Cub Scouts take to the ice

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Gene

Last weekend, Joe Chague of Pittsfield had his second annual ice fishing class on Laurel Lake for Sacred Heart Church Pack #20 Cub Scouts. He was assisted by friend Mark Markham also of Pittsfield. Some 15 scouts, siblings and friends showed up for the class. They were taught how to cut holes through the ice, sound the holes, set up and bait tip-ups, jig for fish, etc. Midway through the class, they stopped for cups of hot chocolate and hot dogs.

They had a great time and were unaffected by a couple of snow squalls that passed through. Although none of them caught fish of their own, they got to see and handle some nice white and yellow perch caught by Mark. He caught them using a jigging stick as well as on tip-ups.

Some parents had a thrill, too, and perhaps learned a thing or two about ice fishing. Joe had several different types of tip-ups on display; from very old to new Y2K compliant. I set up a tip up that was probably made in the 1930’s. It was a single piece tip-up with no reel, the kind that I learned to ice fish with when I was a kid. You can well imagine the thrill when that flag went up and I caught a pickerel. Never thought I would ever catch another fish on such a tip-up again.

As the picture indicates, these kids really got into this sport. Did you ever see 15 excited kids racing to respond to a tip- up? Well, don’t get in their way.

Such events as this and the R.O.P.E.S. (Respect Other People Encouraging Self-esteem) ice fishing derby are wonderful ways to get kids (and parents) outdoors and interested in ice fishing. *****

Some 46 coyotes were entered into Dave’s Sporting Goods Coyote Contest this year, and the winners were as follows: Carl Dolle of North Adams bagged the most coyotes with a tally of 22. He also got the heaviest one which weighed 46 ½ lbs. Cliff Briggs of Great Barrington won the random raffle. If Carl’s name sounds familiar, it is because he bagged the largest coyote in last year’s contest, one weighing 50 lbs. In the 2013 contest, Carl got the most coyotes with a tally of 24, and in 2012, he bagged the most coyotes with a tally of 16. Do you think that maybe he knows what he is doing? *****

Governor Baker recently appointed former State Representative George Peterson, from Grafton, as Commissioner of the Department of Fish & Game. Peterson served 10 terms in the House before deciding to not run again in 2014. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, who served with Peterson in the House, also appointed Mary-Lee King deputy commissioner of Fish and Game. This announcement came as great news to sportsmen statewide.

“As an avid outdoorsman and former commercial fisherman, George will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a unique understanding of the issues most important to sportsmen and commercial fishermen across the Commonwealth,” said Beaton. “I am honored to lead the DFG, and look forward to upholding the Department’s ongoing commitment to the protection of the Commonwealth’s wildlife, open space, and outdoors educational programs,” said Peterson. King previously held the title of Legislative Director for the DFG, and worked as a chief policy advisor for former Gov. William Weld and chief of staff to then-Sen. Paul Cellucci. *****

Getting that urge to go fly fishing? Well, this Friday evening, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting an International Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, 500 Benedict Road, Pittsfield. You are invited to see some of best rated fly fishing videos of 2014 taken from around the world. You are encouraged to bring the whole family.

Doors open at 6:30 PM and the film will be shown at 7 PM. The cost is $12 for advanced tickets or $15 at the door. The first 45 attendees will receive a free copy of Stonefly Magazine. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a handmade 9’ 4wt fly rod will be given out as a door prize. Refreshments will be available. Tickets can be obtained by calling Bill Travis 413-447-9720, by contacting any Taconic TU Chapter Board member, (listed on its website http://www.taconictroutunlimited.org, under “Members”) or on-line at: www.THEF3T.com and search for the date.

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

DFW Director Wayne MacCallum retires

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Gene

This Thursday marks the last day on the job for Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) Director Wayne MacCallum. He is retiring as Director after 27 years. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from UMASS in 1968 and his Master’s Degree from Penn State University where he studied the nesting ecology of Black Ducks. He joined the then Massachusetts Division of Fish & Game as a waterfowl technician. Shortly thereafter, he entered the private sector and over a ten year period progressed from Staff Scientist, to Manager of Environmental Management Services for Woodward Clyde Consultants.

MacCallum returned to the DFW in 1983 as the Assistant Director of Wildlife and became Director in 1988. He has served as President of the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Directors Association and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He served as Chairman of the Atlantic Flyway Council, the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, and the Woodcock Task Force. He received a Presidential appointment to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council where he was elected its Chairman. (This Council was in charge of various measures including how to disseminate $100 million to repair damages to the environment and native species from the BP oil spill).

He was a member of the Sea Duck Joint Venture, and the International Task Force on Waterfowl Regulations. He has been honored by numerous conservation and sporting groups in Massachusetts and by professional and national conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Wildlife Society and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

A lot of wonderful accomplishments were achieved under his watch from 1988 through 2014: State lands increased from 59,189 acres to 204,164, deer harvest went from 5,596 to 11,165, turkey harvest from 57 to 2,550, bear harvest from 37 (west of CT River only) to 240 (Worcester County and west). His focus was not only on game, but also on the rare and endangered species. For example, Bald Eagles increased from 3 pairs to 40 pairs nesting in MA (486 chicks have fledged since 1989) Peregrine Falcons increased from 2 pairs to 31 (48 fledged last year) and Piping Plovers increased from 135 pairs to 670. As Marion Larson, DFW Chief of Information & Education pointed out, “Wayne will be quick to point out that all that has been accomplished is due to the hard working, caring and professional staff. Still, it all flows from the leader and these are the results of his leadership.”

The Fish & Wildlife Board has appointed Acting Director Jack Buckley to fill in until it hires a permanent successor.

Although a resident of Grafton, MA, MacCallum is well known and respected here in the Berkshires, too. He has attended every Berkshire County League of Sportsmen awards banquet as well as the various local DFW land acquisition ceremonies. He is on a first name basis with many local sportsmen.

Mary Romaniec, Reporter for the Grafton News wrote a wonderful piece about MacCallum and his similarities with Henry David Thoreau. “As Thoreau found and wrote about prolifically, the natural environment is ours as stewards to protect. It seems that MacCallum and Thoreau would have been friends in their love for the environment mixed with pragmatic application on how it is managed. Thoreau too must have wondered what the future held for the generations to come as he looked to the future. (Throeau) wrote, “Each town should have a park, or rather a primitive forest, of 500 or a thousand acres, where a stick should never be cut for fuel, a common possession forever, for instruction and recreation.”

“In MacCallum”, Mary wrote, “He would be glad to know the legacy of stewardship for the land was well entrusted.” Many sportsmen and conservationists agree. *****

The coyote and bobcat hunting seasons ended yesterday. Bobcat and coyote must be checked no later than 4 working days after the close of the season. The cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and fox hunting seasons ended on February 28. With the exception of a special upland bird hunting option (page 34 of the Fish & Wildlife Guide), the only hunting season that is still open now is crow hunting, which ends on April 10. The next hunting season to open in our area will be turkey hunting on April 27. (The Youth Turkey Hunting day is April 25.) *****

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Sunday Ham Shoots begin today and run every Sunday in March. Ticket sales begin at 12:30PM and shooting commences at 1:00PM. The cost is $3.00 per shot with chances to win your choice of a Ham or a gift certificate to Harry’s Supermarket. The full kitchen will be open. Contact Brady Kerr at (413) 212-0894 for more information.

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association is also having Turkey Shoots every Sunday in March from 1:00 to 4:00PM. The cost is $2.00 a round with chances to win a choice of turkey, steak, spiral ham or pork loin. They will also have a money-shoot for $3 a round. Grilled lunch available.

CARRY LEAGUE – THE MUCH ANTICIPATED RETURN

Next Sunday at1PM the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club will be holding a multi-state firearms course. It includes firearm laws covering licensing, storage, transportation, operation and safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals, etc. Participants will receive a course certificate which will allow them to apply for licenses in Massachusetts, Utah, New Hampshire and Maine. A Utah firearm permit is honored in 30 states. The fee for the entire 5 hour course is $140 or one can take just the Massachusetts or Utah segments for $100. Preregistration is required. Call or e-mail Robert J. McDermott at (413)232-7700 or robmcdermott@verizon.net.*****

6, 3th, 20th, and 27th is tentatively organized for March

Berkshire waters account for 4 gold pins in 2014

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Gene

In the Freshwater Sport Fishing Awards Programs, anglers receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species. They must have their catch weighed at a certified weigh station and submit an affidavit and photo to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator. Beginning in 2005, a youth category (aged 17 and under) was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for their accomplishments.

Anglers who catch the largest fish in each category receive a gold pin and plaque commemorating their accomplishment. During 2014, Berkshire waters yielded four trophy fish.

No adults won any gold pins here last year, but the following youths did: Tauri Adamczyk of Taunton caught the largest carp in the youth division. It weighed 27 lbs 8 oz and was caught in the Housatonic River in Lee. Jake Burke of Pittsfield caught the largest Northern Pike, weighing 27 lbs 2 oz and it came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield. It was nearly 4 lbs larger that the largest pike caught by an adult. Dylan Crea of Pittsfield caught the largest Tiger Muskie weighing 13 lbs 8 oz out of Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield. It was nearly 1 lb larger than the largest Tiger Muskie caught by an adult. (Readers may remember reading about Dylan in my column of March 9, 2014). Christian Gougeon of Williamsburg caught the largest Tiger Trout in the youth division. It weighed 2 lbs 10 oz and came out of Stockbridge Bowl.

Once again, it is interesting that so many out-of-area fishermen are coming to the Berkshires to fish our waters. Our area truly has become a destination point for fishermen.

Since 2002, the Angler of the Year Award has been given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet minimum weight requirements. The award promotes awareness of the Commonwealth’s underutilized fish species and recognizes an angler’s ability to catch a wide variety of trophy species. Since 2013, the Angler of the Year is now awarded in two categories, Youth and Adult.

In 2014, there was a tie for the Adult Angler of the Year; Mark Mohan Jr. of Pembroke and Todd Matera, of Palmer. Mohan caught the following pin fish last year: a gold pin Brown Trout (weighing 8 lbs 4 oz), a Bullhead, Crappie, Landlocked Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, White Perch and a gold pin Yellow Perch (weighing 2 lbs 9 oz).

Matera caught the following pin fish: Brook Trout, Bullhead, Carp, Channel Catfish, Landlocked Salmon, a gold pin Smallmouth Bass (weighing 5 lbs 6 oz), Sunfish, White Catfish, White Perch, and five Yellow Perch.

The 2014 Youth Angler of the Year was Jake Souza of Berkley. He caught the following pin fish: Brook Trout, three Brown Trout, two Bullhead, two Chain Pickerel (one of which came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield), Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, two Sunfish, Tiger Trout, White Perch, and Yellow Perch.

Familiar names? Well, Mohan was Angler of the Year in 2013, Mantera was Angler of the Year in 2005, and Souza was Youth Angler of the Year in 2013 and 2012. There is a little more than luck involved here, they’re just good fishermen.

Incidentally, beginning this year, MassWildlife will be including a Catch and Release component to its Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.

Fish must be taken on hook and line from State or interstate waters that are open to the public at all times. Private ponds or sporting club ponds are not eligible for awards.
Fish must be measured at the site of capture, photographed against a standard measuring device, then immediately released. The photo must include the entire fish and the measurement must be clearly discernible. In addition to a side view photo, all affidavits for catfish and bullheads must also include a full body, dorsal (back) view of the fish.
Fish measurements will be rounded up to the nearest ¼ inch.
C&R anglers will receive the classic bronze pin for each eligible fish submitted. Additionally, the longest of each species annually will be awarded a gold pin and plaque.
A C&R Angler of the Year trophy will be awarded annually to the angler who submits the widest variety of eligible species.
Anglers aged 17 or under are eligible for Youth C&R Sportfishing Awards.

Check out the MassWildlife website for more details. *****

A Basic Hunter Education Course will be held at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Road, Cheshire, on March 2, 6, 9, 13, 16 and 20 from 6:00 to 9:00PM. All first-time hunters who wish to purchase Massachusetts hunting or sporting licenses must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. For more information, call 508-389-7820. *****

DCR will be holding a Public Trails Workshop for the Pittsfield State Forest this Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30PM at the DCR West Region HQ, 740 South Street, Pittsfield. They will hold another workshop for October Mountain State Forest, same place and time on March 4.

DCR staff will share information on the trails planning process and will work with trails system users to identify destinations and desired experiences, trail constraints and maintenance issues, and long-term trails management considerations. The intended outcome is an environmentally sustainable trails system that all users can enjoy in the future. *****

Next Saturday, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association is holding a “Zumbation” to raise money for the Lee High School Senior Class and the LSA. Call Mary at (413)243-2710 for more details. *****

Last week I erroneously listed the bear population in Massachusetts as being 50,000 instead of 5,000. My apologies! Hope I didn’t cause panic and a rush of people to sell their homes and move out of the state.

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.

What a brutal winter! Good time to head for the man-cave.

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Gene

Winter is a wonderful time of year for the ice fishermen, rabbit/coyote hunters, and other cold weather enthusiasts. But this year the weather conditions have been so miserable that many of these sports have been curtailed. Many of us have been practically house bound. So what do we do during those long cold winter days and nights?

Head for the man-cave, of course. The inviting atmosphere, especially on a cold, winter evening, provides a good place to take on various projects. Hunters can be found there cleaning and oiling their hunting guns, reloading shells or sharpening their knives. Hikers may be there waterproofing their boots, the skiers waxing their skis, etc. Fishermen will be there lubricating their fishing reels and putting new lines on them. Fly fishermen are there tying up a batch of trout flies or building a new fishing rod for next spring’s season.

I love it in my man-cave. The fly tying vise is all set up on the desk ready to begin tying on a whim. I am surrounded by bags and boxes of all kinds of fly tying materials, hooks, etc. I love to spend a comfortable, undisturbed evening there. Only I do the vacuuming there, lest a valuable wood duck or jungle cock feather be sucked up. Our beagle, Jacques, loves it in there, too, what with the smells of all kinds of furs, feathers, gun oil, etc. With tail excitedly wagging, he is probably hoping to kick up a rabbit out of there. Now that my wife Jan bought me a little TV to watch while I tie flies, I see no reason whatsoever to come out for days on end. (Just kidding!!)

What’s your man-cave like? Is it a heated garage, wood-working shop, studio, computer room or is it just a comfortable place to sit and listen to music or read a good book. It seems that we all need such solace and enjoyable diversions.

Outdoors sportsmen are always creating something in them. Some make their own fishing rods, tie flies, make wooden bass plugs, reload shells, carve duck decoys, make wooden bows and arrows, etc. Perhaps its a throw-back to the days when the early hunters/fishermen had to make their own gear, in order to survive. There is something very gratifying when you make stuff with your own hands. Ask any sculptor, wood worker, knitter or seamstress.

Incidentally, there is nothing that prevents a woman from having a woman-cave.

I never knew anyone who made their own snowshoes. But I suspect that is about to change, for Brian J. and Edmond Theriault, master traditional snowshoe makers from Fort Kent Mills, Maine, have written a book on how to make them. Entitled “Leaving Tracks, “A Maine Tradition”, this book shows and explains everything you need to know on how to make wooden snowshoes. Edmond Theriault, taught his son Brian how to both make and repair them when Brian was a young man. Now, Brian has been making them for over 50 years himself.

Admittedly, this was the first book on snowshoe making I have ever read and it is so complete, there is little need to read another. I liked the fact that it not only shows readers how to make snowshoes, but also how to select the right tree/wood, process cow hides, shape the woods into frames and build snowshoe molds. It describes the necessary tools and shows diagrams with measurements on how to weave traditional snowshoes. All of this was done in an easy to understand format. I also liked the fact that information was given on how to care for the snowshoes and bindings, how to repair them and what to look for when buying a pair.

Obviously, the Theriaults take pride in the snowshoes they make and they clearly convey their knowledge onto the reader. They call their snowshoes “usable art”. It is no wonder that the Maine Arts Commission named traditional snowshoe maker, Brian Theriault one of its 2015 Individual Artist Fellowship award winners.

The book is available in Kindle ($9.99), hard cover ($44.52) and soft cover ($21.28). My soft cover copy has 206 pages The Publisher is Theriault Snowshoes. *****

The sporting community was recently saddened by the loss of two well known local sportsmen, Ernest “Ernie” LeClaire, formerly of Williamstown, and Lambert “Mickey” McGinty, of Dalton. LeClaire was a founding member of the Hoosac River Watershed Association and an officer and director of the Hoosac Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He was the recipient of one of TU’s highest national awards, the Silver Trout Award. McGinty was a director and past president of the Berkshire Beagle Club and the recipient of the 2003 Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Sportsman’s Achievement Award. Both will be missed. *****

Congratulations to Miss P for winning the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show recently. She is a 4 year old, Canadian born, 15-inch beagle and the grandniece of Uno, the first beagle to ever win the big show in 2008. There was no “aawroooo” from her when she was announced the winner, unlike Uno. Instead, she just pushed her way through a bunch of dangling ribbons, perhaps biting a couple of them on the way to receive ribbon. What a handsome dog she is. *****

For fly fishermen who fish the Deerfield River, the Deerfield Fly Shop is opening at 8A Elm Street, South Deerfield, just a few minutes from the lower stretches of the river. An all day grand opening celebration is scheduled for March 7. Check out deerfieldflyshop.com for a listing of events, raffles, speakers, guides, river reports, operating hours, etc. *****

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is having its wild game dinner next Saturday at 6PM. Call 413-298-3277 for more information.

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

As expected, 2014 Black Bear harvest shattered old record

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Gene

MassWildlife recently reported that a record 240 bears were harvested statewide during last year’s split fall season. Some 203 were taken in September and 37 in November. In total, 132 males and 107 females were taken. The harvest breakdown by county is as follows: 78 in Berkshire; 56 in Franklin; 51 in Hampden; 43 in Hampshire; 4 in Middlesex; and 8 in Worcester.

Last year’s harvest represents a 62% increase over the previous year total of 148 and nearly a 30% increase over the previous record of 185 which were bagged in 2012. There were some real brutes taken this year with a couple of them estimated to weigh over 500 lbs live weight.

This increased harvest appears directly related to the upsurge in the bear population. It comes as no surprise to bear hunters who predicted as much when Question 1 was passed in the 1990’s. That law made it illegal to use bear hunting dogs or bait to attract bears, presumably resulting in fewer bears taken. Now it is estimated that there are over 5,000 of them living in the Commonwealth and the numbers are growing rapidly. They are expanding eastward and if their numbers are not controlled will become a nuisance in the heavily populated towns there.

The Fish & Wildlife Board is keenly aware of this pending problem and has taken steps to address it. It knows that hunters play a vital role in controlling the numbers of bears. Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey of Lenox reported that it voted to make changes to the Black Bear hunting regulations. Pending regulatory approval, the zone restrictions will be removed during the Black Bear hunting season. Prior to this year, bear hunting was only allowed in Zones 1 through 9 (of the 14 zones). Also, bear hunting will be allowed in all zones during the shotgun deer hunting season. All shotgun deer hunting regulations will apply, such as hunting only with shotguns, bows or muzzleloaders (no rifles), the wearing of hunter orange, etc.

These new changes, anticipated to become effective this year, have not been included in the 2015 Hunting and Fishing abstracts. They still will have to proceed through the regulatory process, but it is expected that regulators will sign off on them. *****

Beginning this Thursday and running through Sunday, the Big E Sportsmen’s Show will take place at 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. The hours are as follows: Thursday from 3PM to 8PM, Friday from 12 Noon to 8PM, Saturday from 9AM to 7PM and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM. Admission fees: Adults – $13, Kids 6 to12 – $5 and under 6 free. This sportsmen’s show is loaded with hunting, fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation activities. For more information, visit the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show website. *****

And now for the youngsters:

On March 7 there will be a Growing Up WILD Professional Development Workshop at the MA Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox. Pre-school educators are invited to this 6-hour workshop that focuses on early childhood education. The Growing Up WILD Activity Guide builds on a children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Click onto mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/education-events, or contact Pam Landry at pam.landry@state.ma.us or (508) 389-6310 for registration details. The registration deadline is February 20. ****

There is a contest which recognizes teachers and students who inspire their communities by exploring challenging environmental and energy issues. Nominations for Massachusetts public or private school-based programs that promote environmental and energy education will be accepted until March 27. Program topics can include wildlife and natural resource conservation, ocean science, and other related subjects. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will review applications through mid-April and announce the winners later in the spring. Contact Meg Colclough at (617) 626-1110 or meg.colclough@state.ma.us for more information. ****

There is still time to enter the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) contest. Any student, from kindergarten through grade 12, regardless of whether they attend public or private school or are home-schooled, can submit original artwork in this fun and educational competition. The entry deadline is March 15.

The JDS program links the study of wetlands and waterfowl conservation with the creation of original artwork. Students in grades K-12 learn about the habitat requirements of various kinds of ducks and geese and then express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of these species artistically, by creating a drawing or painting and submitting it to the JDS art contest. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition; the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition. Click onto the MassWildlife web site for an information packet and entry information. ****

The MA Junior Conservation Camp, this year located at the Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA, provides a unique experience of conservation, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation education. The camp’s program introduces young people to the ethical responsibilities of hunting and fishing in order to foster careful stewardship of our natural resources. Boys and girls aged 13 to 17 who enjoy outdoor activities and want to learn more about the environment are eligible to attend. The camp dates are August 2 through August 14. The cost is $750 each. Click onto http://www.juniorconservationcamp.org/ for more information.

The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen has bought two memberships, (one for a boy and one for a girl), and will make them available for free, first come first served, to deserving youths. If you know any interested youths, have them write a letter to BCLS President Mark Jester, 25 Delancy Avenue, Pittsfield MA 01201explaining why they want to attend.

Preliminary 2014 Deer Harvest Summary

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Gene

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) reports that the statewide preliminary deer harvest for 2014 (excluding Quabbin and any data not yet received) was 11,165. The harvest figures for the previous four years beginning with year 2010 were as follows: 10,699, 11,081, 10,938 and 11,413. In the Western District (WD), which includes all areas west of the Connecticut River (Zones 1 – 4), some 1,737 were taken. For the previous four years beginning with year 2010 the figures were 1,568, 3,417, 1,626 and 1,664. Interestingly, Zones 10 and 11 in eastern Massachusetts yielded over 4,800 deer in 2014.

The statewide preliminary archery season harvest was 4,456. Harvest figures for the previous 4 years beginning with year 2010 were as follows: 3,778, 3,765, 3903 and 4,474. In the WD, 505 were taken with the bow in 2014. The WD archery harvests for the previous four years, beginning with year 2010, were as follows: 466, 522, 453 and 577. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 2,381 in 2014.

The statewide preliminary shotgun season harvest was 4,742. For the previous 4 years beginning with year 2010 the harvests were as follows: 4,846, 5,349, 4,950 and 4,625. The WD shotgunners checked in 888 in 2014, which compares with the previous 4 years: 815, 904, 842 and 739. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 1,529 in 2014. Note – 852 more deer were taken with the bow out there than with shotgun.

The statewide preliminary primitive season harvest was 1,967. The previous 4 years beginning with year 2010 were: 2,068, 1,959, 1,958 and 2314. In the WD, muzzleloaders checked in 344, which compares with the previous 4 years as follows: 285, 251, 301 and 350. Zones 10 and 11 muzzleloaders checked in 893 deer in 2014.

The total harvested deer by all methods in the WD were as follows: Zone 1 – 234, Zone 2 – 448, Zone 3 – 444, Zone 4N – 432 and Zone 4S – 179.

According to the DFW, The 2014 preliminary harvest data for zones 1-5 shows low female harvest and a corresponding increase in adult male harvest, indicating that deer densities in these zones are generally increasing toward its goals. Deer densities in zones 6-9 appear to be within its goals. Densities in Zones 10 and 11 are still above goal, but more towns are increasing access to lands for hunting, which is one of the most important parts of managing deer in a suburban setting. Deer densities on Martha’s Vineyard (Zone 13) and Nantucket (Zone 14) remain significantly above DFW’s management goals.

While total harvest by zone can be informative, it doesn’t provide the complete picture for monitoring trends in deer density because total harvest is influenced by antlerless deer permit allocations in each zone. The DFW Deer Project Leader analyzes harvest, biological, and hunter effort data, along with hunter success rates, female versus male harvest, and other factors to manage deer populations in each zone. An analysis of this information is now underway for the annual spring deer management review. A complete harvest summary will be posted on the DFW website shortly after the annual deer review, so check back in May or June.

Hunters should keep an eye on their email inbox for the annual hunter survey. All hunters who included a valid email address in their MassFishHunt profile will receive a hunter survey by email in February or March. *****

Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey of Lenox, reports that the Board recently voted to create a Youth Deer Hunt Day. This will be a one day hunt for youths aged 12 to 17. It is scheduled to take place annually on the 4^th Saturday after Labor Day. The youths must obtain a free youth permit which will be available at DFW offices and vendors. This permit will allow them to take a deer of either sex deer in any zone and is valid only during the Youth Day Hunt. All regular deer hunting season rules apply, such as the wearing of hunter orange, the use of shotguns, etc. Youths must be accompanied by a duly licensed adult mentor provided that a single bag limit is observed and only one firearm can be in their possession for the youths 12 to 14 years of age. Youths aged 15 to 17 must have taken a hunter education course and obtained a hunting license.

This new change should become effective this year, but has not been included in the 2015 Hunting and Fishing abstracts. It still will have to proceed through the regulatory process, but is anticipated that regulators will sign off on it. After that, more information will be forthcoming. *****

On Saturday night (Valentine’s Day) the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will host its annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance. Tickets which cost $25.00 pp, are available from all Board members. The dinner will be catered by That’s Amore Fine Catering and dancing to DJ Russ Davis. BYOB. On Sunday, it will be having its annual ice fishing derby on Stockbridge Bowl. Then on Monday it will have its 32nd Annual President’s Day Rabbit Hunt. Pre-Register with Ron Carr @ 413-442-5122 or sign up at the club. Weigh in at 4:00 p.m. There will be prizes for heaviest hare and heaviest cottontail. A venison dinner will be served afterwards and is included in the registration fee.*****

More than 425 plants and animals are recognized as rare in MA. MassWildlife asks that you consider contributing to endangered wildlife conservation on your MA income tax form this tax season. Look for line 32a. “Endangered Wildlife Conservation” on your state income tax form. All donations go into the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund, a critical source for the annual budget of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

Hunters speak out about DCR’s gated properties

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Gene

Recently, a public forum was held at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) West Region Headquarters in Pittsfield. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Resource Management Planning process for the DCR Pittsfield-October Mountain State Forest Complex and hear the questions, concerns, and ideas about priority management issues related to recreation, stewardship of resources, and park facilities. The meeting room was packed with hunters, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, bicyclists and others.

Deer hunters took the opportunity to express their extreme displeasure with the way access to the Pittsfield State Forest is being denied to them. Access points from West Street, Brickyard Road, Brickhouse Mountain Road and Potter Mountain Road, which used to be open, are now being blocked with locked gates.

This forces deer hunters to park at the gates and hike over a mile to get to their hunting areas. As one hunter stated, the hunter’s average age is increasing and to force them to hike the extra miles is dangerous and not fair to them. The problem is compounded if they shoot a deer and then have to drag it all that distance back to the gate. If they should suffer a heart attack, there is no way that rescuers can quickly get to them because of the gate closures.

They have complained frequently and have held meetings with the DCR, State Representative Ben Downing, Pittsfield Councilmen, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen and others. As a result of these meetings, the DCR agreed to open the gates during deer hunting season in order to allow access to the hunters.

The gates were left unlocked for a while but this past deer hunting season, they were locked again. The hunters complained again and were told to park outside the gates. When they did so, they were ticketed (not warned), in spite of the fact that there were no signs prohibiting parking there. When they parked along Brickyard Road in New York, they were ticketed there. One hunter claims that the gate to the Pittsfield State Forest is actually located in New York. He advocated for moving the gate farther off of the road and making a parking lot near it, away from the houses.

George (Gige) Darey, of Lenox, Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Board Chairmen stated that the deer herd cannot be managed in an industrial state such as Massachusetts when large tracts of land cannot be accessed by deer hunters. “Too many deer result in their eating rare and endangered plants, damaging the forests, causing a rise of deer tick incidents, causing more traffic accidents and neighboring complaints”. He mentioned DCR-controlled lands in the eastern part of the State. “Look at the problems that you are having there”, he said. “Things are so bad that even the animal rights people are complaining”. He also mentioned the problems that they had in the Quabbin area and how it was necessary to open it up for deer hunting. “You should not close all of these parcels of land”, he said.

He also commented on the situation with October Mountain and the fact that if one wants to access it from Pittsfield, Lenox or Lee, one has to drive to Washington or Becket to get at it due to the roads being closed or poorly maintained.

Bob Mellace, DCR Western Regional Manager commented that in some of the gate situations, Environmental and State Police have requested that the gates be closed due to drinking parties and crime taking place in these forests. They keep getting calls and they cannot keep going there. The State Police have a big influence. He stated that it is not DCR’s intent to keep out hunters, but once you open up the gates, you open them up to everyone. You have a hunter access verses public safety issue going on.

Off road vehicle (ORV) owners and mountain bikers have access issues, too. They are also concerned that some of their trails are not being maintained or are being shut down. They questioned what is being done with the registration fees. DCR officials responded by saying that some of that money was spent locally on a Route 20 parking area and work being done along the Skyline Trail. They said that monies are coming but slowly and to be patient.

Some ORV users complained that they frequently see unregistered vehicles from Connecticut and New York riding the State Forest trails and questioned what is being done about it. DCR responded that they have a staffing problem. There is only one EPO for Region 1 and only 3 Rangers for the Western Region. They are cracking down on the bad guys but are spread thin. They did state that there were very few problems with the ORV people and that they slow down when they see hikers or hunters.

A draft RMP for the DCR properties in the Pittsfield-October Mountain Complex will be the subject of a subsequent public meeting to be held later in the RMP planning process.

The DCR will host trail planning workshops for Pittsfield SF and October Mountain SF this winter. The process will include: mapping and assessing conditions; identifying scenic, recreational and cultural destinations; identifying constraints, issues and problem areas; identifying desired experiences of trail user groups and coordinating with stakeholders and partners.

If you have comments regarding priority management issues related to recreation, stewardship or resources and park facilities, E-mail: dcr.updates@state.ma.us. Put “Pittsfield RMP” in the subject line; or write the DCR, Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114 or call: 617-626-4974. Note: public comments submitted to DCR by email or letter will be posted on its website in their entirety. The public comment period ends on February 20.

Schedule of 2015 ice fishing derbies is now available

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Gene

The above is the schedule of upcoming ice fishing derbies this winter. Our thanks go out again to Paula Dailey at the Onota Boat Livery in Pittsfield for compiling the 2015 schedule of ice fishing derbies and posting them on its web site Simply log onto Onotaboat.com to access that list.

Although space does not allow listing all of the derbies raffle prizes, I am making an exception with the Lanesboro Volunteer Fire Dept derby. For a $10 ticket, you can enter into its raffle which has the following prizes: 1st Prize – Eskimo ice auger valued at $560, 2^nd Prize – Ice fishing jet sled filled with everything needed to go ice fishing(except an auger) valued at $650. All of the proceeds benefit the Lanesboro Volunteer Fire Dept. Tickets can be obtained at the Onota Boat Livery which, incidentally, donated or provided the above items at cost. *****

According to Berkshire Beagle Club (BBC) Director John Demary, the rabbit hunt last Saturday was a success considering the cold and raw day. Some 24 hunters participated, bagging 3 snowshoe hares and 7 cottontail rabbits.

The largest hare was taken by Rylan Kalisz of Adams with one weighing 3.59 lbs. It was taken in front of his grandfather Dick Kalisz’s (also of Adams) dog Hudson. The largest cottontail was taken by Dave Morris of Lee with one weighing 3.01 lbs. It was taken in front of Tom King’s (of Cheshire) dog Boomer. I am listing the dogs’ names along with the owners because, after all, they did all of the work.

Some of the bunnies were donated to member Russell Moody, Minister of The Pittsfield Church of Christ who cleaned them and gave them to families in need. It is unfortunate that we have such needy families here in the Berkshires but if there is one consolation it is this: wild rabbits are delicious. I grew up eating them and still have a couple of meals of them every year.

Following the contest check–in, the participants enjoyed a delicious meal of venison pasta, venison chili and bear stew. A raffle followed the meal.

Incidentally, the BBC recently held its officer elections and the following individuals were elected: President – Rodney Hicks of Hancock, VP – John Demary of Dalton, and Treasurer – Tim Cahoon of Pittsfield. The Secretary position is open. *****

A Basic Hunter Education Course will be held at the Pittsfield High School, 300 East Street, Pittsfield, on March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

All first-time hunters who wish to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. The course is designed for first-time hunters and is standardized across North America. All government-issued Basic Hunter Education certificates, from any North American jurisdiction, are accepted as proof of successfully completing the course in order to purchase a hunting or sporting license.

Anyone who has held a hunting license prior to 2007 in this or any other state, or is a graduate of a Basic Hunter Education course in this or any other state, does not need any additional training and may immediately create a customer account and purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license (www.mass.gov/massfishhunt). Proof of a previous license or certificate is not required. For more information, call 508-389-7820. *****

On Saturday, February 7 the Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be having an All Women’s Basic Pistol Course from 8:00am to 6:00pm. For more information call Vicki White (413) 442-8107.

Brady Kerr, Secretary of the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club reports that the following leagues have started but there is always time to join in: Pistol League runs Mondays 7:00pm and Thursdays at noon, Rifle League on Sundays from 10:00am to noon, 2-D Archery shoots on Thursdays and Fridays from 6:00pm to 8:30pm or Saturdays from 12:30pm to3:00pm and 3-D Archery League on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Gene

Local deer hunter has a 2 bagger

Around 8 AM on Saturday, December 21, Jim Cornwell of Lenox Dale was black powder deer hunting in the woods off of Washington Mountain Road in Becket. The 44 year old hunter hadn’t deer hunted in 12 or 13 years, (claims he “came out of retirement”) and that was the first time that he ever hunted with a muzzleloader. He wasn’t bored, for some 13 does had passed by his deer stand already.

The 14^th deer that came by was a nice buck and Jim dropped it. He reloaded his gun just in case it needed a second “kill” shot and approached it. He looked up and saw another buck walking toward him and he dropped that one, too. (It is legal in Massachusetts to take two bucks on the same day as long as they are reported within 48 hours.)

The first buck was an 8 pointer weighing 150 lbs. The second one was also an 8 pointer weighing 170 lbs, and that one had a 24 inch antler spread. He shot them 5 minutes apart.

What are the odds of that happening? Rare! For those not familiar with a muzzleloader gun, please allow me to explain. To load the gun, one must drop the gunpowder down the barrel, then push the bullet down the barrel with a ramrod and then place a primer in the breech. The hammer must be pulled back and the gun is ready to fire. How Jim was able to do all of this after the first shot without the second deer hearing him or picking up his scent is unbelievable. Some people have all the luck!

Jim’s brother Tony of Peru helped him drag the deer out of the woods. Jim claims that without his help, he would still be dragging.

Due to the unusual circumstances, Jim is going to have both heads mounted by a taxidermist. What memories and stories he will have to tell.

Incidentally, the results of the recent bear and deer hunting seasons have not yet been released by MassWildlife. I will pass them on as soon as they are made available. *****

The annual Fly Fishing Show will take place from January 16 through 18 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, MA. There will be over 50 talks and demonstrations each day. While there, you might shop for the newest tackle, book your next dream trip, watch tying and casting demos and learn from the experts.

All the new rods, reels, fly tying materials, books, DVDs and latest equipment will be on display to test and purchase. There is a casting pond for casting demos and it is available to test your new rod. Some of the celebrity authors include Gary Borger, Jay “Fishy” Fullum, Bob Popovics, Dave Klausmeyer, Ben Furminsky and others, and they will be happy to autograph your books. Click onto flyfishingshow.com/Marlborough__MA.html for more details. *****

On Tuesday evening, January 20 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be holding a public forum on the preparation of a resource management plan (RMP) for the Pittsfield – October Mountain Complex. It will be held at the DCR West Region HQ, 740 South Street, Pittsfield.

The subject area includes Pittsfield State Forest, October Mountain State Forest, Balance Rock & Bates Memorial State Parks, Wahconah Falls State Park, Ashmere Lake State Park, Peru & Middlefield State Forests, Gilbert A. Bliss State Forest and satellite properties.

At this meeting, DCR staff will share information about the RMP planning process and hear our questions, concerns, and ideas about priority management issues related to recreation, stewardship of resources, and park facilities. A draft RMP for the DCR properties in the Pittsfield-October Mountain Complex, will be the subject of a subsequent public meeting to be held later in the RMP planning process. This presentation will be available after the meeting on DCR’s website at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/public-outreach/public-meetings/. If you have questions about the public forum, contact DCR Updates at (617) 626-4974 or DCR.Updates@state.ma.us.

In case of inclement weather on January 20, call 617-626-4973 or visit

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/ to confirm the date the public meeting will be held. *****

The Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club will be holding its 5^th Annual Hunt Raffle and Buffet Dinner at the ITAM in Pittsfield on Saturday evening, February 7. Doors open at 5PM and dinner at 6PM. Cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children under 10. The proceeds from the event benefit PSC Land Development. Tickets are limited. This is a serious raffle with a whitetail deer hunt in Illinois, a fishing charter on Lake Ontario, a mystery prize, a Chinese auction and more. Raffle tickets will be sold at Pete’s Gun Shop in Adams, Smitty’s Sporting Goods in Dalton, Dave’s Sporting Goods and Avid Sports in Pittsfield. For more information, contact Travis Delratez (413)441-7979 or Fran Tremblay at (413)443-5133. *****

State parks and forests have a new “Friend”

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Gene

According to Ryan Aylesworth, the founder & CEO the Western Massachusetts Public Lands Alliance (WMPLA), it was founded in July 2014. WMPLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the Pittsfield area whose mission is to use philanthropy, volunteerism, education, and advocacy to sustain and enhance the quality of outdoor recreation, public access, infrastructure, environmental education, historical preservation, and natural resource conservation within the state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas of western Massachusetts.

Its primary purpose is to serve as a regional-scale “friends group” for public lands managed by the Commonwealth in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. According to Ryan, our state lands are chronically under-funded, resulting in crumbling infrastructure, reduced public access, inferior recreational and educational opportunities, and inadequate resource management. WMPLA was founded to reverse this deeply troubling trend.

Before founding WMPLA, Ryan was the President & CEO of Audubon International (AI), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has been administering a wide range of rigorous environmental education and certification programs for over nearly 30 years. Prior to that, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – first as a biologist in the Northeast, and later heading up the agency’s governmental affairs program in the Midwest Region. These professional experiences, combined with a deep passion for the outdoors that began as a youth growing up in the mountains of northwestern Maine, have fostered Ryan’s belief that effectively conserving and enhancing public lands requires regional-scale collaboration involving diverse programs, organizations and stakeholder groups.

In addition to the professional skills that Ryan bring to the table, WMPLA benefits from the leadership of a Board of Directors comprised of individuals with extensive professional experience in areas such as education, natural resource management, business, communications, and government. Members of WMPLA’s leadership also have close ties to the people and communities of the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley. This is especially true of Jonathan Butler, President of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and former Town Administrator in Adams, who recently joined WMPLA’s Board of Directors because he understands how substantially improving how public lands are managed will benefit the region’s tourism-based economy.

Of interesting note, one of WMPLA’s Board members recently learned that the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) had roughly 100 pheasants die as a result of a predator (speculated to be a fisher cat) tunneling into its pen. (These pheasants had been acquired from the Austerlitz Club). The LSA leadership told the WMPLA Board member that they were distressed because this meant that the club was not going to have the number of birds needed to continue stocking various public lands open to hunting for the duration of the upland bird season.

In response to this news, WMPLA generously offered to make a $1,500 donation to purchase an additional 100 birds from the Austerlitz Club in NY and provide the LSA what it needed to save the hunting season. As a result of this generosity, WMPLA is now well on its way to forming a valuable and lasting relationship with the LSA, which they plan to replicate with other clubs and outdoor recreational groups including hikers, anglers, campers, birders, Nordic skiers, snowshoers, bikers, etc., that use our state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.

They have an interesting web site (www.wmpla.org) where you can learn all about the organization, what it does, who serves on its Board, what’s on its priority list, etc. Incidentally, the October Mountain State Forest is on its priority list. Check them out. *****

The Onota Boat Livery is once again having its seasonal ice fishing contest. Entrants must sign up by February 1 and the contest ends on March 15. Participants must be at least 18 years old and purchase at least $25 worth of store merchandise. They may fish anywhere in the Berkshires and all fish caught must be through the ice and brought to the Livery for measuring. Contestants must have previously entered the contest. In the event of a tie, the prize will be divided equally amongst winners.

The prizes are $50 Onota Boat Livery gift certificates for the largest pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, pickerel, perch and crappie. Atlantic salmon and tiger muskies have been discontinued from contest. Check out the web site at Onotaboat.com for a listing of the derby rules.

To prevent needless killing of nice fish, may I suggest that before going out you check the Onota Boat Livery leader’s board, or call them (413-442-1724) to see what the leading fish are. Also bring a copy of the minimum weights which qualify for a State Sportfishing Award (page 22 of the Fish & Wildlife Guide). Bring along a scale, too. That way you know whether or not you caught a money/pin fish and if not, you can release it unharmed if you wish.

Incidentally, the Onota Boat Livery will be preparing a list of upcoming ice fishing derbies when the information is received from the derby organizers. I will list it as soon as completed. *****

The Berkshire Beagle Club, on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, will be holding its Annual Rabbit Hunt next Saturday. Entrance fee is $10 per person and that includes a dinner. Weigh-in by 4:00 PM. Contact John Demary if you wish to enter and/or donate some raffle prizes. Prizes go for the largest cottontail and snowshoe rabbit. No hunting is allowed on the Beagle Club grounds. *****

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) adult archery league starts on Thursday, January 15 at 6:00 PM and runs for 8 weeks. For additional information call Mary Smith (413) 243-2710. The LSA’s next pistol course will be held on Monday, January 12 and Monday, January 19 from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. For additional information call Larry Karlquist (413) 442-7807.

Berkshire Outdoorsman

Hunting and fishing in the Berkshires, MA

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