Four honored at BCLS Conte Banquet

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Gene

About 130 people packed the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club banquet hall last Saturday evening for the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s (BCLS) Silvio O. Conte Memorial Awards Banquet. Award recipients included Doug Frank of Lee (2016 Sportsman of the Year), Karen Karlberg of Becket (Lifetime Achievement Award), Tom Macy of Sheffield (Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award) and Robert McDermott of West Stockbridge (John Zuber Outstanding Achievement Award).

All were selected by the delegates of the various sportsmen’s clubs which make up the BCLS. Their individual feats were highlighted in my March 26, 2017 column, “2016 BCLS Award winners announced”. The banquet was dedicated in honor of George “Gige” Darey of Lenox. Mark Jester of Pittsfield was the emcee for the event. Congratulations to all of the recipients.

Gige Darey respectfully declined to accept an award preferring that one go to one of the above deserving recipients. He did give a moving speech recounting his 38 years on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board. Gige has been kept busy giving talks these days. Recently, he received an award from the Worcester County League of Sportsmen and two weeks ago, he received a Special Recognition award from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council. At that banquet, Lt Governor Polito, several State Senators and Representatives and many other dignitaries honored him for his many achievements.

As you may know, Gige recently stepped down from the F&W Board, of which he served as its chairman for 35 of years. During that time he accomplished a great deal. He oversaw the restoration and recovery of the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey, turkey, deer, bear and piping plover. He was instrumental in increasing land acquisition and protection, habitat identification and management, education and outreach and the new environmentally state-of-the-art Field Headquarters in Westborough.

One of his proudest achievements was to getting “Presumption of Openness” into the language of the Open Space Bond Bills, ensuring that all state land so purchased would be open to passive recreation including hunting, fishing and trapping. He led the efforts to transfer the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to the DFW, now a model for the nation.

Referred to as the champion for all wildlife, from fish and big game, to the less heralded species greatly needing our understanding and protection, it is no wonder that the 818-acre Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area bears his name.

Gige is not done receiving accolades yet. On May 13, there will be an event celebrating his lifelong commitment and achievements as well as raising funds for the MA Outdoor Heritage Foundation. It will take place at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, 24 West Stockbridge Road (Route 102), MA.

The event, co-chaired by Bob Durand former Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Dave Peters former Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, Wayne MacCallum former Director Division of Fish and Wildlife and Steve Sears President of the MA Outdoor Heritage Foundation Board, will take place from noon to 4:00pm. Buffet at 1pm, speaking program at 2:00pm, silent auction and raffle at 3:00pm. The cost is $50 per person.

If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, of which Gige is a founding Board member, make checks payable to: Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation (note George L Darey fund) P.O. Box 47, Westborough, MA. 01581. You may want to consider a sponsorship and tax deductible donation that will honor and further the mission of natural resource protection which has been Gige’s lifelong commitment.

Some sponsorships categories are: Woodcock -$100, Whitetail Deer-$250, Black Bear -$500 and Bald Eagle-$1000. For more information about the Foundation, visit them at massoutdoorheritage.org.

Fundraiser

On April 29, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association is holding a fundraiser called Aiming for Zero Steel Match. The purpose of the event is to support the fight against veteran suicide. Shoot times are 9:00 am and 1:00 pm with no preregistration required, $25 registration fee, $5 side match. Centerfire pistols and .22LR pistols and .22 rifles welcome. If you can’t attend but would like to donate, visit the Aiming for Zero/Active Heroes website. Click on join existing club then List on registered teams. Choose individual fundraiser and type in Paddy Sullivan. He is registered as an individual, and not with a team. He is doing this for His National Honor Society service project.

Trout Stocking

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked last week. Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Chickley River in Charlemont, Hawley and Savoy; Cold River in Charlemont, Florida, and Savoy; Westfield River in Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington and Russell; Housatonic River in Lee and Pittsfield, Hop Brook and Goose Pond Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Upper Highland Lake in Goshen, Mansfield Lake in Great Barrington, Kinderhook Creek in Hancock, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Greenwater Brook in Lee, York Lake in New Marlborough, Berry Pond in Pittsfield, Buck and Clam River in Sandisfield, Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge and Onota Lake in Pittsfield.

Spring Turkey Season

The spring turkey hunting season opens tomorrow in Massachusetts and runs through May 20. Immediately following harvest, hunters must fill out and affix the tag from their turkey permit to the turkey. The turkey must be reported either online via the MassFishHunt system or at a traditional check station within 48 hours of harvest and before the bird is processed for food or taxidermy. The MassFishHunt system generates a confirmation number which must be written on the harvest tag attached to the turkey; the confirmation number serves as the official seal. The tag (or metal seal from a check station) must remain on the bird until it is processed for food or taxidermy.

Love is in the air

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Gene

Recently, MassWildlife has requested us to report local eagle sightings to Andrew Vitz, MassWildlife’s State Ornithologist, and/or to DFW Western District Supervisor, Andrew Madden. Mark Thorne of Pittsfield has been observing and documenting the Onota Lake eagle nest for 10 years now, and the female has been the same one every year.

She was banded in 2002 (#T98) from the Hudson River in New York. Now 15 years old, she may be considered middle aged as they can live up to 30 years. The males have changed over the years, three since Mark has been monitoring them, and the current one has been with her since 2014. He was banded (#WR8) as a chick in 2006 from the Connecticut River area here in Western Mass, making him 11 years. They had been on eggs since the beginning of March, with both eagles sharing duties sitting on them. Eaglets may have hatched by now.

Supposedly, they mate for life, but if one member of a pair dies or is killed, the other will actively court another mate. However; there has been some contention over this nest from a third eagle. No locked talons that Mark has seen, “just a lot of fast flying and screaming from all parties, ending with the intruder being shown the door to another part of the county”. Sadly, Mark says, that’s how her current beau came into the picture, so we’ll have to see how this plays out. He believes that “mating for life” depends particularly on how long the current male can withstand the challenges of other younger males.

Breeding Bald Eagles were extirpated from Massachusetts during the early 1900s. However, from 1982 to 1988, forty-one young Bald Eagles from Michigan and Canada were relocated to Quabbin Reservoir. Following this restoration effort, they were confirmed to breed successfully in the state by 1989. Eagle numbers have increased slowly but steadily since that time. During 2015, an all-time high of at least 51 pairs of Bald Eagles maintained breeding territories in Massachusetts. Around here, they were located as follows: Westfield River (2), Deerfield River (2), Housatonic River (1), Onota Lake (1) and Lake Buel (1). Population abundance in Massachusetts is limited mainly by amount of potential breeding habitat (i.e., number of large water bodies surrounded by mature forest and having shallow waters and abundant fish).

Fishermen should be diligent in proper disposal of fishing line and equipment, as eagles are known to accidentally ingest hooks. At least one eaglet has been killed in Massachusetts after becoming tangled in fishing line.

Be careful while driving, too. Recently, a very important bird in the history of Bald Eagle restoration in Massachusetts died after being hit by a vehicle on Rte 5 in Northampton. A veterinarian determined it had a broken back and spinal cord damage, and had to be euthanized. Known by #W02 on its leg band, this 28-year-old eagle was one of the three first wild-born eagles to hatch in Massachusetts in modern times. Since 1989 when W02 hatched, at least 646 wild-born Bald Eagle chicks have fledged in the Commonwealth.

Poor bird, it died without a real name. RIP #W02.

TU Event

On Thursday, April 20, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have Ron Merly, Connecticut fishing guide and Author of Flyfisher’s Guide to Connecticut as its guest speaker. He will be speaking about the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers.

An avid fisherman, Merly has been fishing the trout streams of Connecticut and on Long Island Sound for over 45 years. He has held the current Connecticut state record for sea-run trout since 2006. A self-taught writer, he was awarded first place in the Best Magazine Article category by the New England Outdoor Writers Association in 2009 and 2010. He has served as the president of the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited since 2010, and has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2000. He has resided on the Connecticut coastline for his entire life, and has flyfished all over New England, as well as in Mexico and Honduras.

The event will be held at the Berkshire Hills Country Club at 500 Benedict Rd., Pittsfield. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The presentation is free and open to the public. Dinner is optional.

Earth Week

Earth Week runs from April 17 through April 23 this year. Numerous communities celebrate an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces. The most common practice of celebration is planting new trees. Coincidentally, that is also school vacation week.

Friday, April 21, is called Earth Day and MassWildlife has planned a trout stocking event that day. It will take place at Burbank Park on Onota Lake at 1:30 pm. Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor, plans to liberate 400-500 rainbow trout into the lake. The public, especially the youngsters, are invited to watch them release the fish. DFW may allow some of the kids to carry pails of trout for release. They may also have some stuff to hand out to the kids.

Trout Stockings

The following local waters were scheduled for trout stocking last week: Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Farmington River in Otis and Sandisfield, Hoosic River-South Branch in Cheshire and Adams, Hoosic River-North Branch in Clarksburg, Green River in Alford and Great Barrington, Williams River in West Stockbridge, Egremont and Great Barrington; Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Hudson Brook in Clarksburg, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Trout Brook in Peru, Green River in Williamstown, Greenwater Pond in Becket, and Big Pond in Otis.

What is the DER and what does it do?

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Gene

The Massachusetts Division of Environmental Restoration (DER) was created in 2009 with the merger of the Riverways and Wetlands Restoration Programs. DER coordinates ecological restoration to improve habitat for fish and wildlife and restores important ecosystem services that improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts citizens. DER works with many partners across a variety of aquatic systems, from freshwater to saltwater, to restore the ecological integrity of degraded habitats for the benefit of people and the environment.

In 2016 alone, the Division removed 2 dams and completed 2 wetland restoration projects, restoring 285 acres and opening 13 river miles statewide. It advanced work on multiple river and wetland restoration projects that have recently initiated construction or will begin construction next year. Once complete, those projects will remove 8 dams, reconnect more than 78 river miles and restore nearly 280 acres of degraded wetlands.

Using Commonwealth funds, DER leveraged $10 million in newly awarded external funds. Volunteers worked in 72 communities devoting more than $100,000 worth of labor towards protecting and restoring our rivers and wetlands. The DER provided technical support and guidance in more than 170 communities and across all 27 major watersheds.

DER, together with its partners, has restored in total over 1,800 acres of coastal wetlands and reconnected over 250 miles.

In Western MA, the DER was recently awarded a $179,620 grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. The grant will build municipal capacity to upgrade culverts and increase the pace of culvert replacement in the Deerfield River Watershed. The Deerfield River has an abundance of coldwater streams, which provide essential habitat for fish species. In 2011 many towns were hard hit in the region after Tropical Storm Irene. This grant, in conjunction with other DER funds will immediately advance the design and/or construction of up to 6 culverts in the Deerfield River Watershed and, in time, will lead to many more replacements.

DER’s Streamflow Restoration program continues to work with municipal partners in Pittsfield to improve streamflow below recreational dams. This past winter, DER installed a telemetry station at the Onota Lake dam that measures water level and assists with lake management and downstream releases to Peck’s Brook, a tributary to the West Branch of the Housatonic River. Last fall DER also funded a survey of macro-invertebrates in Peck’s Brook, along with several other streams in the area, to better quantify changes in the aquatic community after modifications were made to upstream dam management. Recent monitoring shows significant improvements in both streamflow and macro-invertebrate populations in the brook, despite 2016 drought conditions.

In 2017, DER will be working on 11 new priority projects adding to its total roster of 62 projects. Here in the Berkshires, the Kitchen Brook Dam in Cheshire, has a provisional status of Significant Hazard. It has an impassable obstruction on the brook, which drains part of Mount Greylock’s eastern slope and is tributary to the coldwater trout stream Thunder Brook. That brook is where DER previously worked with the town to removal another aging dam and to replace an undersized culvert with a fish-friendly crossing. Removal of Kitchen Brook Dam will open up 4 miles of high quality cold water habitat for Eastern Brook Trout.

The Kinne Brook Dam in Chester was removed in 2014, and now two undersized culverts will be replaced in 2017-2018. The goal is to restore river functions to the high-quality cold-water stream which is a tributary to the Westfield River. It is abundant with eastern brook trout. The barrier removals were done in partnership with Trout Unlimited and others.

Several years ago, the DER removed a dam on the North Branch of the Hoosic River in Clarksburg. Now, there is an Urban River Restoration Priority Project planned for the Hoosic River in North Adams. The goal is to modernized North Adams’ aging concrete flood chutes with habitat, river and community friendly modifications while maintaining existing flood risk management levels. So far a concept design for the South Branch Hoosic River restoration is in place including preliminary designs for a Phase I restoration in the Noel Field area. Soil, sediment and groundwater sampling was just completed in the Phase I restoration area. Concept design work for the North Branch of the Hoosic River is just beginning and will take about a year to complete.

The DER is a division which reports directly to the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. Tim Purington is its Director. It is one of my favorite state agencies because we can see tangible results which affects our lives and benefits the critters. I hope it continues to receive sufficient funding to accomplish it very important work.

Trout Stockings

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked last week. Due to the rain and high waters, this schedule was subject to change: Ashfield Pond, Housatonic River (East Branch) in Dalton and Hinsdale, Housatonic River SW Branch in Pittsfield, Pontoosuc Lake, Lake Garfield, Lake Buel, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Onota Lake, Goose Pond, and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

Water Safety

According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, most boating fatalities in the Commonwealth result when boaters fail to wear life jackets while in small craft in cold water or weather. Paddlers in canoes and kayaks are required to wear life jackets from September 15 – May 15. They also advise us to: Make sure everyone wears a life jacket, follows navigation rules, such as safe speed and spotters, never boat under the influence and keep in touch by using cell phones, etc. Don’t panic if you fall into the water. Stay afloat with the help of your life jacket, regain control of your breathing, keep your head above water in vision of rescuers, and stay with the boat if possible

It’s a world record!

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Gene

If this featured picture looks familiar, it is because I ran it in my October 30, 2016 column, and also mentioned it in a follow-up article of Val Percuoco and her sisters in my February 5, 2017 column. So why am I fixated on that fish?

Well, last week it was announced that not only was that 3 lb 8 oz white perch a state gold pin winner and the new state record, but it is also the new world record! That catch landed her in the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin. There, it was recently recognized as the Division 1 Rod and Reel 10 lb. Line Class World Record. About the same time, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recognized the fish as the new All-Tackle World Record for White Perch.

As you may recall it was caught out of Wachusett Reservoir north of Worcester. Check it out again, for its not every day that a world record fish is caught in Massachusetts waters.

Bald Eagles

According to MassWildlife, there are now more eagles nesting in Massachusetts than any time in the recent past, and they need your help keeping track of them. Please report eagle sightings to Andrew Vitz (MassWildlife’s State Ornithologist, andrew.vitz@state.ma.us). Many of our nesting eagles are banded with color-coded bands that identify the individual, so make sure to look for these leg bands whenever you see or photograph an eagle.

According to DFW Western District Supervisor, Andrew Madden, there will be a big push to locate nesting eagles in our area, especially in North County. They are particularly interested in evidence of nesting eagles (e.g., birds carrying sticks or sitting in nests). When there is evidence of a new breeding territory, DFW staff verifies the report as they monitor known nests. MassWildlife will conduct its Spring Eagle Survey on Friday, April 7. The Survey consists of coordinated teams of staff and volunteers who spread out across the state to check on historic nest sites and look for new nests.

According to MassWildlife, we have both Golden and Bald Eagles in the state. Both grow to approximately the same size, but the white head and tail of the adult Bald Eagle differentiates it from the Golden Eagle. Immature Bald Eagles may be confused with both immature and adult Golden Eagles.

The adult Golden Eagle is nearly uniformly dark without the mottling found on the immature Bald Eagle. Golden Eagles at any age may have relatively sharply defined, bright, clean white patches of varying size at the base of the inner primaries and outer secondaries on the wings and a clean white area at the base of the tail. All immature Bald Eagles have whitish axillaries and, depending on age, can have extensive, “dirty” white mottling virtually anywhere on the head, body, wing linings, and tail. The Golden Eagle’s legs are feathered to its toes; the legs of the Bald Eagle are unfeathered.

Basic Hunting Course

All first-time hunters who wish to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting (combination) license must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. There will be such a course at the Becket Town Hall at 557 Main Street, Becket on April 10, 12 and 15. The times are: on April 10 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm; and on April 12 and 15 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. There may also still be openings in the scheduled class at the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club which starts also on April 10 (previously mentioned in this column). To enroll call (508)389-7830.

Coyote Contest

Nineteen coyotes were entered into Dave’s Sporting Goods Coyote Contest this year, and the winners were as follows: Jay Fortier of Washington, MA bagged the most coyotes with a tally of 6. Joe Trybus, of Lanesborough, MA got the heaviest one which weighed 44 1/2 lbs. Congratulations to both hunters. Keep up the good work.

No trout stockings in the Western District yet

DFW WD Fisheries Manager Leanda Fontaine Gagnon went to check some access points during the week and because of the snowstorm, they have decided they were not able to start the stocking last week as planned. Probably they will start next week.

Club events

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association and Ducks Unlimited will be having its 3^rd Annual Youth Sportsmen’s Gala dinner and raffle on Saturday, April 8 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. It is billed as a night of fantastic food, great raffle prizes, music and fun. Doors open at 4:00 pm and dinner served at 6:00 pm. The price is $100 per person. For more information, contact Virginia DuBois at (413)446-5404.

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club is having its annual Spring Ham Shoots beginning today and running for the next three Sundays beginning at 12:30 pm. The costs are $3 per shot. You are encouraged to bring your shotguns and .22 cal rifle or pistol, as they have a few 22 shoots during the day as well. Prizes include hams, gift certificates and some other items. The kitchen will be open for burgers dogs, sausage and a few other items.

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club will be having a 450 Round Indoor Archery Tournament to benefit the Aim for Higher Education Scholarship Fund on April 8 and 9. Click onto the club’s web site, events and calendar page to find out the times, prices, categories, etc. There will be a Chinese raffles and auction. There will be a spaghetti dinner at 6pm on Saturday and a pancake breakfast on Sunday Morning.

The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club will also have turkey and ham shoots every Sunday from March 26 until Easter. They start at 1pm and the cost is $3 a shot.

Most hunting seasons are closed

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Gene

The rabbit and hare hunting seasons closed on February 28 and last Wednesday, the coyote and bobcat seasons also closed. And not a bit too soon for this attractive putty cat..

For some reason, we have been seeing an increase in bobcats lately, at least on the East side of Lenox. Jim Lahey of Lee was surprised last winter to see one stroll across his patio. A few years back, there was one that made its home in our neighborhood on East Street. That cat hung around for about three years. We were pretty sure it was the same one as it had a very distinctive limp. Neighbors Al and Martha Joyner got a kick out of watching it sunning itself on the top of their split rail fence.

The handsome bobcat pictured was photographed on the lawn of neighbor Tim and Kathy Face also of East Street a couple of months ago. According to Tim, she had two young kittens with her. I wish they would visit our place and put a dent into the vole population that has been creating havoc in our vegetable garden.

For many years there was a bounty on them, presumably put on by the DFW in response to farmers’ complaints. Like foxes, bobcats like to frequent the hen houses, too. The bounty system was ended in 1968.

If you see one of these beautiful animals, consider yourself lucky. There was a time when one would be lucky to see one or two in a lifetime.

Staying on the subject of wild cats (not wildcats) the bobcat’s larger cousin, the Canada lynx, has been sighted recently in Southern VT. One was photographed in Londonderry, VT, and biologists with the VT F&W confirmed the identification and visited the site to confirm its location.

Also, biologists suspect that a lynx was photographed by a game camera in nearby Searsburg, VT. It was photographed by a University of Vermont student who had set a trail camera out near a Rte 9 underpass. Chris Bernier, a wildlife biologist for the VT F&W was thrilled to see the animal using a wildlife underpass that was created for the express purpose of allowing animals to pass safely under the road.

These were the first confirmed evidences of lynx outside of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in decades. Lynx are listed as “threatened” under the Federal Endangered Species Act and “Endangered” in the state of Vermont. Are they headed our way?

Spring Trout Stocking About 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout will be stocked this spring from MassWildlife’s five hatcheries. These fish, coupled with the more than 80,000 fish stocked last fall, will provide some excellent fishing in the coming months. Stocking took place in the southeastern area of the state last week with other regions of the state expected to follow soon after. Anglers can get daily stocking updates at Mass.gov/Trout, or contact individual district offices for the latest stocking information.

The following are the 2017 spring trout stocking stats: Most of the trout will be over 12 inches, nearly half of them will be over 14 inches, more than 1,400 brown trout will be over 18 inches, more than 600 brook trout will be over 15 inches and more than 2,000 tiger trout will be over 14 inches.

Beware, ticks are bad this year

I had some free time and decided to take my beagle, Jacques, out rabbit hunting on February 27 before the season closed. I was hoping to bag a bunny and have it for a meal later in the week. It was so warm that day that I hurriedly switched out my regular hunting jacket for a lighter one and off we went.

After some time, Jacques kicked up a rabbit and he was hot on its scent. I picked an open spot where I could get a good shot, and while waiting for the bunny to circle back, I could practically taste that fried rabbit already. Feeling something crawling on my neck, I rubbed the area, but there was nothing there. A little while later I felt something crawling in my hair under my hat. This time I removed the hat, got out my comb and there was a tick. I looked down and there were five others crawling up my pants leg.

After killing them, I reached into my hunting jacket pouch to get the can of Permethren clothing repellent and plastic bag in which to carry the rabbit home. Oh oh, they were in my other hunting jacket. Well, I wasn’t going to carry that rabbit with ticks in my coat pouch without being sealed in a bag. No problem, I thought, I’ll simply field dress the rabbit and leave the fur and ticks in the woods. Guess what, my hunting knife was in the other jacket, too. It’s a wonder I remembered to bring my gun.

Jacques was barking excitedly and the rabbit was getting close. Now what? Do I shoot it and hand-carry it back home? No way, I could picture all of the ticks jumping off of it onto my hand and crawling up my arm.

The shotgun bead was right on the rabbit’s head, a chance for a nice clean shot, with no pellets in the meat. Nope, I didn’t shoot it and let the bunny hop away.

You have undoubtedly heard of lucky rabbit’s feet, well this was one lucky whole live rabbit.

Before leaving the woods, I pulled 3 more ticks off of my clothes. When we got home, we immediately washed up. Interestingly, he never had a tick on him.

Parting message: Use a good clothing repellent and check yourself often.

New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame inductees are announced

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Gene

On January 28, Bass Pro Shops in Hooksett, New Hampshire, hosted the first New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame inductions, recognizing those who played pivotal roles in bringing wild turkeys back from extinction in New England. Wild turkeys were extinct for about a century. Their return is an improbable story of long-dedicated, cooperative biologists helping each other spread the right wild stock back here. Once they figured out how to do that, wild turkeys naturally did the rest.

The New England Hall of Fame was the brainchild of two Massachusetts National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) chapter presidents: Keith Fritz of central Mass. and Kevin Antonovitch of Cape Cod.

These first Hall of Fame inductees came from all six New England states, and included the 10 giants of our region’s turkey conservation: Massachusetts’ James Cardoza and Jim Bolduc, New Hampshire’s Chip Page and Ted Walski, Vermont’s Doug Blodgett and Ron Lafreniere, Maine’s Jim Wescott and Gene Howard, Connecticut’s Steve Jackson and Rhode Island’s Jim Chadwick. All 10 received a decorative plaque along with a handsome, custom, curly-maple box call with their names, states and Hall of Fame credentials inscribed on the striker top. If you hunt turkeys anywhere in New England, you owe thanks to one or more of these dedicated men.

I will highlight our Massachusetts inductees. Beginning in 1969, Jim Cardoza supervised the recovery of Massachusetts’ extinct wild turkey. They originally were common everywhere in the state, except on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, but as a result of deforestation and overhunting, they were extirpated by the 1850’s.

In 1972-73, Cardoza’s team live-trapped 37 wild turkeys from southwestern New York and released them in Beartown State Forest in Monterey where they flourished. In 1978, there were enough surplus birds for Cardoza to trap and release them to other areas within the state. Between 1979 and 1996, they released 561 birds in 10 counties.

As a result of Cardoza’s efforts, Massachusetts now has a population of about 25,000 wild turkeys. Thanks to their success, we have both a spring and fall hunt, which produce a perennially sustainable harvest of about 3,000. Cardoza wrote a book entitled, “The Wild Turkey in Massachusetts”, which is considered the definitive book on our wild turkeys. It explains why they originally failed in their restoration attempts and how they finally succeeded.

Jim Bolduc was honored for being the first NWTF Massachusetts state chapter president. Established in 1983, his was the first chapter established in year three of Massachusetts turkey hunting. He contacted the NWTF about starting a chapter in Massachusetts and became the first Massachusetts Chapter president. With help from his officers and board, he helped set the foundations for inspiring and educating our state’s sportsmen to support wild turkey restoration here.

Back then, less than a 100 hunters were chosen annually by lottery and restricted to hunting towns across a northwest strip of the state. The hunting territory included the northern Franklin and Berkshire County border towns where turkeys started spilling in from southern Vermont and Upstate New York. Today, his chapter is one of six in the state; the others are Eastern Mass. (1986), Central Mass. (1996), Western Mass Longbeards (1996), Pioneer Valley Longbeards (1996), and Cranberry Country Longbeards (2000). It is anticipated that a seventh chapter, the Greylock Gobblers (Northern Berkshires), will come to fruition later this year.

Back at the time of their reintroduction, wild turkeys were found in pockets of western Massachusetts but they began to spread into the central part of the state with the assistance of aggressive MassWildlife stocking initiatives. Today there are turkeys statewide.

Without pioneers like Bolduc and Cardoza, who were leaders of the successful restoration program, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike would not have such easy access to what has since become our state game bird.

Much of the information for this article was gleaned from MassWildlife and articles written by Mark Blazis of the Worcester Telegram (“Getting to know wild turkey hunting’s hall of famers”, February 6, 2017) and from Gary Sanderson’s article in the Greenfield Recorder (“Colrain turkey hunter inaugural New England Hall of Famer”, February 14, 2017).

Staying with the subject of wild turkeys, the Massachusetts Young Adult Turkey Hunting Program is a partnership program between MassWildlife, the Massachusetts State Chapter of the NWTF, and participating sportsmen’s clubs. The program is designed to provide hunters ages 12-17 an opportunity to: (a) Participate in a field workshop that provides specialized training in turkey hunting and safety, including firearms instruction and practice; and (b) Hunt wild turkey under the supervision and guidance of a safe, experienced adult hunter serving as a mentor on a special day set aside just for young adults.

Information on this program can be obtained from the MassWildlife web page under the caption Education & Events. The listing of local participating sportsmen’s clubs and schedules are listed there.

Incidentally, this year the Youth Turkey Hunt day is Saturday, April 22.

Events

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association is beginning its spring turkey shoots next Sunday, March 12 from noon to 3pm and they will run until the Sunday before Easter. Shoots cost $2 per shot and $3 for the money shoots. If you prefer, you could win strip steaks, pork loins or spiral hams.

The Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club is having a venison buffet next Saturday, March 11 at the ITAM Lodge, 22 Waubeek Rd, Pittsfield. The proceeds will benefit its Land Development Fund. Cocktails start at 5pm, dinner at 6pm. There will be a 50/50 and assorted raffles. Donation are $17 for adults and children under 10 years of age $8.50. For tickets contact: Stan Bushey (413) 841-8345, Travis Delratez (413) 441-7979, Dave Pemble (413) 443-0646, Rich Powers (413) 822-6581, Fran Tremblay (413)443-5133 and Mike Furey (413) 822-1959.

Remembering Margaret Beckwith

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Gene

Local outdoor sportsmen and women were saddened to learn of the loss of Margaret Beckwith of Great Barrington recently at the age of 81. Although Margaret was well known in politics (formerly a Great Barrington selectwoman for 12 years and heavily involved in state political issues), I wish to focus on her outdoor sports achievements. Along with her husband, the late Ernest Beckwith, Margaret ran the Beckwith’s Sport Shop in Gt. Barrington.

For 42 years, she served the sportsmen of Berkshire County by voluntarily running a deer and turkey checking station for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW). One can only imagine how many thousands of deer she checked in over those years. She even checked in a deer that Governor William Weld shot while hunting with MA Fish & Wildlife Board Chairman George “Gige” Darey.

She was the recipient of the 1994 Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Silvio O. Conte Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.

She served many years as the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) Secretary and helped various organizations raise thousands of dollars through her outstanding sales of raffle tickets. She was an honorary member of the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, a member of the Great Barrington Fish & Game Club and the Izaak Walton League of America. She was again selected to receive another Conte award, this time the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award. In presenting the award, then BCLS President Mark Jester stated: “She has been a valuable advocate of hunting and fishing and someone who sportsmen and women can be proud of to represent their causes”.

She stepped down as League Secretary on October 6, 2005. (It was my great honor to replace her).

Ellie Horwitz, retired Massachusetts DFW Chief of Information and Education, and Executive Editor of, Massachusetts Wildlife quarterly magazine knew Margaret through her dealings with the deer and turkey check stations. “She was one of a kind… a unique and dynamic woman! We are fortunate to have gotten to know and work with her. She was an amazing character!”

BCLS President Mike Kruszyna had this to say about her: “Margaret was a force of her own and when she believed in something she would put her entire being into that cause. She forever supported the outdoor/hunting sports. She will be sorely missed by so many”.

On a personal note, I really liked Margaret. In her later years, when she became a resident of Fairview Nursing Home in Great Barrington, I always made it a point to stop and see her when I was in South County. She kept up with the activities of the BCLS, local sportsmen, latest deer harvest statistics, etc. We had great chats. I can tell you that her support of the outdoor sports and sportsmen never faltered.

Basic hunter education courses

First-time hunters who wish to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. This course is designed for first-time hunters and is standardized across North America.

The following local Basic Hunter Education courses are scheduled as follows: East Mountain Sportsman Club, 312 Henderson Road, Williamstown, MA. The dates are April 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 & 28. They run from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. You must attend all class dates and times to successfully complete the course.

If you are interested in this course and wish to enroll, call 508-389-7830. Students are enrolled first-come, first-served, and enrollment cannot be processed via email.

Trapper Education Course

Lets face it, there are times when we need an animal trapper. Well, Trapper Education is mandatory in Massachusetts for Problem Animal Control (PAC) agents and first-time trappers in order to apply for a Massachusetts trap registration number.

The MassWildlife Hunter Education Program offers three to five trapper education courses each year in different locations across the state, usually in the spring, summer and fall. Participants may need to travel a longer distance in order to attend this course. Upon successful completion, graduates will be mailed a Certificate of Completion recognized in all U.S. states.

For those who need to complete the mandatory homework assignment for a class or wish to simply review course content, there is a free online option. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) offers a free tutorial known as the North American Trapper Education Program which covers all the information in a typical Trapper Education course. Additional trapping information is available on AFWA’s Furbearer management page including documents on Best Management Practices for trapping in the U.S.

These are the 2017 Trapper Education Courses being offered this spring:

The Auburn Sportsmen’s Club, 50 Elm Street, Auburn, MA, will be having classes on March 23 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and April 8 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. (two class sessions). The Spencer Fish & Game Club, 155 Mechanic Street, Spencer, MA, will have classes on April 26 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and on May 6 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. To enroll in either class, call

(508) 389-7830.

Fly Fishing Film Fare

On March 2, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting the Fly Fishing Film Fare at the Barrington Brewery & Restaurant in Great Barrington, MA. Doors open at 6:00pm and the films start at 7:00pm. There will be an intermission and refreshments and food are available. There will be a raffle for a handmade fly rod and other door prizes. Tickets can be obtained from any Taconic TU Board Member for $13 or on-line at:

https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/22537. Tickets will cost $15 at the door. For more information contact: Bill Travis at traviswdt547@gmail.com or John Burns at burnsievt@gmail.com.

New policies on MassWildlife lands

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Gene

In his February report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden announced that in response to increased and unauthorized trail development activities as well as requests for new trails on its lands, the Fisheries & Wildlife Board approved a Wildlife Lands Policy and a Walking Trails Policy in August 2016. Together these policies support MassWildlife’s statutory mission of conserving wildlife habitat and providing wildlife-related recreation.

These new policies can be seen by clicking onto the following: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/wildlife-habitat-conservation/walkingtrailspolicy.pdf.

MassWildlife lands generally include simple, gravel or dirt parking lots with unmarked footpaths and wood roads. This minimal-development management approach keeps “wild places wild,” while allowing access to nature with an “off-the-beaten path” experience.

Here’s what the policies DO:

Support MassWildlife’s mission to protect wildlife and its habitat
Formalize a trails license agreement process for six regional trails
Limit trail creation, marking, and maintenance
Allow areas damaged by trails to recover
Continue free public access to MassWildlife lands

The policies DO NOT:

Restrict public access to MassWildlife lands
Prevent walking on or require closure of any existing path, woods road, or cart path on MassWildlife lands
Limit hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife-related recreation, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or off-trail exploring.

Unfortunately, MassWildlife sees people developing new trails, cutting new trails or taking some ownership of trails on its lands. These new policies address that problem.

Also Madden reported that MassWildlife recently acquired 125 acres abutting the Peru Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Peru, MA. The newly acquired land is off of East Windsor Road.

According to Madden, this acquisition not only protects and expands on huntable land but improves access to the WMA, which is one of the District’s largest at almost 5,000 acres. The property was cut recently for timber and has a variety of habitats including some wetland features. In the future they plan to develop a small informal parking area from East Windsor Road. The property boundaries are completely marked.

Keeping with WMA’s, Madden reported that the Western District is continuing its boundary marking efforts this winter. Through contract funds and internal staff time they will be marking more than 40 miles of boundaries by June. MassWildlife’s land holdings in the Western District exceed 60,000 acres and 500 miles of boundary.

More information on the 2016 Deer harvest

In last week’s column, I mentioned that the preliminary statewide deer harvest for 2016 was 12,233, and that compared with last year’s harvest of 10,042. Also mentioned was that the Western District (WD) accounted for 2,197 of them which compared to 1,887 last year. Here are more WD data:

Zone 1 produced a harvest of 349 (last year it was 293), Zone 2 – 479 (462), Zone 3 – 539 (486), Zone 4N – 531 (436) and Zone 4S – 299 (210). In the WD, 720 were taken during Archery Season compared to 511 last year; 969 during Shotgun Season compared to 898, and 418 were harvested during the Primitive Firearms Season compared to 320.

The biology structure of the deer harvest has not been broken down yet, but the average age structure for the last 5 years was: About 40% were 1 ½ years old, 30% were 2 ½ years old and 30% were 3 ½ years old and older. DFW feels that these are desirable age structures.

Incidentally, according to statistics from State Farm Insurance that were provided to MassWildlife, about 7000-9000 deer are killed statewide by vehicles each year.

Big E Sportsmen’s Show

The 34th annual Springfield Sportsmen’s Show opens on Friday, February 24 and runs through Sunday the 26^th at the Big E in West Springfield. The hours are Friday from noon to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Tickets are $13 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and 5 yrs and under free. It is billed as the undisputedly largest “pure” sportsmen’s show in the Northeast. The show includes the best of hunting, fishing, boating and adventure recreation that the outdoor world has to offer all bundled together in one great event. It is filled with hundreds of booths, exhibits, seminars and action areas. For a listing of big named hunting and fishing presenters and more information, click onto www.osegshows.com.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

The Bay State Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is having a banquet on Saturday, February 25 at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club. It is a social evening of fun, great food and camaraderie all for the benefit of elk country. Tickets are limited, so purchase yours ASAP for a chance to win top notch firearms, premium hunts and exclusive home furnishings. Doors open at 5:00pm. Call Gary D. Johnston at (413) 298-3623 for more information.

Hoosic River

The Hoosic River Revival’s (HRR) vision is to revitalize the Hoosic River, maintain current levels of flood protection and bring the river back as an asset to the residents of North Adams. The North Adams Public Library is currently featuring two displays to learn about the history of the Hoosic River and the HRR’s vision for the south branch of the river.

The first floor display includes information about the history of the flood chutes in North Adams and an artist rendering that invites residents to “imagine a revitalized Hoosic River.”

A second display in the Children’s Library on the second floor features fun activities for children along with interesting facts about animals that live along the River. Sara Russell-Scholl, the Youth Services Librarian, has included a collection of children’s books about animals that live in and around rivers.

The display, which will continue through February, can be seen Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am–5pm, Thursday from 12–8pm and Saturday from 10am–1pm.

Steve Sears appointed to the Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Board.

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Gene

Governor Charlie Baker recently appointed Stephen A. Sears, of Dalton, to the seven-person Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Board representing the Western District. This Board is assigned the responsibility of supervision and control of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW). Sears replaces George (Gige) Darey of Lenox who recently retired from that Board.

Steve was introduced to the delegates of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen by Darey at its February meeting. (The League had previously petitioned Massachusetts EOEA Secretary Matthew A. Beaton and Governor Baker to appoint him).

He said that he is truly humbled to be able to take Darey’s place. Steve is a lifelong sportsman, having caught his first trout when he was 3 years old. He recounted how he had an opportunity while he was working at Crane & Co to protect all of the land where he caught his first trout. “If we hadn’t done that 15 years ago, it may have been sold for condos last year.” He’s an avid hunter, shotgun or bow hunting almost every day of deer season until he gets his limit.

He acknowledged that he has a big job to do and huge shoes to try to fill. He said he will do the best he can to support the sportsmen to preserve the (outdoor sports) for the kids and their kids. It’s a big job and he will do his best to make the meetings, bring information back to the Berkshires, listen to the concerns of sportsmen and address them the best that he can.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from UMASS, Amherst. He was with Crane & Co., Inc., for over 25 years, most recently as Vice President in charge of manufacturing, engineering, and environmental services. In his tenure at Crane, he oversaw all the energy procurement and environmental policies, and was instrumental in applying many leading edge process developments in U.S. currency production as well as spearheading many environmental efforts.

He is the president of the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation where money is raised to do projects in support of the DFW. The Foundation has done some great things so far and he is looking forward to continuing that work as well. He is the Vice-Chair of the Berkshire Brownfields Commission and serves or served on the boards of the Center for EcoTechnology, Mount Greylock Ski Club, Upper Housatonic National Heritage Area and The Trustees’ Notchview Advisory Committee. He served as a long-term member of the Dalton Development and Industrial Commission, where he led the development and implementation of multiple new bylaws for the Town of Dalton.

He is currently developing a former Crane & Co., Inc., factory building in Dalton, creating a quality –oriented marketplace for local artisan products and sustainable businesses.

Steve grew up and still lives in Dalton with his wife Maria. They have three grown children. Behind his house is a mountain of which he knows just about every inch. It has about 25 square miles of good hunting land. “ It’s a big place, it’s a great place” he said. He lives only 2 miles from the DFW Western District Headquarters in Dalton. He worked for Crane & Company when they sold the building to the Boy Scouts. That was before the Boy Scouts sold it to the DFW.

Steve said that he is thrilled to work with all of (the sportsmen and women). He thanked the League for its support. In turn, the League wished him the best of luck with a round of applause.

Prior to Steve’s introduction, former Chairman Darey had a few words. He recounted how Steve was one of his students at Wahconah Regional High School. Later on they both coached cross country skiing. They worked together a lot helping other schools that did not have cross-country ski teams, running workshops and other projects. Gige feels very comfortable leaving the Board knowing that Steve is going to be there. “He will do a great job”’ he said.

Darey also mentioned how he was on the Board for 38 years, its chairman for 35. He remembered the great people he met over the years and the wonderful accomplishments. “Its been a wonderful time serving the sportsmen”, he said, “and wouldn’t trade the life he had for anything”. He thanked everyone. He received a rousing, extended round of applause from the delegates.

Ice Fishing Derbies

The Locker Room Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, February 26, dawn till 2pm, Laurel Lake, $10 Adults, $5 Students.. There will be a Raffle and Pasta Dinner at the Locker Room on Main Street in Lee at 2pm. All proceeds will to benefit the Lee Youth Football

The Ashfield Rod & Gun Club will be having a kid’s ice fishing derby on Ashfield Lake on Saturday, February 18. The free derby will run from 8am to noon. A free luncheon and awards presentation follows. Call Joe Miraglia (413) 628-4400 for more info.

2016 Deer harvest

MassWildlife recently reported that the preliminary statewide deer harvest for 2016 was 12,233. This compares with last year’s harvest of 10,042. Both archery and primitive firearms seasons saw record harvests in 2016. The total harvest was near record levels as well. This good harvest was likely due to the low harvest in 2015 due to unseasonably warm weather, lack of snow, and an abundance of food. The increased harvest during the 2016 season was likely making up for the low harvest of last season and the weather was much more favorable for hunters.

The Western District accounted for 2,197 of them which compares to 1,887 last year. I hope to have more detailed harvest information in a future column.

Wildlife Habitat Improvement Grants announced

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Gene

In a recent news release, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that $317,243 in grants were awarded for wildlife habitat improvement projects totaling 534 acres in 13 Massachusetts communities. These municipal and private conservation efforts will work to improve habitats for native wildlife and increase opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.

Western Massachusetts will be receiving approximately 59% of those funds. The following landowners will receive these grants:

Berkshire Natural Resources Council (Dalton and Hinsdale) – $18,000 – The BNRC will work to control invasive plants and improve floodplain forest along the Old Mill Trail.
Massachusetts Forest Alliance (Ashfield and Hawley) – $47,950 – The Massachusetts Forest Alliance will create young forest habitat.
Town of Lenox – 33,500 – The Town will work to combat the hardy kiwi invasive plant infestation.
Nature Conservancy (Sheffield) – $23,640 – TNC will improve wetland and grassland habitats through the removal of woody plants on the Schenob Brook Preserve.
The Trustees of Reservations (Sheffield) – $35,701 – The TTOR will restore grassland habitat through woody species removal and invasive species control on the West Grumpelt Parcel of Bartholemew’s Cobble Preserve.
MassAudubon (Otis) – $29,213 – Mass Audubon will create new, and expand existing, shrubland habitat on the Cold Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

“We are proud to provide municipalities, conservation organizations and private landowners the resources necessary to improve habitats for wildlife in need of conservation assistance, while enhancing recreational opportunities for people who enjoy hunting, bird watching and other outdoor activities” said Governor Baker.

In its second year, the MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program provides financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife deemed in greatest conservation need and for game species. The projects will also expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation, and complement the ongoing habitat management efforts on state lands.

“Wildlife in special need of conservation as well as game species will benefit directly from these habitat management activities,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George N. Peterson, Jr. “In addition, the sporting community, birders, naturalists, and other wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy improved recreational opportunities.”

“The reality is that 80 percent of Massachusetts’ lands where wildlife is found are owned privately,” said Jack Buckley, MassWildlife Director. “It makes sense as an agency to promote and apply science-based habitat management activities with committed municipal and private landowners, thereby protecting their investment in wildlife and habitat.”

“Protecting and preserving our natural resources is a vital part of Massachusetts’ environmental programming and services,” said State Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “I appreciate the Administration’s support of these habitat improvement projects in Sheffield, Hinsdale, Ashfield, Otis and Lenox.”

“Improving and protecting wildlife management habitats is an important investment in maintaining the Commonwealth’s quality of life, and preserving a more sustainable environment which supports a diverse range of species and landscapes,” said State Representative Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington).

Report Winter Fish Kills

MassWildlife reminds us that the majority of the fish kills reported to them turn out to be natural events not caused by pollution. During the winter, ice and snow cover can cause low dissolved oxygen levels in ponds. Ice and snow can limit the amount of light that reaches the water column and interfere with photosynthesis and decomposition of organic matter, which in turn can decrease the amount of oxygen available to fish. That may result in winter fish kills. Weedy ponds that are less than 15 feet deep are particularly vulnerable.

Ice anglers may encounter signs of a low oxygen environment when they drill through the ice and notice the smell of rotten eggs or observe sluggish or dying shiners. The odor is hydrogen sulfide gas which is a natural byproduct of low dissolved oxygen environments, and is not likely the result of pollution. Oxygen levels should return to normal shortly after the ice melts in the spring.

If you observe dead fish, contact the Environmental Law Enforcement’s 24-hour radio room at (800) 632-8075. A MassWildlife biologist will review each situation to determine whether the kill is natural or requires a site investigation.

Corrections

In last week’s column about the gold pin freshwater fishermen, I erred twice. The first error showed Angler of the Year Joshua Christman holding a large carp, whereas the picture caption said that it was a bowfin. The second was where I listed Shaun Klammer of Adams as receiving two gold pins. One for having caught a 24 lb 14 oz Northern Pike out of Onota Lake in the Youth Catch and Keep category and another for catching a 43 inch Northern Pike also out of Onota Lake in the Catch & Release category. Shaun did catch the 24lb 14 oz pike but Jeff Klammer, Shaun’s father, caught the a 43″ pike. My apologies for both errors.

Regarding fishing families, I recommend you read this month’ s Massachusetts Wildlife magazine article entitled, A line that Binds; Fishing, Family and the Lure of the Rez, by editor Troy Gipps. The article was written about Val Percuoco’s fishing family. Val, you may recall, caught the 3 lb 8 oz state’s record white perch recently while fishing with her dad Vinny on Wachusett Reservoir. Val has fished with her dad and Uncle Paul and two sisters, Lynn and Nicole, since childhood. They have earned countless Sportfishing Award Program pins. Heck, Val’s younger sister Lynn has 20 pins of her own for 7 different species!

Ice Fishing Derby

The Ashfield Rod & Gun Club will be having a kid’s ice fishing derby on Ashfield Lake on Sunday, February 18. The free derby will run from 8:00 am to noon. All kids will receive a prize. Call Joe Miraglia (413) 628-4400 for more info.

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

Berkshire Outdoorsman

Hunting and fishing in the Berkshires, MA

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