Category Archives: Deer Hunting

A look back at 2022 Woods and Waters columns

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At the end of last year, I highlighted the more informative and interesting articles that were included in this column during the year.  Because of positive comments received, I am doing the same for the year 2022.

In January we reported that seventeen women deer hunters participated in MassWildlife’s 2021 Becoming-an-Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunt Program. Nearly all the women saw deer and all participants enjoyed their hunt. Two women harvested their first deer ever.  We also mentioned a lost Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), which is native to Asia. Somehow it found its way to the Taunton River in Massachusetts.

In March there was an article about Bob Leverett “the old growth evangelist”.  He informed us that there were indeed old growth forests in Massachusetts. He developed ways for measuring and aging them and their ability to capture carbon.  His work, along with that of Dr. Anthony D’Amato (of University of Vermont), have helped to ensure the protection of 1,200 acres of old growth in the Commonwealth’s Forest Reserves.  His message is “We have a duty to protect an old-growth forest, for both its beauty and its importance to the planet”. We learned of the death of Leo M Daley who spent some 42 years with the DFW.  He had held the titles of Aquatic Biologist, Fisheries Manager, and interim District Manager. In the 30 years spent in our district, he stocked over 1.5 million trout in Western Massachusetts waters.

In March and April there were articles about hungry black bears emerging from their dens and the problems they cause by raiding our bird feeders.  In the Berkshires there are about 2,000 of them and readers were advised on how to avoid conflicts with them.  MassWildlife Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist Dave Wattles’ study showed that female bears that they study in more suburban areas are very large, with weights averaging more than 250 pounds, compared to bears in more rural, forested areas averaging closer to 150 pounds.  A second big takeaway was how close to people bears will den. They had bear dens 10 yards off the back parking lot of a fire department, under a building on piling foundations, on the edge of a backyard, and in the middle of a construction yard. These bears had plenty of options to den in more remote locations but chose not to, indicating bears are finding supplemental food sources in suburban areas, such as unsecured garbage, bird feeders, and open compost. Biologists warn that human food sources are harmful to bears’ natural diets and put communities at added risk of unwanted conflicts.

picture taken and provided by Gene Chague. Bears heading for Gene’s deck.

In April we learned about the numbers and types of wildlife violations that our Massachusetts Environmental Police are dealing with.  A pitch was made for Massachusetts to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a network that seeks to reduce wildlife poaching through information sharing across state lines and reciprocal recognition of license suspensions and revocations for fishing, hunting, and trapping. The legislation, co-sponsored by Berkshire State Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Paul Mark, would update the Commonwealth’s outdated penalties for illegal hunting, some of which have not been updated in a century and currently amount to little more than a slap on the hand.  The bill passed later this year.

In April we reported that the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in wild birds in multiple locations in Massachusetts. Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a common influenza strain that can spread from birds to humans through saliva, naval secretion and feces. The avian flu is not common among humans, but is very contagious among birds.  We reported the Preliminary 2021 deer harvest figures verses last year figures:

  • Youth Deer/Paraplegic Hunt Days: 86 vs 131 last year
  • Archery Season: 5,894 vs 6655 last year
  • Shotgun Season: 5,008 vs 5138 last year
  • Primitive Firearms Season: 2,375 vs 2842 last year

 

Although Western Zone harvests were not mentioned, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden said that they were consistent with 2020 (which was a record year).

In May, 5 individuals received Silvio O. Conte sportsmen awards:  The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, received the Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously; Meredyth Babcock of Becket received the Outstanding Achievement Award; Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield received the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award; Donald E. Girard of Adams received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Gregg Armstrong, of North Adams, received the John Zuber Award.  We also reported that after 38 years of state service, Marion E. Larson retired in early March from her position as Chief of MassWildlife’s Information and Education (I&E) Section.  Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, who had been named Massachusetts Angler of the Year (Adult Catch and Keep Category) in 2016, 2020 and 2021 by MassWildlife and a frequent multi-gold pin awardee, was off to another good start this year.  He caught a large rainbow trout out of Berkshire waters which measured 24 inches long and weighed 4 lbs.

In June Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn announced that BEAT was awarded $200,000 from the Cultural Facilities Fund of the Massachusetts Cultural Council to renovate their new Environmental Leadership & Education Center.  Thirteen-year old Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield landed a carp out of Pontoosuc Lake which weighed in at 13.3 lbs. and was over 30 inches long.   While fighting it he had to cross 2 house lots, a couple of bridges and over people’s docks.

Picture provided by Middlebrook family

James McGrath, Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager, City of Pittsfield announced that the Mill Street dam was successfully removed along with over 8,000 tons of contaminated sediments.   Lee Sportsmen’s Association Higher Education Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Kelly.   The Bateman Jimmy Fund fishing derby was the greatest with over 355 people in attendance and over $10,000 raised.

In July, Joshua Christman, organizer of Carp Palooza, announced that it was a great event with 39 teams participating.   Steve Sears of Dalton was elected Acting Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board. We featured an article about a Picnic Table Boat.  It is powered by an electric motor, and if you run out of power, it has a solar panel on the top of the umbrella which recharges the battery.  The battery has a USB port into which they plug in lights, a speaker, an iPad, cooler, etc.

In August we covered the 75th anniversary of the Stockbridge Bowl Association.  Feature speaker was the old growth evangelist Bob Leverett. We covered successful flyfishing trips to Labrador and Yellowstone National Park made by local anglers.  Eight-year-old Michael (Mikey) Hubbard of Pittsfield successfully landed a 21-inch, 4.4lbs largemouth bass.

 

In September, Travis Bailey of Lee harvested a bear weighing 620 lbs. field dressed.  After it was skinned out, it measured 7 feet from nose to tail, with a space between its ears of 10 inches. Rachel Kanter of Lenox landed a monster 35-inch pike.

In October we reported that It was a good year for MassWildlife/ Department of Fish & Game land acquisitions and conservation completing 11 projects and protecting 937 acres. Great Barrington approved a new ordinance to help curb problem bears.

 

In November Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide. The Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters. Some $483,922 was awarded in state grant funds to improve wildlife habitat on 514 acres of land within the Commonwealth.

 

In December we did an article about MassWildlife’s controlled burns. National Geographic wrote an article titled, ‘This Trail May Be the Best Way to See New England’s Fall Colors”. The specific Berkshires trail mentioned was BNRC’s High Road. The town of Nahant hired sharpshooters to eliminate its coyote problem. DFW Western District Supervisor had a great article in Massachusetts Wildlife about feeding bears.

 

During the year, we reviewed three books, two by local authors. The Richmond Pond Association and the Richmond Historical Commission produced a book entitled, The Gem of Richmond:  A History of Richmond Pond. The editor was Ken Kelly, of Lenox and Richmond. Paul C. Carter of Dalton came out with a new deer hunting book entitled, More Deer Hunts, through a Tracker’s Eyes.  Author Robert (Bob) Romano came out with a wonderful book entitled River Flowers.  All were still highly recommended.

Thanks for taking the time to read the columns this past year and hopefully you’ll stay with us next year.

Happy New Year!

Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting season opens Monday

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The shotgun deer hunting and late bear hunting seasons end this weekend, but the primitive firearm deer hunting season opens on Monday, December 12. If you hunt during that hunting season with a primitive firearm, you must comply with the following information, as listed in the MA Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Regulations:

You must use shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing the firearm loads from the muzzle. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, break/hinge-action muzzleloaders, and scopes are permitted. Powder limited to black powder or black powder substitutes.

A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the cap or pan powder is removed.

All primitive firearms deer hunters must comply with the 500 square inch blaze orange requirement. A primitive firearm stamp is required.

You may also archery hunt during the primitive firearm season.  There are certain regulations which govern archery hunting, so be sure to review them on page 18 of the above-mentioned regulations. A primitive firearm stamp is required.

It is permissible to report your deer harvest online rather than an official check-in station.  Remember, it must be reported within 48 hours of harvest.

Here’s hoping the hunters have a safe, enjoyable primitive firearms hunting season and remember, keep your powder dry.

Also, for you hardy waterfowlers, late Canada goose hunting season starts on December 14 and runs until February 15, 2023. The duck hunting season in the Berkshires resumes on December 19 and runs until January 7, 2023.

Be sure to check the 2022-2023 Migratory Game Bird Regulations.

Hunters be careful out there

By now, most people have heard about the deer hunter who had gone missing and was found dead in the woods early Friday, December 2. The body of the man, who has not been identified, was found about 10 a.m., according to state police.

Chesterfield Police Chief Michael Malouin reported that the 64-year-old hunter was found deceased in an area of woods in the town of Goshen. The search began Wednesday evening when he called a friend to tell him he was lost in the woods and that he would stay put.

The search over the heavily wooded area included multiple agencies including search dogs, Chesterfield Fire Department, the Department of Fire Services, Special Operations, Massachusetts State Police, multiple sheriff departments, a drone and The Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue Team.

Laurie Loisel, Director of Communications at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, said the hunter was not from western Massachusetts, but had been staying in a rented hunting cabin in Chesterfield.

Loisel said there were no apparent injuries and no foul play is suspected, and that the office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine a cause of death. “It appears as though he was out hunting and may have lost his way,” Loisel said.

The Special Emergency Response Team for State Police located the body and an investigation into his death is ongoing.  Apparently, a ping from his cellphone was used to identify his general location.

At the time of this writing, the Medical Examiner was determining the cause of death.

Also, recently a Camillus, NY man died when he fell from a tree stand while hunting with his father in Cayuga County, authorities said.  Michael S. Rinaldo, 33, died of head injuries when he fell about 18 feet, hitting his head on the way down while hunting, according to Jomo Miller, a spokesperson for the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.

It was reported that Rinaldo was not wearing a full-body harness, a recommended safety measure when using elevated stands, according to the DEC.

Tree-stand hunters take note:  Research shows that falls from elevated stands are caused by: Incorrect placement and use of equipment,  mistakes while climbing into or out of the stand, equipment being damaged by exposure to the elements, the hunter’s lack of knowledge about the equipment or excessive wear or stress on the equipment.

Preliminary Shotgun deer hunting results

The harvest totals for the first week of shotgun deer hunting locally were not fully compiled as of Wednesday, December 27 because some deer check stations had not yet submitted their harvest figures.  However; we were able to obtain figures from those checked in at the DFW Regional Headquarters in Dalton the first week.

Some 128 deer were weighed and checked in, and some were quite large.  For example, an 8-point, 208 lbs. buck was taken in Stockbridge (Lorette); a 7-point, 180 lbs. buck was taken in Middlefield (McCarthy); a 12-point, 178 lbs. buck was taken in Lanesboro (Patriguin); an 8-point, 175 lbs. buck was taken in Sandisfield (Drumm); a 7-point, 174 lbs. buck was taken in Peru (Kirchner) and an 8-point, 170 lbs. buck was taken in Washington (Dermody).

Complete figures were not available from Southern Berkshire County, but we do know of a 10-point 205 lbs. buck that was taken in New Marlboro.

Those were field dressed certified weights. To determine the estimated live weight, multiply field dressed weight by 1.26.  For example, that above referenced 208 lbs. buck probably weighed around 262 lbs. on the hoof.

A total of 67 deer were checked in the first week at Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman mentored deer hunt 

MassWildlife’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program offers shooting skills workshops, hunting seminars, and other outdoor skills classes and activities designed for adult women. This fall, MassWildlife offered a deer hunting seminar and a mentored hunt for women who are new to deer hunting. During the seminars, students learned about the lives and habits of white-tailed deer, deer hunting regulations, equipment, and safety, and practiced new skills like shooting, scouting, and recovery. Fifteen women participated in the mentored deer hunt at the Fort Devens Military Area in Lancaster on opening day of shotgun deer season (November 28, 2022), and two women harvested deer.

Picture provided by MassWildlife

“I had an amazing time with the BOW program!” said Marilyn Patterson, BOW Program participant. “If there are any females out there that are interested in learning to hunt, I highly recommend it! Thank you to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife!”

MassWildlife is grateful for the many volunteers and mentors who make the BOW Program possible. To learn more about it and sign up to be notified of future workshops, click ontohttps://www.mass.gov/service-details/becoming-an-outdoors-woman-bow.

MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program

MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program provides an opportunity for hunters to donate and share wild game meat like venison with Massachusetts residents in need. Regulated hunting is a safe activity that brings communities together through the sharing of food, skills, and time spent outdoors with nature. A recent study by The Greater Boston Food Bank shows that nearly one-third of adults in Massachusetts are facing food insecurity, a number that has grown during the pandemic.

MassWildlife says that free range, organic venison is a lean, healthy protein with a low carbon footprint that already feeds thousands of licensed hunters and their families across Massachusetts each year. Licensed hunters play an important role in wildlife management in Massachusetts, and now successful hunters can help combat hunger and food insecurity in their communities by donating venison.

This year, there is only one approved meat processor (Haskins Custom Butchering in Hanover) accepting whole-deer donations, and packaged venison will be distributed to those in need through the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Food 4 Vets program. With the support of donors, processing and packaging costs will be covered for deer accepted into the program.

MassWildlife plans to expand donation and distribution locations in the coming years. Meat processors, food pantries, hunger relief agencies, or other organizations who want to participate in MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program in the future should contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlife’s Deer and Moose Project Leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov.

 

Anyone can help financially support MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program with a monetary donation to the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation. Your donation will help cover the processing and packaging costs for donated meat. A donation of $25 will provide about 50 servings of meat for families in need.

2023 Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Laws are now available

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Commonly called “the abstracts”, they are out and available in the usual places. The booklet has a cover picture of Daniel Chen, who was recently introduced to angling by MassWildlife staff holding a nice largemouth bass at Lake Chauncy in Westborough.

 

New regulations for 2023 are as follows:

  • Extended pheasant and quail seasons: These seasons now open on the Saturday after Columbus Day and close on December 31.  No hunting them during shotgun deer season.
  • Expanded hunting implements used on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs. Hunters can now use all legal methods to hunt game other than pheasants and quail on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs.
  • Extended hunting hours on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs for certain game. Hunters targeting game other than pheasant and quail on certain WMAs are no longer restricted to hunting from sunrise to sunset.
  • There is now a single statewide season for gray squirrel (beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day and ending on the last day of February), and for cottontails and snowshoe hares (beginning the Saturday after Columbus Day and ending the last day of February). The black-tailed jack rabbit season has been eliminated.

 

Hunters are encouraged to see each species’ page for specific season dates.

 

Also, certain resident and non-resident fishing, hunting and sporting license fees have been increased as have the pheasant/quail stamps.

 

Shotgun deer hunting harvest results

 

As of last Wednesday, hunting conditions were less than ideal.  Yes, it was fairly warm Monday and Tuesday, but then the rain moved in on Wednesday.  What deer hunters really like is a layer of snow so that they are able to find deer tracks and follow them.  I checked with DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden to see how things were going up to that date.

 

He said, “The week seems to be going well so far. We are about where we were last year at this time. Some of our stations are a little higher and some are a little lower, but overall, pretty good considering conditions are not the best.”

 

I hope to have a preliminary update after the first full week of the shotgun season in next week’s column.

 

Prescribed burns

This fall, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), conducted a prescribed burn at MassWildlife’s Karner Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Egremont and TNC’s Jug End Preserve, a public recreation area located in the towns of Egremont and Mount Washington, Massachusett. MassWildlife also conducted a prescribed burn at the Fairfield Brook WMA in Richmond, MA. Prescribed fire improves habitat conditions for many common and rare fire-adapted plants and animals found within the wetlands such as fringed gentian, slender cottongrass, American woodcock, native butterflies, and bees. The prescribed fires occurred in late November within prescribed parameters for weather and vegetation including wind, temperature, and fuel moisture.

MassWildlife and TNC have a long history of safely conducting prescribed fires for restoration and

Fairfield Brook burn.
Picture provided by MassWildlife – Ben Massei

habitat improvement. A prescribed fire can only take place when environmental conditions are right to achieve both safety and ecological restoration goals. Egremont and Richmond fire department officials and air quality regulators at DEP were involved and notified regarding all prescribed fires. These activities were conducted by a specially trained and certified prescribed fire team. MassWildlife supervised the burns with a prescribed fire team from MassWildlife, Mass DCR Forest Fire Control, and The Nature Conservancy.

Karner Brook. Picture Karner Brook burn.
provided by MassWildlife Alex Entrup

The Karner Brook and Fairfield Brook wetlands are large and diverse wetland ecosystems composed of marsh, fen, swamp, and open water areas influenced by alkaline ground water. The targeted wetland is known as a calcareous sloping fen and is imperiled in Massachusetts and throughout its entire global range. “Disruption of local hydrologic patterns, flooding by beaver, increases in invasive plants, and discontinuance of certain land use practices such as prescribed fire, have had negative effects within this particular wetland type range wide,” reports MassWildlife’s Senior Restoration Ecologist, Chris Buelow. “Restoring periodic prescribed fire at the right time of year helps keep the fens free of invading trees and shrubs, promotes growth of specialized calcium-loving native plants, and creates habitats needed by wildlife for food, cover, breeding and rearing of young.”

“TNC is partnering with MassWildlife on a large restoration effort at Karner Brook WMA,” says Angela Sirois-Pitel, TNC’s Western Massachusetts Conservation and Restoration Manager. “Wildlife and plants don’t recognize land ownership boundaries and our combined conservation efforts are protecting a critical piece of the Berkshire’s natural and cultural heritage.”

The prescribed fire is funded in part by a grant that MassWildlife received from the EPA’s Housatonic River Natural Resources Damages Fund in 2020. The goal of this project is to restore function and integrity to a suite of calcareous fens in the Housatonic Watershed.

To learn more about:

Calcareous sloping fens in Massachusetts, go to calcareous sloping fen.

MassWildlife’s prescribed fire work, go to Prescribed fire for habitat management | Mass.gov.

TNC’s Berkshire Conservation Work, go to: Berkshire Wildlife Linkage.

Media Contacts: MassWildlife Outreach & Information, Nicole McSweeney, masswildlife.news@mass.gov.

Caren Caljouw, MassWildlife Prescribed Fire Manager, caren.caljouw@mass.gov (508) 439 1070.

“We are thankful to the many partners for helping to make these burns a success.” said Caljouw.

Introduction of BioMap

 

MassWildlife and TNC recently announced the launch of BioMap, a newly-updated online tool that identifies critical land and waterways throughout the Commonwealth in need of conservation.  The web portal delivers the latest scientific data and resources to help state and local governments, land trusts, non-government organizations, and other conservation partners strategically plan projects to conserve wildlife and their habitats.

It combines more than 40 years of rigorously documented rare species and natural community records from MassWildlife with cutting-edge climate resilience data from TNC and spatial data identifying intact fish and wildlife communities, habitats, and ecosystems that are the focus of the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan.

“BioMap is a robust online resource that helps people better understand and appreciate the natural resources in their communities and provides information on where to strategically deploy limited resources to make real and lasting conservation impacts in Massachusetts,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “By making an investment in the strategic protection and stewardship of lands, we will better conserve natural areas throughout the state that provide all people with access to nature and outdoor recreation.”

Through BioMap, users can gain a detailed understanding of habitats, species, and resilient landscapes, both locally and across the state. BioMap users can customize data and use the site’s new online Habitat Restoration Resource Center to plan habitat management and land stewardship projects. Additionally, it provides strategies to help communities prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change, while bolstering habitat resilience. Taken together, these efforts help to protect the state’s extraordinary biodiversity now and into the future.

“BioMap is more than a map, it is a critical tool that offers a vision for the people of the Commonwealth to come together to strategically protect, manage, and restore lands and waters that are most important for conserving biological diversity in Massachusetts now and well into the future,” said MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa.

A major innovation is the addition of local data to BioMap, which complements statewide habitat information. Habitats assessed from the perspective of each city and town in the Commonwealth will inform local decision making. Furthermore, it includes the latest information on land use in Massachusetts, including a new focus on aquatic environments and habitat restoration tools.

“Massachusetts is home to a wide variety of plants and animals,” said Deb Markowitz, TNC Massachusetts State Director. “Our rich biodiversity is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and invasive species. Since its inception, BioMap has become a trusted source of information to guide conservation that is used by a wide spectrum of conservation practitioners. The addition of local data will make BioMap applicable and relevant to many more people and communities, providing opportunities for equitable conservation.”

With similar missions, goals, and science-based approaches to conservation, MassWildlife and TNC are natural partners to produce and maintain BioMap. BioMap received support from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), DFG, and numerous generous donors. For more information on how to use BioMap or to sign up for technical assistance trainings, contact natural.heritage@mass.gov.

Shotgun deer, bear seasons open Monday

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Shotgun deer hunting season starts on Monday and it runs until December 10, (excluding Sundays).  Two bucks can be harvested and if hunters are fortunate to have valid antlerless deer permits (doe permits) they can also take a doe.  Remember, the buck antlers must be at least 3 inches long.

picture provided by MassWildliife

According to the Massachusetts hunting abstracts, deer hunters may take and possess up to two deer in a day before reporting/checking them in.  Once those deer are reported, the hunter may resume deer hunting on the same day.

All hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back and head.  If using a blind during the season or on a Wildlife Management Area with blaze orange requirements, all deer hunters must wear the required amount of orange while in the blind.  MassWildlife recommends that blaze orange be visible on the outside of the blind, too.

 MassWildlife will be working biological deer check stations during the first week of the Shotgun Season. All deer harvested during that week must be taken to a physical check station so biologists can collect data used in the deer management program. After that week, deer can be checked on-line. A map of Check Stations can be found at:  https://www.mass.gov/info details/massachusetts-check-station-map.

The following Western District stations will open during the first week of shotgun:

Ernie’s Auto Sales – Mon-Sat 10-6

MassWildlife HQ – Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 10-6

Lee Sportsman’s Club – Mon-Sat 10-6

Mill River General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel – Mon-Sat 10-6

B&D Variety – Mon-Sat 10-6

Goshen General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

 

Well, here comes another sleepless Sunday night in anticipation of opening day.  If you are like me, memories of past opening days will be relived as we toss and turn all night. One such memory I will never forget occurred sometime in the 1980’s or 1990’s. It was the first year that regulations were implemented addressing the transport of our hunting guns while traveling.  They had to be unloaded and in an enclosed case.    I believe the case had to be locked.

 

Opening day arrived and I was up at 4:00 am and arrived at a parking area on Beartown Mountain around 5:00 am.  Good!  No one was there ahead of me and I could hike up the mountain to get to my favorite hunting stand.  There I could wait for the other hunters to start hiking the mountain and perhaps scare a deer or two which hopefully would run in my direction.

 

After getting into my hunting coat and backpack, the only thing remaining was my shotgun.  Then a terrible event occurred.  That was when I learned that I had forgotten the key to my locked gun case!

 

Back home I went to find the key.  As you may suspect, I was not a happy camper.    I cursed the new regulation and the people who implemented it.

 

Once home, I still could not find the gun case key and after rummaging around the house, I had to take a different shotgun in a different case.

 

By the time I arrived back at the parking space, it was around 7:30 am and there were several cars and trucks parked there. On the way up the mountain, I could see the tracks of other hunters who had already gone up and I could hear gunshots coming from the area in which I had hoped to be.

 

I didn’t get a deer that day or the following days.  I was grumpy all week. Perhaps I couldn’t see any deer because I was still seeing red.

 

Bear Season: The Second Hunting Season for Black Bear ends this weekend.  However; the Shotgun Black Bear hunting season starts on Monday and it also runs until December 10.  Shotguns may be used, none larger than 10 gauge. Only slugs are allowed and the use of buckshot is prohibited.  Archery as well as muzzleloader implements may be used. Hunters must wear blaze orange during this season, too.

picture provided by MassWildlife

 

Good luck!  Here’s hoping you have a happy and safe hunting season.

 

Nearly $500,000 in grants to support habitat management across the Commonwealth

 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced recently it had awarded $483,922 in state grant funds to thirteen organizations and municipalities to improve wildlife habitat on 514 acres of land within the Commonwealth. Now in its ninth year, the MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP), which is overseen by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), provides financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife.

 

“The MHMGP is critical to the success of ongoing habitat management projects on state-managed lands and ensures a multipronged strategy to improve a variety of Massachusetts’ habitats,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Public and private investment in habitat management is critical for promoting ecological resiliency and diversity, and we are thrilled to work with this year’s grant recipients as they commit to improving wildlife habitat.”

While MassWildlife and other conservation organizations have made unprecedented investments in land acquisition within Massachusetts, land protection alone is not enough to guarantee the persistence of the Commonwealth’s diverse wildlife. Investment in habitat restoration and management is needed on public and private lands across the state. To address this need, the Baker-Polito Administration has substantially increased investment in habitat management on state wildlife lands and is committed to working with partners to promote these efforts on other conserved lands across the state. The MHMGP program encourages landowners to engage in active habitat management on their properties to benefit wildlife.

“Most forests and other wildlife habitats in Massachusetts are not state-owned, and we rely on conservation organizations, cities and towns, private landowners, and other partners to help us manage habitat to benefit all wildlife,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “This program provides us with the opportunity to expand our habitat management footprint, directly benefiting wildlife, the sporting community, and other people who enjoy outdoor recreation.”

“MassWildlife restores and manages habitats to help conserve the great diversity of wildlife and plants found in the Commonwealth,” said Mark Tisa, MassWildlife Director. “In addition to MassWildlife’s habitat management activities, these funded projects will improve declining habitats that provide homes for our most vulnerable wildlife, while also enhancing everyone’s ability to connect with nature.”

Of the thirteen projects, two local organizations will receive MHM grants.  They are:

  • Great Barrington – The Berkshire Natural Resources Council has been awarded $33,875 to control invasive species in the Housatonic River watershed.
  • Stockbridge – Stockbridge Bowl Association has been awarded $11,885 to conduct hardy kiwi invasive species control at Bullard’s Woods.

“Our natural resources are one of the most prized possessions we have here in the Berkshires,” said State Representative Smitty Pignatelli. “I am grateful to the Baker-Polito administration’s continued investment in our outdoor spaces, and I look forward to seeing the great work that the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Stockbridge Bowl Association do with this round of MHMGP funding.”

For more information regarding MassWildlife Habitat Management Grants, visit the program’s webpage.

Gun safety course

Pete’s Gun Shop is holding an NRA & Massachusetts State Police Certified LTC Safety Course on December 4. This will be a one day all inclusive, live fire class at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club starting at 9 AM.

A non- refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat at the time of registration. They do accept credit cards in person at the gun shop or by phone.

This is a class where they spend time at the range and you get to shoot. You are also given an NRA Basic Pistol Safety textbook which is included in the class cost.

This qualifies MA residents and non-residents alike for the MA License To Carry or FID Card.  They also give you a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop in appreciation for taking the course. The cost is $100 and covers use of our range firearms, ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, and the NRA Safety Textbook. They ask that interested parties pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited. This live fire course fills up very quickly so call or stop in early to pre-register.

Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide

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MassWildlife holds a special three-day deer hunting season for paraplegic hunters. Staff and volunteers place hunters in safe areas at several hunt locations in the state. When a hunter shoots a deer, volunteers assist the hunter by retrieving the deer, field dressing it, and getting it checked in on site.

 

Each year, about 25–30 paraplegic hunters sign up for the special hunt. For many of these people, it’s the only opportunity they have to hunt. The hunt is typically held at 5 sites:

  • The Northern Berkshires
  • The Southern Berkshires
  • The Quabbin Reservation
  • Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Lancaster
  • Otis/Edwards Military Reservation in Falmouth

Many hunters are able to see deer and several get the opportunity to harvest a deer.

The dates of the 3-day hunt this year were November 3 to 5.  Statewide this year some 14 hunters participated, (2 at the Northern Berkshires site, 4 at the Southern Berkshires site, 3 at Quabbin, 2 at Fort Devens, and 3 at Joint Base Cape Cod).

Two of those hunters (Mark Tartaglia who hunted in the Southern Berkshires, and Ricky Dyer who hunted at Quabbin) were new to the program this year.

 

A total of 4 deer were harvested here in the Berkshires, 3 at the Southern and 1 at the Northern Berkshire sites.  The others were harvested at the Joint Base Cape Cod.

 

In the Northern Berkshires, hunters Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA and Dale Bailey of Clarksburg, MA participated.  Dale Bailey harvested an 8-point buck.

Dale Bailey. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

In the Southern Berkshires, hunters Mark Tartaglia of Barkhamsted, CT, Dan Massaconi of Cheshire, MA, Vyto Sablevicius of Norwood, MA and Sidney Eichstedt of Lee, MA participated.  Sid Eichstedt harvested a doe, and the new guy, Mark Tartaglia, harvested a 6-point buck and a doe.

 

You will note that Mark Tartaglia was from CT. According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, MA and CT have a Memorandum of Understanding that paraplegic hunters in each state are eligible for a complementary license in the other state.

Mark Tartaglia. Picture provide by MassWildlife

 

In the Joint Base Cape Cod, Steven Davis harvested a buck and a doe and red Baker harvested a buck.

 

According to MassWildlife Biologist Susan McCarthy, deer were seen by all participants and feedback was positive from all.

 

But this story is not all about the hunters and their harvests.  There are three other components which must occur to make the hunt a success.  The second component is the volunteering.  Statewide there were 23 volunteers assisting in helping the physically challenged hunters get to ideal hunting spots and who helped them by retrieving the deer, field dressing them, and getting them checked in on site.  In some cases, the volunteers brought the hunters to a central point at lunchtime and provided them with a warm, home cooked meal.

Volunteers and hunters in southern Berkshires. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

Southern Berkshire volunteers and their years of involvement: Fred Lampro – 13yrs

Wendy Lampro – 13yrs, Mark Portieri – 33yrs, Shaun Smith – 48yrs, Al Vincent – 47yrs, Thomas Dean – 11yrs, Greg Arienti – 27yrs, Casey Green –1yr, Dru Paspuletti – 1yr, Matt Roche (DCR) – 15yrs, Paul Mullins – 27yrs and Christel Massaconi –2yrs.  Sadly, this year they missed the late Guy Morin, who passed away this year. He was a volunteer for many years.  One of his great pleasures was assisting paraplegic hunters during the annual deer hunt.

 

Northern Berkshire volunteers were Rick French, Stacy Sylvester, Jay Sylvester, Jim Guiden, Tony Mei, Doug McLain and Joe Benoni.  Sorry I don’t have the number of years that they have been volunteers, but some have been helping for many years, such as Rick French and Stacy Sylvester.

 

The third component is the assistance provided by the Western District of MassWildlife staff including Ray Bressette, Heather Sadler and Jacob Morris-Siegel covering the Northern site and Andrew Madden and Nate Buckhout covering the southern site. Also let’s not forget Dan White from DCR and Nick Stone from the MEP.  According to McCarthy, total statewide, there were 13 MassWildlife employees, 2 MA Environmental Police Officers, 8 DCR staff members, 7 private landowners, and 23 volunteers totaling 52 individuals aside from hunters and their family members.

Most importantly, let’s not forget the folks at the MassWildlife Main Headquarters in Westborough, MA (the fourth component) who supported and supervised this annual hunt. They also spent a considerable amount of time and effort obtaining and providing most of the information included in this article, as did Andrew Madden.  They pushed the credit onto others saying: “As always, this hunt would not be possible without our fantastic network of MassWildlife and DCR staff, private landowners in the Berkshires, and our amazing volunteers.”

Without Sue’s, Andrew’s, and other’s help, the information in this column simply could not be obtained.  Thank you.

Incidentally, paraplegic sportsmen and women interested in taking part in the hunt next year should contact Susan McCarthy at (508) 389-6326.

Get out hunting, fishing and hiking.  Its good for our economy

On November 9, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account Report, showcasing the 2021 economic impact data for the outdoor recreation industry. According to the report, the outdoor recreation industry generated $862 billion in economic output in 2021. This led to the creation of 4.5 million jobs which equals 3 percent of all workers in the United States. The total economic output value is 1.9 percent of the nation’s total GDP.

 

According to the American Sportfishing Association, (ASA) the outdoor recreation industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy is greater than the amount contributed by other notable industries such as oil and gas extraction, mining, agriculture, and computers and electronics.

 

The outdoor recreation industry is also ahead of the country in overall economic growth, as it saw an increase of 18.9 percent from 2020 to 2021 compared to just a 5.9 percent increase in the overall U.S. economy. The industry also saw a 13.1 percent increase in job growth from 2020 to 2021, equal to 3.1 percent of the country’s total job growth.

 

Among the various segments of outdoor recreation, boating and fishing contributed $50.4 billion in economic output (per ASA Calculations). This makes fishing and boating the largest economic driver among conventional outdoor recreation activities.

 

“The economic impact of our industry is also an indicator of how important it is for Americans to have access to clean waters and abundant fisheries. ASA will continue our work with Congress, federal agencies and at the state level to ensure that outdoor participation continues to grow.”

“The growth our industry saw in 2021 indicates that outdoor recreation remains a top priority for all Americans in terms of time and dollars spent. Outdoor recreation will continue to have a huge impact on our nation even in the face of overall economic uncertainty. ASA is committed to promoting participation in outdoor recreation and getting more Americans outside and on the water.”

 

Tree stands can be dangerous

 

In my October column, I mentioned that “Archery season can be dangerous as many hunters hunt out of tree stands. Almost every year we read about someone falling out of a stand and getting seriously injured or killed. Bow hunters should bone up on safe procedures in climbing to and getting into the tree stand.”

 

Well, it almost happened recently in Sudbury, MA.  A hunter was rescued after officials found him dangling upside down from a tree. Sudbury police officers say a hunter called 911 the morning of Thursday, Nov. 10, to report a tree stand malfunction in the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge that left him stuck in a tree. Using the phone coordinates from the 911 call, police and fire personnel used their drone unit and utility vehicle to locate the stranded man, a news release from the department said.  After about 15 minutes, officials located the hunter. He was suspended about three to four feet in the air. Officials say the hunter was uninjured and brought down from the tree safely.

 

Reminder to tree stand hunters:  Be careful up there and don’t forget to bring your cell phones.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

MA DFW Deer & Moose Project Leader Martin Feehan gives talk about deer management

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At the October meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, MA DFW Deer and Moose Project Leader Martin Feehan gave a presentation about deer management.

He started by saying, “There have been 0 non-hunters killed due to hunting in Massachusetts and there have been 0 non-hunters injured in Massachusetts from archery hunting.”

Feehan reported that he and other staff continue to work with communities to open more private and municipal lands for hunting, particularly of deer. He noted that the Town of Harvard Conservation Commission has doubled the number of properties open to hunting and that the Town of Brewster approved a 3-week December archery season in the Punkhorn area, as two examples of recent fruits of those efforts

In-person biological deer check resumed in 2012, where staff collects information used for modeling the abundance of deer in each Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ). He stated that MassWildlife uses a Downing Reconstruction Model for harvest-based abundance estimates, noting that this method does not sample areas closed to hunting.

He discussed deer density estimates in each WMZ.  He noted that some zones, including zones 2, 4N, and 4S (our area), are maintaining densities well within the Board-approved statewide goal of 12-18 deer per square mile. But data from the other western zones –Zones 1 and 3 – are indicating that densities there are rising and are now slightly above the statewide goal.

picture taken and provided by Mark Thorne

He noted that a similar analysis for Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 showed that 5 through 8 are relatively stable, while Zone 9 is becoming increasingly similar to Zones 10 and 11, which are above the statewide goal with high densities and showing persistent growth. Zone 12 is still relatively stable but increasing in density, and in zones 13-14, where densities are very high, the harvest is actually declining.

Feehan outlined a proposal to the F&W Board’s consideration to unify the archery deer season statewide by extending the archery season 2 weeks earlier in zones 1 through 9 to match that already established in zones 10 through 14, with the change to begin with the 2023 season. He explained that this proposed change simplifies the regulations, the seasons, and enforcement; would allow hunters to spread out their effort and therefore creates more hunting opportunity; and addresses feedback staff receives from many archery hunters wanting more hunting opportunities.  He also proposed removing the season harvest cap in Zones 10, 11, 13 and 14.

He reported that the previously extended season in zones 10 through 14 did not increase the harvest beyond the established trajectory but rather redistributed the harvest based on hunter preference and was very popular with archery hunters who don’t want the season to overlap with the pheasant season.

He then discussed the following emerging issues

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD – So far, they have never had a case.  EHD is a disease that is spread by midges that infect deer.  In the northern portions of its range, it usually is about 95% fatal for deer, which don’t have any resistance.  From the time they show clinical signs, they usually die in 3-5 days.  It takes them about a week to show clinical signs from the time that they are bit.

EHD has historically been constrained to southern states where they have evolved resistance and there is about a 50% mortality there.  As our winters have become milder, it allows the midges to get further north. New York had its very first outbreak in 2012 and since then they have had 5 outbreaks this year.  Last year there was a really bad outbreak, by far the most extensive., It ended up in more than 30 counties.   Last year Vermont had its very first outbreak, and a second outbreak occurred in Connecticut.  This year it is significantly smaller than last year, but they are seeing a continual northern spread around us.  New Hampshire had its very first case about a month ago, Vermont had its second outbreak and Connecticut its third.

In NY they confirmed a little over 3,000 cases.  In CT they are now about a dozen cases this year and VT had a similar situation. There is a surveillance issue with EHD because essentially, they don’t really know how many deer are actually getting it unless one finds lots of the dead deer and that is difficult because deer die from different issues going on with the environment.

There are some very distinct traits and patterns of mortality when it comes to EHD.  In terms of live deer, they usually have faces with lots of swelling, ulcers around both the lips and nose, tongue and they will look feverish and very exhausted.  When they have EHD they become very dehydrated and congregate around water sources. There you usually see lots of mortality issues later in the summer when a lot of the waterways are dried up and you have deer congregated around them.  Also, midges congregate around waterways.

Sometimes it can also be behavior.  You may see times when deer will look confused.  One indicator is when they do tight circles which is a good indicator that the deer has been infected.

NY has their very first Blue Tongue case about a month ago.  Blue tongue and EHD are somewhat similar but they are spread in different ways.

If you have a deer that looks sickly, DFW always recommend not to put you and your family health at risk.  Make a decision that you are most comfortable with.  You can absolutely eat those deer, not a risk whatsoever.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) In the last 18 months there have been 3 new states and 2 new Canadian provinces found positive for CWD. Across the country there is vigilance to stop its spread. CWD is a disease that is always fatal after deer contract it.  It generally takes 1½ to 2 ½ years to get to the point where it is fatal. It is spread by a prion (misshapen protein) that spreads from deer to deer via contact with the environment.  Most cases came from deer farms and then spread to the wild deer population. Currently the only place where it is active is Pennsylvania.  NY is considered a CWD positive state because once prions are in the environment, it can’t be eliminated.

Massachusetts has joined a regional program called SOP4CWD (Surveillance Optimization Project for Chronic Wasting Disease), a collaborative international effort to develop quantitative tools and software to aid state and provincial wildlife agencies responding to CWD. The project is led jointly by the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab at Cornell University and the Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center at Michigan State University.  It is a program which makes it able to predict the areas that are most likely to get CWD as well as to develop efficient surveillance techniques and programs based on input and the resources of each individual state.

DFW is planning to disseminate a survey to hunters in coordination with the USGS’s Cooperative Unit at UMass/Amherst, to measure baseline knowledge about CWD and about misinformation that might be circulating. This will allow staff to develop an effective communication plan to improve knowledge about CWD and guide future management.

SARS Covid.  Last year DFW participated in a national effort with USDA Covid Services.  They are working in target states across the country.  MA DFW actually were able to be the very first state in the country to actually fill its sampling requirement last year of 500 deer.  They sampled 558 deer within the state.  All samples were taken during the first week of shotgun season, when lots of deer were being checked in.

Some 86 deer tested positive.  Two random samples were taken from deer that were tested with positive antibodies and those studies were sent to the national veterinarian laboratories. Both of their samples ended up testing positive for live virus with the delta variant.  There have been very limited delta cases that confirmed human/deer transmission across the entire continent.  That’s part of the reason they do all this testing because in that way they are able to track what variants are moving around in the deer population.

DFW will continue its surveillance program with the USDA this fall targeting 750 samples, equally distributed across the state, so that they can really get an idea of different statewide problems.

Good news for the Deerfield River brown trout

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Background:  Wild Brown Trout Spawning Studies conducted by the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited (DRWTU) volunteers, under the guidance of Dr. Michael Cole, of Cole Ecological, Inc. of Greenfield, in 2017, and Dr. Erin Rodgers, of Trout Unlimited, in 2018, documented that brown trout were successfully spawning in the upper Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.

But the studies also revealed that winter conditions were destroying many of the eggs during periods of minimum flow. The irrefutable results in these studies convinced MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that the damage to wild trout from Fife Brook’s winter flow regime needed to be addressed. Thank goodness, the DEP declined to authorize the Water Quality Certificate – mandated in the FERC re-licensing process – until this issue could be resolved.

The outcome was an Agreement negotiated between DRWTU (under the umbrella of Trout Unlimited, Inc), MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, MA Division of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species, Brookfield Renewable Power and MA DEP that will benefit the wild brown trout as well as other aquatic organisms in the river. It is noteworthy that DRWTU was the only non-governmental agency that signed-on to be an Intervenor in the process.

An Agreement with Brookfield Renewable Power Company will allow for increased minimum winter flows from their Fife Brook Dam and Bear Swamp Pump Storage Operations on the Deerfield River. The Agreement was approved by MA DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg on September 27. The Agreement is part of DEP’s Water Quality Certification process, which is directly tied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Re-Licensing of Brookfield’s Fife Brook Dam and Bear Swamp Pump Storage Operations. In late 2025 or early 2026, the winter minimum flow at Fife Brook Dam will increase from 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 225 cfs for the period from November 1 to April 15 every year going forward.

The Agreement also provides for a $125,000 fund, paid by Brookfield Power, for ecological projects on the Deerfield.

“This is a huge victory for the ecology of the river,” said Eric Halloran, president of the DRWTU. “We know from our spawning studies that the lack of water during minimum flows was killing off nearly 40 percent of the trout redds (nests) and eggs over the course of the winter. The eggs suffered as a result of being de-watered, exposed to the air, and frozen. The minor increase in river flow negotiated in this agreement will keep the eggs covered with water throughout the winter and allow more eggs to hatch in the spring. More trout will hatch and increase the number of wild fish in the river.”

Picture provided by Deerfield River Watershed TU

“Achieving Intervenor status gave us a seat at the table and a stronger bargaining position than we could ever have achieved by simply commenting on the outcome from the sidelines.” Halloran noted. “We’re incredibly pleased with this outcome and there were many years of hard work and countless hours of volunteer time that led to this moment.” Halloran specifically praised Springfield attorney Christopher Myhrum, who specializes in environmental law, for volunteering his services to lead the negotiation effort. Halloran also thanked former DRWTU President and Vice-President Kevin Parsons, Esq., and Christopher Jackson, a veteran fishing guide on the Deerfield, for pushing DRWTU’s agenda in the re-licensing process for 10 years.

DRWTU hopes that this historic achievement will be a crucial step in creating the Commonwealth’s first Wild Trout Management Area, where an improved ecosystem will allow fly fishers of today and tomorrow to appreciate a healthy population of wily, wild Brown Trout.”

Personally, I am particularly proud that our local chapter of TU (Taconic Chapter) helped in this effort by contributing funds and volunteer hours during this process. Well that they should, for many local anglers fly fish that river.  But the bulk of the work was conducted by the DRWTU volunteers.  Congratulations fellow anglers for the job well done. You have made Massachusetts’ premier trout river even better.

Time to bone up on our hunting laws

Now that many of the hunting seasons are open, hunters are (or should be) aware of the various regulations governing them.  Laws governing such subjects as daily harvest totals, hunting tags, the type of hunting tools allowed, hunter red requirements, etc. are generally known by hunters and are abided with in order to stay out of trouble with the law.

But tucked away in the abstracts are other not so obvious regulations which can also get you into trouble if violated. Let’s review some:

Tree Stands: Written permission of the landowner (on either public or private lands) is required to construct or use any tree stand which is fastened to a tree by nails, bolts, wire, or other fasteners that intrude through the bark into the wood of the tree, or that is fastened or erected in any manner and is emplaced for a period exceeding 30 days. This includes hang-on tree stands.

Landowner permission:  Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted on private land that is not posted against trespass; however, some towns have bylaws that require written permission. As a courtesy, ask the landowner for permission in advance. If you plan to use wildlife/trail cameras on private land, seek permission for that activity as well. Landowners with posted land may provide (written) permission for individuals to access their property. Written landowner permission is required to trap on posted land.

Hunters should check for relevant town bylaws pertaining to any written permission requirements and restrictions on discharge of firearms.

Landowner Liability: Landowners permitting use of their property for recreation without charging a fee are not liable for injuries to recreational users of the property except in cases of willful, wanton, or reckless conduct by the owner.

Careless and negligent use of firearms:   Fines of up to $500 and/or 6 months imprisonment and loss of license for 5 years.  In some cases, licenses could be revoked for one year in addition to other penalties; fines of up to $1,000, restitutions, and/or one year in jail.

Use of handguns:   Handguns are not allowed for deer hunting and may not be in your possession while deer hunting.

Animals tagged for research: Some bear, deer, coyotes, and other animals may have ear tags or radio collars. It is legal to harvest them. If you find or take one of these animals, contact MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters (508) 389-6300 immediately. You will be asked for information that will help biologists determine the source and status of these animals and you will be asked to return the equipment to MassWildlife.

Hunter harassment:  No person shall obstruct, interfere with or otherwise prevent the lawful taking of fish or wildlife by another at the locale where such activity is taking place. It shall be a violation for a person to intentionally (1) drive or disturb wildlife or fish for the purpose of interrupting a lawful taking; (2) block, follow, impede or otherwise harass another who is engaged in the lawful taking of fish or wildlife; (3) use natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory or physical stimulus to effect wildlife in order to hinder or prevent such taking; (4) erect barriers with the intent to deny ingress or egress to areas where the lawful taking of wildlife may occur; (5) interject himself into the line of fire; (6) effect the condition or placement of personal or public property intended for use in the taking of wildlife; or (7) enter or remain upon public lands, or upon private lands without the permission of the owner or his agent, with intent to violate this section.. A person who sustains damage as a result of any act which is in violation of this section may bring a civil action for punitive damages. Environmental protection officers and other law enforcement officers with arrest powers shall be authorized to enforce the provisions.

This section shall not apply to the owners of the lands or waters or tenants or other persons acting under the authority of such owners of the lands or waters.

Wanton Waste:  And, of course, there is the recently enacted Wanton Waste laws where it is unlawful for any person while hunting or trapping to waste an animal. Each retrieved animal shall be retained or transferred to another until processed or used for food, the pelt, feathers, or taxidermy.

Carter’s new deer tracking book is possibly his best

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Local author, Paul C. Carter of Dalton has come out with a new deer hunting book entitled, More Deer Hunts, through a Tracker’s Eyes.  Paul is the author of several other hunting books including:  Tracking Whitetails: Answers to your Questions; Great Shot! A Guide to Acquiring Shooting Skills for Big Game Hunters; Sheep Hunts: One Man’s Journeys to the High Country and Deer Hunts: Through a Tracker’s Eyes.  I have always liked his writing and reviewed most of his books in this column. This last one is arguably his best.

Picture of the cover of Paul’s book

It is a collection of recounted hunting stories like his book Deer Hunts: Through a Tracker’s Eyes,, but chosen for its entertainment value.  It includes successful and unsuccessful hunts as well as humor.

In the beginning of the book, he spells it out.  “Innate skill, in any venture, is never determinative for one’s final station in life.  The wild card is effort: how much time and energy one is willing to dedicate to honing those natural gifts with which we have been blessed.”  Paul has demonstrated that principle throughout the book.

“Tracking” he wrote “means being able to sneak up to a deer within shooting range.”  “Independence, self-sufficiency, and proper mindset are hallmarks of every single tracker who has ever lived. Add to that patience and perseverance, and of course an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when successful. Good deer hunters are not born that way, they are made.”

He noted the importance of comrades and wrote stories involving them.  Important ones in his life include his father Charles Carter, William Drew, and Albert Cady (all deceased) and Paul “John” Dupuis who is still with us.  (Perhaps you knew these people and maybe hunted with them yourself). And, of course, his son Andrew.

He also discussed times when he and his son had tracked and shot deer in areas where they had no choice but to ask local residents if they could drag deer out of the woods onto their private properties.  He mentioned Cindy and Martin Glendon of Windsor and how nice and helpful they were in locating where Paul had probably left his deer and then called fellow Windsor residents Kevin and Debbie Robitaille and secured permission for Paul and Andrew to access their land to drag it out.

I like his “boots on the ground” approach.  It seems as though you are accompanying Paul on these hunts enduring 6 miles of tracking, sometimes in 18 inches of snow.  At times his hunts are like mysteries as you travel with him defining the clues and discussing his tracking strategies to be used.  It’s hard to put the book down until that mystery is solved with success or failure.

He did not take any actions or made any tracking decisions without thoroughly explaining and weighing the options.  For example, he discussed ways to determine the gender of an unseen deer by other means than just the size and characteristics of the track.    Now and then, you share his anguish in the possibility of being wrong (which was rare).

He discussed everything, even how a sudden shift in wind direction or a snapped twig could turn an opportunity to a disaster, something that experienced hunters know only too well.   In his later years, (70’s) Paul still had the tenacity to hunt and track hard and cover miles of terrain.  I liked how he mentioned one day hunting in the back of his house following a heavy snowstorm.  If you knew where Paul lives, you’d know that he is not writing about a hayfield, but rather rugged terrain.  Rugged terrain and winter conditions that local hunters also experience.

I liked how he put this: “A good tracker’s eyes penetrate brush, systematically, one branch at a time, in search of a small piece of your quarry’s body”.

In the final chapter of the book, Paul concludes, “I can only hope that my efforts to convey the true reasons for my bewitchment with tracking have been successful.  If my words prompt some readers to take the plunge, then that’s all for the better.  Potential new recruits aside, I pray I’ve adequately portrayed the essence of tracking deer, a subject both dear to my heart and worthy of wider appreciation”.

Well, you did, my friend, you did.

If you consider yourself a good deer tracker, you might want to pick up his book and compare strategies.  You may learn a thing or two.  (I did.) If you are contemplating taking up this method of deer hunting, you need to read this book.

The soft-covered book which is comprised of 276 pages, including many photos documenting deer kills, deer tracks and other deer signs, costs $20.00 and is available through Amazon. Alternatively, he always enjoys hearing from other hunters and he can sell his books personally.  His email is: jpcarter384@verizon.net and phone number is (413) 684-0634.

Deer Management Program

At the upcoming October 6 meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Martin Freehan, MassWildlife Deer Project Leader, will be giving an overview of its Deer Management program.  It will take place at 7:00 pm at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club Clubhouse on 310 Curran Road, Cheshire.  The public is welcome.

Beagle Club field trials

On October 8 & 9 the Jack Silvernale Memorial Field Trial will take place at the Berkshire Beagle Club, 380 Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond.  It will be a SPO sponsored trial on rabbits or hares.  Entry fee is $22.00.  The running order is:  13 and 15-inch males on October 8, and 13 and 15- inch females on the 9th.  They will have a raffle for a Garmin Alpha Collar TT Mini as well as raffles of $500, $300 and $100 for Cabela’s gift cards.  For more information contact Jeffery St John at (413)441-0744.

Active military and veteran waterfowl hunt

The special season opens on October 8.  Check the waterfowl regulations for the details

Be aware of Rabbit Virus

With rabbit and hare hunting seasons approaching in Massachusetts (October 15), hunters should be aware of the following announcement from the VT Fish & Wildlife:

picture provided by VT Fish & Wildlife

“Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, a highly contagious virus capable of affecting rabbits and snowshoe hares, is appearing in states close to Vermont and Massachusetts and may show up here according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

There have been no cases in either state but Connecticut Department of Agriculture recently confirmed an outbreak in Hartford County that killed 14 domestic rabbits. The disease has also been found in New York State and New Jersey.

It is thought to be spreading eastward from the western United States. The virus does not affect other wildlife, humans or pets, except rabbits. It spreads through direct contact with infected rabbits or indirectly through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Sudden mortality in healthy rabbits occurs with this virus, and infected rabbits may be lethargic, reluctant to move, or have blood coming out of the nostrils or mouth.

The disease has caused die-offs in wild rabbits in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and Utah beginning in 2020 and was first detected in domestic rabbits in New York that same year.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the virus is spread through exposure or contact with an infected rabbit’s excretions or blood. It can survive and spread from carcasses, food, water, and any contaminated materials and people can spread the virus indirectly by carrying it on their clothing and shoes.

There is no U.S. approved vaccine although Connecticut approved the sale of an unlicensed vaccine under emergency authorization last year.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources recommends isolating pet and domestic rabbits from any possible contact with their wild cousins. Any new or returning rabbits to a colony should be quarantined for 14 days and watched closely; handlers should take sanitary precautions and use separate equipment to prevent any possible contamination between colonies.

When hunters are field-dressing rabbits, wear disposable gloves, securely bag entrails and other remains, and dispose of them in the trash. Do not discard remains where other animals may have access to them.

Fall Turkey Shoots

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club and the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club are having their fall turkey shoots every Sunday until November 20 at their club houses.  The Lenox Club starts at 12:30 pm and also has pie shoots.  Cheshire shoots start at 1:00 pm

More deer/deer hunting information disclosed

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Last week’s column dealt with a report DFW Moose and Deer Biologist Martin Freehan made at the June 22, 2022 Meeting of the Fish & Wildlife Board.  In addition to the amendment to the Antlerless Deer Permit allocations, he reported the following:

He and other staff continue to work with communities to open more private and municipal lands for hunting, particularly of deer. He noted that the Town of Harvard Conservation Commission has doubled the number of properties open to hunting and that the Town of Brewster approved a 3-week December Archery season in the Punkhorn area, as two examples of recent fruits of those efforts.

He also reported that MassWildlife collaborated with the USDA Wildlife Services to test deer for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and active-virus during the 2021 Shotgun and Primitive Arms deer seasons as part of a national surveillance program in 28 states.

He reported that MassWildlife staff sampled 558 deer (just over the USDA’s goal of 500 for the state): 86 were positive for antibodies, with the Delta detected as the active variant. He also stated that he will be working again this fall with the USDA on further surveillance.

Mr. Feehan reported that he is planning to disseminate a survey to hunters this summer, in coordination with the USGS’s Coop Unit at UMass/Amherst, to measure baseline knowledge about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and about misinformation that might be circulating. This will allow staff to develop an effective communication plan to improve knowledge about CWD and guide future management. He stated that MassWildlife has also joined the SOP4CWD project, to collaborate with states across the country to predict areas of high risk for new invasions of CWD.

Possible Expanded Archery Hunting Season

Feehan commented on the DFW analyses of past deer harvests by sex to show the trends in a couple of sample zones, He then outlined a proposal for the Board’s consideration to unify the Archery deer season statewide by extending the Archery season 2 weeks earlier in zones 1-9 (which includes our area) to match that already established in zones 10-14, with the change to begin with the 2023 season.

He explained that this proposed change simplifies the regulations, the seasons, and enforcement; would allow hunters to spread out their effort and therefore creates more hunting opportunity; and addresses feedback staff receives from many Archery hunters wanting more hunting opportunity.

Discussing the impact of the existing extended Archery season in zones 10-14, Mr. Feehan reported that the extended season in zones 10-14 did not increase the harvest beyond the established trajectory but rather redistributed the harvest based on hunter preference and was very popular with Archery hunters who don’t want to overlap with pheasant season.

Feehan closed his presentation with a request to the Board to endorse the ADP allocations and to direct staff to develop specific regulations that would extend the Archery season statewide to match the current extended season in zones 10-14 and take those proposed regulations to a public hearing for public feedback and comments.

The Board approved the development of specific draft regulations to extend the Archery deer season statewide and take them to a public hearing to solicit comments.

Youth Pheasant Hunt Program

The Massachusetts Youth Pheasant Hunt Program was developed by MassWildlife to provide an opportunity for Hunter Education graduates aged 12 to 17 to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt under the guidance of experienced adult hunters.

The program is divided into multiple parts:

  • Seminar and Range Practice: Participants get hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals and firearm safety, learn upland hunting basics, and focus on how to have a safe and fun hunt.
  • Pheasant Hunt: Participants get to experience a real pheasant hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter on 1 of the 6 Saturdays prior to the regular pheasant season. This year, the pheasant hunting season starts on October 15, 2022.

Requirements

  • Be between the ages of 12 to 17

Steps

  1. Make sure you meet all the requirements above
  2. Register for the Programby August 31, 2022
  3. Complete the Seminar and Range Practice
  4. Have a great day hunting pheasants.  Please note, all other regular pheasant hunting regulations apply including bag limits, hunting implements, hunter orange requirements,

In our area, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association has tentatively scheduled such a course on September 24 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and on October 8 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at its clubhouse on Fairview Street in Lee.

The youth pheasant program is designed to provide young hunters with specialized pheasant hunting training and instruction, as well as reinforce what they learned in Basic Hunter Education. Young hunters will have the opportunity to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt under the guidance of a safe, experienced adult hunter. This program, held by Lee Sportsmen’s Association, is more than just a day in the field pheasant hunting and is divided into multiple parts including hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals, a pheasant seminar, and a mentored pheasant hunt. In addition to the seminar and hunt, participants are required to attend mandatory range days. The date and time of these range days will be based on participant’s availability

Keeping with the LSA and pheasants, the Board reported that the pheasant pen located adjacent to the Main Clubhouse has been stocked with about 400-500 pheasants, which LSA raises for the state of Massachusetts.  Every year, MassWildlife stocks an average of 40,000 pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other lands open to the public.  These birds are stocked for recreational hunting and are paid for by revenue from license fees; however, the cost of raising the pheasants is the responsibility of LSA, and the caretakers are all Club volunteers.  Members are asked to not allow their dog(s) to wander unattended over near the pen, and if you witness any suspicious or abnormal activity in/on/near the pen, to please contact President Doug Frank at (413) 822-0720 as soon as possible.

 

New pheasant hunting regulations take effect this year 

 

Remember, a Pheasant/Quail Permit is now required for resident and non-resident hunters, there is no season bag limit (2-bird daily limit), and hens can be hunted statewide. Registration for Saturday hunting at Martin Burns WMA is no longer required. The permit this year is $4.00 for residents and $6.00 for non-residents.  Don’t forget!

 

Gun Safety Course

 

Pete’s Gun Shop is holding a LIVE FIRE NRA & Massachusetts State Police Certified LTC Safety Course. This will be a one day all inclusive, live fire class on Sunday September 11 at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club. The class starts at 9:00 am.

 

Call the shop at (413) 743-0780 to inquire availability of a seat. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat at the time of registration. They do accept credit cards in person at the shop or by phone.

 

This course is a live fire class where time is spent at the range and you get to shoot. You are also given an NRA Basic Pistol Safety textbook which is included in the class cost. 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 FIRE course. You will also receive a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop in appreciation for taking the course. The cost is $100 and covers use of the range firearms, ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, and the NRA Safety Textbook.

 

Interested parties are asked to pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited. This live fire course fills up very quickly so call or stop in early to pre-register.

 

Growing Massachusetts deer population prompts increase in Antlerless Deer Permits

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The following information was gleaned from the June 22, 2022 Minutes of the Fish & Wildlife Board.  They were approved at the July 18, 2022 Board Meeting. DFW Deer and Moose Biologist Martin Feehan provided much of the following data to the Board.  Let’s start with the 2021 deer harvest figures.

The total statewide 2021 deer harvest was 13,363 indicating a 10.8% decline from the 2020 harvest of 14,766 which was an all-time record year.  The minutes do not indicate a reason for the decline.

We didn’t do too bad here in Western Mass.  The breakdown of our deer harvest (Zones 1 through 4) for 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

Zone 1- (2021) 356 vs (2020) 352; Zone 2- 531 vs 541; Zone 3- 549 vs 578; Zone 4N- 574 vs 611; and Zone 4S-364 vs 367.  The total deer harvested for 2021was 2,374 vs 2,449 or a total drop of 75 deer.

Once again, there were more deer harvested statewide by archery than by shotgun or muzzleloader.  The deer harvest by method of hunting was as follows: 6,432 were taken by archery, 4,282 by shotgun and 2,652 were taken by primitive firearms.

More than 3,000 of the deer taken in Zones 10 and 11 were taken by archers and that doesn’t include deer taken by archers in the shotgun and primitive firearms seasons which is legal.  Probably the main reason is that those zones have high density human populations. Some towns may not allow hunting with firearms in their town/city limits, so some hunters went to the quieter way of hunting, archery.  Just speculating.

Here in Western MA, it appears that we still like our shotguns.  Of the 2,374, deer taken, 866 were by archery, 1,064 were by shotgun and 415 were by primitive firearms. Once again, we don’t know how many deer were taken by archers in the shotgun and primitive firearms season.

Feehan also noted that in-person biological deer checks resumed in 2021, and, to help illuminate trends, staff collected information used for modeling the abundance of deer in each Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ).  Feehan stated that MassWildlife uses a Downing Reconstruction Model for harvest-based abundance estimates, noting that this method does not sample areas closed to hunting and that areas with significant closure are likely to have much higher deer abundance than harvest-based estimates would predict.

Feehan demonstrated through a sequence of graphs showing the DFW’s density estimates in each WMZ that some zones, including zones 2, 4N, and 4S, are maintaining densities well within the Board-approved statewide goal of 12-18 deer per square mile. But data from the other western zones –Zones 1 and 3 – are indicating that densities there are rising and are now slightly above the statewide goal. He demonstrated a similar analysis for Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which showed that 5-8 are relatively stable, while Zone 9 is becoming increasingly similar to zones 10 and 11, which are above the statewide goal with high densities and showing persistent growth. Zone 12 is still relatively stable but increasing in density, and in zones 13-14, where densities are very high, the harvest is actually declining.

Given the trends revealed by these analyses and after reminding the Board that MassWildlife sets its Antlerless Deer Permit (ADP) allocations on the assumption that they will be kept stable for the ensuing 3 years so that effects on abundance can be thoroughly studied, Feehan reported that DFW staff proposed changes to the allocations for the next 3 years.  (See chart)Antlerless permits 2022

 

He explained that the proposed allocations marked “No Cap” are functionally unlimited, being set well above the maximum number of ADP permits that are sold each year in those zones.

Mr Feehan’s recommendation for increasing the antlerless deer permits were unanimously approved by the Board.

 

As you can see, with the exception of Zone 4S, antlerless permits in all of the Wildlife Management Zones in Western Massachusetts will increase.  Permits in Zone 1 went up by 100, Zone 2 went up by 40, Zone 3 went up by 150 and Zone 4N went up by 50.  This is certainly good news for deer hunters wishing to supplement their meat diet with healthy venison.

 

Feehan had other interesting comments and recommendations which we will detail in next week’s column.as follows:

So, did you get a permit?

As of August 1, deer hunters can check to see if they were awarded an antlerless deer permit (doe permit).  If you were awarded one, a $10 fee is charged. (Remember, the doe permit fee went up from $5 to $10 this year).

Bad then good news for hunting and show dog owners

Recently, Al Costa, President of the Berkshire Beagle Club informed me that a bill originally intended to address issues with boarding kennels has been expanded to a “meat-cleaver” approach that lumps all breeders into the same category as kennels that sell dogs to pet stores and wholesalers. Senate Bill 2994 was originally drafted to address a few issues concerning problems with doggy daycares that were highly publicized in recent years.

Unfortunately, Massachusetts Senators objected to the clear differences between boarding kennels, hobby breeding kennels and commercial dog breeding businesses. In their effort to “simplify the bill,” Senate Bill 2994 lumped them all together.

I wrote about that bill in this proposed column with the hopes that hunting dog owners would be outraged enough about it to contact their legislators.

Well, the following information was received from the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Massachusetts just before my deadline for submitting this column to the Eagle:

“

Legislation that lumped sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders in with large-scale commercial dog breeding operations died when the Massachusetts House of Representatives adjourned earlier this week. Senate Bill 1322, originally intended as a reform bill to address issues with boarding kennels, was turned into an attack on those who hunt, field trial and show dogs, but who do not breed dogs primarily for sale.”

“The Massachusetts Senate made last-minute changes to S.1322, in response to several high-profile issues at boarding kennels, requiring owners of personal kennels to be licensed and subject to inspections, even in their own homes. Current law recognizes the difference between those who breed dogs for commerce, and those who do so for hobby and sport. The bill would also have made personal kennel owners subject to any change in regulations at both the state and municipal government levels.”

“The Sportsmen’s Alliance alerted Massachusetts sportsmen and directly contacted members of the House of Representatives in opposition to S.1322 as part of a larger effort that included the American Kennel Club and local dog and sporting organizations. Together the effort prevailed as the lower chamber decided not to take up the Senate Bill, instead allowing it to die as the legislature adjourned for the remainder of the 2022 session.”

What is the Sportsmen’s Alliance?  It protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible.

Thanks to those who jumped on this matter and contacted their legislators.  Needless to say, I had no problem scrapping my old bad news article in favor of this good news one.

Berkshire Natural Fish Hatchery Youth Fishing Derby

The Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be sponsoring a free fishing derby on Saturday, August 13 at the lower pond of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough from 9:00 am to 10:30 am for children 13 and under.  They must be accompanied by an adult.