Sixty-five years ago, today, a 9 lbs. 5 oz Chain Pickerel was hoisted out of a local lake by Mrs. James E. Martin of Stockbridge. It was 29 inches long with a girth of 17 inches. In his February 5, 1954 Berkshire Eagle column (Our Berkshires) Outdoor Sports Columnist Ted Giddings wrote that Mrs. Martin said that she took it out of Pontoosuc Lake. It topped by 5 ounces the previous world record Chain Pickerel which was caught on rod and reel out of Green Pond in New Jersey by Russell Kimball.
In Giddings’ February 12, 1954 column, he reported that Jim Mullen, DFW Assistant Aquatic Biologist, estimated the fish was 9 years old. The age was determined based upon examination of the scale samples.
Word spread quickly about that fish and later on after it was mounted, the Martins showed it off on a local TV sports program. I believe it was on Sedge Sedgewick’s Sportsmen’s Den on TV station WMGT.
The controversary at the time was whether or not Field & Stream Magazine would recognize it in its annual fishing contest which paid an $8,000 prize. One of its rules was that “fish must be caught on rod and reel and line and may be played by only one person.”
According to Giddings, Mrs. Martin’s catch was made on a reel and line attached to a tip-up. He made a case that a tip-up isn’t a rod, but it served the same purpose. But later on, Mike Ball, Fishing Contest Editor for Field & Stream determined that the fish didn’t qualify as a Rod & Reel Record but more info was being sought to “establish it as caught by any method.”
In Giddings’ column of April 23, 1954, he reported that Mike Ball did notify Mrs. Martin that the pickerel “will be listed on the world record fish chart when it is reprinted”.
That controversary became moot after a while for the world record was broken in 1961 when Baxley McQuaig, Jr caught a 9 lbs. 6 oz pickerel in Homerville, GA.
Mrs. Martin’s Chain Pickerel remains to this day the Massachusetts state record.
There was another controversy swirling around that fish. Based upon information provided to Giddings by the Martins in February, 1954, that fish was taken out of Pontoosuc Lake. It stayed that way for years, for when Ted commented on that fish in a 1957 column, it was still maintained that the fish came out of Pontoosuc Lake.
However, some people swore that it came out of Laurel Lake, while others said it came out of Stockbridge Bowl and yet another person supposedly saw the Martins ice fishing on Echo Lake that day. (Echo Lake is a water supply for the town of Stockbridge where fishing is prohibited.) Somewhere along the line, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts DFW determined that it came out of Laurel Lake and has it listed as such to this day.
This past holiday season my wife Jan and I visited my 99-year old first cousin, Joe Gaherty and his wife Enis who reside at Kindred Healthcare on Route 20 in Lee. (Joe was a renowned baseball pitching ace who pitched for several town or club teams before and after WW2. During the war he was one of two baseball pitchers for the 106th Infantry Division. The other pitcher, who had pitched for the Detroit Tigers, was killed on D-Day. Joe survived that day and went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge). But I digress.
You may recall that the weather this past December was very cold and snowy and one subject of our conversation was ice fishing, and also the world record pickerel.
I almost dropped when Joe mentioned that had been ice fishing on Laurel Lake the day that the big fish was caught. Not only that, his tip-ups were set up not too far from the Martins. He heard them whooping it up and could see a large fish flopping on the ice. Of course, he went over to see the fish. It was the above-mentioned world record pickerel! Joe remembers it well. Not only that, but also the general location, the time it was caught (early afternoon), the weather conditions, and more. He remembers Mrs. Martin as being one tough lady, able to stand out on the ice all day in frigid conditions.
Sometime later, Joe asked Jim Martin why they told Ted Giddings of the Berkshire Eagle that Mrs. Martin caught it out of Pontoosuc Lake. Jim’s response was they didn’t want lots of fishermen coming from all over to fish Laurel Lake and crowding out the local ice fishermen and catching all of the fish.
So, there you have it. Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but I am now convinced that it came out of Laurel Lake. The Commonwealth had it right.
The mounted fish now hangs in the DFW Western District Headquarters in Dalton. Many thanks to DFW Supervisor Andrew Madden for allowing me to borrow it for one day so that Joe could see it again. He and Enis were absolutely thrilled. Just imagine, the last time he saw it was when it was flopping on the ice 65 years ago.
The Martins were quite colorful people. Jim was a blacksmith and his wife chewed tobacco. My late oldest brother Joe and I often saw them ice fishing on Laurel Lake on Saturdays. On Sundays, Joe and I would go back to Laurel Lake not to ice fish, but to look for the hole that had the most tobacco juice stains around it. We figured that place must be good, perhaps where she took the big fish.
Out of courtesy and respect, Joe and I never tried to get to that area first and fish in their spot. Or was it because we didn’t want to get into a scrap with the wiry blacksmith and his wife. She appeared to be just as tough as him.
They have long ago passed away. God bless them both. As long as that State record stands, they will never be forgotten.
So, will the Berkshire waters ever yield another world record pickerel? If so, where?
Dan Miraglia, a local bass tournament angler and ice fisherman thinks so and feels that it will come out of Stockbridge Bowl. With the help of MassWildlife, Dan was able to get hold of Stockbridge Bowl pin fish records from 2008 through 2019. Since 2008 there have been 68 pin fish caught out of “the Bowl”. The list included virtually all types of local freshwater gamefish, but the vast majority of them (27) were chain pickerel. Of the 27 pickerel, most of them weighed over 5 lbs., with one which was caught in January 2014 weighing 6 lbs. 4 oz, was 27.5 inches long and had a girth of 13 inches.
(To receive a bronze pin, the fish must exceed certain weights. For example, a chain pickerel which is caught and kept must exceed 4 lbs., 8 oz. The largest pickerel for the year receives a gold pin and a plaque.)
Dan may be right, perhaps a new record will come out of Stockbridge Bowl someday. That’s assuming the lake is not ruined for fishing by excessively deep drawdowns and overuse of herbicides.
Take MassWildlife’s bathymetry data on your next ice fishing trip
Did you know that you can use your mobile device to access a pond map and see the depth information in real time as you walk? Gone are the days of drilling a hole only to find you’ve hit a shallow, weedy area. By using the My Location feature on the map, you can target fish species based on depth. Jigging for perch? Find a depth where the fish are feeding and then follow that depth around the lake. Want to target bass or pickerel? Stick to flats or edges of drop-offs.
To learn more about and how to use it, click onto Mass.gov/pondmaps. If you do use it, MassWildlife asks that you give feedback about the map and its functionality at the bottom of its web page.
Category Archives: News
2020 marks 30 years of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act
Through the implementation of MESA, MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) conserves and protects the most vulnerable native animal and plant species of Massachusetts and the habitats upon which they depend. Currently, there are more than 400 native plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern.
Many rare species have benefited from the protection afforded under MESA and the work of NHESP over the years, including the restoration and conservation of several notable species such as the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and northern red-bellied cooter. However, there is still a lot to do and in the face of habitat loss, emerging diseases, invasive species, climate change, and other threats, this work is more important than ever!
NHESP staff are diligently working to recover rare species and their habitats. NHESP’s conservation efforts include targeted restoration and active management of habitats; collection, management, and analysis of statewide biological data; conducting regulatory reviews; and the development of educational programming, publications, and conservation tools to connect residents with nature and help guide state and partner conservation priorities.
NHESP’s work is primarily funded through grants, regulatory review fees, and donations from supportive citizens. Donations to NHESP are received through a voluntary check-off o
the state income tax form and direct donations throughout the year. NHESP donations go directly into the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Fund, which can only be used for administering NHESP programs.
These donations are critical to ensure the dedicated NHESP staff can continue to perform important conservation work, including field research and surveys, regulatory review, habitat management, land protection, and education. Without such support, NHESP cannot protect, manage, and restore the Commonwealth’s most imperiled animals and plants and the sensitive communities and habitats on which they depend. In addition to donations, citizens can help by reporting the location of a rare species or vernal pool to help NHESP keep its database current.
MassWildlife suggests that you go to Mass.gov/30MESA throughout the year to learn about MESA and how you can support NHESP.
The pictures of the two adult bald eagles (beneficiaries of MESA/NHESP) were photographed by Mark Thorne of Pittsfield. He said that he went to Onota Lake for a couple hours on January 5 and easily found the adult pair that has been residing at the Point for the past several years. The male was sitting on the nest and went out a couple times to the west for sticks, and the female was a couple hundred feet away just watching a few people ice fishing on the lake. The eagles occasionally called to each other, and finally the male came over to roost with the female. Lots of preening and head scratching (tricky with those claws), but no other activity.
After a while the male got closer to the female, both calling loudly to each other, and Mark really thought they were going to mate. But he’ll never know because it was noon and he had to leave to do errands.
Before leaving, he got a good look at the leg bands colors/numbers and, to no surprise, it’s the same pair he had been watching in prior years. She is 18 years old this coming spring, and he’ll be 14. This year will be their 7th year together. Mark first identified her tag 9 years ago, but he’s sure she’s been here much longer.
Thank you, Mark for sharing the terrific picture.
Congratulations to the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Skeet Team
According to the most recent SSC newsletter, the club won the coveted Tri-Club Championship this year, edging out Sheffield by 13 birds, and “leaving Lee in the rearview mirror.” After the Championship, the attendees enjoyed a delicious BBQ chicken dinner.
Basic Hunter Education courses being offered
By state law, if you are 18 years of age or older and you want to purchase your first-ever hunting license, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. Hunters 12 to 17 years of age must adhere to the regulations which are specific to their age. While minors are not mandated to complete a Basic Hunter Education, it is a prerequisite for certain youth programs and it allows minors 15 to 17 years of age to hunt without direct supervision.
In a Basic Hunter Education course, students receive instruction in the safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, care and handling of game, and wildlife conservation. Courses are typically 15 hours in length and are offered in different formats to meet the public’s needs. Students under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian’s permission to attend this course. All courses are free of charge and open to the public.
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club will be conducting a 6 session Hunter Education Course at its clubhouse on 310 Curran Road, Cheshire. The sessions will run Mondays and Fridays for three weeks from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on February 24, 28, and March 2, 6, 9 and 13.
To enroll, call (508) 389-7830.
Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp
At the last Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) meeting, the delegates voted to sponsor two camperships this year to the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp (MJCC) one for a boy and one for a girl. The MJCC is a two-week program designed to teach teens between 13-17 years old various outdoor recreation skills as well as educate campers about conservation of natural resources and responsible use of the environment. (Click onto www.mass.gov/service-details/junior-conservation-camp for more information).
This year’s dates are from August 2 to August 14. The camp tuition is $1,000 for the full two weeks and covers lodging expenses, food, and activities.
The total cost to send both kids is $2,000. Fortunately, $1,000 of that amount was donated by: $500 from BCLS Vice President Bob McCarthy (he was awarded that amount by the National Grange for his civic duty in Williamstown) and $500 from Whitetails Unlimited. The remaining $1,000 will be picked up by the BCLS. (In the past, the late George “Gige” Darey sponsored one or two kids a year.)
If you know a kid who is interested in the outdoors and who truly wants to attend the camp, have him/her send a letter to Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, 150 Phelps Ave., North Adams, MA 01247 explaining why he/she wants to attend.
Incidentally, there a couple of other area local sportsmen’s clubs that also sponsor kids for the MJCC. If the League has too many applicants, I’m sure it will pass the letters on to them.
Upcoming Ice fishing derbies
On Saturday, February 8, the Ashfield Rod & Gun will be holding its 29th Annual Children’s Ice Fishing Derby on Ashfield Lake. It is free and runs from 8:00am to 12:00 pm. All school ages are welcomed to participate. Prizes will be awarded to fish caught legally during derby hours and checked in at derby headquarters (The Ashfield Lake House). After the fishing derby there will be a spaghetti dinner held at the Sanderson Academy. The price is $5.00 for adults and children eat for free. Following the dinner there will be a presentation given by Tom Ricardi on birds of prey.
The 34th Annual Jimmy Fund Ice Fishing Derby will be held the following day, Sunday, February 9 at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake, Pittsfield from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at the Onota Boat Livery (413)443-1366 and Maces Marine @ (413)447-7512. Admission: Adults $15.00, Kids $5.00. Trophies and prizes for kids, young adults and adults. Free with ticket will be dogs, burgers, chowder and soft drinks.
I am including these ice fishing derbies a week early in order to have more space available for an interesting column coming up next week. On February 2, 1954 there was some exciting ice fishing news that became the talk of the community. If you were around, do you remember it? If not, can you guess what it was? Make sure to read next week’s column.
MassWildlife: Providing food for wildlife does more harm than good.
According to MassWildlife, each winter they receive inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good. Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures, and high winds. 
Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can:
• Attract predators and increase risk of death by wild predators or domestic pets;
• Spread diseases among wildlife or cause other health issues (e.g. Rumen acidosis in deer, Aflatoxicosis in turkeys);
• Cause aggression and competition over food, wasting vital energy reserves and potentially leading to injury or death;
• Reduce fat reserves, as wild animals use energy traveling to and from the feeding site;
• Cause wildlife to cross roads more frequently, therefore increasing vehicle collisions;
• Negatively impact vegetation and habitat in areas where feeding congregates animals.
Providing wildlife with food at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival and can lead to human/wildlife conflicts. Once habituated behavior is established, it can be very difficult or impossible to change.
MassWildlife says that the best way to help wildlife make it through the winter is to step back and allow the animals’ instincts to take over. To help wildlife near your home, focus on improving the wildlife habitat on or near your property, by including natural food and cover (e.g., some conifer cover and regenerating forest or brushy habitat). It is also important that wildlife populations are in balance with what the habitat can support.
MassWildlife biologists advise against feeding wildlife. While backyard bird feeding during winter months is generally acceptable, they recommend using native plants and water to attract birds to your yard. Fallen bird seed can unintentionally attract many types of wildlife, including bears, turkeys, small mammals like squirrels and mice, and predators like foxes, fishers, and coyotes that feed on small mammals. If you notice unwanted wildlife in your backyard, bring in your bird feeders immediately.
There are lots of things going on this upcoming. Check out the following:
Thomas King Memorial Hunt and Dinner
On January 25, the Berkshire Beagle Club (BBC) will be holding its first Tom King Memorial Hunt and Dinner. It is advertised as a fun time with good food and raffle prizes. Check in time at the Beagle Clubhouse is 4:00pm. Hunting takes place on your own, away from clubhouse and grounds. The entrance fee is $20 which includes the dinner and raffle. For more information, contact Hunt Chairman John Demary, at (413) 441-2253.
Thomas (Tom) King was a highly regarded member on the BBC who passes away last May. He had been a director of the BBC, a longtime member of the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club (CR&G), the Adams Outdoor for Youth and the Night Stalkers Bass Club He was the BBC’s delegate to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen and was the recipient of its 2009 Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.
He was an avid volunteer for the BBC and CR&G annual turkey shoots, work bees, pheasant and rabbit stocking programs, annual youth fishing events, game dinners. He was a volunteer for the Mass Anglers Education Program. Tom was an avid, ethical sportsman whose goal was always to promote youth interest in hunting and fishing sports.
Incidentally, the BBC held its election of officers for 2020. Al Costa of Westfield, MA was elected President, Dick Kalisz of Adams as Vice President, Tim Cahoon of Pittsfield as Treasurer and Pat Barry of Pittsfield as Secretary.
NRA Range Safety Officer course
On Saturday January 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) will be holding a NRA Range Safety Officer Course. The cost is $35, and the cost of a 2-year credential for NRA members is $30.00, $50.00 for non-NRA members. If you are not already an NRA member and would like to become one prior to taking this course, it is recommended you call the NRA rather than join online.
The first 10 active LSA Members to register for this course and agree to actively participate as an RSO at the Club in some capacity (i.e. for any event/match held on LSA property where RSOs are needed, during youth training or events/matches, or during a busy weekend on any of our ranges) will have the cost of the course covered by LSA (the member is only required to pay for the cost of credentialing through the nrainstructors.org website).
Registration is required – contact Education Chairman Shawn Sullivan for questions, concerns, and registration at 413-281-8651 or ssullee@icloud.com.
Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) invites you to its Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner being held on Sunday, January 26. The Turkey Shoot is from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Prizes include NY strip steaks, turkeys, pork loins, and spiral hams.
The dinner is from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm, adults $15 and children 12 and under $7.
Every year, MassWildlife stocks an average of 40,000 pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and other lands open to the public. The LSA helps raise and release these wonderful birds. They 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.
So, they invite you to come on out for a day of fun and delicious food, and help support a great cause to ensure our continued legacy of wildlife management and hunting heritage in the Berkshires.
Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby
This is a new ice fishing derby dedicated in Evan Scott Colbert’s memory who passed away last July at the age of 29. At the time of his passing, Evan was employed by Dresser Hull Company, where he built many close relationships with coworkers and customers. He was a proud member of the South Lee Fire Company and a former Lee Police Officer.
He loved the outdoors and spent his leisure time fishing and boating. He could often be seen enjoying the waters of Goose Pond casting his reel while watching the eagles fly above. When he was on land, Evan spent time hiking, golfing, riding dirt bikes and adventuring with his dog.
All proceeds of the derby will go towards a memorial donation to the Goose Pond Boat Ramp in Evan’s name. The details of the derby are as follows: Sunday, January 26 at Goose Pond from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Check-in will be at the boat ramp. Cost is $10 for adults and children 12 and under free.
There will be a ceremony with prizes and raffles on the ice near the boat ramp at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased on the ice the day of the event or in advance at the office of Dresser Hull or Terrace Hair Studio. Events and ice conditions can be found on Facebook on the Cole’s Memorial Hard Water Fishing Derby page.
Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club (CR&G) will be holding its first Fishing and Hunting Swap Meet on Saturday, February 8 at the CR&G Clubhouse at 310 Curran Road, Cheshire. The hours are from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Open to the public, the admission cost is $3.00 for adults and kids 12 and under free.
It is an opportunity to buy, sell or trade new and used fishing and hunting gear. No guns, ammunition, household items; unsold items must be removed.
I mention this event somewhat early as time is required to buy table space,. Table space is still available at $30, which includes admission for one. To reserve a table, contact Jeff Kruszyna at (413)743-4168.
Please note: Due to ice conditions, the ice fishing derby sponsored by the Lanesboro Volunteer Firemen’s Association has been postponed until January 25.
2019 Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Award winners are announced
Chris Puntin
At a recent meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) five area outdoor sportspeople/conservationists were selected to receive awards. They are as follows:
The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, will receive the Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously. Unfortunately, Chris lost his life in a hunting accident last year while helping out at the Youth Turkey Hunt. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was the local chairman of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and served on its State Board. For many years he was a mentor for the youth turkey hunts and was a key organizer at the NWTF fund raisers. He helped in trout stockings and was a member of the Snow Seekers (tending snow mobile trails on October Mountain). He helped on the “Buddy Walks” by driving the tractor for its hayrides in Dalton (The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness) and he volunteered as its “grill person”.
To quote words from Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor, “Chris was well known to us. He was very active with the NWTF, a Paraplegic Deer Hunt volunteer for MassWildlife, and a good friend to the Agency and the District.”
Meredyth Babcock of Becket will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award. Meredyth is the Volunteer and Projects Coordinator for the Wild and Scenic (W/S) Westfield River Committee. As Coordinator, she partners with communities, municipal officials, conservation organizations and Federal and State agencies to manage the Westfield River and maintain the health of the entire watershed for nearby and downstream communities.
She is also helping out with the Highlands Foot Passage and is slowly working toward improving the East Branch Trail.
The W&S Committee engages layers of community members by targeting outreach efforts, messages and activities through a combination of mailings, outreach materials, workshops, hikes, public programs, and Stream Team trainings. The goal of these efforts is to provide effective tools and share expertise to encourage long-term protection, restoration and conservation of the river and its resources. They offer:
• A diverse range of Events and Trainings ranging from Stream Team trainings and volunteer workdays to workshops on geology, macro-invertebrates, and other features of the watershed
• Programs for Schools
• “Travel the Watershed”, a traveling exhibit of artist-designed boxes that celebrate the Wild & Scenic River and help educate and recruit local community members as volunteers.
In addition, they offer grants, technical assistance, and river project reviews to help landowners, communities and organizations promote river stewardship.
For example, the Becket-Washington School did 5 years of a Stream Explorer Program where for 6 weeks Meredyth came after school and basically walked the river, called the “Walking the River Roads.” They also did “Teen River Clean” where the W&S Committee hired teenagers to go to areas where they had seen garbage and they cleaned it up. The Committee didn’t pay them but rather granted scholarships for helping out. Each year, they hire an intern through the school, sometimes from UMASS, sometimes from Westfield and they do a tremendous amount of data gathering. This year they will be focused on the uppermost tributaries to identify invasive plants and try to work from the upper ends down to reduce the amount carried by the water.
Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield will receive the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award. Stephanie moved to the Berkshires with her husband Eric and 3 children in the fall of 2014 and joined the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) in 2015. Since joining LSA, Stephanie and Eric have made sure that their children have been pre-eminent members of the Air2Spare Jr. air pistol team as well as the youth shotgun and archery programs. They have also participated in the LSA’s fishing derbies, clean-up days, fund raisers and hunts. Stephanie has become a vital part of the day-to-day operations of the club as a Board Member, member of the Fundraising Committee, a member of the Youth Programs Committee and grant writer. She is also in charge of the day to day operations and communications of the club. She is Assistant Coach of the High Caliber 22 Bullseye Pistol Team, started the Summers Ladies Night Fun Shoot Program, and writes a bi-weekly column for the Berkshire Record. Working with youth in fund raising, she is instrumental in the continued success and growth of the LSA
Donald E. Girard of Adams will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Don has been a scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #38 in Adams. He has been instrumental in leading the youth in appreciation and preservation of our environment. With the involvement of several assistant leaders Don saw the advancement of over 75 youths to Eagle Scout. They attained rank by earning badges for community projects such as reclaiming “Hail to the Sunrise” on the Mohawk Trail, beautifying the Adams Memorial Military Park, Appalachian Trail, and building of a bridge over water hazards, Throughout Don’s tenure of leader/instructor, many of the Troop’s youth gained an appreciation of the great outdoors. The troop planted numerous trees on Pfizer property and Florida Mountain property to enhance and preserve the forest, and planted Christmas trees as a sustainable fund-raising project for the Troop. The youth of the Troop also cleared and maintained many hiking trails including land abutting Windsor Lake in North Adams and Camp Holy Cross in Goshen. He taught gun safety and marksmanship at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and at summer camps at Goshen. He also helped out in the Cub Scout fishing derbies.
Gregg Armstrong, of North Adams, will receive the John Zuber Award. Gregg has been a member of the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club (EMSC) for over 50 years and an avid sportsman for over 60 years. He is part of the EMSC youth mentoring program and has been a Mass Hunter Education Instructor for over 30 years. For over 25 years as a member of the EMSC he was instrumental in helping them put on the first youth pheasant hunt in MA. When anything that had to do with youth programs, he was always the first to step up. He was a Boy Scout leader, an avid diver and a Navy vet. He also loved being out with his bird dogs.
The above awards will be presented at the BCLS Silvio O. Conte Memorial Awards Dinner at the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club on Saturday evening April 25. The social hour begins at 4:30 with dinner at 6:00 PM. Tickets, which cost $35, can be obtained from any BCLS delegate.
Ice fishing derby
The Lanesborough Fire Department is sponsoring an ice fishing derby on January 18 on Pontoosuc Lake from 5:00am to 2:00pm. Registration is behind the park on 
Narragansett Ave. There is a $10 entry fee for adults and free for kids aged 12 and under. There will be raffles, cash prizes and trophies for the winners. Food will be available for purchase.
Marlborough Fly-Fishing Show
The 2020 Fly Fishing Show will take place January 17 -19 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center,181 Boston Post Road Marlborough, MA. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday. Parking is free.
The show promises more fly-casting, tying, manufacturer and retail store displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies during the three-day run.
The show will have about 10 seminars, demonstrations and Destination Theater presentations each hour including Labrador’s Monster Brookies, Fly Fishing Martha’s Vineyard, the Upper Connecticut River, and Fly-Fishing Western Maine.
There will be more than $50,000 worth of door prizes.
The admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days. Children under age 5 are free as are Boy and Girl Scouts under age 16 in uniform. Children 6-12 are $5 and active military with ID’s are $10. Scouts in uniform can earn credits toward a fly-fishing merit badge.
The New England premiere of the 2020 International Fly-Fishing Film Festival is Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
For a complete list of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars, door prizes, demonstrations and the Scout Merit Badge program, visit www. flyfishingshow.com/marlborough-ma/ or phone (814) 443-3638.
Be careful while on our frozen ponds
Its that time of year again and for long-time readers of this column, you have read the following many times. Please bear with me again in passing on MassWildlife’s warning about ice thickness. There are always new people taking up the sport of ice fishing or ice skating. There may also be some people who have recently moved north and are not familiar with the dangers of walking out onto our ice-covered lakes. Actually, it wouldn’t hurt if we all took a few moments to review these ice safety tips and ice thickness guidelines. The following comments are taken nearly verbatim from the MassWildlife web site:
How can you tell if ice is safe?
There are no guarantees. Always consider ice to be potentially dangerous. You can’t judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone; many other factors like water depth, size of waterbody, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions impact ice strength.
Ice tips to remember:
• New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.
• Ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto the ice.
• Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often more dangerous. Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams, as the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds may contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.
Before heading out onto the ice
• Tell someone your plans, including where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Go prepared. Carry a cell phone in case of emergency. Always carry ice picks and rope with you on the ice. In case of emergency, drive the picks into the ice and pull yourself to safety while kicking.
• They suggest that you wear a life jacket. If you can get it over all of your heavy clothes, it will keep you at the surface and can provide insulation against the effects of cold water.
Ice thickness guidelines
The guidelines below are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice and can be very treacherous. Use an ice chisel or auger to make a hole in the ice and determine its thickness and condition.
Ice Thickness (inches) Permissible Load (on new clear/blue ice on lakes or ponds)
2″ or less STAY OFF!
4″ Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5″ Snowmobile or ATV
8″–12″ Car or small pickup truck
12″–15″ Medium truck
If you fall in:
• Don’t panic: Call for help if there are people nearby.
• Don’t remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float.
• Turn the direction you came from: Ice you previously walked on should be the safest.
• Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks, use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking.
• Lie flat and roll away: Once your torso is on firm ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.
• Find shelter and get warm: If possible, change out of wet clothing and put on warm, dry coverings. If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice from your physician on medical attention.
If someone else falls in:
Remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.”
• Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way.
• Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them.
• Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim.
• Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves.
If a pet falls in:
Do not attempt to rescue the pet, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners have become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice.
Outdoor Recreation in the Berkshires
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is requesting your input for a Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation Plan. They encourage outdoor sportsmen and women to take a 10 to 15-minute survey at surveymonkey.com/r/BRKOutdoorRec.
On Wednesday, January 8 they would like to hear more of what you want in terms of outdoor recreation experiences in the Berkshires. Join them at Hotel on North from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Space is limited, so register in advance at www.bit.ly/BRKORforum.
Outdoorsmen and women, this is your opportunity to have input in developing a Berkshire County Outdoor Recreation plan. Don’t pass it up!
Did you get, kill or harvest a deer this year?
Every year I get phone calls or emails regarding the use of the words “deer harvest” in this column. “Call it what it is”, they say, “it’s the killing of deer”. Perhaps you have read similar letters in the Berkshire Eagle’s “Letters to the Editor” this fall.
Hunters, raise your hand if anyone ever asked if you “harvested” a deer. I thought so, me neither. Have you ever asked other hunters if they “harvested” a deer? Of course not. Like me, you probably equate the term “harvest” to farming, as in harvesting a crop.
The first time I saw the term “harvest” was from news releases from MassWildlife, and when passing on such information, I am not about to change their words. It was my feeling that they used that term because MassWildlife handles the lands under its control in such a way as to make it more hospitable for deer and to maximize their food sources (acorns, apples, browse, etc.). They control the deer numbers so that they have optimal conditions, which makes for a happy, healthy herd. Much like a livestock farmer does.
I discussed this subject with DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden recently, and he said that the term “harvest” is used not just by MassWildlife, but also by most wildlife biologists nationwide. “Harvest” is the general term used for the killing and utilization of the animals.” “Also, using the term “harvest” allows the distinction between animals that are legally taken and utilized by hunters versus other types of mortality such as roadkill, nuisance animals, etc.”
Hunters that I know usually don’t use the term “kill” either. Hunters rarely ask another if he “killed” a deer. They use the term “get” or “got.” Perhaps they avoid using the “kill” word because of the negative connotation that goes with it. Hunters don’t like to be referred to as killers, just like farmers don’t like to be called that either. Farmers prefer to use the term “butcher”. They butcher their chickens or steer, not kill them. Perhaps a few hunters use the term “shoot” or “shot”, but none that I know. They just don’t ask one another if they shot a deer, they ask if they “got” a deer.
About the only time I hear a hunter use the word “shot” or “bagged” is when he is talking about small game hunting. For example, I shot two rabbits today, or did you bag any pheasants? Nobody has ever asked me if I “got” a pheasant.
To me, the word “kill” is usually used when describing a murder or taking down an enemy on the battlefield. The only time I hear a hunter use the term kill is when he is referring to eliminating a predator animal, such as a coyote.
Let’s face it, some people who are anti-hunting like to use the word “kill.” It is frequently used to put the hunter in a negative light. Well, as they say, words have meaning, and most people suspect that word was chosen for a reason. Just remember, unless you are a vegetarian, chances are good that you will be dining on something today that was “killed”. You probably prefer to use the word “processed”.
It’s interesting that the term “kill” is rarely used when discussing fishing. Fishermen “catch” or “land” a fish. They don’t like to be referred to as killers either.
At this time of year, a character frequently thought of is that skeletal figure in a long-hooded robe who carries a scythe, known as the grim reaper. How come nobody is jumping all over him? We all know what he does.
Happy new year!
Regulations to prohibit wanton waste and predator contests approved
By now you have probably heard or read that the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted 6 to 1 to approve regulations prohibiting the waste of certain game animals, prohibiting hunting contests for certain predator and furbearing animals, and changing the harvest reporting requirements for fox and coyote. Board member Robert Durand was the sole negative vote. He then proposed two amendments to the regulations and they were both voted down 6 to 1.
So, here is a summary of regulation changes as established by the board. It cautions that the regulations are not yet in effect and are still subject to administrative processing prior to promulgation. MassWildlife anticipates that the regulations will go into effect well before the 2020 fall hunting season. A summary of the regulations is provided on its web page https://www.mass.gov/news/regulations.
Prohibition on Contests for the Capture, Take or Waste of Predator and Furbearer Animals
It shall be unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in a contest for the take of coyote, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, weasels, mink, skunk, river otter, muskrat, beaver, fisher, raccoon, and opossum. A predator or furbearer contest is where participants compete for prizes or other inducements in the capture or take of predatory or furbearing animals.
Prohibition on the Waste of Certain Game Animals
It shall be unlawful for any person while hunting or trapping to waste an animal. “Waste” means to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead animal in the field or the forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and use it. Each retrieved animal shall be retained or transferred to another until processed or used for food, the pelt, feathers, or taxidermy.
The waste regulation does not apply to:
Animals “unfit for consumption or use” – animals and their parts that are damaged, destroyed, decayed, rotting, diseased, or infected.
Defense of people or property.
Problem wildlife, such as Beaver Emergency Permitting and Problem Animal Control.
Certain animals such as English sparrow, starling, crow, chipmunk, flying squirrel, red squirrel, porcupine, skunk, weasel, or woodchuck.
Wounded or dead animals that cannot be retrieved after a reasonable effort has been made.
Change harvest reporting requirements of Hunting of Bobcat, Fox and Coyote and the Hunting and Trapping of Certain Game Mammals
Fox and coyote shall be checked within 48 hours of harvest, consistent with deer, bear, and turkey requirements. Fox and coyote may be checked online or in person.
To the livestock farmers who perhaps will be more affected by the wanton waste regulation than anyone else, MassWildlife included the following comments:
The regulations are specifically designed to preserve all options currently available to the public and to farmers experiencing livestock depredation by coyotes, and do not, in any way, reduce the opportunity for coyote hunting. The following options currently available to livestock farmers and other property owners will all remain available and unchanged under the new regulations:
• Whenever lethal removal of an animal causing conflict is warranted, MassWildlife recommends that a farmer or landowner invite hunters onto the property during the regulated season in order to promote the utilization of the resource and ensure that the animal is not wasted.
• MassWildlife assures property owners, their families, and employees will still be able to protect their property year–round by killing an animal that is in the act of causing damage (including depredation) and this is exempt from the wanton waste regulation. Also, property owners can hire a licensed Problem Animal Control Agent to trap or shoot the offending animal, an activity that is also exempt from the wanton waste regulation.
• MassWildlife can also issue a special permit to farmers experiencing livestock depredation from coyotes. This option allows the farmer to invite licensed hunters onto their property, both during and outside of the regulated seasons, to take coyotes in order to mitigate the issue and the wanton waste rule would not apply.
• MassWildlife asserts that while the regulations do not decrease options available to landowners and farmers experiencing property damage or reduce the opportunity to hunt coyotes or other furbearers, it is important to note that coyote hunting in Massachusetts cannot control the coyote population and has not and cannot prevent livestock depredation or other types of human-coyote conflict. This is due to the inherent biology and population structure of coyotes.
• MassWildlife believes hunting can randomly remove animals that are depredating on livestock or causing other conflict, but it may also remove animals that are not. Because hunting cannot control the population, there will always be coyotes around farms and some livestock depredation is unfortunately inevitable. MassWildlife has always been and will continue to be committed to working with farmers and livestock producers to minimize and mitigate conflict when it occurs.
So there you have it folks; like it or not, it will shortly become the law and we must comply. Let’s hope that it isn’t the gateway for implementing more hunting restrictions in the future.
Big Cut in Bluefish Bag Limit
If you enjoy going down to the Cape or Rhode Island fishing for blues, this will be of interest to you. Earlier this month, fishery managers approved new regulations for the 2020 recreational bluefish fishery. These measures, which include a 3-fish bag limit for private anglers and a 5-fish bag limit for for-hire fishermen, represent a substantial reduction compared to the federal 15-fish bag limit that has been in place since 2000.
The most recent assessment of the Atlantic bluefish stock concluded that the stock is overfished. In October, managers called for an 18% decrease compared to 2019 and considered several combinations of bag limits and minimum size limits. Although the Bluefish Monitoring Committee recommended a coastwide 3-fish bag limit, the majority of comments from the public and Bluefish Advisory Panel (AP) members expressed opposition to this option, noting that it would have severe economic consequences for the for-hire sector, which was only responsible for 3.6% of coastwide landings from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, AP members and the public emphasized that these proposed reductions come at a challenging time for for-hire stakeholders as they are also facing new restrictions on striped bass, black sea bass, summer flounder, and scup.
After an extensive discussion and thorough consideration of public comments, the Council recommended and Commission approved a 3-fish bag limit for private and shore modes and a 5-fish bag limit for the for-hire mode. No restrictions were made to minimum fish size or seasons.
“For many years, bluefish has been one of our most abundant recreational fisheries,” said Council Chairman and ASMFC Board member Mike Luisi. “The Council and Commission are fully committed to the effective conservation and management of this stock, but we also recognize that a sudden change in regulations could have severe socioeconomic consequences for some stakeholders. After evaluating a wide range of options and considering numerous comments from the public, we feel that this approach is the most fair and effective way to achieve the necessary reduction in harvest next year.”
Ladies LTC Classes
The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be holding its first Ladies Only License-to-Carry and Utah firearms course on January 5, 2020. The course, which is Mass State Police Compliant will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The stand-alone prices for the various states are: $70.00 MA, $125.00 UT, $125.00 AZ, $125.00 CT and $125.00 FL. Combine any two for $150.00, any additional state above two is $50.
Pre-registration required. Contact Tom Nadolny at 413-822-6451 or tnadolny1@gmail.com
Last of the deer hunting seasons end this Tuesday
After December 31, the only hunting seasons open will be crow, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, bobcat, coyote, fox, opossum and racoon. These seasons end at different dates so be sure to check the hunting laws.
Happy new year!
Junior Duck Stamp Program: Connecting youth with nature through science and art
Since 1938, the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp or “Duck Stamp” has been required of anyone hunting ducks or geese, although anyone can purchase a duck stamp. The funds generated from these stamps have helped restore and improve important wetlands and the stamps have become collectors’ items. Duck stamps are one of the most successful wildlife restoration programs in the history of this nation.
Conservation through the arts: The Junior Duck Stamp Program (JDS), modeled after the Federal Duck Stamp, was launched in 1991 by the US Fish & Wildlife Service with the aim of increasing young people’s awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. In 1992, the US Fish and Wildlife Service printed the first ever Junior Duck Stamp with the funds used to provide awards, incentives, and scholarships to participating students, teachers, and schools.
This dynamic conservation program is designed to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. Using scientific and wildlife observation principles, the program helps students communicate visually what they have learned by creating an entry for the Junior Duck Stamp Program art contest. The non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both science and the arts and teaches greater awareness of our natural resources. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition (which will be hosted by Massachusetts in 2020).
In Massachusetts the Junior Duck Stamp Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Junior Duck Stamp educational curriculum: Created over two decades ago as an innovative way to teach youth about wetlands and waterfowl, nationally, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program reaches more than 27,000 students each year, giving them the opportunity to learn scientific principles, connect with their natural world, and artistically express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity and interdependence of wildlife. A redesigned educational curriculum has been developed that will spark students’ interest in habitat conservation and careers in natural resources through science, art, math, and technology. The curriculum guides meet a number of national education standards, including the National Science Education Standards, North American Association for Environmental Education Standards and National Visual Arts Education Standards.
You can support JDS by purchasing a stamp: The overall national winner of the art contest graces that year’s JDS and is sold by the U.S. Postal Service (www.usps.com or 1-800-782-6724) and Amplex Corporation (www.duckstamp.com or 1-800-852-4897) for $5. All proceeds of the stamp are invested in the program to fund environmental education programs; award the students, teachers and schools that participate in the program; and to market the JDS program.
Artwork submissions must be postmarked by February 15 of each year. For complete JDS program details visit, mass.gov/dfw/jds or contact: Pam Landry, Wildlife Education Coordinator (508) 389-6310, pam.landry@mass.gov. 
If you are a subscriber to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, you are in for a real treat. In the most recent issue (No 3, 2019) there is a picture of artist Jenna Gormley when she was 5 years old and her Mallard artwork which was submitted to the JDS when she was 18 years old. Her article is entitled, “One Artist’s Journey with the Junior Duck Stamp Program”. When she was three years old, she was diagnosed with a receptive and expressive language disorder. She did not speak, so her form of communication was drawing pictures. 
It is a very interesting and inspiring article, so be sure to read it. If you are not currently a subscriber, click onto the MassWildlife web page, click onto Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine and follow the instructions. A 2-year subscription (8 copies) only costs $10.
Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting Season opens tomorrow
Shotgun deer hunting ended yesterday. If you haven’t gotten your deer yet, (don’t feel bad, you are not alone), you still have an opportunity to get one during the Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting season. It opens tomorrow and runs through December 31. A Primitive Firearms stamp is required and there are special regulations governing this season listed in the Massachusetts Fishing & Hunting official laws. Archers can hunt during this season but must purchase the Primitive Firearms stamp. Here’s hoping you have an enjoyable, successful and safe hunt trudging through our winter wonderland. Be careful and keep your powder dry.
Licenses are on sale now
The 2020 Massachusetts Fishing, Hunting and Trapping licenses are on sale now. They can be purchased online through MassFishHunt, at a license vendor location, or at a MassWildlife office. Good news! No increase in the license fees again this year.
MassWildlife suggests you use care when purchasing licenses during December, as both the 2019 and 2020 licenses are available.
Important studies ongoing by DFW
MassWildlife and the UMass Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are working together to conduct fish surveys in rivers at current and former dam locations. So far, nearly 50 rivers have been surveyed as part of a broader project to more fully understand the impacts of dams and dam removals on fish and aquatic invertebrates. Coldwater fish like native eastern brook trout are particularly dependent on upstream and downstream movements for reproduction and survival. Previous research suggests that abundances of coldwater and coolwater fish, including brook trout, longnose dace, and white suckers, increase following dam removals. Monitoring will continue for the next several years.
MassWildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service have completed a third year of cooperatively monitoring juvenile American shad in the Connecticut River. Biologists capture shad at night during the summer and fall using an electrofishing boat. Abundance, length, and weight measurements are collected and used to assess the growth, survival, and productivity of the population. This study is designed to help determine the impacts of dams on juvenile shad. Shad populations have significantly declined as a result of 19th century dam construction, which prevent adults from migrating upriver to find spawning habitat. Shad are an abundant food source for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, perch, and northern pike. Shad also provide food for birds and terrestrial mammals, as well as marine fish including striped bass.
Don’t forget to submit your hunting logs
Massachusetts hunters spend a significant amount of time in the woods observing wildlife of all kinds. These observations can provide wildlife biologists with a tremendous amount of information to better understand wildlife distribution and abundance across the Commonwealth. If you are an archery deer hunter or a game bird hunter, perhaps you have been keeping a hunting log on all the days you hunted this season. These logs must be submitted before December 20, 2019 to be entered into a drawing. Prizes, donated by Cabela’s, include a Polar Cap Equalizer cooler (value $249.99) and two $25 Cabela’s/Bass Pro gift cards. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in late December. If you completed both types of logs, your name will be entered twice.
Gige has not been forgotten
Hard to believe but it has been a year since our old buddy George “Gige” Darey of Lenox passed away. As you may recall, he was the long time MA Fish & Wildlife Board Chairman (35 years), our greatest conservation champion and beloved by the outdoor sports community. He surely has not been forgotten. In fact, his partner, Ginny Acabane, noted that several people have recently approached her saying how much they still miss him.
Rumor has it that the Town of Ripton, MA will heretofore have a moment of silence in his memory each December 21.
Deer tally lower this year due to all the snow
Most shotgun deer hunters hoped that they would be dragging their deer out of the woods last Monday morning. Sadly, many couldn’t even get out of their driveways because of the heavy snow that fell the previous day and earlier that morning. Many spent the entire morning clearing their driveways of snow. Too bad for those hunters who took the day off from school or work to go hunting on opening day. Oh well, some thought, they will go hunting on Tuesday. Well, as you know, it was déjà vu with even more snow to clear.
Some hearty souls were able to get out, but with nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas, the walking was tough. Many hunters felt that the deer weren’t moving and just hunkered down for the duration of the storm. Some deer were taken, but the overall deer count was considerably lower than other opening days.
By noontime on Wednesday, 45 or so deer were checked at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton. In a normal year, they would have checked 50 deer on Monday alone. A couple of nice deer had been checked in at that time; one was a 206 lbs, 8-point buck taken by Aaron Rocha. Another was a 161 lbs, 12-point buck taken by Joe Hinckley. A black bear was also checked in.
As of mid-afternoon on Wednesday, only 1 deer had been checked in at the Becket General Store. The deep snow was also blamed for the low count, but this was the first year that the store restarted checking in deer and perhaps few hunters were aware of it.
Some 52 deer had been checked in at the Mill River General store as of Wednesday afternoon, which, according to DFW Biologist Nate Buckhout is about half of the normal count. A lot of those hunters had to work, plowing and sanding driveways. The largest deer so far checked in was a 176 lbs, 7-point buck which was taken in Great Barrington. A 150 lbs doe (which is a huge doe) was taken in Sheffield. Two black bears were also checked in.
By the way, all deer weights were field dressed weights.
At the Lee Sportsmen’s Association, some 21 deer had been checked in, at Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams, 39 deer and at Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel in Otis 17 deer were checked in. No detail information was provided on these last three check stations.
As previously suggested, blame the snow for the lower counts on Monday and Tuesday, but I suspect the hunting got better as the week progressed.
While at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton getting the deer count, I found District Supervisor Andrew Madden surrounded by a group of Wahconah High School students accompanied by Wahconah Environmental teacher April Lesage. The youths were part of the 50 or so students (three classes) in its Environmental Science Program. 
Andrew gave them lots of information about deer, deer hunting, what DFW’s role is in all of it and other information. If kids were interested in deer hunting (and there were a few) he encouraged them to take a hunter education course. The boys and girls were very interested in what he had to say. They had the added thrill of seeing a deer being weighed and aged while they were there. Too bad they had to leave when they did for shortly thereafter a black bear was checked in.
Madden mentioned that 4 classes of BCC students also visit during the first week of shotgun deer season. He gets into the subject a little deeper with them discussing such things as deer population management.
2019 lake trout survey
Each fall, MassWildlife samples the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs to monitor lake trout populations. With the help of DCR, MassWildlife surveys lake trout to examine population characteristics. The 2019 fall sampling is complete and crews on Wachusett Reservoir captured and released 142 lake trout including a 37-inch, 18-pound fish.
Crews at Quabbin Reservoir captured and released 130 lake trout, 34 at Goodnough Dike and 96 at Windsor Dam. The largest lake trout encountered was originally tagged in 2015 and then recaptured in 2017. That fish, pictured above, measured 33.5 inches and 13.3 pounds. In addition to lake trout, several large landlocked salmon were captured at Quabbin weighing between 6 and 7 pounds. 
To capture lake trout, field crews set nets on spawning areas starting at sunset and check them about every 20 minutes. Captured fish are removed from the nets and placed in a livewell. Next, biologists record length, weight, and sex and implant a small Passive Integrated Tag (PIT) in the fish. Prior to release, the adipose fin is clipped to provide an external mark indicating that the fish has been captured before. Data collected provide biologists with an understanding of the current condition of lake trout populations. If fish are recaptured from previous tagging efforts, biologists can calculate individual growth rates. Lake trout are long lived and slow growing and it is not uncommon for a tagged fish to be recaptured 10 years later. In fact, the longest recapture interval recorded was 24 years! When other species like landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and white perch are captured, biologists record information including length, weight, and sex but do not implant PIT tags.
Lake trout typically spawn in late October and November when the surface water temperatures are around or below 50°F. The spawning grounds are typically shallow, rocky waters on windy shores of the Reservoirs; spawning occurs mostly after dusk. Night sampling on big waters can be cold and icy in November, but the information it provides biologists is well worth the effort.
New book out entitled Surfcasting Block Island and Cuttyhunk
Hot off the press, this is the fifth and latest book on striped bass fishing by D.J. Muller. It is a detailed guide to two legendary surfcasting destinations which are considered home to some of the best striped bass fishing in the world.
Block Island, just off of the coast of Rhode Island, is 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. It has some of the richest varieties of surfcasting venues from sand beaches to boulder fields. Muller explicitly details 24 good surfcasting areas on the island (He even provides a map) explaining in detail how to get to them, where to park, what type waters the angler will encounter, when to fish them, what rods, reels and lures to use and more.
He gets into wetsuit fishing off of boulders at night. He related some of his scary experiences such as being washed off of the boulders by large waves, being caught in thick fog at night with no waves hitting the shores thus denying him the ability determine in which direction to wade back to the shore.
Cuttyhunk is 35 miles northeast of Block Island and is the last island in the Elizabeth Islands chain. Arguably, it is one of the most remote and beautiful places to fish for striped bass in the world. It was there in the latter half of the 19th century that surfcasting was born and the angling remains as interesting and challenging as ever. The island is ¾ mile wide and 2 ½ miles long. You cannot bring an automobile onto it.
Muller provides a map of that island, too and the 18 best places to fish it.
He offers advice as to where to stay and eat on both islands. What I found particularly interesting was that he gave histories of both islands going back before being “discovered” by the Europeans.
It is a well written, informative book that you should read before visiting these islands. Be sure to take it along with you as I suspect you will be referring to it often.
The 141-page softcover book, which would make a great Christmas stocking stuffer, is available at bookstores, online book retailers and specialty shops. If you purchase it from the publisher Buford Books at www.bufordbooks.com, it will cost you $18.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling.
I doubt that your saltwater anglers already have this book as it was just published on November 2, 2019.
Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrow
Well, here we go again. For some of us the opening day of shotgun deer hunting is still a big event and its anticipation results in a sleepless night. Before we go to bed tonight, we will have had all of our hunting equipment ready………gun, bullets, drag rope, knife, hunting license, sandwiches, thermos bottle, hand warmers, cell phone and/or compass, warm hunting clothes, etc, etc. We’ll be all set to go roaring out of our driveways early tomorrow morning headed to our hunting spots. The weather forecast predicts snow so that is good for tracking, as long as there isn’t a severe storm which would prevent us from getting up into the mountains.
I don’t know about you, but chances are pretty good that I will be tossing and turning all night until its almost time to get up around 4:00 am. Chances are that during the night we’ll be reliving some past opening days, people we hunted with, the deer that we shot…or missed, the weather, etc.
If you are a baby boomer or older, you remember when deer season ran only one week, the first full week in December. We planned our vacations to coincide with deer season. (you’ll note that I use the term deer season, not seasons). Years ago, there was no separate archery season and there was definitely no such thing as a primitive firearms deer hunting season.
So, the deer hunter had one week, 6 days, to hunt in Massachusetts. I could go on and on relating what it was like deer hunting in those days. That may be a good column, possibly for opening day next year Good Lord willing. What I decided to write about today is how our Berkshire Eagle covered deer seasons back then.
Ask any boomer about the old days of deer hunting and one recurring subject keeps cropping up, the popularity of deer hunting back then and the superb coverage in the Berkshire Eagle. The boomers undoubtedly remember that in the Berkshire Eagle, there was always a listing of all of the successful hunters. Usually, on opening day there was a headline and/or picture of a very large deer along with the hunter.
Just out of curiosity, I accessed the archives of some old Berkshire Eagles, specifically the hunting season of 1959, some 60 years ago. Sure enough, there were articles about deer hunting every day from Saturday, December 5 through Tuesday, December 14, 1959.
On opening day the headline was,” Deer kill total down but quality is high”. It had a picture of a 200 lbs, 10-point buck hanging from a tree or garage Shotgun deer hunting season opens tomorrowand standing next to it was the successful hunter Frederick W. Woodin of Stockbridge. The accompanying article also listed the names o
f 40 successful hunters. It not only listed their names, but in what town they lived, the town where they shot the deer, whether it was a buck or doe, the number of points, if applicable, and its weight.
For the next 8 days, there were articles about the deer hunting season along with the above information on the deer kills. During that deer season, the names and information on over 200 successful local deer hunters were listed. There was usually special attention given to successful women hunters and teenagers who bagged their first deer.
Can you imagine the amount of work that went into gathering and listing all that information? The articles were greatly appreciated by the sportsmen and were required reading. It was a big disappointment if you shot a deer and didn’t get your name listed in the newspaper. Such coverage was common in the Berkshire Eagle for 25 years or so, definitely from 1950 through 1975.
In the December 14, 1959 Berkshire Eagle article (the Monday after the hunting season closed), Bryant R. Chaplin of the Information & Education Section of the DFW, reported that some 2,290 deer were checked in state-wide. (Contrast that with the 2018 statewide kill from all deer hunting seasons of 14,513). The “Big Deer” contest was won that year by Frank Guida of Pittsfield with a 200 lbs., 7-point buck. Some 500 hunters were registered in the contest that year.
There was no name of the reporter who obtained the information for the daily articles, but there was little doubt in anyone’s mind, it was Ted Giddings who, I believe, was the City Editor in those days. What a difficult job that must have been gathering and typing all of those names and details.
I scanned the listings of the successful hunters to see if there was anyone that I knew. There were many. Most of them have passed away over the ensuing 60 years. But today there are some who are still trudging up our Berkshire mountains, albeit a tad slower.
So, you may ask, what with all of the modern-day technology, why is it that we can’t have these listings anymore? Computers should be able to easily compile this information more rapidly, right? Well, please consider this. These days there are some forms of deer hunting on-going from October 21 through December 31, and that doesn’t include the paraplegic and youth deer hunting days. The deer taken during the archery and primitive firearms as well as the second week of shotgun season can be checked in on-line or at the various deer checking stations. Some of these stations don’t report the kills on a timely basis. So, DFW personnel can’t really get accurate harvest numbers on a daily basis and usually have to wait until the seasons are over and the reports are in. They do provide me with some information on the larger local deer kills so I can mention them in this column.
You will note that on-line reporting of deer taken during the first week of shotgun season was not mentioned above. That’s because during the first week of shotgun season, the deer must be physically checked in at an official check station. That allows DFW personnel to inspect and gather important data on the animal such as condition, age, weight and antler beam diameter.
According to the MassWildlife web site, the following are authorized Berkshire County deer checking stations which you may use during the first week of the shotgun deer hunting season:
• Ernie’s Auto Sales, 400 Curran Hwy., North Adams, No phone, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday.
• DFW Western District Headquarters, 88 Old Windsor Rd., Dalton, 413-684-1646, Monday-Friday 8am-6pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; closed Sunday.
• Lee Sportsmen’s Association, 546 Fairview St, Lee, No phone, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday
• Becket General Store, 3235 Main Street, Becket, 413-623-6026, Monday 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Saturday 7am-7pm; Sun 7am-5pm.
• Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel, 2000 East Otis Road, Otis, 413-269-7779, Monday-Saturday 10am-6 pm; closed Sunday
• The Mill River General Store, 10 Great Barrington Mill River Rd., New Marlborough, 413-229-2663, Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 7am-7pm; Sun 8am-12pm.
Here’s wishing you all a safe, enjoyable and successful hunting season.
Don’t deck the halls with invasive species
MassWildlife cautions us to avoid using exotic, invasive plants such as Oriental Bittersweet and Multiflora rose in holiday decorations. Using them in decorations can impact native species and habitat. Birds eat and carry away the fruits from wreaths and garlands and the digested but still-viable seeds sprout where deposited.
Exotic, invasive plants create severe environmental damage, invading open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows, and backyards, and crowding out native plants. Bittersweet can even kill mature trees through strangling. It is illegal to import or sell bittersweet and Multiflora rose in any form in Massachusetts.
You can learn more about invasive plants from their publication: “A Guide To Invasive Plants”.. It can be purchased from MassWildlife for $5.
TU Holiday Party
The Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be having its Holiday Party on Thursday, December 5 at Mazzeo’s Ristorante on Rte. 7/20, Pittsfield. Open to the public, the social hour and auction will begin at 5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to pick up some neat used flyfishing stuff at bargain basement prices. At 6:45 PM dinner will be served.
The cost is $35.00 pp. On-line tickets must be purchased by this Tuesday. For more information, contact Henry Sweren at (413)822-5216 or hsweren8@aol.com.
Paraplegics enjoy another deer hunting season
According to Susan (Ingalls) McCarthy Wildlife Biologist and Paraplegic Deer Hunt Coordinator for the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) the weather statewide was “pretty terrible” for this year’s paraplegic hunts but participants and volunteers alike still had a positive experience. Here in the Berkshires, eight hunters participated – four in the southern and four in the northern Berkshires sites.
Since 1972, MassWildlife has offered paraplegic hunters the opportunity to participate in a special 3-day hunting season. This year’s hunt was held October 31–November 2, 2019 at five sites statewide in the Northern Berkshires, the Southern Berkshires, the Quabbin Reservoir, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Lancaster, and Otis/Edwards Military Reservation in Falmouth.
Eighteen hunters participated in this year’s hunt and 5 deer were harvested (1 six-point buck and 4 does) for a 28% success rate. Hunters at all five sites observed deer and many were presented with shooting opportunities.
Over 35 volunteers and MassWildlife staff assisted the hunters. Staff and volunteers strategically placed hunters in safe locations where deer signs had been observed. If a hunter shot a deer, staff and volunteers assisted by tracking and retrieved the deer, field dressed, reported the harvest on site, and coordinated with a local butcher for processing.
“This is my ninth year staffing the deer hunt for paraplegic sportsmen and my second year as the coordinator of the program. Participating in this special hunt has always been an incredible honor and such an enjoyable experience,” said McCarthy, “This program could not possibly be successful without our many volunteers, MassWildlife staff, DCR staff, military personnel at both Devens RFTA and Otis/Edwards MMR, and of course our amazing hunters.”
The southern Berkshires folks hunted in the Mount Washington area and the hunt was coordinated out of the DCR Headquarters at Mount Washington State Forest. Fred Lampro and Mark Portiere once again headed up the hunt this year. The hunters were as follows: Sidney Eichstedt of Lee, Steve Gladding of Westfield, MA, Vyto Sablevicius of Norwich, MA, and Greg Baumli of New Lebanon, NY.
The Mount Washington helpers and the number of years they have served as volunteers included: Shaun Smith (46 years), Al Vincent (46), Marc Portieri (30), Greg Arienti (24), Matt Roache (14), Chuck Pickert (12), Rick Thelig (11), Tom Dean (8), Dallas Tidwell, Jim Santolin, Mike Gaffeny, and Gavin Ziegler. Vyto’s brother-in-law Paul was also a volunteer. Once again, the cook was Chuck Pickert.
The volunteers did a lot of prep work by scouting several areas and placing (donated) trail cameras to see where the best deer activity was. They analyzed the pictures to determine the best places in which to place the hunters. Volunteers transported the hunters to the locations and helped to drive the deer toward them. When a hunter shot a deer, they tracked it, field dressed it and dragged it to the vehicle.
And what can I write about Chuck Pickert, his wife Beverly and Tricia Volmer. For the last 12 years in a row, Chuck brought his trailer-mounted smoker/grill and they cooked breakfasts and lunches for the three days. A lot of friends who own restaurants and businesses donate food, charcoal, condiments, etc., every year (See donor list below).
On Thursday, the lunch menu was Irish Stew prepared by Tricia Vollmer and Chuck’s Grandma’s Poor Man Stew with corn bread. (Good meal on a cold, rainy day). On Friday it was roast beef served with mashed potatoes, etc., and on Saturday it was brined pork loin cut thin like minute steak. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the event this year, but you better believe I already have my calendar marked for next year’s hunt which is October 29–31, 2020.
So how did the hunt go this year in the Southern Berkshires? Well, Sid Eichstedt shot a 6- point 145lb buck and Steve Gladen got a 110lb doe. Vyto Sablevicius and Greg Baumli both saw deer but didn’t shoot any.
Eichstedt’s 6 pt buck
Gladen’s doe
Southern Berkshire Paraplegic Hunt Donors included: Roma Pizza, Pop’s Diner, C A Lindell, Jay Lawn Care all from North Canaan, CT, Cranes Outdoor Power Equipment and Davis Tires of Canaan, CT , Wood Creek Bar & Grill from Norfolk, CT, Mill River General Store, Mill River, MA, JTC & Sons, Greg S. Massini Bus Co. and Massini Bus Co. from Sheffield and Fiddleheads Grill in Great Barrington.
Rick French coordinates the hunt with the volunteers and hunters at the Northern Berkshires site. The four hunters at the Northern Berkshires site were: Dale Bailey of Clarksburg, Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA, Dave Alderman of Petersburg, NY and Kevin Hollister (Greenfield area). Volunteers included French, Tony Mei, Robert Mei, Stacy Sylvester, J. Sylvester, Joe Benoni and Ben Pike. With permission, they hunted private properties in the Williamstown area. No deer were taken up there but nearly everyone saw deer.
DFW Western District biologist Nate Buckhout along with DFW staff Jacob Morris-Siegel, Derek McDermott and Ray Bressette were on hand at the sites to help out and check in the deer.
For more information about the paraplegic hunt, contact MassWildlife Field Headquarters at (508) 389-6300.
Lastly, thanks to you eighteen Massachusetts hunters for staying in the game in spite of the lousy hands that you have been dealt in this life. You are an inspiration to all of us, especially those who also are struggling with physical and emotional problems. And kudos to the volunteers and everyone involved with this program for your time and energy in helping them enjoy a couple of days in the outdoors. We could use more of that selfless, “caring for our fellow man” attitude in these turbulent times.
New Pheasant Stocking Map
At the last meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden announced that the Division is working on a new map showing pheasant stocked areas across Massachusetts. The map is still in development, and your feedback this season will help them finalize the features and design. The map shows general stocking locations and stocking frequency, provides directions to parking and special notes about stocked properties. Check it out on https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-pheasant-stocked-area. Feedback is welcome
New England Outdoor Writer Association Board Member Lyon killed in boating accident
NEOWA Board Member Harold “Hal” Lyon, 84, of Meredith, NH, was killed when his and his close personal friend’s boats collided on Lake Winnipesaukee on the evening of November 9. His friend, Jim Hanson, who piloted the other boat died also. Jim’s wife Carmel suffered serious, but non-life- threatening injuries. She was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, NH. Hal was in the boat alone.
Both boats were making a turn round Bear Island (the second-largest island in Lake Winnipesaukee) at the same moment, shortly after 6:00 pm when they collided. Friends said that it wasn’t a windy night, but it was cold and dark.
Jim and Hal were close friends and they often hunted for deer together. Friends said that the very reason that Hal was away from his home was so that he could scout for hunting spots to go with Jim once the season opened.
Lyon, was the author of seven books including the award-winning “Angling in the Smile of the Great Spirit” a guide on big glacial lake fishing based upon his fishing experiences on Lake “Winni”. Incidentally, the Native American name given to the lake means either “smile of the Great Spirit” or “beautiful water in a high place.”
I first met Hal at the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show shortly after he wrote that book in 2008. He was manning a booth there and when he spotted my NEOWA ID tag as I walked by, he stopped me and started up a conversation. He was a pleasant, friendly person, someone who you would instantly like. We had a lengthy chat about outdoor writing and when it came time for me to move on to other exhibitors, Hal gave me a numbered, autographed, limited edition of his excellent book. We stayed in touch off and on over the years and the last time we chatted was at a NEOWA function on Post Pond in Lyme, NH a few years ago.
Isn’t it ironic that his final moments were spent boating on the lake he loved so much in front of the island where he and his wife Karen were married in 2009.
I think NEOWA Board Member Joe Judd put it best. “His writings were legendary. Now, he is a legend lost … but will live on through his writings forever.”