drive the deer toward them. If a hunter shot a deer, they tracked it, field dressed it and dragged it to the vehicle.

The volunteers want no credit and I practically had to drag the names and other information out of them. I found out that they do fund raisers to buy cameras, blinds, and other equipment. They are usually held at the VFW in Dalton in February or March. They promised to let me know when so that I can mention it in this column.

And what can I write about Chuck Pickert, his wife Beverly and Tricia Volmer. For the last 10 year in a row, Chuck brought his trailer-mounted smoker/grill and they cooked breakfasts and lunches for the three days. Tricia Vollmer made the fish chowder, Beverly made the potato salad and other individuals prepared the desserts and other food needed for the three-day event. A lot of friends who own restaurants and businesses donate food, charcoal, condiments, etc. every year (See donor list below).

A friend of mine, George Smith of Egremont, and I arrived there on Friday, the second day of the hunt, not accidentally, just before lunch. On that day, the lunch menu was: homemade Manhattan clam chowder, smoked pork soup, smoked pork gravy served over noodles, smoked pork loin roll-up, smoked sausages with marinara sauce over noodles, potato salad, cole slaw and home-made desserts. We both were greatly impressed with how tasty the food was, how well the hunt was managed and how the volunteers took great care to see that the hunters had an enjoyable hunt.
So how did the hunt go this year in the Southern Berkshires? Everyone saw deer. No deer were taken on Thursday, but Vyto shot at a deer. On Saturday, 3 deer (an 8 point buck by Steve, an adult doe by Fred and a button buck by Greg) were taken. MassWildlife confirmed that these turned out to be the only deer taken statewide. (On Saturday, the hunters wanted to get home and out of their wet clothes, so I was unable to get any pictures of the successful hunters.)

Rick French coordinates the hunt with the volunteers and hunters at the Northern Berkshires site. The two hunters at the Northern Berkshires site were: Dale Bailey of Clarksburg and Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA. Volunteer included French, Alex Daigle, Tony Mei, Robert Mei, Stacy Sylvester, and J. Sylvester. With permission, they hunted private properties in the Williamstown area. They had a couple of shots but clean misses there.

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.

Statewide, the other sites include Quabbin Reservation, Fort Devens, and Joint Base Cape Cod (Otis AFB/Camp Edwards). There were a lot of deer seen and pushed by volunteers at Quabbin, but they just couldn’t get the deer to walk past the hunters. There were a few shots and misses at Fort Devens and no shots taken at JBCC.

Since 1972, this hunt has provided thousands of hours of recreational opportunities for paraplegic sportsmen and women. Volunteers are integral to the program and MassWildlife thanks them all for their enthusiasm and commitment. There is some concern that the numbers of hunters taking advantage of the paraplegic hunt have been dwindling, mainly due to their aging or passing away. If you are a paraplegic sportsman or sportswoman interested in participating in the 2019 hunt, contact Susan (Ingalls) McCarthy at (508) 389-6326 | or: Susan.Ingalls@state.ma.us.
Incidentally, the definition for paraplegic per 321 CMR 2.06 states: “(b) Paraplegic: A Division (MassWildlife) application form completed by the applicant and an attestation on the form by a physician that the applicant is a person who has total paralysis of the lower half of the body, or a condition that prevents any use of the lower limbs. I am told that it must be an injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region.
If that is indeed the case, perhaps the State Legislature should consider changing that regulation to include those who have lost use of one or both of their legs regardless of the spinal injury stipulation. Many if not all of the volunteers that I spoke with feel that if servicemen have lost one or both legs due to an IED in Iraq or Afghanistan, they should be able to participate in the paraplegic hunt.
Lake Symposium
On Saturday, November 17, from 9:30am to 1:20pm, the Lakes and Ponds Association (LAPA) will have a symposium at the Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St. Pittsfield, MA. The theme is “How can we balance competing interests to meet lake management goals in our complex regulatory system?”
Sponsored by the LAPA-West member associations, it is free. Registration with light breakfast starts at 8:45am. Invited exhibitors include state agencies with responsibilities for lake management and contractors who work on our lakes. There will be opportunities to network with experts in lake ecology and management, and with other lake advocates. Bring lake plants you want identified. Any other questions you have specific to your lake can be raised with the experts and other attendees during the presentation breaks.

Southern Berkshire Paraplegic Hunt Donors:
Roma Pizza, Pop’s Diner, C A Lindell, Jay Lawn Care all from North Canaan, CT, Cranes Outdoor Power Equipment from Canaan, CT, Wood Creek Bar & Grill from Norfolk, CT, Mill River General Store, Mill River, MA and JTC & Sons, Greg S. Massini Bus Co. and Massini Bus Co. from Sheffield, MA

 

Chronic Wasting Disease – A scary subject, Part 2

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In last week’s column, I paraphrased MA DFW Moose & Deer Project Leader David Stainbrook’s presentation to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Scientists are stymied as to how to control the disease. Thankfully, so far, humans have not been affected and only cervids are.
In studying the disease, scientists injected the brain tissue of a CWD infected deer into brain of a mouse and it got infected. When they fed a mouse the infected meat, it didn’t become infected. Monkeys that were injected with the infectious material directly into their brain all became infected. Interestingly, 3 out of 4 monkeys that were fed the infected meat did become infected.
So, can the prions mutate? Maybe, eventually. Scientists are now becoming concerned about the safety of our livestock.
Can we derive any comfort from the fact that they haven’t found many new cases of CWD in other states? Not really, because of the reduced Federal funding, some states couldn’t afford to do the tests and they had to drop down to a low level of testing. They simply can’t test as many deer as they want to.
Stainbrook says that MA DFW wants to test any deer that is exhibiting disease-like symptoms, such as an emaciated deer that is circling or acting unusual.
We have a regulation in place. If you get a deer, moose, elk caribou while deer hunting in a state that has CWD, you cannot bring that carcass back to MA without deboning the meat and cleaning the skull cap. That means you have to quarter it and take out the bones. If you get a nice buck, you have to think about that. You may have to drop it off at a taxidermist there to be caped and cleaned, go back home, and then pick it up in a few days later. When Stainbrook hunted in South Dakota, he had to drop off his deer head at a taxidermist, have them cape it out, and then ship the antlers and cape to him. He also had to debone the meat prior to bringing it back.
“In Massachusetts, we have a regulation that no live deer may come into the state”, said Stainbrook. Every year he gets about 10 calls from people wanting to bring live Santa Clause reindeer from out-of-state. You can’t bring them into Massachusetts. If you do, there is a risk of CWD, because reindeer are captive deer from other states.
In Massachusetts we have regulatory authority over captive deer facilities. In a lot of states, their state wildlife agencies do not have the authority but rather their Departments of Agriculture who tend to be very much against prohibitive regulation because they are all for helping the farmers thrive in business.
White-tailed deer are not on the list of allowable captive deer in MA. There is potentially an escaped red deer in the Williamstown area, possibly from VT or NY. If that deer is infected it is now out around infecting other deer. That’s the kind of thing Stainbrook worries about. If you have regulatory authority over captive farms you could require really high fences, double fences and require tags on your deer.

A lot of deer can travel 1 or 2 miles and could cross state border lines; and you may be hunting them.
Deer disperse out, and in studies they have found 75% of yearling males will disperse from 2 miles on up from where they were born. Stainbrook cited that one yearling disperser in PA which had a GPS collar on it went over 90 miles. This could be a major contributor to how CWD can spread across the landscape. There are ongoing studies to try to determine the average distance that deer will disperse. If the average males travel 4 or 5 miles, one can estimate after 10 years how far has CWD been spread. It is a consideration that scientists have to take into consideration as to what to do to control the spread. CWD could be silently creeping throughout the state.
In states that have detected CWD, the action has been to reduce deer density in a designated area around the detection and test harvested deer for CWD to establish and understanding of prevalence. The lower the density, the less likely it will spread. Unfortunately, by the time it is detected, it has probably been in that state for 10 to 20 years and they didn’t know it. The best thing that we can do is everything possible to prevent it from coming into our state. If it comes into our state, it is going to change everything.
To prevent risk, they could restrict the use of deer urine. A typical bottle could have a mixture of urine and feces from hundreds of deer from all over the country. They can’t take a bottle of deer urine and stick it into a lab tube and if it turns red, it tested positive. There is no test to look for those prions in that urine. The way to do it is very expensive and time consuming and not feasible for them to scan all of those bottles. So, a lot of states have banned them.
There are other options – synthetic urine lures. They tested pine tree air fresheners that you use in your car and they actually found that they are quite effective. Not sure why, some deer just come to investigate it and others “high tail” it when they get a whiff. But, it is something scientists are looking into. “It depends on the state agencies and their ability to take action”, Stainbrook said, “We can’t ban the sale of it, but we could prohibit the use or possession of it while hunting.
Instead of only banning harvested deer from states with CWD, some states are considering not allowing a deer carcass from any state (like Maine). The reason for that is that many of the states that are reporting being CWD free don’t have the resources to test enough deer to be confident that they don’t have it. If a state is not testing its deer, how can we say it doesn’t have CWD. Maybe there should be disposal regulations. If you bring a deer into the state you have to dispose of it a certain way. Some states are looking at carcass disposal regulations.
So, after hearing or reading Stainbrook’s comments, do you think the state would/should relax the CWD regulations? I don’t think so, do you?
Taconic Trout Unlimited presentation
On October 25 at 7:00 pm, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have as its guest speaker Steve Culton. His presentation is entitled “The Little Things” that you can do to catch and land more fish. The presentation will take place at the Cork n Hearth Restaurant, Laurel Street (Rte. 20) in Lee, MA.

There will be a social hour at 5:00 pm followed by a business meeting. There is also the opportunity to stay for dinner as well.

Chronic Wasting Disease – A scary subject

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MA DFW Moose and Deer Project Leader David Stainbrook attended the October Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) meeting to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) a disease that affects cervids (members of the deer family). The League delegates were hoping that because there weren’t many new cases reported in nearby states, our state would ease up on the restrictions over bringing them into MA. Currently, the regulations state that it is illegal to import, process, or possess whole carcasses or parts of any cervids from states or provinces where CWD has been detected. It is legal to import deer meat that is de-boned, cleaned skull caps, hides without the head, or a fixed taxidermy mount. No live deer, of any species, may be brought into Massachusetts for any purpose.
Well, I suspect the sportsmen will have to wait a long time before that restriction is lifted.
Stainbrook’s talk was very important and informative. I will attempt to paraphrase what he said in this and next week’s column.
CWD was first discovered in 1967 in Colorado at a penned-in facility when 12 mule deer became emaciated and died. Biologists had no idea of what caused it and thought it was a virus of some sort. It wasn’t until 1978 that they figured out that it was basically the same kind of disease that sometimes exists as scrapie in sheep and mad cow disease in cattle and caused by a protein. Once it gets into the animal’s system it causes brain damage and certain death. But they still didn’t know enough about it, why and how it spread.
Biologists developed several hypotheses about how it originated – Perhaps it was already present in the wild and brought it in to the Colorado pen. Another was that there were nearby pens that were raising sheep and maybe it was scrapie that mutated to infect deer. No test for CWD was available until 2003. Much was still unknown about how it spread. Thus, movement of captive deer across state lines was not known to be a risk factor at the time, which allowed the disease to spread throughout the country relatively undetected, with hunter harvested deer movement also being a potential route. The very first wild case was an elk in Colorado in 1978 and through the next 30 years it spread to white tail deer, elk and other cervids.
In 2005 they first discovered it in Oneida County, NY. They found 5 captive deer in 2 different farms that tested positive. Somehow, CWD escaped from the farmed deer into the wild population and they found 2 wild deer with it. Was it caused by deer escaping and getting in contact with wild deer? Was it caused by those wild deer coming into contact with the penned-up deer (nose to nose)? Was it from a deer carcass that was brought in from one of the CWD positive states?
Meanwhile, CWD showed up in WV, PA, Virginia, and Maryland. Luckily, they have not found any in New England, but the recent discovery of it in Quebec, Canada (just about 100 miles from the VT/NY border) is concerning.
According to Stainbrook, tests in one area in Wisconsin revealed that half of the bucks tested are infected, but to look at them you would never know. The adults don’t become symptomatic until 18 months or longer. You can have what appears to be a healthy deer and never know it is infected, but is spreading infectious material across the landscape. They looked at every hunter that took a deer from that area and determined where they brought the carcasses, which was all over the country, highlighting how quickly it can be spread if those hunters did not follow current regulations on importing carcasses. That’s the thing that worries the biologists.
Around 2008 the Federal Government allocated $15 – $18 million for testing, allocating the monies among all of the states. It cost anywhere from $25 – $50 to test a carcass, and the costs added up very quickly when there were thousands of deer to test.
In 2012 most of the federal funding disappeared and states had to severely cut back in testing. Many had to get rid of all CWD employees. This possibly explains the drop in reported CWD cases and appeared to look like it was decreasing.
When the Federal monies were available, scientific tests discovered that CWD exists as mis-folded proteins called prions. One of the first things they found out was that if it was in the spinal cord and if another deer got in touch with it, that would spread the disease. Then they found out that saliva and blood could cause its spread, they found out that it was in the feces and urine in addition to the saliva.
Another study found that when it goes onto the ground from the urine and feces, it can last in the soil and be infectious for 10 years. If it binds to the soil particles, it becomes even more infectious. They subsequently found out that plants absorb it and it doesn’t wash away with rain. Even most incinerators are not hot enough to kill it. Bleach apparently does work.
Because it is taken up into the plants, there are whole new issues because of the agricultural products that are coming out of the states that have high incidences of CWD like Wisconsin, where they have corn, alfalfa, soybean and all products that are going into our food and livestock. They found that crows eating on deer carcasses could also spread it. “There is a potential for it to be spread throughout the country”, said Stainbrook.
The scary part is that many deer look healthy, but they may have it and it may take 2 years for them to show symptoms and die from it. “They are spreading it well before we can tell that a deer has it”, said Stainbrook.
Are there any human issues? Are the people who have been eating deer affected? So far nothing has come up. (incidentally, cooking the meat at oven temps will not get rid of prions). Fortunately, only deer and other cervids get it. More on this subject next week.
Archery deer hunting season opens tomorrow
In Zones 1 – 9, Archery Deer Hunting Season opens tomorrow, and runs through Saturday, November 24, excluding Sundays. The regulations state:
• Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset. (Except on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) stocked with pheasant or quail during the pheasant or quail season, hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.)
• Only archery equipment can be used during this season.
• Arrows must have a well sharpened steel broadhead blade not less than 7/8 inches in width. Expanding broadheads are legal.
• All bows must have a draw weight of at least 40lbs at 28 inches or at peak draw.
• Poisoned arrows, explosive tips, and bows drawn by mechanical means are prohibited.
• Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only.
• During Archery Season, hunter orange is not required unless on a WMA stocked with pheasants
• Season Limit is 2 antlered deer per year in Zones 1 – 9 and as many antlerless deer as you have valid antlerless deer permits for.
• Reporting is required within 48 hours of harvest
• There is no daily limit. If you have unused antlered tags or antlerless permits, you may continue hunting after reporting your harvest.

Be careful out there in your tree stand. We don’t want to be reading about your falling out of it and becoming a fatality. Also, be mindful of ticks.

Let’s go hunting!

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The Duck and Regular Canada Goose hunting seasons open tomorrow in the Berkshires. The daily bag limit for ducks is 6 with a possession limit of 18. For geese, the daily bag limit is 3 and possession limit is 9. (Remember, the 15 daily bag limit for geese only applies to the early goose hunting season which ended on September 21).

There is a myriad of regulations which apply to duck hunting. For example, note the daily bag limits: The daily bag may contain no more than 6 ducks, and no more than 4 of any species, not additionally restricted; only 2 black ducks, 4 mallards of which only 2 may be females, 3 wood ducks, etc. Waterfowl hunters need a HIP number, State and Federal stamps, must use non-toxic shot, etc., etc. Hunters really need to refer to the 2018-2019 Migratory Game Bird regulations.

The upland game (ring-necked pheasants, ruffed grouse and quail), cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare hunting seasons open next Saturday, October 13.

About 40,000 ring-necked pheasants will be stocked in the Commonwealth this fall and we can assume that about 8,000 of them will be stocked in the Western District. To get a complete listing of the stocking locations, click onto the MassWildlife web site and then onto “Pheasant Stocked Areas”. Not only are the stocking locations listed but also the frequency of stocking.”
Also, a couple hundred additional pheasants, which were raised by the Lee Sportsmen’s Association during the year, will be stocked onto certain public lands.
Really, upland game and rabbit hunting is all about the dogs. How they point, retrieve or hold the scent is a source of pride to the hunter. Now’s our chance to see if all of the training, veterinarian expenses, license fees, dog food expenses, etc. of our bird dogs and beagles will pay off. Hopefully, we have been able to get them into top physical shape, just like us.

If they don’t perform to our expectations, that’s ok. They will still be our lovable best friends who simply adore us.

Hunters should refer to the Massachusetts Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Trapping laws to determine season dates, daily bags, season limits, etc. I would like to reiterate one regulation: No person shall hunt during the pheasant or quail season on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) where pheasant or quail are stocked without wearing a blaze orange cap or hat except while night hunting for raccoons or opossums or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind.”
My recommendation is to wear blaze orange anywhere that you are hunting pheasants, grouse, woodcock or bunnies, not just on a WMA. Also, if hunting waterfowl from a blind, I would recommend wearing a blaze orange hat while going to or leaving the blinds.
I also recommend that non-hunters (hikers, bird watchers, mountain bikers, mushroom seekers, etc.) wear a blaze orange hat while on WMA lands and any forests or lands where hunting is permitted. Don’t forget that cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare hunters are out there, too, and many of them hunt in our state forests.
Incidentally, the coyote hunting season also opens on October 13.
Here’s hoping you have a safe and enjoyable hunting season, and be mindful of the deer ticks.
Help MassWildlife by recording your wildlife observations while hunting

Massachusetts hunters spend a significant amount of time in the woods observing wildlife of all kinds. These observations can provide wildlife biologists with a tremendous amount of information to better understand wildlife distribution and abundance across the Commonwealth. If you are an archery deer hunter or a game bird hunter, MassWildlife asks that you consider keeping a hunting log on all the days you hunt this season.
If you complete and submit either an archery deer hunting log or a game bird hunting log before December 14, you will be entered into a drawing. Prizes include 1 stainless steel tabletop gas grill, donated by Cabela’s, 10 blaze orange MassWildlife caps, and 10 one-year subscriptions to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in late December. If you complete both types of logs, your name will be entered twice.
Archery Deer Hunting Season Log: If you are an archery deer hunter in Massachusetts, keep a daily log of your hunting activities and observations of wildlife during the archery deer season.. Because archery hunters are usually very stealthy and camouflaged, you are uniquely suited to record valuable observations of wildlife including deer, wild turkey, black bear, coyote, and other species not commonly observed.
Game Bird Hunting Season Log: If you are a game bird hunter in Massachusetts, keep a daily log of your hunting activities and observations of game birds while hunting bobwhite quail, pheasant, woodcock, or grouse. These observations will provide MassWildlife biologists with information on game bird populations across the state and allow them to evaluate hunter efforts of various upland game bird species. MassWildlife seeks to maintain healthy game bird populations while ensuring quality hunting experiences for both wild and stocked birds across the Commonwealth.
Log Results From 2017
Archery deer hunters submitted 171 hunting logs resulting in over 9,000 hours of hunting time logged. Logs were received from hunters in every Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ); however, zones 9, 10 and 11 accounted for the most logged hours. Turkey, deer, and coyote were the most common species observed statewide. Bucks and does were observed in every WMZ, while turkeys were observed in zones 1-11; black bears were observed in 7 of the 15 zones.
Hunting logs were received from 42 gamebird hunters in 2017 resulting in 975 hours of recorded game bird hunting. Submitted hunting logs were received from WMZs 2-12 and Nantucket (WMZ 14).
Fall trout stocking has begun
Mass DFW has already stocked several of our local waters. To find out when and where the stockings occurred and the kinds of trout stocked, click onto the MassWildlife web site (www.mass.gov/service-details/trout-stocking-report).
There was some conjecture as to whether the East Branch of the Westfield River will be stocked this fall. According to Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor, barring any unforeseen event such as flooding or accessibility issues, fall stocking of the East Branch is planned.
Happy 50th Birthday to the American Museum of Fly Fishing

The AMFF, which is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of fly fishing was established in 1968 in Manchester, Vermont, by a group of passionate and enthusiastic anglers who believed that the history of angling was an important part of American culture and tradition. The Museum was created to serve as an institution to research, preserve, and interpret the treasures of angling history.

Today, the Museum serves as a repository for and conservator to the world’s largest collection of angling and angling-related items, numbering in the thousands. Its collections and exhibits thoroughly document the evolution of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the United States and abroad, dating as far back as the sixteenth century. Rods, reels, flies, tackle, art, photographs, manuscripts, and books (including its 7,000 volume Gardner L. Grant Library) form the Museum’s permanent collection.

The museum, which is located next to Orvis in Manchester, VT is one of my favorite places to visit. I always look forward to receiving their quarterly journal, entitled The American Fly Fisher which is provided to its members. Check them out on www.amff.org.