Category Archives: Deer Hunting

Getting kids to write- a real challenge

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Some high school principals and teachers are struggling to get kids to write – kids for whom reading and writing is of little interest; but outdoor skills are. For those kids who would rather be outdoors tramping through the woods than writing, The New England Outdoor Writer Association (NEOWA) may have the answer.

NEOWA is offering young people in our region the chance to be recognized for their writing in its Youth Outdoor Writing Contest. According to Ellie Horwitz, NEOWA Secretary, the contest was held for the first time in 2013 and was very successful in motivating students to learn, explore, and write about the many aspects of the great outdoors. The two young women who won last year’s contest are described by their teachers as having “blossomed” in both their confidence and continued motivation to write. Plus, it was found that the contest was a perfect opportunity for teachers and parents to connect with young people about the wonders and benefits of the outdoors.

Here are the particulars:
1. The contest is open to schools in New England and student entries must be submitted by school personnel. Individual students wishing to participate in the contest should contact a teacher or principal within their school in order to enter the contest.

2. Submissions from students in grades 6-8 will be entered in the Junior Division; grades 9-12 will be entered in the Senior Division. Junior and Senior State Level winners will each receive $125, and two New England-wide winners from the Junior and Senior levels will each receive an additional $150.

3. The written entries must be an outdoor-oriented topic and can include: hunting, fishing, boating, archery, shooting, field trials, sporting dogs, camping, woodcraft, skin diving, scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife watching, natural history, conservation, ecology, and similar activities that add to the knowledge and enjoyment of nature and natural resources.

4. The written work should not exceed 500 words.

5. Teachers may have students write specifically for the contest or may use work submitted by the student as part of an assignment within the normal curriculum.

6. Teachers, principals, or other school administrators are encouraged to conduct a school-wide contest in order to gather entries for the NEOWA contest. School personnel may create a committee to assist with the judging within their school. Each school may select one school winner from each division—one from the Junior and one from the Senior division—to submit to the NEOWA state chairperson. Each school can acknowledge their own school winners at an award assembly or other recognition program.

The deadline for contest entries is February 15, 2014. Entries must be submitted in digital format via email to their NEOWA state chairperson. In Massachusetts, the chairman is Mike Roche at mikeroche3@msn.com. Additional information can also be found on NEOWA’s Web Site: http://www.neowa.org/youthwritingcontest.html. Also, outdoor writer Dave Willette of North Adams and I are both members of NEOWA and will be happy to assist in any way we can.

NEOWA is made up of dedicated outdoor writers concerned about natural resources, conservation and our outdoor heritage. It is the oldest regional outdoor writers organization in America and is a nonprofit, professional and educational organization.

Incidentally, local outdoorsmen and women may recall Horwitz. Before retiring from MassWildlife she was Chief of Information and Education and ran the Becoming an Outdoorswoman (BOW) program here in the Berkshires for many years. *****
The 2014 hunting, sporting, fishing, and trapping licenses should be available for sale at all license vendor locations, MassWildlife District offices, the West Boylston Field Headquarters, and on the internet at MassFishHunt.org. Anyone 15 or older needs a license in order to fish in freshwater or to hunt. Be careful, it is possible to purchase either a 2013 or a 2014 license this December. Be sure to select the correct year when buying a license. Minors 15-17 years of age may not purchase hunting or sporting licensees online, and must have certain documentation in their possession when making their license purchase at a MassWildlife District office or other license vendor location. Freshwater fishing licenses for minors ages 15-17 years of age are free and can be obtained online .*****
Dave’s Sporting Goods in Pittsfield is having its Coyote Derby again this year. It will run until the end of coyote hunting season which is March 8, 2014. Entrance fee is $10 and prizes will be awarded to the person who bags the most coyotes, the largest coyote and there will also be a random draw.

It is legal to hunt coyotes during the shotgun deer hunting season but special regulations apply while hunting them during that season: hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end ½ hour after sunset, manual or electronic calls and dogs are prohibited, rifles and handguns are prohibited, shotguns and muzzleloaders are permitted and hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest and back. Check the abstracts for more information. *****
MassWildlife reminds us that during the shotgun deer hunting season, Dec 2-14, deer hunters must bring their tagged deer to a check station within 48 hours of harvest. Hunters cannot check deer online during this time period. The information collected at the check stations provides valuable and needed information for the deer management program. Hunters trying to check a deer online will see a message that says “Sorry, there are no Harvest Reports available to you in this category.” As in past years, deer must be brought to a check station before processing it for the freezer or taxidermy. For a list of deer check stations, go to http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/hunting-fishing-wildlife-watching/hunting/checkstation-map.html.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413)637-1818.

Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrow

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Here we go again. Tomorrow marks another opening day of shotgun deer hunting season which automatically brings another sleepless night tonight. Some of us have been doing this for a long time. I wonder if the senior deer hunters ever think back to the 1950’s/1960’s and the many changes which have occurred since.

Do they think of their school days when teachers didn’t expect to see us on opening day and just looked the other way? It was expected that we would play hooky and go deer hunting. They were the first to ask the following day if anyone got a deer. Some students did and they were pretty popular on the school grounds for a while. It was a different mindset in those days and hunters were not viewed in the same light as today.

Back then, deer season lasted only one week, beginning the first Monday in December. There was no special bow/primitive arms season. We just took the bare necessities into the woods with us….gun, bullets, thermos, a sandwich, a drag rope, a knife and a compass. Not like today where we need a backpack to carry all of the extra stuff …hot seat, GPS, cell phone, binoculars, first aid kit, hand warmers, extra clothes, etc.

Our guns were smoothbore shotguns. The rifled barrel shotguns such as the Ithica Deerslayer didn’t come into being until sometime later. Because we traveled light and had to warm up our feet, we moved around a lot more and not just sitting on a deer stand and freezing. I remember those deer weeks as usually being cold with snow on the ground. Because of the short season, we hunted regardless of weather. Today’s deer hunting season, which includes separate bow and primitive firearms seasons, begins in mid October and lasts until New Year’s Eve, so if there is inclement weather, one could always go another time. Back then hunters could shoot only one deer, buck or doe, no such thing as an antlerless permit.

Hunters had to wear some red clothing, stuff like the black and red checkered Woolrich clothes or plain red suits with hoods. (Hunter orange regulations didn’t go into effect until1962). These days, I am dressed from head to foot in hunter orange, even my gloves, backpack and suspenders. The coats had pouches in them to carry lunch and thermos. Instead of insulated underwear like we have today, we wore red long johns. We didn’t want to show anything white for obvious reasons (after all, we were hunting WHITEtail deer) and didn’t want a jumpy hunter mistaking us for a deer.

We did have hand warmers and the most popular was the Jon-e. You filled it up with lighter fluid, lit it and you were good for the day, provided it worked properly. Your chances were 50/50 that it would either go out too soon or get too hot and burn you through your pocket. Between the lighter fluid smell and the fact that most of us smoked, it is a wonder that any of us got a deer. But we did.

On the Sunday before opening day, we would put tire chains on so that we could get up into the mountains. (Does anyone use chains anymore?) Those were the days before everyone had a SUV or a 4WD truck. The few motels were always filled with visiting hunters and the diners opened early to accommodate them. It was claimed that visiting hunters added $1,000,000 to our local economy each year. Some of them owned deer camps and had good old times there during deer week. Others brought campers and set up in pull-offs in our forests. The State put a stop to this, at least in the state forests. The hunters didn’t bother anybody, and I believe the discontinuance led to some hunters ceasing to hunt in the Berkshires any more. Too bad for we local hunters needed these guys from Boston and elsewhere to roam around, get lost and make noise. It got the deer moving, often times toward us.

There was no need to worry about deer ticks if we sat down on a log or leaned against a tree. They just weren’t around, nor were coyotes and bears. The days are gone when we could shoot a deer late in the day and go back to retrieve it the next morning. Chances are good that these predators will feast on it during the night.

It seems there were fewer deer around here back then and one was lucky indeed to bag one. It was such a big accomplishment that every day, Berkshire Evening Eagle reporter Ted Giddings would list the names of all the lucky hunters along with the weight of the deer, its sex and town in which it was taken. Sportsmen really loved Ted for taking the time to do this. It must have been a lot of work.

I clearly remember my oldest brother Joe and I driving around the neighborhoods looking for deer hanging from backyard trees. Hunters would hang them there for a few days to tenderize the meat, and possibly show them off. We knew who the good hunters were and would be sure to drive by their homes checking. Can you imagine doing that now? Besides getting a wave of complaints from the neighbors, the coyotes or bear would devour them. Also, with the wild temperature swings these days, I would be afraid that the meat would spoil.

Yes, those days are gone but not forgotten. Some of us will be thinking about them while out on our cold deer stands tomorrow.

Here’s hoping you deer hunters have a safe and enjoyable season. If you bag one, all the better.

Become a Berkshire Wildlife Tracker

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Become a Berkshire Wildlife Tracker

We are invited to attend a presentation by acclaimed presenter and wildlife tracker, Susan Morse, to learn more about how climate change is affecting wildlife in the far north. It will be held on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 PM in the Paterson Field House at Berkshire Community College, 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA. Tickets are $5.00 at the door – students with ID free. There will also be an opportunity to sign up to become a Berkshire Wildlife Tracker.

Susan Morse of Keeping Track® will present: Animals of the North: What Will Global Climate Change Mean for Them? Canada lynx, moose, American marten, caribou, polar bears, arctic fox and arctic marine and waterfowl ecology are some of the species and subjects covered in this show.

According to Jane Winn of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), this program is not about climate change itself, or even how it will affect us; rather, it is designed to inform audiences about ways in which northern wildlife species are already being affected – and the serious challenges they will face in the future. Attendees will not be overwhelmed with bad news. Instead, this program will devote equal time sharing remarkable images of animals and their northern habitats—all in the spirit of Jane Goodall’s “reason for hope.” The intent is to inspire young and old alike, to join in the vital crusade to change our fossil fuel-burning ways, conserve natural resources, and share a healthy planet with all that lives.

After the presentation, BEAT is offering the opportunity for people who want to get out doors, have fun, and work hard to protect our wildlands by joining the Berkshire Wildlife Trackers program. Participants sign on for six full-day training workshops in the field plus two classroom sessions spread over one year.

During the training, the following issues are addressed: detection and interpretation of tracks and sign of agreed upon focal species for your region (bear, moose, bobcat, fisher, mink, and otter), conservation biology as it relates to data collection and resulting land protection, forest ecology and plant identification as they relate to mammal uses of habitat, ‘search imaging’ – Sue Morse’s technique for predictably looking in the right places and finding sign, and an introduction to science-based field studies. The Keeping Track Project and Data Management Protocol is distributed to all trackers, to serve as the manual for developing a monitoring program and provide standards for data collection.

“By engaging people in monitoring their local wildlife, Morse turns the notoriously abstract issues of biodiversity and habitat fragmentation into an earthy, firsthand relationship with wild animals on their home turf” says Audubon magazine.

The presentation is sponsored by Berkshire Community College Green Team, MCLA Department of Environmental Studies, Bard College at Simon’s Rock Sustainability Studies, BEAT, Berkshire Wildlife Trackers, Project Native, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, Housatonic Valley Association, The Nature Conservancy, The Trustees of Reservations, Green Berkshires, Greenagers, the Climate Reality Project, and the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen.

A physician friend joined this program the last time Morse came to town and he is absolutely having a ball tracking, filming, etc. For the last couple of years he has been emailing me some remarkable pictures of the wild critters that share the Berkshires with us. Many thanks, Doc.

For more information contact Jane Winn at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) at jane@thebeatnews.org, or phone 413-230-7321.*****

Hunting season is upon us and it may be a good time to refresh our memories on some statutes. Any landowner permitting use of his or her property for recreation without charging a fee is not liable for injuries to recreational users of the property except in cases of willful, wanton or reckless conduct by the owner. (MGL28, Section 17C).

Hunter harassment is against the state law. Remember, you paid for a legal permit to hunt; it is called a hunting license. Report violations to the MA Environmental Police (800)632-8075 or to state or local police. Be prepared to provide a description of violators and/or a description and license plate number of the vehicle. (If you have an I-phone and can safely do so, take a picture).

The archery deer hunting season ends this Saturday; however, if you insist on getting your deer with a bow, you can still do so during the shotgun season which opens on December 2. Sorry I can’t give an update on how the archery season is going. With the new on-line reporting system, such figures are not available. Guess we will have to wait until DFW releases them.

I should be able to get interim figures during the two week shotgun deer season. That is because shotgun deer hunters must check their deer in at an official check station for biological data collection and not on-line. A list of those stations and operating hours can be found on the MassWildlife web site. You will see that many check stations have different hours for the first week of shotgun deer season. Some have additional hours, whereas others are asked to not check deer so that deer can be funneled to nearby check stations to increase biological data collection. Special checking hours for the first week of shotgun season are listed on the website..

Also ending this Saturday are the pheasant and grouse hunting seasons. *****

Another reminder, you only have until December 6 to comment on the proposed new DCR regulations which determine what the public can/cannot do while visiting their parks and recreational facilities. If you do not like the proposals, don’t complain to your fellow sportsmen or to the DFW. You must contact Laura Dietz, DCR, 251 Causeway St., Suite 600 Boston, MA or email : regs.comments@state.ma.us. If you choose to do nothing, then don’t complain later.

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

PCB’s remain in Hoosic River, but it is in good health overall

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The Hoosic River Watershed Association’s (HOORWA) annual State of the River Conference which was held recently was quite interesting. There was a presentation addressing the current status of the river with regard to the PCB contamination levels. Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman and students from Williams College, MCLA and Bennington College reported on the results of their studies of PCB levels in crayfish taken from various sites in the river and feeder streams.
“Ground Zero”, the site near where the Sprague plant was located had levels from 8 to 15 ppm (parts per million). The EPA sets the maximum safe level as 2 ppm. This sounds bad until one considers that before remediation, the levels there were as high as 1,000 ppm. The research shows the PCB levels are not decreasing, but remain stable. The crayfish collected farther downstream appeared to fall within the safe level.

Although PCBs normally sink to the bottom of water and stick to tiny grains of dirt, some did move downstream, presumably with the sediment which got washed downstream. Crawfish eat organisms that live in the sediments which eat and break down the detritus. They are ideal for analysis because they live on the river bottom and don’t travel far. They contain high amounts of fat in their tails which store nutrients as well as contaminants, said Williams sophomore Austin Paul.
They would like to expand their studies to include critters higher up in the food chain, such as trout. They eat lots of crayfish and the concentration levels of PCB’s in their body fat should be higher. They need help in obtaining these sample fish and are calling out to local fishermen. (Now there’s an excuse for getting out of yard work ………must go fishing to help the scientific community….we have an obligation to help out.)

Incidentally, HOORWA is doing a lot of good things on the Hoosic River these days. Executive Director Stephen McMahon reported that thanks to a remediation settlement, they are one of the beneficiaries of funds which will allow them to fund river monitoring programs for the next two or three years. These funds are dedicated to maintaining the quality of the Hoosic River from Cheshire Reservoir through North Adams.

They have been working with the Green Mountain National Forest staff to take temperature readings of streams (some in Pownal, VT) that are tributaries to the north branch of the Hoosic River. They have had successful river clean-ups. They have been working with the Bennington Conservation district and the village of North Bennington VT to remove a dam/bridge which created a dangerous scouring pool. They have been working with the town of Bennington, VT trying to conserve a piece of land, where the South Stream and Jewett Fork come together to form the headwaters of the Walloomsac River. They have also had successful Riverfest events.
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In 2014 they plan to work on removing dams, especially those that are classified as significant threats, to increase fish passages. They plan to sustain the river monitoring program, and this data will determine whether there are certain streams in MA and VT that must be protected for fish habitat and to evaluate the aspects of rising temperatures due to climate change. *****

Conservation-minded citizens are invited to attend an event being offered to share information about resources for managing and protecting private land for wildlife. Staff from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW), Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry, and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to discuss some options. Topics will include the New England Cottontail Initiative, the benefits of woodland management, options for protecting private land, programs that offer financial assistance and opportunities for private landowners or land managers to become engaged in conservation efforts. The habitat tour will take place rain or shine. The dates are as follows:
Wednesday, November 20, Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM habitat management tour, from 5:00 to 6:00 presentation, and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house. Staff will be available for questions
Friday, November 22, Monterey United Church of Christ, Tyringham Rd. and Rt. 23, Monterey, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM presentation and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house – Staff available.
For more information, contact Marianne Piché, DFW Habitat Lands Biologist, at 508-389-6313 or email, marianne.piche@state.ma.us. *****
This year there were 5 participants in the Northern Berkshires paraplegic deer hunt, of which David Alderman of Petersburgh, NY got a button buck. There were 8 hunters in the Southern Berkshire hunt, of which Brigette Buzalsky of Lawrence, MA got a button buck on Thursday. ( I believe this was Brigette’s fifth buck bagged in paraplegic hunts). Sidney Eichstedt of Lee got a 130 lb buck also on Thursday. Elsewhere, 2 deer (one buck, one doe) were taken at the Quabbin site, and 1 doe was taken at the Devens site. *****

Paddy Sullivan, son of JoAnn and Shawn Sullivan of Lee and a 14 year old Freshman at Lee Middle School, is a member of the Lee Sportsmens’ Association and Holyoke Revolver Steel team. The team has won two recent Steel Challenge matches. The first match, held on October 5, was the Maine Scholastic Pistol Program Challenge held at Camp Hinds in Raymond, ME resulted in a gold medal in the Rimfire Senior division. The second match, held on November 2, was a Scholastic Steel Collegiate match, held at the Pioneer Sportsmen’s Club in Dunbarton, NH resulted in a first place win in the Center Fire Junior/Senior Division, and a first place win in the Rim Fire Junior/Senior division. Congratulations to Paddy who, according to his parents, was the top shooter in both matches. *****

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

Archery deer, fall turkey hunting seasons open tomorrow

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

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

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

Do coyotes significantly affect our deer herd?

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In last week’s column, I reported that David Stainbrook, Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director of the Deer and Moose Project and Dr. Robert Deblinger, Deputy Director of DFW gave a presentation at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association dealing with the deer herd in Massachusetts. This column will address what they had to say regarding the predation of the deer herd.

According to studies, 30 – 50% of the fawns die each year from various causes (diseases, predators, vehicles, not genetically fit, etc). It is estimated that 20 – 35% are killed by predators (bobcats, bears, coyotes, etc) and is the main cause of fawn mortality. It is estimated that coyotes take about 25% of all fawns born. They are most successful with 2 to 3 week old fawns because they become of age when they get a little bit of scent. After that, it is not really worth it for the coyotes to try to run them down.

Yet, the deer population continues to grow because the doe’s survival is so high that it continues to produce fawns every year. Stainbrook said that Massachusetts’ numbers are quite normal.
DFW does not believe predators have a significant population level effect, otherwise, they would see it in their harvest indicator figures. The population would be coming down, but they haven’t seen that. If they did, Stainbrook said they would manage it.

In the northeast there is a narrow window for birthing. The rut needs to happen in a narrow window so that birthing occurs in a narrow window. This is good for the deer populations because it basically overloads the predators and they cannot catch them all. While they are eating some fawns the others mature to the point where they can escape. After about 6 to 8 weeks, fawn predation significantly drops. If there is a late birth, the fawns are less fit and less likely to survive the winter. If a fawn is born early, she could breed in her first year and she may not know where to go for the best cover, etc.

According to Deblinger, we cannot control our coyote population. All around us other states have year round seasons and they are not controlling their populations either. The more you shoot, the more you get. When there are really high coyote populations, the litter rates are very low. That’s because when coyote densities get high, the females have smaller litters. When the densities are low, the litters get as high as 10 or 11 young. He said that there is not a state in the country that manages its coyote populations; not by hunting or any other predator control method.

The studies indicated that black bear do not really target fawns but rather opportunistically take them. They are most successful with really young fawns, within a week or two because they can outrun and catch them.

Other bits of information: The typical range of bucks in areas like western Mass is around 3 square miles, does somewhat less. In the eastern part of the state, the area is smaller, typically 1 mile. During the rut, they will travel a little further. The 1 to 1 ½ old bucks experience dispersal so that they don’t breed their own relatives.

Deblinger stated that the deer density goals in our area (15 – 18 per square mile) are the highest in the state.

Statistics show that only one in ten hunters who receive an antlerless permit actually is successful in bagging a doe.

No Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in our deer. In addition to NY, it has now been discovered in PA. All deer meat entering MA from other states which have CWD must be de-boned.

It was an excellent presentation and unfortunately space does not permit mentioning other information that was provided. After the presentation, there was a lively Q&A session. There were several experienced hunters that insisted that there are not the numbers of deer in Zones 1 -3 as there used to be. In the 1980’s and 1990’s they saw a lot more deer and they had videos to prove it. The deer are just not out there, they claim. That’s their opinion and they are sticking with it, regardless of the models, studies or statistics. *****.

Incidentally, there are more antlerless deer permits available in Wildlife Management Zones 10, 11, 13 and 14. Once on sale, the permits will remain available until sold out in each Zone. To avoid the confusion experienced last year, the sales will be staggered as follows: Zone 11 permits go on sale Tuesday, October 1, Zone 10 – Wednesday October 2 and Zones 13 and 14 Thursday, October 3. Sales begin at 8:00 AM and can be purchased on line or from any DFW District Headquarters. *****

Since 1972, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has offered the opportunity for paraplegic sportsmen and sportswomen to hunt deer in several locations across the state during a special three-day season. This year’s hunt dates are October 31 – November 2, 2013. Locations will include Devens (Harvard/Lancaster), Quabbin Reservation (Belchertown), two properties in northern and southern Berkshire County, and Otis/Edwards Military Reservation (Falmouth). Licensed paraplegic hunters who have an interest in participating in this hunt should contact Trina Moruzzi at (508) 389-6318 or email Trina.Moruzzi@state.ma.us for more detail. *****

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club, Cheshire Rod and Gun and perhaps other local clubs have started their Sunday turkey shoots which will probably run until the week before Thanksgiving. Check with your favorite club for details.

Next Saturday and Sunday the Berkshire Beagle Club will be having its Small Pack Option field trials. If you want to hear some good beagles working, you might want to stop by. They have a decent raffle going on, too.

Status of Massachusetts deer herd discussed

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Recently, David Stainbrook, Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director of the Deer and Moose Project and Dr. Robert Deblinger, Deputy Director of DFW gave a presentation at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association dealing with the deer herd in Massachusetts. Deblinger introduced Stainbrook as an “incredible scientist” who is a population dynamics modeler. This truly is rocket science, he said, and asked Stainbrook to explain it to the attendees. “I am really proud of the Massachusetts deer management program”, said Deblinger.
Stainbrook discussed the surveys which were sent out to some 32,304 hunters with e-mail addresses. Close to 9,000 deer hunters responded The survey sought information such as: town in which hunter live and hunted, the hunter’s age, how many hours spent hunting, how many deer seen in each zone, and other information. (Interestingly, about 10% of hunting license buyers do not hunt.) Deer sighting rates from these surveys were then compared to the deer density estimates which were based on deer harvest numbers
Broken down by season, about 53 hours were spent per hunter in archery, 38 in shotgun, and 30 in primitive arms. So an average hunter that hunted all three seasons would spend over 100 hours hunting (if the survey responses were representative).

In zones 1-3, deer sighting rates were higher than in zones 4N and 5, which were the lowest in the state. But one also has to consider differences in hunter density across the state. In the east, there are a lot more hunters per unit of huntable land and high deer densities because of access issues, so obviously deer sightings per hour hunted are higher than in western and central MA.

The model evaluates the range of effort. In areas like zone 7, there are more hunters per square mile so they expect more effort, vs zone 4N or 2 where there are fewer hunters per square mile. This range of effort affects harvest/success rates and therefore total harvest. Don’t be swayed by deer harvest numbers. For example, a reduction in the numbers of antlerless permits should cause a decrease in the overall deer harvest. That just makes sense.

The key indicator to watch is the trend in the number of adult bucks harvested (as long as hunter effort remains constant). They are not affected by the antlerless permits. In Zones 1 and 3, the goal is to have 15-18 deer per square mile and they are slightly on the lower end of that goal. MassWildlife is being conservative with the antlerless permits and they are trying to get the Western District numbers up gradually. The last thing they want to do is to raise the permits this year, lower them next year, etc., which is not good for the herd.
To make a long story short they are quite pleased with the make-up of the deer herd in Massachusetts. They have a good mix in terms of age categories. They have a good sampling and harvest system that supports their claim.
What can we hunters do to raise our deer density at a local scale? Improve the local habitat to be able to support more wildlife, including deer. Having only older aged forests are not necessarily good. A mixture of age classes with new, young forests do wonders for deer, in terms of year round food and cover. Selective cuttings are needed to get some light onto the ground.

We can also participate in the annual survey, the more information from hunters, the better they can manage the herd.
Their presentation was excellent. I went into the meeting with preconceived notions about our local deer herd, but when I saw the thoroughness of the information, studies, models and the “rocket science” being applied, I shut up and listened.
They also discussed deer predation which I hope to cover in next week’s column. *****
Thursday evening, local fishing guide Rex Channel from Allure Outfitters will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire. His presentation will be about fishing in Alaska on a budget. On his website, (http://www.allure-outfitters.net/index.html), Channel states that he has over 30 years of flyfishing experience. His presentation follows the social hour which runs from 5PM – 6PM. The event is free and open to the public. For those wishing to purchase a dinner, it begins at 7PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413)684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net. *****
The public is encouraged to attend a site walk at the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area in West Stockbridge this Tuesday at 10:00 AM. MassWildlife biologists will discuss and answer questions about planned management activities designed to enhance wildlife habitat as well as the recreational opportunities that arise from this work. Meet on Maple Hill Road (off of Rte 102) at the top of the hill. Look for signs. *****

Also this Tuesday, at 1:00 PM, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be meeting at the Western District Office on 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton. Following that, a Public Hearing will be held at the same location at 3:00PM to establish and amend rules and regulations relative to the Artificial Propagation of Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians; the Exemption List; and the List of Domestic Animals. Call (508) 389-6300 for more information. *****
Twenty six anglers participated in the 26th annual crappie derby which was held by the Onota Fishing Club recently. The results are as follows: Carlos Shacar and Chris Porter took 1st place, Billy and Shane Rodgers took 2nd and Team Casavant took 3rd. The largest crappie was caught by Chris Porter weighing 2.25 lbs. (Qualifies for a State bronze pin). *****

Western District antlerless deer permits down 375 from last year

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Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations and Chances of Winning

2013 Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations and Applications by Wildlife Management Zone
WMZ Allocation Change in Allocation #Applicants Chance of Winning
1 400 -50 1,173 34%
2 175 -25 1,478 12%
3 1,100 -150 2,294 48%
4N 375 -25 2,114 18%
4S 275 -25 1,647 17%
5 1,250 -100 3,451 36%
6 450 0 946 48%
7 2,250 0 3,404 66%
8 2,800 0 4,374 64%
9 4,100 0 4,589 89%
10 11,000 1,200 3,769 100%
11 10,500 700 6,653 100%
12 650 75 1,358 48%
13 2,700 0 119 100%
14 2,700 0 77 100%
TOTAL 40,725 1,600 37,446

“Change in Allocation” is the difference in the number of available permits from the previous year’s allocations. “Chance of winning” is calculated allocation/# of applicants

By now, most deer hunters know if they won an antlerless deer permit and more than a few of them are disappointed that they didn’t get one. Such permits have been dropping steadily over the last few years. For example some 9,550 permits were issued in the Western District in 2004, 4,400 in 2008 and this year, the figure stands at 2,325. Some hunters who rely on venison as a supplement to their food diet are quite upset saying: Great, more deer meat for the coyotes and bears and less for human consumption.

According to David Satinbrook, MassWildlife Director of Deer & Moose Project, “Deer densities in the western zones are currently below or on the lower end of our goals. Female deer are the reproductive segment of the population, so we manage deer numbers through regulated female harvest using antlerless deer permits. We have been giving out a low number of antlerless permits in those zones to allow the deer population to rise. Trends have been on the rise over recent years, but appeared to be just very slowly increasing, so we dropped permits conservatively to make sure the trends in density are still going in the right direction toward our goals.”

I suggested that they could get the deer populations up where they should be quicker by extending the coyote hunting season and allowing the bear hunters to take more than one bear a season. I am no expert but I believe these predators are the main reason for the sharp drop in our deer population, and not hunting pressure.

Satinbrook disagrees. While these predators do take a lot of fawns in the summer months, he feels that the deer herd is in good shape and the harvest figures do not indicate that it is in serious trouble by predation. He feels that the main limiting factor is the habitat and not the predators. Nature does not allow for more animals than the land can support.

Valid point, and he certainly knows more about this subject than I. *****

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is hosting a Western Massachusetts Deer Camp on Saturday, September 21 at its club on Route 102, Stockbridge. Doors open at 5 PM, buffet dinner at 6:30 PM. There will be some awesome hunting, fishing and vacation packages in the raffle. They claim that 1 in 10 people will win a firearm. Tickets cost from $40 for an individual up to $250 for sponsors. Ticket deadline is Sept. 13 but if you purchase before Sept 1, you are entered for an early bird drawing. For information, contact Bill Bailey at (413)244-2304.*****

Twelve Massachusetts sportsmen’s clubs were recognized by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) at the July meeting of the Mass. Fish & Wildlife Board. They were cited for their efforts in running the Youth Turkey Hunt program, teaching them how to safely hunt turkeys, getting youth mentors and actually taking the kids out on the hunts. They each received plaques from the NWTF and hearty thanks from the Board. Four of the clubs are in Berkshire County: Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, Lee Sportsmen’s Association, East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club and Cheshire Rod & Gun Club. The Board also received a plaque of appreciation from the NWTF for its support of the Youth Turkey Hunt Program since it began 5 years ago..

Fish Hatcheries are good neighbors

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National fish hatcheries in the northeast region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) help raise fish for large-scale aquatic restoration. They also help raise awareness of fish through local fishing derbies and events.
For example, Mickey Novak, Hatchery Manager for the Richard Cronin National Salmon Station, hosts several fishing events for veterans at his facility in Sunderland, Massachusetts. A veteran of the Vietnam war, Novak and a team of volunteers, many of them veterans themselves, help those who have served our country spend an enjoyable day angling. “It’s vets helping vets,” says Novak.
Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, located in Hartsville, annually co-hosts six fishing events for kids April through September with the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation friends group. The Foundation also has a longstanding summertime program where any child 14 and under accompanied by an adult can check in at the office, receive a pass and fish the hatchery’s stocked lower pond.
Berkshire also provided fish for 21 public fishing events throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut in 2013, including a fishing day at the USFWS Northeast Regional Office in Hadley, Massachusetts. “Over 7,000 brook trout and rainbow trout were provided for public fishing events so far in 2013,” said Hatchery Manager Henry Bouchard. In addition, 2,500 surplus brook trout were donated to Massachusetts public fishing waters last fall. These fish were released into the Green, Williams and Konkapot Rivers and Lakes Garfield and Buel.”
Incidentally, next Saturday, the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation will be holding a fishing derby in conjunction with Monterey Days. The derby, which is for kids under the age of 15, will be held from 9AM to 10:30 AM. Parents are asked to call ahead to ensure that there is room for their young anglers.
Finally, on Sunday, August 25, the Foundation will hold its 11th annual Lobsterfest celebration. The four course Maine Lobster dinner, which includes one free drink, costs $65 pp and can be purchased from Foundation President George Emmons (413-528-5985). There will be raffle prizes. According to Emmons, keyboard music and lyrics, provided by Mark Caldwell, will “orchestrate a mountainside melody in tempo with the flow of the 300 gallons a minute gravity fed water supply through the covered pools nearby. The hatchery fish may appear to be dancing in the afternoon current of renewal by the swing and sway of their tails.” *****
Deer hunters, have you checked to see if you won an antlerless permit yet? Beginning August 1, and continuing through the end of the calendar year, antlerless deer permit applicants must return to the MassFishHunt website from a computer, any authorized license agent location, or any MassWildlife Office to try to win their antlerless deer permit in the zone for which they previously applied.
Enter your last name and Customer ID number. A page with your personal information will appear. Click on the blue “Enter Sales” button at the bottom right of your screen. Click on “Hunting Permits and Stamps” in the menu at the left side of your screen. Click on “Antlerless Deer permit” and you will see the zone for which you originally applied. Click on the “add” button next to your zone and you will instantly receive a message that informs you if you have won your permit or not. Winning permits will be placed in your shopping cart where you can pay the $5.00 permit fee immediately and print the permit, or leave the winning permit in the shopping cart where it will remain until payment is made or until the permit expires at the end of 2013. ****
The East Mountain Sportsman’s Club in Williamstown will be holding a Basic Hunting Education Course on Monday Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 PM, Saturday Sept. 14 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Sunday , Sept 15 from 9AM to 4 PM. Students must attend all sessions as part of the requirement for passing the course. To enroll, call (978)772-0693. *****

The Onota Fishing Club will be holding its 26th annual crappie derby from 6 AM to noon next Sunday on Onota Lake, Pittsfield. Entry fee is $25pp; 2 person teams. Prizes will be awarded for most crappies per team, heaviest crappie and most pan fish by weight. All fish must be at least 8 inches and weighed in by 1 PM at PortSmitt’s Lakeway Restaurant, Pecks Road. There will be an all-you-can-eat venison and fish fry to follow, $10 fee for non participants. Sign up at PortSmitt’s or call Chris Porter at 413-496-0105. *****

Brad Klose, from Dalton has designed and patented a fishing lure which he calls the Turbo Weedless Spinner. He claims that his inspiration and research ground is Cheshire Reservoir middle lake, an extremely difficult place for anglers due to the dense weed cover. The lure is best fished from a kayak or canoe where one can enjoy the challenge that this lake has to offer, without clogging up your motor with weeds.

Does it work? He claims yes and it has exceeded all of his expectations. He will be available most evenings at the lake to give hands on demonstrations to anglers who want to give the lure a “spin”. No charge for the lure but anglers will need to bring their own spinning rod, ball bearing swivel, tungsten bullet weight and a kayak or canoe to really experience the ability of this lure.

He wants to keep it made in the USA and manufactured in the Berkshires, but the most challenging obstacle so far has been raising enough funds to bring the lure to market. He has started a Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/449388303/856622301?token=15f55f48.} Kickstarter is an American-based private for-profit company that provides tools to raise funds for creative projects via crowd funding through its website

Leave wildlife alone

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Each spring, MassWildlife issues an alert reminding us to leave wildlife alone. Well-meant acts of kindness tend to have the opposite result. Instead of being left to learn their place in the world, young wildlife removed from the wild are denied important natural learning experiences which help them survive on their own.

Most people quickly find that they can’t really care for young wildlife, and many of the animals soon die in the hands of well-meaning people. Young wildlife that does survive human “assistance” misses experiences that teach them to fend for themselves. If these animals are released back into the wild, their chances of survival are reduced. Often, the care given to young wildlife results in some attachment to humans and the animals may return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or hit by cars. Some animals become nuisances and people have even been injured by once-tamed wildlife.

Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected until the doe returns. If sympathetic people repeatedly visit a fawn, it can prolong the separation from the doe and delay important feeding. Unlike deer, newborn moose calves remain in close proximity to their mothers who, in contrast to a white-tailed doe, will actively defend calves against danger. An adult cow moose weighing over 600 pounds will chase, kick, stomp potential predators, people included.

Only when young wildlife are found injured or with their dead mother may the young be assisted, but must then be delivered immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Due to the difficulty in properly caring for them there are no rehabilitators licensed to care of fawns. It is illegal to possess most wildlife in Massachusetts.

Message poorly timed you say, for we are past the spring fawning season. Please let me relate asituation that has recently come to light. It is a true Berkshire story but I have been asked to keep the names and locations anonymous. Let us call the person Parker who lives in Ripton.

Parker was recently visited by a year old spike horned buck which walked up to him in his driveway. He appeared tame and let Parker scratch his head and neck. He picked up a handful of grass and the deer ate right out of his hands. He later followed him right into his garage. He has no fear of humans whatsoever and is hanging around his property, frequently laying down on his lawn. It must have been a rescued fawn from last year and has adopted a close attachment with humans. In any event, Parker enjoyed the visits from this deer and grew fond of it himself.

Things were fine up until a few weeks ago. Parker became concerned when two game wardens (EPO’s) visited his place twice to track what is happening with the deer. They want to make sure it doesn’t turn into a public safety issue. Parker is afraid they will put it down. According to Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Manager, they are not at that stage right now, but the situation must be monitored.

Why kill it you ask? I posed the same question to the DFW folks and received the following answer. The deer is mature now and will be going into its first rut (breeding season) this fall when deer do goofy things because they are smitten with love. He could become a danger to the public, especially children, as he may attack people thinking they are rivals (or possibly lovers). He may dart out into traffic and cause an accident. It is sad, but the EPO’s must do their job and protect the public.

Personally, I hope the deer “high tails it” when he spots the EPO’s vehicle approaching. But unfortunately, it is doubted that this story will have a happy ending. If he sees a human in the woods, perhaps a deer hunter or a hiker with dogs, he may walk right up to them. The hunter may shoot him or the dogs chase him. Because he is not woods savvy, he may fall prey to coyotes, bears, etc. He may not know how to find food during our rugged winter. And don’t forget about the other wild bucks in the area who may not take too kindly to this stranger who is wooing his harem of does.

This is a sobering example of what could happen when we interfere with Mother Nature. Madden recommends that when people encounter what appears to be abandoned fawns, they should contact his office before doing anything. As far as Parker, Madden recommends that he make it uncomfortable for the deer to stay there or be near humans. *****

According to DFW’s Astrid Huseby, this spring’s youth turkey hunt was the most successful to date with 275 participants signing up statewide to hunt on the youth day. Of those youths, 82 students (30%) were successful in harvesting a turkey. Some 57 birds were reported online and 25 reported at a physical check station. A survey of the young hunters revealed:
23% had never hunted turkey before, 12% had never hunted anything before, 96% saw turkeys,
68% had an opportunity to take a shot, 72% of youth hunted during the regular season and
17% harvested a bird during the regular spring season

DFW will be celebrating the Youth Turkey Program’s 5 year anniversary at the next Fish & Game Board Meeting on July 31at the Western District Office in Dalton. The meeting will start at 1pm. The National Wild Turkey Federation has created plaques for each club to thank them for their dedication to this program. Astrid will also be giving a brief Power Point presentation to the Board about the program.