Last month Karen and her husband David Fachini of Pownal, VT went turkey hunting on Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts.  The spring season was winding down and they decided to hunt there, a place they enjoy.   They were familiar with the good hunting areas on that mountain having grown up nearby in MA.

While calling, David got a response from two jakes (immature tom turkeys).  He asked Karen if she wanted him to call the jakes in and she said yes.  She already got a longbeard (adult) tom this season so why not a jake, too.  She got ready and waited with her gun in hand and he started calling one in.

It took about an hour to get one close enough for a shot.  When the jake approached within 30 yards, she fired and dropped it.  She ran to the turkey and turned it over to see how long the beard was.  To her surprise, it had several beards with the main one being about 6 inches long and the others got progressively smaller.  It turned out that there were 7 beards on it.  Not only that, but the bird had double spurs on one leg, also unusual for a jake.  When she got home, she called the DFW in Dalton and told them about the beards, they said they had heard of multiple bearded turkeys in MA but only with two beards, three at the most.  They suggested she contact a biologist from their DFW headquarters in Westborough.   When she did, they requested that she pluck the feathers around the beards to clearly show all the beards and send them the pictures.

I asked MassWildlife Turkey Biologist David Scarpiti for some comments.  He said that a turkey with 7 beards is going to be rare anywhere, including Massachusetts. He said that MassWildlife doesn’t really track that kind of information on harvested turkeys, but every year they get a couple of calls asking about what the longest beard, or longest spurs, or this many beards. His guess is that it’s probable that someone has harvested a turkey like that before in Massachusetts but he just couldn’t 100% verify that. So, certainly rare indeed.  They more normally (hear of) several birds every year with 2 or 3 beards.  It was last year or the year before that someone sent him a picture of a bird with double spurs. A quick scan of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) record books show a few multiple bearded birds from Massachusetts, but these are just the handful of birds that are officially scored and registered with NWTF, which David guesses is maybe only a few compared to the roughly 3000 birds harvested in Massachusetts every year.

Incidentally, I believe the world record number of beards on a turkey is 13, at least that is what stands in the record books of the NWTF. It was taken in Pennsylvania in 2018 by 11-year old Tyler Mumpower.

I asked Karen if they were sure that it was a jake and not an adult tom and she said that based on certain characteristics, it was a jake.  It unofficially weighed 14 lbs 8 oz. (On average jakes weigh 12 to 14 lbs)

She shot the bird with a 20-gauge shotgun.  (I guess that I am not with the times, for I thought you needed a 12-gauge shotgun with special turkey loads).  Heck no, in fact her daughter Mandy Fachini Southworth gets turkeys with a .410 bore TSS (Tungston Super Shot) loads. She uses the .410 not necessarily by choice but rather to abide by her doctors’ orders.  You see Mandy had chemo and radiation treatment for her stage 3 breast cancer a while back and her doctor thought that perhaps her shoulder couldn’t handle anything more powerful.  It’s easier to bring to bear on target and hold steady once there and it doesn’t kick as much as the larger gauge guns.  Fortunately for Mandy, TSS, made by Federal, extends the range of turkey guns beyond the reach of lead and you can kill a bird over 50 yards away with a .410 now.   The new wad designs, pellet materials and cleaner burning powders have changed things dramatically. In fact, TSS is slowly becoming the gold standard as tungsten is nearly twice as dense as lead and five times harder than steel.  The problem is the cost, they are not giving away this ammo.

Incidentally, outdoor sports writer David Willette wrote two articles about Mandy in the Northwoods Sporting Journal -one in the July 2020 issue entitled One Tough Turkey Hunter and another in January, 2021 entitled Cancer Can’t Stop Her. I highly recommend you read them if you want to find out what determination is all about.  Mandy is an inspiration to us all.

The Fachini family loves turkey hunting.  They come from a long line of hunters and trappers. Every member of the Fachini family was successful in harvesting turkeys this season.  Each year they hunt turkeys in MA, VT and sometimes in NY.  They run a little family turkey pool each year with winners for the longest beards and the heaviest bird categories.  Karen won the pool this year with the total beard length coming in at 17 5/6 inches.   David won the weight category with a bird weighing in at 23 lbs.

Invasive Bushes

Hey turkey hunters, in the future don’t set up your turkey blinds near barberry bushes!  Scientists have found the invasive plant to be a prime environment for deer ticks. They found higher densities of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease in barberry infestations than in other habitats. Property with barberry has seven times the tick population?  That is information relayed to us from the Westfield River Wild and Scenic River volunteers.   They invite you to come to their workdays and they will tell you why. They will be working in various areas in the watershed to remove that “Barberry Beast”.  Contact Meredyth Babcock, Volunteer and Projects coordinator, Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee at http://www.westfieldriverwildscenic.org/ or Westfieldriver@gmail.com or Home /office 413 623-2070 or cell 413 207-4282.

Incidentally, the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee’s latest wild and scenic video features John Burns, local well-known botanist (and superb flyfisherman).  Entitled “Walkin the Watershed with Burnsie, Early detection of Glossy Buckthorn, Autumn Olive and Honeysuckle”.   Click onto YouTube: how to recognize invasive Glossy Buckthorn, Autumn Olive and Honeysuckle and why it matters.

Trout Stockings

According to the MassWildlife web page Stocking Report, Laurel Lake in Lee/Lenox was stocked with rainbow trout last Tuesday. Be sure to check its stocking report to see if there were other stockings.

Fishing Derby

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is scheduled to have a youth fishing derby next Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 to 10:30 am at its Lower Pond at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA.  Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.   These fishing derbies will run once a month through September.  The following of State guidelines regarding social distancing, face masks etc., is required.

As most outdoor sportsmen and women are aware, MassWildlife is proposing changes to hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping license fees. The existing fee schedule has been in effect for the last 25 years and it is no secret that fees must increase or the MassWildlife will go broke in a few years. A little over a week ago, MassWildlife released a new license fee proposal, which incorporates public input on the original February proposal. In the new proposal, most license fee increases will be phased in over five years, and the proposed increases for hunting permits and stamps are lower than originally proposed.

The current proposal incorporates public feedback gathered through six information sessions held in February and March, as well as phone calls, emails, letters, and a webform. Although many folks expressed an understanding of the need to raise fees, there was a strong desire to see the proposed increases for license fees phased in over time, and to lower the proposed increases for the costs of hunting permits and stamps. In response, MassWildlife and the Department of Fish and Game worked with the Baker-Polito Administration to revise the original fee proposal.

Recognizing that all Massachusetts residents benefit from MassWildlife’s work to conserve wildlife, protect open space, and preserve clean water and air, the Baker-Polito Administration will work to diversify MassWildlife’s funding and reduce the burden on the fee-paying sporting community. This change will make it possible to maintain MassWildlife’s programming and services with lower fees than originally proposed.

Public hearings will be held on June 22, 23, and 24 on Zoom to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the new proposed changes.  Stakeholders can provide public comment by speaking at one of the hearings or providing written comment through July 8 using a convenient feedback form available on the MassWildlife web site or by mail to: MassWildlife Re: License Fee, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

Phasing in the license fee increases over a 5-year period certainly makes the change more palatable than the original proposal.  You may recall that the original proposal for the permits and stamps were to jump immediately from $5.00 to $20.00.  With this new proposal, the fee increase would only be $10.00, at least for the next 5 years.   Instead of an immediate drastic $20.00 pheasant permit fee, it would start at $4.00 in 2022 and would gradually increase to $20 in year 2026.

The Massachusetts Conservation Alliance, a group comprised of the various county leagues of sportsmen and other sportsmen’s clubs from across the state really did a yeoman’s job in unifying 100,000 or so sports folks to put pressure on MassWildlife to come up with a more realistic schedule of fee increases.  Co-chaired by Joe Alfonso and Paul Johnson, they actually came up with their own recommended fee schedule which MassWildlife seriously considered before making its final recommendations.  (Outdoor sportswriter David Willette of North Adams has an excellent article about the MCA in the June, 2021 issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.)  Massachusetts outdoorsmen and women will be hearing more about the MCA in the future as more and more clubs and leagues join it’s ranks in order to have a little more political clout on Beacon Hill.

It is especially gratifying to hear that the Baker-Polito Administration will work to diversify funding in some way.  Hopefully, they can do something about funding the free licenses for 70+ older folks.  Sen. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and past chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, has filed a bill in the 192nd session of the General Court aimed at addressing lost revenue that the state is failing to reimburse to MassWildlife.  An Act to Reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund (SD. 1453) would target the more than $1 million per year the agency forfeits each year by providing free hunting and fishing licenses to residents aged over 70 that is not currently being reimbursed by the state.  You may want to call your local legislators and ask them to support this legislation.

Trout Stockings

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW: Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Westfield River-East (C&R) in Chesterfield, North Pond in Florida, Laurel Lake in Lee and Lenox, Richmond Pond in Richmond, Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham, Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough and Pittsfield, Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Lake Buel in Monterey and Otis Reservoir in Otis and Tolland.

Deb Lipa, MassWildlife Western District Clerk, said that she believes they finished the stocking trips last week, but couldn’t verify that.  She suggested that anglers keep checking the stocking report online to see if there are any further deliveries next week.

Deb does a lot of extra work for us to ensure that this column has the latest stocking reports.  Many, many thanks Deb!

Don’t forget, next weekend is free fishing weekend in MA, so round up the family, get out there and catch a few of these trout.

Leigh Perkins remembered

Leigh H. Perkins, who transformed Orvis from a niche fishing tackle business into a global sporting emporium and lifestyle brand, selling everything from graphite fly rods and Gore-Tex rainwear to linen dresses and engraved drinking glasses, died May 7 at his home in Monticello, Fla. He was 93.  He bought Orvis in 1965 for $400,000, taking over a company that C.F. Orvis had founded in Manchester, VT in 1856.  By the time Leigh retired as President and CEO in 1992, Orvis had grown from 20 employees to more than 700, and from annual sales of $500,000 to more than $90 million. The company currently operates more than 80 retail stores in the United States and Britain, with sales driven by online shopping and catalogues that Leigh sent to millions of homes each year.  After his retirement, his son Leigh H. “Perk” Perkins Jr. became CEO, with his younger son David helping run the company.  Now, his grandson Simon Perkins leads the company.

Leigh Sr. started a fly-fishing school and a wing-shooting program. The classes were among the first of their kind in the United States, offering formal training in activities that were often considered upper crust.

He was also one of the first executives to start dedicating corporate earnings to conservation, donating 5 percent of pretax profits to conservation organizations beginning in the 1980s.  He wanted to protect these places to be able to connect and share with others, but he also saw it as good business — investing in the landscape and the habitat.

An online tribute published on the company’s website said Perkins was a lifelong outdoorsman who hunted or fished more than 250 days a year into his 90s, and who had a reverence for nature and conservation.

He certainly left a wonderful legacy.

The above information was gleaned from Leigh’s obituary written by Brian Gallagher, Senior Staff Editor at The New York Times.

Correction

In last week’s column, I erroneously listed the name of an angler whose picture was shown holding a 10 lb. brown trout.  I listed him as being Mark Lucier when, in fact, his name is Mark Markham. My apologies!  This is especially embarrassing to me as Mark is a close personal friend with whom I have deer hunted and/or ice fished for several years.  He is a superb deer hunter and many times our ice fishing group has enjoyed his grilled venison meals while out on the ice.

Memorial Day

It’s that time again when we honor those who have fought, suffered and/or and died in defense of our country.  Let’s hope that as a nation we can set aside our differences and come together this weekend to remember them and their sacrifices.  They deserve nothing less.

As most outdoor sportsmen and women are aware, MassWildlife is proposing changes to hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping license fees. The existing fee schedule has been in effect for the last 25 years and it is no secret that fees must increase or the MassWildlife will go broke in a few years. A little over a week ago, MassWildlife released a new license fee proposal, which incorporates public input on the original February proposal. In the new proposal, most license fee increases will be phased in over five years, and the proposed increases for hunting permits and stamps are lower than originally proposed.

The current proposal incorporates public feedback gathered through six information sessions held in February and March, as well as phone calls, emails, letters, and a webform. Although many folks expressed an understanding of the need to raise fees, there was a strong desire to see the proposed increases for license fees phased in over time, and to lower the proposed increases for the costs of hunting permits and stamps. In response, MassWildlife and the Department of Fish and Game worked with the Baker-Polito Administration to revise the original fee proposal.

Recognizing that all Massachusetts residents benefit from MassWildlife’s work to conserve wildlife, protect open space, and preserve clean water and air, the Baker-Polito Administration will work to diversify MassWildlife’s funding and reduce the burden on the fee-paying sporting community. This change will make it possible to maintain MassWildlife’s programming and services with lower fees than originally proposed.

Public hearings will be held on June 22, 23, and 24 on Zoom to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the new proposed changes.  Stakeholders can provide public comment by speaking at one of the hearings or providing written comment through July 8 using a convenient feedback form available on the MassWildlife web site or by mail to: MassWildlife Re: License Fee, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

Phasing in the license fee increases over a 5-year period certainly makes the change more palatable than the original proposal.  You may recall that the original proposal for the permits and stamps were to jump immediately from $5.00 to $20.00.  With this new proposal, the fee increase would only be $10.00, at least for the next 5 years.   Instead of an immediate drastic $20.00 pheasant permit fee, it would start at $4.00 in 2022 and would gradually increase to $20 in year 2026.

The Massachusetts Conservation Alliance, a group comprised of the various county leagues of sportsmen and other sportsmen’s clubs from across the state really did a yeoman’s job in unifying 100,000 or so sports folks to put pressure on MassWildlife to come up with a more realistic schedule of fee increases.  Co-chaired by Joe Alfonso and Paul Johnson, they actually came up with their own recommended fee schedule which MassWildlife seriously considered before making its final recommendations.  (Outdoor sportswriter David Willette of North Adams has an excellent article about the MCA in the June, 2021 issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal.)  Massachusetts outdoorsmen and women will be hearing more about the MCA in the future as more and more clubs and leagues join it’s ranks in order to have a little more political clout on Beacon Hill.

It is especially gratifying to hear that the Baker-Polito Administration will work to diversify funding in some way.  Hopefully, they can do something about funding the free licenses for 70+ older folks.  Sen. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and past chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, has filed a bill in the 192nd session of the General Court aimed at addressing lost revenue that the state is failing to reimburse to MassWildlife.  An Act to Reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund (SD. 1453) would target the more than $1 million per year the agency forfeits each year by providing free hunting and fishing licenses to residents aged over 70 that is not currently being reimbursed by the state.  You may want to call your local legislators and ask them to support this legislation.

Trout Stockings

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW: Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Westfield River-East (C&R) in Chesterfield, North Pond in Florida, Laurel Lake in Lee and Lenox, Richmond Pond in Richmond, Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham, Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough and Pittsfield, Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Lake Buel in Monterey and Otis Reservoir in Otis and Tolland.

Deb Lipa, MassWildlife Western District Clerk, said that she believes they finished the stocking trips last week, but couldn’t verify that.  She suggested that anglers keep checking the stocking report online to see if there are any further deliveries next week.

Deb does a lot of extra work for us to ensure that this column has the latest stocking reports.  Many, many thanks Deb!

Don’t forget, next weekend is free fishing weekend in MA, so round up the family, get out there and catch a few of these trout.

Leigh Perkins remembered

Leigh H. Perkins, who transformed Orvis from a niche fishing tackle business into a global sporting emporium and lifestyle brand, selling everything from graphite fly rods and Gore-Tex rainwear to linen dresses and engraved drinking glasses, died May 7 at his home in Monticello, Fla. He was 93.  He bought Orvis in 1965 for $400,000, taking over a company that C.F. Orvis had founded in Manchester, VT in 1856.  By the time Leigh retired as President and CEO in 1992, Orvis had grown from 20 employees to more than 700, and from annual sales of $500,000 to more than $90 million. The company currently operates more than 80 retail stores in the United States and Britain, with sales driven by online shopping and catalogues that Leigh sent to millions of homes each year.  After his retirement, his son Leigh H. “Perk” Perkins Jr. became CEO, with his younger son David helping run the company.  Now, his grandson Simon Perkins leads the company.

Leigh Sr. started a fly-fishing school and a wing-shooting program. The classes were among the first of their kind in the United States, offering formal training in activities that were often considered upper crust.

He was also one of the first executives to start dedicating corporate earnings to conservation, donating 5 percent of pretax profits to conservation organizations beginning in the 1980s.  He wanted to protect these places to be able to connect and share with others, but he also saw it as good business — investing in the landscape and the habitat.

An online tribute published on the company’s website said Perkins was a lifelong outdoorsman who hunted or fished more than 250 days a year into his 90s, and who had a reverence for nature and conservation.

He certainly left a wonderful legacy.

The above information was gleaned from Leigh’s obituary written by Brian Gallagher, Senior Staff Editor at The New York Times.

Correction

In last week’s column, I erroneously listed the name of an angler whose picture was shown holding a 10 lb. brown trout.  I listed him as being Mark Lucier when, in fact, his name is Mark Markham. My apologies!  This is especially embarrassing to me as Mark is a close personal friend with whom I have deer hunted and/or ice fished for several years.  He is a superb deer hunter and many times our ice fishing group has enjoyed his grilled venison meals while out on the ice.

Memorial Day

It’s that time again when we honor those who have fought, suffered and/or and died in defense of our country.  Let’s hope that as a nation we can set aside our differences and come together this weekend to remember them and their sacrifices.  They deserve nothing less.

Trout anglers are ecstatic about the sizes of the trout that they are hauling out of Onota Lake these days. They are catching brown trout in the 10 lbs category, 20-inch brook trout and rainbow trout in the 5 lbs category.

Last week, Mark Markham, of Pittsfield, caught some of them.  Using a spinning outfit with 8 lbs test line and a spinner, he landed over a dozen trout including 3 brown trout which he estimated to be around 10 lbs, several brook trout over 19 inches and rainbow trout over 4 lbs.  He released all of the trout except for one 10 lbs brown that was hooked badly, was bleeding and would die anyway.  That one he gave to his sister because she asked him to bring her a trout to eat.  I’d love to see the look on her face when Mark delivered that behemoth.

Other lucky anglers were Joshua Christman, his daughter Alice and son Gabriel of Pittsfield.    According to Joshua, they released 20 to 30 trout in the 6 to 8 lbs range.  His 5-year old son caught two browns weighing about 10 lbs and his daughter Alice caught one weighing 9.98 lbs.  He weighed them on his own scales which he claims are certified.  Joshua said that one of the trout was 28 inches long with an 18-inch girth.  He froze two 10 pounders so that he can have them mounted and another one he gave away to someone. They caught their fish on minnows and spinning lures.

According to Joshua, word must have spread like wildfire for shortly thereafter a flock of anglers arrived and began catching large trout, too.

I contacted the MassWildlife District Headquarters in Dalton to find out what gives.  Aquatic Biologist Leanda Fontaine Gagnon said that each year district is allotted a certain number of broodstock trout from the hatcheries.  this year it was Onota Lake’s turn to get some which came from the Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer, MA.  Anglers who were at the right place at the right time experienced some fantastic fishing.

Leanda also said that all of these broodstock trout qualify for the Freshwater Spotsfishing Awards Program.

Trout Stockings

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW:  Green River (South) in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington, Green River (North) in New Ashfield and Williamstown, Westfield River (West Branch) in Becket, Middlefield, Chester and Huntington; Housatonic River (East Branch) in Hinsdale and Dalton, Hop Brook in Tyringham and Lee, Greenwater Pond in Becket, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Laurel Lake in Lee and Lenox, Goose Pond in Tyringham and Lee,  Lake Garfield and Lake Buel in Monterey,  York Lake in New Marlborough,  Otis Reservoir in Otis and Tolland, Stockbridge Bowl and  Onota Lake.

National Safe Boating Week is coming up

MassWildlife advises us to wear our life jackets when boating this spring.  Boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and passengers not only have a life jacket, but wear it at all times while boating. In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15.  Youths under 12 years old, personal watercraft users, waterskiers and stand-up paddleboard users must wear them all of the time.

As warmer weather sets in, Massachusetts boaters and anglers are eager to take to the water and in honor of National Safe Boating Week (May 22–28), the Massachusetts Environmental Police and MassWildlife remind boaters and anglers to think of safety first when enjoying the water by wearing life jackets, knowing your boating capabilities, and practicing safe social distancing.

The early warm days of spring can mask water temperatures that are often dangerously cold. If you capsize or fall overboard, you can succumb to hypothermia within minutes. Hypothermia is the lowering of the internal body temperature. This temperature drop can make it difficult for you to swim, paddle, or stay afloat. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water can also cause you to involuntarily gasp and ingest water, which can lead to death by drowning. While most life jackets will not prevent hypothermia, they do help you stay afloat. Wearing a properly fitted life jacket (personal flotation device) could save your life. Many boating fatality victims fail to wear a life jacket.

Click onto the MassWildlife web site  to learn more about life jackets, including how to select the right type of life jacket for you, how to get a proper fit, and how to properly care for your lifejacket.

Spring Turkey Hunting Season ends today

It’s all over after today, Saturday, May 22.  It’s time to clean and oil your pea shooter and lock it up until next fall.  The next time hunters will have a chance to bag a turkey in Massachusetts Zones 1 through 9 will be when the fall turkey hunting season opens on October 18 and runs through November 27.

There are indications that it was a good hunting season.  Pleasure was expressed at the last Fish & Wildlife Board Meeting (held on May 17) as to how nicely the turkey population has spread into areas where they hadn’t been seen before. Still, there are others who claimed that the numbers of turkey seen, especially in Zone 2, was way down.  Go figure. We’ll have to wait and see what the spring tally was.  Hopefully very few people were bitten by deer ticks.

Now it’s time for the hens to hatch and raise their chicks.  MassWildlife asks that you keep a log of turkey and poult sightings during the months of June, July and August so that they can get a feel for the flock size and health.  Click onto the MassWildlife web site to download the turkey log.

MassWildlife Land Acquisitions

In his May report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that MassWildlife and the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game added three new parcels in the Western District this past April.  He noted that all three acquisitions build on existing Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and are open for hunting, fishing, and trapping.  They are as follows:

• Peru WMA – 130 acres with frontage along East Windsor Road/August Smith Road/Frary Road.  The property has excellent spruce woods and improves access to the WMA.
• Long Mountain WMA – 55 acres along Stebbins Road. The property is mixed hardwoods and wetlands and greatly improves access to the 900+ acre Long Mountain WMA.
• Maple Hill WMA – 12 acres on the East Side of the Williams River. This property gives MassWildlife potential to improve access to Maple Hill from the east.

Migratory Bird Hearing

Also at the May BCLS meeting, Madden reported that the annual public hearing to set dates for migratory bird hunting was held on April 23. Some notable highlights that were approved by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board were as follows:

• The statewide early goose hunting season was moved forward to September 1 which is the earliest date allowed under the federal framework. In the past, the opening day was September 8.
• The Woodcock hunting season remains on October 1. This year, it was originally recommended to the F&W Board to move it to October 7, but the recommendation was not approved in response to public concerns, including the those of the BCLS.
• Opening day for duck hunting will now be on the October 11 holiday for both the Berkshire and Central Zones.  Over the past year or so, the Berkshire season opened the day after Columbus Day, which never made any sense to local hunters. Why force them to take a vacation day from work, rather than to open the season on the holiday which had been done for many years in the past.  Duck hunters can thank Western District F & W Board member Steve Sears of Dalton for strongly advocating on their behalf.

Great turnout at the Wild Acres youth fishing derby

 It was a cloudy but fishable day at the Wild Acres Fishing Derby which was held last Saturday.  Due to the Covid restrictions, the number of people was limited to 150.  Unfortunately, nearly 50 others arrived for the event but had to be turned away.  This was the 7^th year that the City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission and Lyon Aviation sponsored the event.  Last year’s event had to be cancelled due to Covid.

Representing the City of Pittsfield were Becky Manship, Recreation Activities Coordinator and Rob Vanderkar, Pittsfield Conservation Agent. Assisting the anglers were Onota Fishing Club President Fred Ostrander and his team of OFC volunteers. Dave’s Sporting Goods Store and Onota Boat Livery provided the worms and some equipment, Lyon Aviation donated funds for the event and The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery provided the brook trout.  The City of Pittsfield provided the chips, cookies, lollypops, etc.

Even though some 300 or so trout were stocked into the pond, they were hard to catch, in fact, only 5 of them were caught.  Not a problem, though, for the bass, sunfish and perch cooperated nicely.  Just about every kid caught fish. To make things even more pleasant for the smaller kids, the banks all around the pond had a couple of inches of gooey, muck, due to the recent rains.  Perfect condition for the tots to slosh in and get their fancy boots all muddied up.  Hey!  It doesn’t get any better than that!  And it was heart-warming to see grandparents once again being able to be out with their grandchildren.

The trophy winners were as follows:

Trout Category:  Shayne Clairmont caught the largest trout measuring 10 inches and weighing 3oz.  Other trophy winners in the trout category were Parker DeVergilio, Elise Sabolevski, Sandra Kisselbrock and Griffin Sabolevski.

Bass Category:  Mila Ostellino caught the largest bass measuring 14 inches and weighing 1 lb 3oz.  Other trophy winners in the bass category were Austin Sayers, Gabriel Christman, Alice Christman, Bellah Munson, Valente Lewis,

Chase Jones, Selena Rodriguez, Charlie Guachione, Bryce Santolin, Tyrus Ostellino, Kelsey Santolin, and Lottie Leeco.

Perch Category: Samuel Collins caught the largest yellow perch measuring 11 ¾ inches and weighing 6oz. Other trophy winners in the perch category were Nelson Pelkey and Wesley Willey.

Sunfish Category:  Maverick Pytko caught the largest sunfish measuring 7 inches and weighing 4oz. Other trophy winners in that category were Remington Pytko, Lincoln Bohem, Frankie Guachione, and Josie Guachione.

Golden Shiner Category:  Kai Scholl got a trophy for catching the only shiner which measured 9.5 inches and weighed 5oz.

A trio of young girls, (Bryer, Ryker and Sandy) collaborated and caught a bullfrog.  They kept it in a 5-gallon pail and wanted to take it home, but their parents ultimately convinced them to release it.  Another youngster caught a turtle.  Sorry, no trophies for the bullfrogs or turtles.  All of the fish and critters were released unharmed.

Our hats off to Lyon Aviation, the City of Pittsfield, the Onota Fishing Club and everyone involved for providing the kids with a such wonderful day.  I especially want to thank City of Pittsfield’s Becky Manship for her hard work in providing the names of all the winners.

Unfortunately, Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby cancelled again

A message from Steve Bateman, Chairman of the Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby: “Sadly this year’s 28^th, like in last year’s 27th Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The event is always held on the first Saturday in June which falls on the Massachusetts Free Fishing Weekend (June 5, 2021). Last year’s event got canceled due to the City of Pittsfield and State COVID-19 shutdown. We then scheduled a date for September 2020 and that event also got canceled. We were hoping that this year’s event would happen but after a conversation with the City Health Dept. unfortunately under the COVID laws it will be impossible to put on a quality event that everyone is use to and what makes this derby such a success. They said the fishing derby can happen because it is considered a low- risk sport, but in Massachusetts attendance for such an outdoor event is set at 150 people. One problem is supplying food which has always been part of the fishing derby. It would have to be served by a licensed caterer and they would have to abide by the restaurant rules. These issues would decrease the derby attendance number and make it impossible to run a quality fundraising event that everyone on the Harry Bateman Committee worked so hard to create. There are just too many negatives, such as making sure all of the attendants are safe by sanitizing, not being sure how many people will actually show up all due to COVID-19, the possibility of turning people away and enforcing the mask and 6-foot separation rule. If someone tested positive, we would have to contact everyone that attended. Then there is the extra cost of hiring a Catering Service, sanitizers and extra signage.   All of these things caused us to cancel this year.”

“Our goal is to raise funds for the Jimmy Fund while having a great time at a fishing event. If you ask anyone who has ever attended the Harry Bateman Fishing Derby, they will tell you that they have never seen anything like it or, It’s the best fishing derby that they have ever gone to.”  (This scribe will attest to that).

“We will be back and bigger than ever for the 30th Annual Derby next year”.  They already have support from many friends, too numerous to list in this column.  The derby folks thank everyone for your continued support.

Since Steve’s message, the State did ease up on some of the COVID restrictions, but it was still decided to postpone the event.

If you would like to financially support them, make checks payable to:  The Jimmy Fund-In Memory of Harry Bateman, and mail to: The Jimmy Fund Of Berkshire County, PO  Box 1139, Pittsfield, MA. 01202.

You can also find them on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/HarryBatemanFishingDerby

Trout stocking

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW:  Hoosic River (South Branch) in Cheshire and Adams, Dry Brook and South Brook in Cheshire, Hoosic River (North Branch) in Clarksburg and North Adams, Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, Chickley River in Charlemont and Hawley, Westfield River (East Branch) in Savoy, Windsor, Cummington, Chesterfield and Huntington;  Westfield River (Mainstem) in Huntington, Montgomery and Russell; Wahconah Falls Brook in Dalton, Windsor Brook in Windsor and Hinsdale, Hubbard River in Granville and Tolland, West Brook in Great Barrington and Lee, Goose Pond Brook and Greenwater Brook in Lee, Hop Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee, Housatonic River (SW) in Pittsfield, Clam and Buck Rivers in Sandisfield, Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, North Pond in Florida, Norwich Pond in Huntington and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

Lots of bears out there

At the last meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DCR’s Mountain District Manager ‎Mark Jester commented that DCR parks are being inundated by black bears.  No surprise there, ey?  Bear boxes were brought in at each site in their campgrounds. Incidentally, he reported that camping season has started with campgrounds opening up with 75% capacity under COVID-19.  People looking to camp in state parks need to reserve their dates online via Reserve America

It’s true! It’s true!

Readers may recall that last week I featured a picture of 5-year old Gabriel Christman holding a large fish that he caught. The carp which appeared to be half of his own weight checked in at 21.5 lbs.  There was some scuttlebutt that no way could he have caught such a large fish alone.  I saw his dad Joshua at the Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby last weekend and asked him about it.  Joshua then proceeded to show me a cell phone video showing young Gabriel fighting and hauling that fish in.  Joshua then netted it after the fish was brought close to shore.

MassWildlife officials recently confirmed that a bald eagle that died in March was the victim of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) poisoning. While mortalities in bald eagles due to anticoagulant rodenticides have been documented in other states, this is the first confirmed case in Massachusetts. In mid-March, observers reported odd behavior of an adult female eagle at a nest located on the Charles River in Middlesex County. Unfortunately, within a day, the bird had died on its nest. MassWildlife officials retrieved the eagle and transported it to Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University where a necropsy was performed. Toxicology testing of a liver sample was performed with the assistance of the Northeast Wildlife Disease Cooperative. Both the necropsy and toxicology test results confirmed that the cause of death was lethal levels of anticoagulant rodenticides.

Anticoagulant rodenticides are a type of rodent poison that kills by preventing blood from clotting normally, resulting in a fatal hemorrhage. Wildlife can be poisoned by anticoagulant rodenticides in two ways: 1) primary poisoning when an animal directly eats the bait and dies several days later, or 2) secondary poisoning when a predator or scavenger eats prey that has consumed the bait. Secondary poisoning has been documented in birds of prey like hawks and owls, as well as foxes, bobcats, and coyotes. While bald eagles primarily eat fish, they are opportunistic foragers that feed on a variety of animals and are known to scavenge or prey on small mammals.

Given the hunting range of eagles, it’s impossible to determine the exact source of this rodenticide poisoning. Analysis of liver tissue confirmed three different SGARs were ingested by the eagle. In the past 15 years, the US EPA has taken steps to impose restrictions on certain rodenticides. SGARs are believed to be most harmful to wildlife and now cannot be sold through general consumer outlets for the typical homeowner to use. SGARs can still be purchased online in commercial use quantities, and licensed pest professionals and agricultural users are able to use them. Other rodenticides, called first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) and non-anticoagulant rodenticides, are still approved for residential consumer use if enclosed within a bait station.

“The struggle to control mice and rats is usually viewed in terms of humans vs. rodents, but wildlife such as birds of prey are often not recognized as players in this battle,” said Dr. Maureen Murray, Director of Tufts Wildlife Clinic. “Many people are surprised to learn that the mouse poison they use in their basement can also kill the great horned owl hooting in the neighborhood.” Studies in other species of birds of prey conducted at Tufts Wildlife Clinic have shown widespread exposure to SGARs among these birds. MassWildife officials, in partnership with Tufts Wildlife Clinic, provide the following advice for homeowners with a rodent problem to minimize harm to wildlife:

• Rodent-proof your home. Before using a poison, remove or securely contain any potential food sources for rodents. Repair any exterior areas of your home to prevent rodents from coming inside.
• Arm yourself with information. Consider alternatives to poison, such as snap traps. Poisons should be used as a last resort. Be sure to check the active ingredients and opt for products that contain bromethalin, chlorophacinone, or diphacinone. Use poisons only in bait stations as per the label instructions and avoid any in pellet form.
• Ask your pest control company questions. Look for an integrated pest management company that uses multiple approaches to pest control instead of relying solely on poisons. You can request that the company avoid using SGAR products.

According to MassWildlife, the overall population of bald eagles in Massachusetts continues to recover and grow in numbers and geographic distribution. There are currently over 80 pairs of bald eagles nesting in Massachusetts from the Cape to the Berkshires. According to observers, within a week of the above referenced female’s death, another adult female eagle was observed at the nest with the male adult. “The appearance of a new female in such a short period of time speaks to the state’s robust eagle population,” said Andrew Vitz, MassWildlife’s State Ornithologist.

Trout stocking

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW:  Green River (South) in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, Yokum Brook in Becket, Potash Brook in Blandford and Russell, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Pelham Brook in Rowe and Charlemont, Cold River in Charlemont and Florida, Westfield River (Middle Branch) in Chester, Huntington, Worthington and Middlefield; West Branch Brook in Chesterfield and Worthington, Williams River in West Stockbridge and Great Barrington, Kinderhook Creek in Hancock, Konkapot River in Monterey and  New Marlborough, Little River in Worthington and Huntington, Town Brook in Lanesborough, Yokun Brook in Lenox, Factory Brook in Middlefield, Trout Brook in Peru and Worthington, Dunbar Brook in Monroe, Sackett Brook in Dalton and Pittsfield, Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge, Hemlock Brook in Williamstown, Depot Brook in Washington, Bronson Brook in Worthington, West Branch Brook in Worthington, Upper Highland Lake in Goshen, Berry Pond in Hancock, Pelham Lake in Rowe and Windsor Lake in North Adams.

With MassWildlife currently liberating thousands of plump trout into our local waters, this column has primarily focused on them lately.  But, as the inset photo demonstrates, there are other fish, such as carp, cruising our waters just waiting to challenge the anglers.  Five-year old Gabriel Christman, already a State multi-gold pin winning angler, took up the challenge and you see who won.  He recently landed a 21.5 lbs Mirror Carp caught out of Laurel Lake. His father, Joshua Christman, said that Gabriel, who was “super excited,” had no help reeling in the fish which he caught on a medium rod, 8lb test line with a worm.  This is his new personal best. and will undoubtedly get him another State pin, perhaps another gold one.

Free Fishing Days

Just a friendly reminder that anglers don’t need to have a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license to fish on the weekend of June 5 and 6.  Wish to fish out of state?  Well, Maine’s free fishing weekend is also June 5 and 6.  New Hampshire has a free fishing day on June 5, and Vermont’s day is June 12.  Connecticut’s free day is June 20 and New York’s free fishing days are June 26 and 27. Might as well try them out.  Who knows, you may discover a new favorite area to fish.

Maintaining our special places

MassWildlife recently reported that its staff removes over 100,000 pounds of trash from its Wildlife Management Areas every year, but they can’t maintain these special places alone. They recently took a moment to thank each and every one of you who help them improve their corner of the world. “Taking care of our planet is an important responsibility, and the outdoors are better when we can enjoy it together,” they said.  Personally, I hope these people aren’t trashing our WMA’s in front of their kids, elsewise this nasty practice will be passed from generation to generation.  Terrible thought, ey?

Ladies Night Fun Shoots

By popular demand, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be having its ladies night fun shoots.  They begin on May 11 at 6:00 pm, with a safety briefing for all shooters at 5:45pm.  New or inexperienced female shooters are welcome.  If you have no gun or equipment, LSA can provide safety equipment, firearms, and instruction.  Due to the national ammunition shortage, ammo cannot be provided; so, participants will need to supply their own ammunition (.22 long rifle, 9mm, or .380).  Focus is on shooting fundamentals and having safe fun.  The cost is $3 for members, $5 for non-members.  Cold Range Rules apply; gun handling only at Safety Table.  For those with their own equipment: 5 magazines are recommended.   Future dates are June 15, July 13, and August 17.  For more information on these events, required equipment, and costs click onto info@leesportsmen.com or call/text Stephanie DuPont at (215) 668-7808.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Massachusetts DFW (MassWildlife) is reminding us that young wildlife belong in the wild and urging us to leave them alone. Finding a young animal alone does not mean it’s been abandoned or needs to be rescued. Adults are often nearby and visit their young only occasionally to avoid detection from predators.

What you should do:

• If you find a baby bird: While baby birds may look helpless, they do not need your assistance unless you see clear signs of injury, like a broken wing. If you find a hatchling or nestling (a young bird without feathers) outside the nest, you can try to return it to its nest or create an artificial nest. The parents will not reject it if you touch it. If you find a fledgling (a young, fully feathered bird) outside the nest, leave it alone. While it is spending some time hopping around on the ground learning how to fly, the parents are usually nearby still taking care of it. If you find a fledgling near a road or exposed to danger, it can be moved to a safer, sheltered location nearby. Young birds naturally have a low survival rate, which keeps populations in balance with available resources.
• If you find a fawn: Young deer are born in late May and early June. Even if you see a fawn alone for several days, you should still leave it alone. The animal may be motionless and seem vulnerable, but this is the normal behavior for a fawn and the mother (doe) is probably feeding or bedded nearby. Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected. Does visit their fawns to nurse very infrequently, a behavior that helps fawns avoid detection by predators. If sympathetic people repeatedly visit a fawn, it can prolong separation from the doe and delay needed feeding. Fawns cannot be cared for by wildlife rehabilitators; if a fawn is visibly injured or found with its dead mother, call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300.
• If you find bunnies or other young mammals: Generally, young mammals are visited by their mother only a few times a day to avoid attracting predators to the young. For example, a nest of bunnies will only be visited by the adult female twice per day to nurse the young. The young are generally safe when left alone because their color patterns and lack of scent help them remain undetected. In most cases, it’s best to leave young animals alone.
• Keep pets leashed. Keeping pets indoors or restrained helps wildlife, as pets often like to chase and hunt songbirds and other mammals. This also helps your pets avoid health and safety dangers posed by wild animals, other pets, or automobiles.
• Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice. In almost all cases, it’s best to leave wildlife alone and let nature take its course. In the rare case you find a young animal with a dead parent or if you see visible signs of injury, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. An injured wild animal may be assisted, but a person must deliver the animal immediately to a licensed rehabilitator. MassWildlife licenses wildlife rehabilitators who are qualified to care for most injured or truly orphaned wildlife.

For more information on what to do if you find sick, injured, or young wildlife, click onto https://www.mass.gov/info.

Trout stocking

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW:  Green River (South) in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington;  West Branch of the Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington and Middlefield; Westfield River East Branch in Cummington (C&R), Chesterfield (C&R) and Huntington;   Westfield River Middle Branch in Middlefield, Chester, Huntington and Worthington; Westfield Mainstem in Huntington, Russell, Montgomery; Cold River in Florida and Charlemont, Hoosic River (North Branch) in Clarksburg and North Adams,  Hudson Brook in Clarksburg and North Adams, Farmington River in Otis, Tolland and Sandisfield; Green River (South) in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Konkapot River in Monterey, Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Mansfield Pond in Great Barrington and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

New Migratory Game Bird Regulations

A public hearing will be held on Friday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m. to establish rules and regulations relative to the 2021–2022 migratory game bird hunting seasons. This public hearing will be held virtually via Zoom

Due to the migratory game bird season filing requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the MA Fisheries and Wildlife Board must vote to finalize and approve the 2021–2022 migratory bird seasons at the close of the hearing. Therefore, please note: There will be no written comment period after this public hearing. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing via email to susan.sacco@mass.gov, Subject: Fisheries and Wildlife Board, or by postal mail. to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

The full proposed rules and regulations are posted on the website https://www.mass.gov/doc/dfw-final-draft-2021-2022-migratory-game-bird-hunting-regulations/download.  Interested persons can review them and provide written comments prior to the hearing and oral comments during the public-comment portion of the hearing. Here is a summary of the proposed changes:

• Woodcock Season: October 7 through November 27

• Youth and Veteran’s Waterfowl Hunts: September 25 and October 9
• Early Goose Season: September 7 through September 24
• Regular Goose Season
  • Berkshire Zone: October 12 through November 13
  • Central Zone: October 11 through November 27 and December 13 through January 1
  • Coastal Zone: October 16 through October 23 and November 23 through January 22
• Duck Season
  • Berkshire Zone: October 12 through November 27 and December 6 through December 27
  • Central Zone: same as Regular Goose Season
  • Coastal Zone: same as Regular Goose Season

Youth Artist from Hanson Wins Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Caleb Clemons, a homeschool student from Hanson, won Best of Show in the 2021 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest. His acrylic painting of American black ducks was selected from 134 entries. Clemons award-winning work will move on to the National JDS Contest.

Students from kindergarten through grade 12 from across the Commonwealth submitted original works of art depicting waterfowl in appropriate wetland habitat, demonstrating both artistic talent and a knowledge of the value of wetlands for wildlife. In March, MassWildlife held the judging, at which time the top winning artists were selected. Combinations of the top artworks will be exhibited throughout Massachusetts in the coming year based on reopening guidelines for host sites.

The Massachusetts JDS Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with support from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council. You are asked to support the JDS Program and wetland conservation by purchasing Junior Duck Stamps featuring national winners from previous years. Stamps can be purchased at https: // www.duckstamp.com.

To learn more about the Massachusetts JDS Program, and to access the traveling exhibit schedule, visit mass.gov/dfw/jds.

Beagle Club Field Trials

After all that we have been through lately, it will be nice to get out among fellow beagle owners and their dogs.  Next weekend, April 24 – 25, the Berkshire Beagle Club on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, MA is having its spring field trials.  Some of the best beagles in the northeast will compete at following the scents of snowshoe hares and/or cottontail bunnies. All of the dogs are AKC registered and many already possess championship ribbons won at other field trials.  When they strike a scent, they sure sing, some practically yodeling.  For beagle lovers, it is truly music to their ears.

The club welcomes folks to come and just listen to the dogs and observe the judges.  Every now and then, you will hear someone shout “Tally Ho!” to let the judges know that they spotted a bunny or dog on its scent.

There will be food to purchase there as well as a raffle for an Alpha Tracking System dog collar worth about $300.  (Ticket cost $10 or three for $20.)  If you decide to attend, remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing.

The number of American bald eagles has quadrupled since 2009, and more than 300,000 birds soar over the lower 48 states, government scientists said in a report recently. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said bald eagles, the national symbol that once teetered on the brink of extinction, (due to habitat destruction and degradation, illegal shooting, and the contamination of its food source, largely as a consequence of DDT)   have flourished in recent years, growing to more than 71,400 nesting pairs and about 316,700 individual birds.  “We’re approaching 80 pairs of bald eagles statewide, which is absolutely wonderful, ” said Dave Paulson of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). “This is a great time of year because right now, the eagles have either laid eggs or they will be soon. They’ll start hatching in April and May, and they’ll be very active once that happens.”  Paulson said the eagles tend to nest in tall white pines near lakes, ponds and rivers.

They have even made it to the South Shore of Massachusetts, Paulson said, and before that, the last sighting of a baby eagle was 115 years ago.  “It really captivates the local community because they are this majestic species that people grew up not seeing, but we’re seeing them more and more,” he said. “The fact that they are starting to enter into these suburbs and easterly towns is wonderful.”

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland hailed the eagle’s recovery and noted that the majestic, white-headed bird has always been considered sacred to Native American tribes and the USA generally.  “The strong return of this treasured bird reminds us of our nation’s shared resilience and the importance of being responsible stewards of our lands and waters that bind us together″ said Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

As readers are probably aware, DFW folks are busy this time of year finding the eagle nests and banding the young ones.  I recently asked Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor if he used booms or anything like that to get to the tall nests.  No, he said, he shimmies up the tall trees to get to them.  I suspect the eagles are not too pleased with him invading their nests.  Yo!   I think that man deserves hazardous duty pay!

He asks that if people see eagles to report them to MassWildlife, especially if we see pairs of them or those carrying nest building material.  The reporting of nests by the public helps them to paint a picture of the population’s growth.

Trout stocking

Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked by Massachusetts DFW: South Branch of the Hoosic River in Cheshire and Adams, East Branch of the Housatonic River in Hinsdale and Dalton, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; West Branch of the Westfield River in Becket, Huntington, Chester and Middlefield, East Branch of the Westfield River in Chesterfield, Cummington and Windsor; Farmington River in Otis, Tolland and Sandisfield;  Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Pontoosuc Lake, Onota Lake, Big Pond in Otis and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

Keystone Arch bridges receive National Historic Landmark designation

Two keystone arch bridges located within MassWildlife’s Walnut Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Middlefield and Becket were recently designated as National Historic Landmarks by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI). Soaring above the West Branch of the Westfield River, the bridges are an intact segment of the country’s first railroad built to pass over a mountain. The two bridges are part of a series of area stone railroad bridges built for the Western Railroad that ran from Boston to Albany. Major George Washington Whistler is credited with the design and implementation of an unprecedented plan to extend the rail through the central Berkshires by spanning the West Branch of the Westfield River in multiple locations. With only 2,500 National Historic Landmarks in the entire country, this prestigious designation recognizes the structures’ significant place in United States history. The federal designation was the result of a combined effort of cultural and conservation partners. An application for Landmark designation to the DOI was filed in 2013 by the Friends of the Keystone Arches and the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee with a unanimous endorsement by MassWildlife’s Fisheries and Wildlife Board.

Anyone willing to do a little hiking can experience some spectacular examples of architecture and railroad history in a beautiful natural setting. In addition to the arches, visitors can enjoy the state’s longest free flowing waterway situated in one of the largest blocks of undeveloped landscapes in the region. The West Branch of the Westfield River, a National Wild and Scenic River, is popular among anglers fishing for wild and stocked trout and for experienced kayakers paddling the river rapids. The WMA includes exemplary forested communities of northern woodlands, rich mesic forest, and hickory-hop hornbeam in various stages of growth. Walnut Hill WMA offers excellent opportunities for deer, bear, and turkey hunting. Wildlife viewing prospects include forest dwelling birds such as thrushes, warblers, and woodpeckers. Minks and otters patrol the waterways along with aquatic insects; mayflies, damselflies, and dragonflies. Several state-listed species of rare plants and insects have also been documented on the property.

In an era of human and horsepower, construction of the 150-mile railroad was completed by 3,000 laborers in an incredible two and a half years, opening in 1841. The group of arched bridges located near and within the remote 900+ acre Walnut Hill WMA can be accessed via the 2.5mile one way Keystone Arch Bridge Trail in Chester. The trail is maintained by the Friends of the Keystone Arches with the permission of MassWildlife. The nearby Chester Factory Village Depot in Chester was also granted National Historic Landmark status. Visitors can stop by the Western Railroad museum in Chester to learn more about the national engineering marvel that the bridges represented at the time.

MassWildlife’s mission to protect wildlife lands across the state has been remarkably successful. Thanks to an unusual partnership, at Walnut Hill WMA the conserved land and water comes with a spectacular added cultural benefit, sure to be appreciated by all who visit.

For me, the area surrounding these keystone arch bridges evokes fond memories.  I caught my first trout with a fly that I had tied near one of them.  I caught it on a wet fly (Gold Ribbed Hares Ear) in the late 1970’s a little below Bancroft near the first arch.  Some years after that, when MassWildlife was raising and stocking salmon fry into the West Branch of the Westfield River, Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited volunteers trudged the river below these arches stocking them.  Paul Ouellette and his late brother Homer took on this difficult assignment, when they were probably in their 70’s, even though the remoteness of the area made assistance in the event of a mishap unlikely.  That’s around the time that my wife Jan led some hikes along the Keystone Bridges Trail which parallels the river from Chester to Bancroft.

The last time I visited that area was about 5 years ago when good friend, Fred Rugo from Rhode Island came to the Berkshires to fly fish with me one summer day.  After fishing the Westfield and Housatonic Rivers, he asked if I could take him to see these arches before he headed home.  He had heard about them in Rhode Island.  We parked at the trailhead in Chester and hiked up to see them. I’ll never forget it for below the first of the double arches were two pre-teen lads fishing.  Even though it was a hot day and no respectable fish should have been biting, they hoisted up to show us two beautiful rainbow trout they had caught.  On the way back to our car, both Fred and I remarked on what a wonderful sight it was to see those youngsters and how it reminded us of our own younger days.

Of the 500,000 trout that MassWildlife will be stocking statewide this year, approximately 100,000 will be stocked in the Western District.  Last week, subject to last minute change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked: Farmington River in Otis, Tolland and Sandisfield; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Middle Branch of the Westfield River in Middlefield, West Branch of the Westfield River in Chester and Huntington, Main Stem of the Westfield River in Huntington, Montgomery and Russell; Laurel Lake, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl, Pontoosuc Lake, Lake Buel and Stockbridge Bowl.

Also note that the Trout Stocking Report, with maps and tables including Stocking Date, Town, Waterbody and Species is available at Mass.gov/trout.

As you are well aware, we are not out of the COVID-19 woods yet.  Even if you have received both vaccine shots it’s still a good idea to take precautions to prevent any possibility of spread by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. Avoid congregating in parking areas, on boat ramps, or along the shore and have a back-up plan if your usual spot is crowded.

Wear a life jacket

If you plan to fish from a boat, it is recommended that you wear a life jacket because accidents often happen too quickly to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. Wearing a properly fitted life jacket (personal flotation device) could save your life. History has shown that most boating fatality victims were not wearing a life jacket. In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by:

• Canoeists and kayakers from September 15 – May 15 (including waterfowl hunters)
• Youth under 12 years old
• Personal watercraft users
• Waterskiers

Fishing Derby

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough just got the go ahead to hold monthly free children’s fishing derbies this year.   They are scheduled to have one next Saturday, April 10 from 9:00 to 10:30 am at its Lower Pond at the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery, 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA.  Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.   These fishing derbies will run once a month through September.  Following State guidelines, masks are required and 6 feet social distancing is required.

Sweren chosen to lead MA/RI Council of Trout Unlimited

At its last meeting, the delegates of the MA/RI Council of Trout Unlimited chose Henry Sweren, of Lanesborough, to be its Chairman.  He succeeds Paul Beaulieu of the Pioneer Valley Chapter as Chairman.    Sweren most recently had served as the President of the Taconic Chapter of TU in the Berkshires from 2018-2020.

The MA/RI Council of Trout Unlimited is a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to protect, reconnect, restore and sustain the region’s coldwater resources.  Part of the National TU organization which was founded in 1959, the MA/RI Council is the unifying body region wide, connecting more than 4,500 members spread among 13 chapters.  Through advocacy, education and partnerships with other statewide conservation organizations, the Council works towards improving the ecological health of rivers and streams throughout the state.   The MA/RI Council is a non-profit organization with 501(3)c status under the umbrella of TU National.

Replacing Sweren as the Taconic Chapter President is John Burns, of Cummington.  He was the past MA/RI Council Vice Chair of Environmental Affairs for a few years. Sweren will also serve as the Chapter Vice President.  Rounding out the officers of the Taconic Chapter are William Travis of Pittsfield, Treasurer and Fran Marzotto of Pittsfield, Secretary.

MassWildlife:  Keep an eye out for critters coming to areas near you.

Watch for amphibians on the road

This spring, be mindful of amphibians as they emerge from their winter retreats and travel to breeding sites. Use caution while driving on rainy spring nights.

For many Massachusetts residents, spring rain is a reminder of the changing seasons. For smaller Massachusetts natives, like amphibians, spring rains signal it’s time to emerge from winter retreats and migrate to breeding sites. Unfortunately, many of those animals will face the daunting task of having to cross roads to reach their destinations. Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, blue-spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, American toads, spring peepers, four-toed salamanders, northern leopard frogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders are frequently encountered on roads during early spring rains. Migrations may have started for some pool-breeding amphibians already.

They can be difficult to see, as they are generally small-bodied and move under the cover of dark.

Recommendations from MassWildlife as to how you can help:

• Drive cautiously and carefully.
• Whenever possible over the next 2 months, consider not driving on rainy nights when air temperatures are 40°F or higher. If you must travel during such conditions, delaying beyond the first 2 hours after sunset is recommended.
• Travel on larger highways rather than small, wooded roads if possible. Plan routes that minimize the number of wetlands or vernal pools passed.
• If observing amphibian migrations, consider arriving at your destination prior to sunset, and then conduct your monitoring on foot.
• If assisting amphibians across roadways or handling them for other reasons, be sure your hands are free of lotions, bug repellent, or other chemicals.
• Report high levels of amphibian activity or mortality to the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife initiative, which compiles data to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on problem roadways.
• If you encounter any of our state-listed rare amphibian species (eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and marbled salamander), take a clear photograph of the animal, carefully record the location, and submit an observation report to MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
• Go the extra mile to help preserve amphibian habitat by certifying vernal pools on your property. The data you collect is used to help MassWildlife and local conservation organizations better understand habitat resources for our native amphibians.

Black bears are active and searching for food: take precautions

If you have bird feeders or if you keep chickens, bee hives, or livestock act now to keep bears wild and out of neighborhoods.

MassWildlife is reminding us that now is the time when hungry bears emerge from their winter dens and seek out food. If you live in western Massachusetts, or other areas where bears have been spotted, it’s time to take down your bird feeders. Natural foods such as acorns and other nuts are usually available on the ground, but, in some areas last year’s fall hard mast crop was meager. Bears will often ignore seasonally available natural foods including skunk cabbage in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species including wild turkeys and coyotes may also frequent bird feeders leading to a variety of nuisance issues. To avoid these problems, MassWildlife asks property owners to be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources including garbage or open compost. If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature, growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears. Taking these actions may prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.

There are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and their range is expanding eastward. Take action by educating yourself and your neighbors about proactive measures to avoid conflicts with bears. For more information about black bears in Massachusetts, visit mass.gov/bears.

Hunter Survey

You may receive a Novi Hunter Survey from the Massachusetts DFW.   Nicole McSweeney, Outreach and Marketing Manager at MassWildlife, informs us that this survey is sent annually by MassWildlife staff.  A sample of hunters who have provided their email addresses in MassFishHunt are sent this annual survey to better understand their preferences and efforts. This information helps MassWildlife biologists receive important “on-the-ground” data to aid in the management of game species. Depending on the variety of game you hunt, the survey takes around 10–20 minutes to complete. The survey is distributed through NoviSurvey and is set up so all responses remain confidential. I recommend that you respond.