Category Archives: News

Some hunting seasons open this Tuesday.

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The black bear hunting season is nearly upon us.  The season is divided into two time periods. The first period begins on Tuesday September 2 and ends on Saturday, September 20, for a total of 17 days.  The second period begins on November 3 and ends on November 22, for a total of 18 days.  The season is open only in wildlife management zones 01 through 09.

Bear hunters can purchase and print their Black Bear permit when they buy their hunting licenses, or can go online later in the year and purchase and print it immediately.  It is no longer necessary to mail in an application, and one does not need to wonder if the applications or permits were lost in the mail.   There is no longer a deadline of any kind for these permits.

The hunting hours begin at ½ hour before sunrise and continue until ½ hour after sunset.  The season bag limit is one black bear per calendar year. A person may kill a bear of any sex or any size.  Hunters are encouraged to check the MA Fish & Wildlife Guide, page 31 for more information on this sport.

The 2014-15 Migratory Game Bird Regulations, including hunting seasons, bag limits, and methods of take, are now available. The early statewide goose hunting season also begins on Tuesday, September 2 and ends on September 25.   Hard copies of the regulations will be available at license vendor locations and MassWildlife offices in September.  The daily bag is 7 and the possession limit is 21.

All migratory game bird hunters are reminded they must complete an online Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey each calendar year. If you have not completed the HIP survey, visit a local license vendor, MassWildlife office, or go to www.mass.gov/massfishhunt to be sure you have completed the survey. Your license must have either the notation “HIP Survey Completed” or “Waterfowl Stamp” when printed.

Disappointed that you did not win an antlerless deer permit this year?  Well in our neck of the woods, the odds of getting one were not in your favor.   The following lists the Western District Wildlife Management Zones, the number of allocations, number of permits and chances of winning:

Wildlife

Mgmt. Zone

 Allocation # Applicants Chance of Winning
1 400 1,229 39%
2 175 1,636 15%
3 1,100 2,325 53%
4N 375 2,145 18%
4S 275 1,619 18%

 

 

Guess you and I will just have to bag a buck.*****

 

This year 31 adult Atlantic Salmon returned to the Connecticut River from the Atlantic Ocean.   This compares with previous years as follows:  89 in 2013, 57 in 2012, 111 in 2011, 51 in 2010 and 75 in 2009.  This year, 1 returned to the Salmon River in Connecticut, 3 to the Farmington River in Connecticut, 2 to the Westfield River and 25 reached the Holyoke Dam.  Of those reaching Holyoke and released upstream, 11 of them reached Gatehouse Dam and were released, 8 reached Vernon and released, two made it to Bellows Falls and released and 1 made it all the way to the Wilder Dam in VT.  That last fish traveled through CT, MA and well into VT/NH, up above White River Junction.

 

As you may be aware, the Connecticut River Salmon Restoration program has ended.  Both the US Fish & Wildlife Service and wildlife agencies of MA, VT and NH will no longer support it.   The last stocking of salmon fry into our feeder streams in Massachusetts took place in the spring of 2013.  They will remain in our streams for a couple of years until they turn into smolts and make their migration to Long Island Sound and the sea.  After a couple of years, with luck, they will return to their home streams to spawn.  That means the last Connecticut River spawning run into Massachusetts will probably take place in 2017.

 

Adult sea-run Atlantic salmon are being tagged and released at all fishway/trap facilities.  If a tagged salmon is caught while fishing, you must release it immediately unharmed. You are asked to not remove the fish’s tag and to call 413-548-9138 ext. 121, (indicated on the yellow streamer tag), to provide information on the event.

 

In Connecticut, they are still maintaining their fry stocking program on their own but at a greatly reduced level.  The problem is that they have no place to retain the wild returning salmon now that the USFWS has closed its facilities and is out of the program.  It will be difficult to get diverse stock from other returning salmon into the CT River, so there will be bio-diversity issues.  They will be shifting their program to handle domestic salmon at their state hatcheries but are not sure as to how to proceed with this program. According to the CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) officials, they feel that maintaining the salmon rearing program in their schools is an important educational program.  Amen to that.

 

Other 2014 returns to the Connecticut River this year include the following:  375,132 American Shad (vs 397,689 last year) 42 adult American Eel, 679 Blueback Herring (vs 995), 403 Gizzard Shad (vs 823), 27,535 Sea Lamprey (vs 24,926), 3 Shortnose Sturgeon (vs 2) and 68 Striped Bass (vs 245 ).  Some 4,789 American Shad (vs 4,900), 1,127 Sea Lamprey (vs 726), 38 American Eel and 4 Blueback Herring returned to the Westfield River.  (No records available of American Eel and Blueback Herring returning to the Westfield in 2013).

 

The Merrimack River is the other Massachusetts river where Atlantic salmon run.  That restoration program also has been discontinued.  Some 41 Atlantic Salmon returned into that river this year along with 34,711 American Shad, 33,517 River Herring, 128 Striped Bass, 4,023 Sea Lamprey, 2,678 American Eel and 29 Gizzard Shad.

. 4376 – An Act relative to the reduction of gun violence – a critical look

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Well, the much awaited anti-gun violence bill was finally passed by our legislators and signed by Governor Patrick.

According to Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) two interesting things happened during the deliberations.  First, it became clear that the MA Legislature was going to take a much more deliberate process than our neighboring states did.  Second, there was a “tectonic” shift in terms of what happened when MA legislators began discussing further restrictions of the gun owner’s rights.  GOAL members (15,000 members strong) sent out a loud and clear message and they were heard.

Positive changes according to GOAL:

  • Critical training language correction for juniors allowing trainers to provide firearms to junior shooters and hunters with parental consent.  Juniors are now able to apply for their FID card a year early (age 14) and receive their card at 15, thus allowing them to hunt in their first eligible year.
  • Persons over 18 years old will no longer need an FID card to purchase pepper spray.  15-17 years old can possess but must have an FID card.
  • Police chiefs must first petition the court to deny someone an FID card.  They now have to put denials in writing.  Now, gun owners can appeal their LTC restrictions in District Court which places the burden of proof on the police chief to defend the denial or restriction in District Court and in writing.    The language also includes time limits.  If there is no decision rendered in the prescribed amount of time, the license will be issued.
  • The term “prohibited person” is now being used for both licenses – instead of “unsuitable”.   This change in the language provides a much needed change in framework around who is prohibited.
  • A 90 day license renewal grace period was fixed. Gun owners will now receive a receipt upon renewal, which makes the license valid until the new license is received.
  • Language was added protecting people who voluntarily seek mental health help preventing them from being listed as a “prohibited person”.  This also gives protection to people who voluntarily seek help for drug and alcohol use.
  • There will be exemptions for the sale of Olympic-style handguns.  They were previously not allowed to be sold in the Commonwealth.
  • Curios and relic (C&R) collectors can now purchase handguns and firearms that may not comply with the approved firearms roster.  They can now legally transfer them to licensed C&R dealers.
  • Created online portal for face-to-face transfers preserving private sales.
  • Removed the Class B License to Carry and made all one LTC license
  • Language was added providing protection of property for firearms owners.  Now, if your firearms get confiscated, the licensing authority shall at that time inform you in writing of your ability to transfer them to an independent licensed individual.  (Apparently there were cases where confiscated firearms disappeared and were not returned to the rightful owners, even though they were cleared of charges).
  • Language was added so that a person who, in good faith, reports lost or stolen firearms will have protection, so that the licensing authority cannot make them considered a prohibited person.
  • The time period active duty military members have to become licensed, or renew their license has been extended from 90 to 180 days.  Also, veterans will now be exempted from having to take the mandatory gun safety training classes.

According to Wallace, here is what was stopped in H.4376, thanks in part because of gun owners’ and GOAL’s efforts:

  • The original bill would have criminalized private sales of firearms between licensed individuals.  It was struck and private sales remain legal.
  • It would have applied a “suitability” clause to the issuance of FID cards.  This was modified so that the licensing authority now has to prove in court that the applicant is unsuitable
  • It would have made the FID applicant list a “reason” for applying.
  • It would have given the licensing authority the ability to place restrictions on FID cards.
  • It had onerous language regarding the confiscated/seized firearms.
  • It would have penalized licensees for not renewing early
  • It would have had a restrictive amendment including a one gun a month rule.

According to GOAL, the things that they did not like with the legislation are as follows:

  • MA police chiefs now have more power over license applicants via applying “suitability” to FID cards.
  • Increased penalties for violating storage laws
  • Increased penalties for being in possession of a firearm on school grounds.

GOAL took a neutral position with NICS compliance.  (GOAL worked hard to ensure that the language met Fed standards), “safe and supportive schools” (NRA’s idea of adding armed police to schools) and increased fines for criminal acts involving firearms.

Wallace noted that the scope of the bill is very large and in order to get an accurate assessment one needs to step back and examine it as a whole, what was gained, what was lost and what was stopped.  “We certainly did not receive letters forcing us to register our rifles and turn in our magazines.  We didn’t wind up with laws mirroring Vermont or Montana but rather made strides in the right direction”.

Kudos go to Jim Wallace for lobbying so hard for reasonable legislation.  It is doubtful that he got much sleep during the deliberation period.  Kudos to our local legislators, too, for supporting this reasonable legislation.  And kudos especially to the gun owners who flooded legislator’s e-mails, tied up phone lines, filled up mail boxes and ran fax machines out of paper. You were heard and you made a difference.

Westfield River’s Keystone Arches – Gems in our back yard

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Say, did you happen to read DFW Western District Manager Andrew Madden’s fine article in the most recent issue of the Massachusetts Wildlife magazine dealing with the Westfield River Keystone Arches?   The pictures were magnificent and so was the article.  Those granite arches truly are gems in Western Mass. They were built in the 1840’s when the Western Railroad was extended out through the Berkshires.

Due to the serpentine course, the arches cross the river 10 times and are wholly dry laid, not a drop of mortar was used in them.  Some of them are no longer used because new bridges were built when they relocated part of the line.

For the longest time, they could only be reached by trespassing and walking along the railroad tracks which follow the West Branch of the Westfield River between Bancroft (part of Middlefield) and Chester, MA.   But recently a 2.5 mile hiking trail was constructed to two bridges abandoned in 1912 which are wholly on the property of the MA DFW (Walnut Hill Wildlife Management Area).

There is much more information on the arches in Madden’s article and also on a web site http://keystonearches.com.

Coincidentally, a close friend (Fred Rugo, from Rhode Island) and I were there the same week that the article came out.  He had heard about the arches and asked me to take him there to view them and perhaps fish while we were there.   Because we were in a hot weather spell (80 degrees by 11:00 AM), I couldn’t assure him that the fishing would be all that great.  Instead, we fished the Housatonic River in Lee that morning and later on went to visit the arches.

At the time I was unaware of the above referenced hiking trail and we entered off of Middlefield Road in Chester near the twin arches area.  While there we saw two teen aged boys fishing the holes near the trestles.    It was good to see that kids enjoying the outdoors during their summer school vacations and were not stuck in front of a computer screens.  We asked one kid if he caught any trout and he did.  He went upstream to retrieve the fish that he had stashed in a cold water hole to preserve them.   We couldn’t believe the size of one of those rainbow trout, it had to be 17 inches long and the second one was well over a foot long, also.  He was so proud of those fish, and rightly so.

Guess I had better start fishing that stretch again next year, although it is not the easiest place to get at, especially as you go upstream a ways from Chester toward Middlefield.  As I recall, in some places you have to be part mountain goat in order to get to the river some 65 or 70 feet below the arches.  *****

We all have been seeing what is happening in California what with the drought they are currently experiencing.  Things are getting so bad that the rivers and reservoirs there are being de-watered.   In the eastern part of Massachusetts they are also having some problems with water shortages.  This issue was addressed in the latest newsletter from MassWildlife in an article entitled:  Sustainable stream flow, balancing the needs of fish and people.

The article states that because both fish and people need water, the DFW is playing an important role to ensure that stream flow needs of fish are considered in the water withdrawal permitting process.  DFW has been participating in Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI) stakeholder meetings providing input on revisions to the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Water Management Act.  Working with DEP, state agencies, water suppliers, environmental advocates, industry representatives, and concerned citizens have crafted a framework designed to ensure a balance between both human and environmental needs for stream flow. The framework describes the methodology for defining Safe Yield in each of the state’s 27 watersheds and how stream flow criteria will be applied by DEP when issuing Water Management Act permits.

From the largest bass to the smallest minnow, fish and fish habitats benefit from protected stream flow. This in turn benefits anglers who pay for fish and wildlife conservation through fishing license and equipment purchases. SWMI’s proposed Water Management Act revisions are designed to prevent past extreme conditions such as occurred in the Ipswich River: dry river beds and dead fish. The current Water Management Act revisions recognize how critical stream flow alterations can negatively affect fish communities.  At the same time, the proposed revisions continue to ensure water availability for the needs of people.*****

 

The American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, VT (next to the Orvis store) has announced a program entitled, Angling & Art: The Confluence of Passions. Art and the sport of fly fishing have been intimately connected throughout history and remain so today; from angler Winslow Homer to naturalist James Prosek, artists have captured the magic and chronicled the heritage of fly fishing for centuries.

This year, Angling & Art takesplace through the month of July and will be held in its nationally recognized Gardner L. Grant library located at 4070 Main Street in Manchester.  We are also invited to an informal artist workshop with artists George Van Hook and Dave Morse on Saturday, July 26 from 1-3 p.m.  For more information, click onto its web page http://www.amff.com/events-activities. *****

Concerned about ticks and the possibility of getting infected by them?  I received a couple of e-mails from readers giving information on an informational website (http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html).  It lists 7 types of ticks here in the US along with pictures, geographic locations, diseases transmitted by them and the symptoms, how to avoid them, how to remove them and more.  Check it out.

Environmental officials remind citizens to practice safe boating and wear life jackets

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The Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) are reminding boaters of safety guidelines, including the importance of wearing lifejackets. They also are urging boaters to take a boating safety course, and reminding operators it’s the law to operate boats only while sober and have safety equipment onboard.

“For the protection of everyone on the water, we want to remind all boaters to travel at reasonable speeds and never operate a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said MEP Acting Director Chris Baker.  “Officers will be patrolling our waters and enforcing both state and federal recreational boating laws which are in place to ensure that all boaters have an enjoyable and safe boating experience.”

Each boat must be equipped with one personal floatation device, or life jacket, for each person on the vessel. All children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel, including personal watercraft such as Jet Skis or Sea-Doos.  Everyone riding personal watercraft, and all water skiers and tubers must wear approved life jackets.

Last year there were 88 boating accidents in Massachusetts resulting in 12 fatalities.   In 2012, there were 93 accidents and 15 fatalities.  Of those 27 fatalities in 2012 and 2013, 17 were drownings and only two of the victims were wearing life jackets.  According to the US Coast Guard, there were 560 boating fatalities nationwide in 2013; 77% of those deaths were due to drowning and of those, 84% of the victims were not wearing lifejackets.

Boaters are also prohibited from operating within 150 feet of a public or private swimming area. For inland waters, operating at speeds greater than 45 mph is prohibited.

Under Massachusetts law, boaters under the age of 12 may not operate a motorboat unless accompanied and supervised by an adult.  Children between 12 and 15 must complete an approved boating course prior to unsupervised operation.  Children under the age of 16 may not operate a personal watercraft.  All boats are required to carry life jackets, fire extinguishers and navigation lights. A paddle or an oar is required on boats less than 16 feet long.

All boating accidents should be reported to the MEP at (800) 632-8075.

Staying with this sad subject, my fishing buddy, Attorney Michael Shepard of Dalton and I spent a weekend fly fishing recently on the West Branch of the AuSable River near Lake Placid, NY.  We took advantage of NY’s free fishing days.  The day before our arrival two teenage boys had drowned in the swollen river and they were still searching for one of them when we arrived.

The boys had been jumping into the raging river near the Flume, a place near where the river crosses under Rte 86 at the foot of Whiteface Mountain between Lake Placid and Wilmington, NY.  The river is squeezed into a chute with walls that stretch nearly 100 feet up on both sides.  You can see it while standing on the bridge and it is a scary sight.    The day before the teenagers drowned, the area had received 4 inches of rain and one can only imagine how that river was thundering through that chute.  You rarely see any fishermen there even under the best of conditions.

The missing teen’s mother, from Plattsburg, NY, was staying in the same motel where we were (Hungry Trout) and was awaiting recovery of her son’s body.   Her husband had recently passed away and she had only the one son.  It was so sad.

On Saturday, Mike and I fished but the river was still high and dangerous and we had no luck.  During the day, police helicopters were constantly flying overhead searching for the boy’s body as were drift boats manned by NY State troopers.  They even had some brave souls in kayaks searching every nook and cranny along the shores and banks.

On Sunday, the river had come down a little and we decided to fish it downstream of a dam which impounds the river in Wilmington (called Lake Everest).  There is a spot down there where Mike likes to fish, and he usually wades out to the middle and leans or sits on a big rock while he fishes.  But the water was still a little too high and he was forced to turn back.

I linked up with him after an hour or so of fishing and as we were talking, the river unexpectedly got loud, the water began to surge and its level came up almost a foot.   His rock was suddenly under water.  It turned out that officials had begun lowering Lake Everest in search of the body, without any siren or warning signs whatsoever.  I shudder to think what would have happened if Mike had made it out to that rock.  We may have been searching for another body.

We subsequently learned that it wasn’t until the following Monday that they recovered the teen’s body.  There is nothing that can bring a community down like a drowning.   Please, let’s have none of that here in the Berkshires by obeying the boating safety regulations and respecting the water. *****

MassWildlife reports that approximately 2,550 wild turkeys were taken by hunters during the 2014 spring turkey season; slightly less than recent averages. They cited many factors that likely contributed to the decline: cold, rainy weather during the 2013 hatch resulted in sub-par poult production; the longer, colder past winter probably affected the timing and extent of spring turkey breeding movements, and lastly, cold and rainy weather during the first week of the turkey hunting season may have influenced hunter effort as well as turkey activity.   *****

Attention deer hunters:  This Wednesday is the deadline for submitting applications for antlerless deer permits.

Don’t invite black bears to your neighborhood

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Every year MassWildlife reminds us to take in our bird feeders in the spring because they could attract bears into our neighborhoods.  Once they find our feeders, they are like hobos (vagabonds) who keep track of the places where they can get a good meal and come back.

 

At the same time more people are raising chickens for food these days.  Chickens and other fowl are usually fed cracked corn, laying mash, etc.  Well, guess what? Bears love grains, too and if they can grab a chicken or two while there, all the better.

 

Recently, Pete Viale of Lee sent me pictures taken from a trail camera taken on the evening of June 18 at their hunting camp (which is owned by a group of sportsmen) near Goose Pond, Tyringham.  The bear was trying to get into a quail recall pen that they had set up there.  The bear, which had two tags in his ears, didn’t get in that night but was successful two nights later with the loss of all birds released.

 

Viale contacted Western Region DFW Biologist Tony Gola and gave him the tag numbers.  Gola contacted DFW Bear Biologist Laura Hajduk-Conleewho in turn contacted CT Wildlife Biologist Paul Rego.   He replied that it is a male bear that they tagged as a 35 lb yearling in the den in March 2013.   He is currently 2.5 years old.  The den and the sow’s home range were in northeast Hartland, CT adjacent to the MA border.  He did not recall having any conflict complaints about this bear.  His mother lives in an area with low human density and they have not received many reports or complaints about her.  According to Rego, another male yearling that they tagged this March has traveled to southeast Vermont and has caused some issues there.

 

Gola recommends that everyone raising poultry should protect their flocks with electric fencing. DFW receives numerous complaints each year of bears raiding “free-range” chicken pens. Most often the bear is after grain stored in the pen, but some will make a meal of the poultry. The website: Living With Wildlife Foundation:  www.lwwf.org has an excellent publication for installing electric fences to deal will a myriad of bear conflicts. Incidentally, you have the right under Mass General Law to shoot the bear if caught in the act of depredation.  “It’s not likely you will be there if the bear returns whereas an electric fence works 24/7”, Gola said.

 

Hopefully by taking steps to discourage bears from our bird feeders and grains, they will move on into the woods where they belong and cause no trouble or damage.  Otherwise, they may come to a sad ending which we may have indirectly caused. *****

 

The Patrick Administration announced that $4.74 million in coastal resilience funding was received from the U.S. Department of Interior for dam removal and shoreline protection projects. Eleven projects will be managed by the state Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and will restore river and marine habitat, improve public safety and create jobs. The funding includes $4.5 million to DFG’s Division of Ecological Restoration and $240,000 to DFG’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

 

The projects are concentrated in areas where coastal and inland flooding poses a risk to public safety and where dam removal and habitat restoration will have tremendous ecological benefit. As more extreme weather is expected to impact Massachusetts, state and local communities are focusing on building resiliency to help better prepare for storms.

 

“Removing aging dams reduces risks to communities from large storms and is a proven method for restoring critical wildlife habitat,” said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. “These dam removal projects will open up 189 river miles for migratory and resident fish and restore 90 acres of floodplain wetlands, while the Boston Harbor project will restore marine habitat and help protect coastal infrastructure.”

 

Some of this grant money is earmarked for the removal of the Pittsfield’s Tel-electric Dam, a key element in the City of Pittsfield’s greenway plan. The dam is aging, dangerous and removing it will reconnect the West Branch of the Housatonic River to coldwater habitat in the mainstream Housatonic River.  *****

 

Readers may recall the November 17, 2013 article about studies that were conducted of PCB levels in crayfish in the Hoosic River entitled “Hoosic River in good health despite remaining PCB’s).  Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman and students from Williams College, MCLA and Bennington College reported on the results of their studies of PCB levels in crayfish taken from various sites in the river and feeder streams.

The results were reported at theHoosic River Watershed Association’s (HOORWA) annual State of the River Conference.

 

This year, Professors Richardson and Thoman, along with some Williams College students will soon be starting a research project focused on making significant measurements of PCB levels in fish, principally trout, in the Hoosic River.  They are hoping to build a contact group of local fishermen/women who could help by catching fish and donating samples and maybe even training some students to become proficient at catching fish themselves.

 

They are in the planning stages of this project, and are imagining the construction of a network of folks who would contribute to creating an extensive sampling project in a very grass roots way.  This would be a great training experience for the students and it would help them write the next chapter in the natural history of the Hoosic as it works to recover from PCB contamination.

 

Interested volunteer anglers can contact Professor Richardson at David.P.Richardson@williams.edu*****

 

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation will be holding a kid’s fishing derby at the lower pond next Saturday from 9 to 10:30 AM.    Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Students now raising and stocking trout

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Readers may recall that the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Egg Rearing Project (ASERP) ended last year.  The US Fish & Wildlife Service decided to no longer fund it and the affected New England States’ Fish and Wildlife Agencies could not absorb the cost to maintain it.

When the salmon program ended, so did the ASERP school programs.  The faculty of the Becket Washington Elementary School felt that this program was too valuable an education program to end.   In lieu of salmon, they switched to raising brown trout.  Like the salmon program, the 3rd and 4th graders received the eggs from the MassWildlife Reed Hatchery, hatched them out in their aquarium, fed them and release them into the nearby Yokum Brook on May 29.

They had received 80 eggs in the spring and, according to teachers Mrs. Mary Kay McCloskey and Mrs. Patty Robie, there was a very low mortality rate.  The trout averaged around 2 inches long when they were released.  Many of the fish were given names, like Elvis III, Airiana, Wink and Pete.  Unlike Atlantic salmon which migrate to the sea after a couple of years, these fish will stay and grow in Yokum Brook or swim downstream to the nearby West Branch of the Westfield River..

Hats off to the school, teachers, and principal Leslie Blake Davis for continuing this program and exposing the children to the fish and their environs.  Unquestionably there was additional work running this program but they enjoy doing it.  For example, Mrs. Robie received a Berkshire County Teacher of the Year Award this year and received a small stipend which she used to buy more boots for the kids.  *****

Incidentally, returning adult sea-run Atlantic salmon are being tagged and released at all fishway/trap facilities. If a tagged salmon is caught while fishing, you must release it immediately unharmed. You are asked to call 413-548-9138 ext. 121, as indicated on the yellow streamer tag below the dorsal fin, to provide information on the event. Please do not remove the fish’s tag.  As of June 5, 19 of them have returned to the Connecticut River.  The estimated total of all anadromous fish that returned this year will be covered in a future article, as soon as the final tally is made. *****

While the Becket-Washington students were busy raising and releasing the trout, students from Taconic High School were learning how to catch them with a fly rod and how to release them unharmed.  Don’t worry, those Becket-Washington trout are too smart to be caught.  After all, they went to school.

 

Taconic High School teacher Ron Wojcik conducts an after school flyfishing class.  The course includes fly casting, fishing knots, entomology, ethics and good sportsmanship.  At the end of the course, he and his wife Diane fed the kids pizza, cookies and soft drinks before taking them fishing at a private pond.  Five students were able to participate and they were:   Michael Boc, Adam Delphia, Joe Kozlowski, Alex Kent, and Jonathan May.   There they were joined by Taconic Chapter Trout Unlimited members Allen Gray, Paul Knauth, Marc Hoechstetter, Steve Smith and me who helped them improve their fly casting skills.  The students managed to catch several nice trout * ****

The Berkshire County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be having a dinner on Saturday, June 21 at the ITAM on 93 Waubeek Road, Pittsfield.  There will be raffles, and live and silent auctions.  Doors open at 5:30 PM.  Space is limited to 150.   The basic price is $40 pp and there is a sponsor package beginning at $250.

Tickets can be purchased online @http://www.ducks.org/massachusetts/events/34336/berkshire-county-of-ducks-unlimited-annual-dinner  (Online sales end on June 20), or by calling either Joe Delsoldato  at( 413)717-0938, or JP Murphy  at (413)822-3915. *****

Hey shooters, do you want to save on ammo expenses?  Jim Finnerty of GOAL is teaching a course on rifle reloading. It includes component selection, proper brass sorting and case preparation, load selection, gauges and tools, crimping, sizing rimmed and belted cases, loading for long range shooting, review of pressure signs, and testing with record keeping.   The 5-hour course costs $100 and space is limited.  Contact Larry for more information at (413) 442-7807.

 

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

 

Attached picture is of the students releasing their brown trout into Yokum Brook.  Thanks to Becket resident Karen Karlberg who has been involved with the fish rearing program, for taking the pictures.

Efforts being made to welcome the Common Loon in Massachusetts

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The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is interested in receiving loon sighting reports this spring and summer.  Reports of birds with chicks are of particular interest.  For years, DFW has been monitoring loons nesting in the state.  Common Loons, listed as a Species of Special Concern in the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, returned to nest in Massachusetts in 1975 after being absent as a breeding bird in the state for almost a century.

According to the DFW, from 1975 to 1983 loon pair activity was only observed on the Quabbin Reservoir.  In 1984, loon activity was also observed on the Wachusett Reservoir.   By 1986, loon nesting activity began to spread to other water bodies in the state.  In 2012, thirty five territorial loon pairs were documented on 13 lakes and ponds in the state.  Submit loon pair sighting reports via MassWildlife’s electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species VPRS Information System, an online data submittal and mapping application, or email: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us, or send by postal mail to “Loon Survey”, DFW, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

In addition to monitoring loon activity, DFW has been partnering with other agencies and organizations to improve nesting sites for loons.   Recently, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), based in Gorham, Maine provided funding for 18 loon rafts to be placed on reservoirs where loons have been attempting to nest.  Common Loons cannot walk well and are very awkward on land. They only come on to land in spring to breed and build their nest within a few feet of the shoreline. This is not a problem in water bodies with constant water levels, but for loons nesting on reservoir shorelines, fluctuating water levels can be a problem. If water levels rise, the nest and eggs flood and will not hatch. If water levels drop more than 6 to 12 inches the nest will be abandoned because the loon cannot reach the nest.

To reduce losses on reservoirs, loon rafts are constructed of cedar logs, foam floatation, and wire with vegetation placed on the raft to appear as if the raft is a small island.  Predator canopies are added to protect the nests from predation by other birds.  The raft is floated and anchored in the loon territory. Because the raft floats, it protects the nest and eggs from being flooded or stranded.  Some loons utilize the rafts immediately; others may take a few years to use the raft.  This month, loon rafts will be deployed at the DCR Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs and on reservoirs operated by the Fitchburg and Pittsfield water departments where loon pairs have been reported.

There is no mistaking the sound of a loon at twilight.  Late last summer, I had the thrill of having one diving close to my boat as I was bass fishing.   Seeing and hearing that bird was the highlight of my fishing last year.  *****

In his monthly report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Manager noted that the Division recently acquired 75 acres of land in the Town of Windsor.   The parcel consists of wooded wetlands with some hardwoods on the uplands.  It should be very good habitat for moose, deer, bear and snowshoe hare among other species, he said.  The property, which is located on Rte 8A between Rte 9 and Rte 116, abuts the Savoy Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on three sides and will improve access to existing protected lands.

When added to the existing Savoy WMA, the total protected acreage amounts to about 970 acres, all of it open to the public for passive recreation – hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, bird watching, etc.   No motorized vehicles allowed on WMA’s. *****

Free fishing days, no licenses required, are coming up:  In ME they are May 31 and June 1, in MA they are June 7 and 8, in NH it is June 7, in VT it is June 14 and in NY the days are June 28 and 29.   Good chance to try some of those fabled waters that you have always wanted to fish – the Beaverkill, AuSable, Battenkill, Penobscott and others .  Sorry, CT and RI free days have already come and gone. *****

Chris Porter, spokesman for the Onota Fishing Club reported that they had over 200 people participating in the Wild Acres fishing derby which took place on April 26.   Approximately 15 members from the Fishing Club were on hand for the event and they assisted some 150 kids with baiting, catching, netting, cleaning, etc., as well as providing poles for kids that needed them.

Over 50 trout were caught with some large rainbows included in that number.  Twelve tagged fish were caught with each young angler receiving a trophy for it.  All of the fish were again donated this year by Lyon Aviation.  Over 400 hamburgers, hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches were served.  All involved had a great time in spite of the rainy weather.  Incidentally, the entire event was free to the public, much to the amazement of many parents.   *****

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  Hoosic River in Cheshire and Adams, Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and  Florida; Westfield River in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Hubbard River in Granville, Littleville Lake and Norwich Pond in Huntington, Pontoosuc Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, York Lake, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Stockbridge Bowl, Windsor Pond in Windsor, Housatonic River in Pittsfield(SW), Lee and Stockbridge (C&R), Hop Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield;  and the Buck and Clam Rivers in Sandisfield. *****

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

 

Spring trout fishing is upon us

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Close to 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout will be stocked this spring from the DFW five hatcheries located in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland and Montague.  The Western District should get about 100,000 of them.  It has been a challenging year for the Division’s trout hatchery managers between the drought conditions that prevailed much of last summer and the extremely cold, icy and snow conditions that have prevailed this past winter.

Nevertheless, close to 500,000 fish will be stocked this spring, coupled with the more than 67,000 12+ inch trout stocked last fall should provide some excellent fishing in the coming months.  Due to the delayed spring thaw, trout stocking could not begin until the last week of March or the first week in April, beginning with the Cape area and then moving westward as the ice and snow melts. 

Here are some 2014  trout stocking facts provided by Mass DFW: 41% of the fish average over 14 inches, 71% of the fish average over 12 inches, 195,000 rainbows will average over 14 inches, 71,000 rainbows will average over 12 inches, 12,000 rainbows will average between 9 and 12 inches, 500 brown trout will be over 18 inches, 43,000 brown trout will average over 12 inches, 81,000 brown trout average between 9 and 12 inches, 1,250 brook trout will average over 15 inches, 31,200 brook trout will average over 12 inches, 38,200 brook trout between 9 and 12 inches, 10,000 brook trout between 6 and 9 inches and 4,700 tiger trout that will average over 14 inches.

Anglers can check the DFW weekly trout stocking schedule pages for information about stocking in each district, or contact individual district offices. The schedules will be updated every Friday between March and Memorial Day.

.The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked last week subject to alterations or cancellations:  Pontoosuc Lake, Onota Lake, Laurel Lake, Stockbridge Bowl and the Farmington River.

Get your fishing equipment ready, oil the reel, replace the old line, patch up the boots, etc.  Don’t forget to print out your fishing license.  Pick up a copy of Trout Unlimited’s Anglers Guide to Trout Fishing in Massachusetts to find out where to go and what to use.  (The Bookstore in Lenox has a new supply of them).  Tell the kids, mom and gramps to get ready, too, because you are taking them this year.  There will be an awful lot of trout out there to catch and a lot of hours may have to be devoted to catching them.  It’s tough, but hey, somebody has to do it. *****

This Thursday evening, Rich Strolis of Catching Shadows Custom Flies will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of TU meeting at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire. For him, fly tying is as much of a passion as fly-fishing, and this is something that he truly believes is an integral part of becoming a solid angler.  He will offer a fly tying demonstration and talk about a variety of styles and types of fly patterns from both simple to complex that will accommodate tiers of all skill sets.  Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn the basics, or a seasoned veteran who wants to brush up on some of your skills he will have something for you. *****

 

The event is free and open to the public.  Social hour starts at 5 PM, the presentation at 6 PM and dinner off of the menu (optional) to follow at 7 PM.  For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413) 684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net.  *****

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation will be holding a kid’s fishing derby at the lower pond next Saturday, from 9 to 10:30 AM.   Please let them know if you are coming by emailing http://www.berksfish.com/events.html and giving the number of children attending.  Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. *****

MassWildlife reminds us that black bears are emerging from their winter dens and seeking food and it’s time to take down bird feeders. In many cases, bears will ignore natural foods such as skunk cabbage and instead head to the nearest birdfeeder for a good meal. To avoid this problem, they are asking property owners to be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential bear foods promptly and taking other preventative measures. 

 

The bear range is expanding eastward and some residents in eastern Massachusetts may notice bear activity in the coming months and years. Taking action now, by removing feeders and securing trash, will help avoid conflicts with bears now and in the future. “If food such as bird seed, pet food, unsecured trash or dumpsters are easy for bears to find, conflicts can occur that pose hazards to both bears and people.” says Laura Conlee, DFW Wildlife Biologist. Removing bird feeders will not create a problem for birds as feeding stations only supplement available natural foods.

 

 Click onto the MassWildlife website for more tips on preventing bear conflicts. *****

 

Parting reminder:  Falling into cold water (less than 50 degrees) can cause a cold shock response that makes breathing difficult and can lead to rapid drowning, even for experienced swimmers.  The wearing of a dry suit when kayaking in cold water is recommended as well as wearing a personal floatation device (PFD).  Kayaking with a buddy is also recommended.  In Massachusetts all canoe and kayak occupants must wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD from September 15 to May 15.  Readers are probably getting sick of reading this message every year and but I ask your understanding.  Each year there are new people taking up the paddling, fishing and hunting sports and may not be aware of the regulations and potential dangers involved with them.

 

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

 

Berkshire County League of Sportsmen is looking for a few good kids

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The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) is looking for a group of kids to enjoy its Youth Outreach Fishing Day on June 7. Trout are stocked into a private pond, fishing equipment and bait are provided and burgers and hot dogs are cooked up. Every kid catches fish which will be cleaned by volunteers so that they can bring them home to show their parents and to eat. Some kids prefer to let them go. They also go home with the fishing equipment and big smiles.
The League foots the bill, and volunteers from Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and Adams Outdoor for Youth do the cooking, prepare the equipment, etc. The kids usually have one-on-one mentoring from volunteers from throughout the Berkshires. This annual event is geared toward kids that don’t normally have the opportunity to learn how to fish. The maximum number is 25. In the past, the League has hosted: Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Cerebral Palsy kids, Key Program, COTY, Northern Berkshires Neighborhood, State Street “T” Youths, and others.
If you know of a group that would benefit from such a day, contact Mike Kruszyna at (413) 743-7156. ****
Wayne MacCallum, of Grafton, MA, Director of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW), recently received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Wayne Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to wildlife conservation. (Wayne Bailey was a legend of modern turkey management and a key player in the development of the NWTF).
“MacCallum, an avid angler and hunter, particularly for turkey and white-tailed deer, serves as an outstanding example of conserving wildlife to preserve our nation’s hunting heritage”, said Becky Humphries, NWTF Executive Vice President of Conservation. “From his early days as a wildlife biologist to now, he has demonstrated his commitment to sustaining wildlife, habitat and hunter numbers.”
“Winning this award is a reflection not of my work, but of the collective efforts of wildlife professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years,” MacCallum said. “The hunting community is responsible for conserving wildlife, and we’ve done a phenomenal job. It’s an honor to preserve and pass on conservation and hunting ethics to future generations.”

MacCallum is the longest serving director of the MA DFW and is the senior director in the United States. He serves as chair of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, Clerk of the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation and a board member of the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp. He is a former president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).

The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is a pistol shooting organization that sets rules for competitive pistol matches. Locally, the outdoor matches are held at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) in the warmer months. While competitive challenge pistol matches continue to grow, additional Safety Officers are needed.

LSA will be hosting an IDPA Safety Office Class next Saturday from 8AM-4PM. The cost is $30 for Lee members and $55 for non-Lee members. This IDPA certified class will give instructions on the rules of setting up stages, scoring, officiating matches and range safety.

Prerequisites: Must have a pistol permit from your state of residence, be a member of IPDA for 6 months prior to the class and reviewed the IPDA rule book and participated in matches. Non- members of IDPA can join now at www.idpa.com. Cost is $40/year and they will holding future safety officer classes that you will qualify for. Contact Andy Swanton berkshire.idpa@gmail.com for more information.

Incidentally, the LSA will be holding turkey, steak, pork loin and money shoots every Sunday in March. Click onto leesportsmen.com for more information.*****

Basic Hunter Education courses will be conducted at the following locations: Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, on March 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 from 6 to 9 PM. Pittsfield High School, on March 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20 from 6 to 9 PM. As of this writing, there were still openings. To enroll, call (978)772-0693.

Some 100 ice fishermen participated in the 23rd annual Locker Room Ice Fishing Derby which benefitted Lee Youth Football. The heaviest fish (adult) was a 4 lbs 2 oz pickerel caught by Brandon Lucchese. In the youth category, there was a tie between Lucas Trumps and Shyloe Gray with pickerel weighing in at 1 lb 2 oz. *****

As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you are having fun.” I can’t believe I have been writing this column 10 years now. The Magnificent Scribbler, Ted Giddings, wrote the weekly outdoor sports column for over 50 years and stepped down in December, 2003 at the age of 97. The following March 7, 2004 my first column was run. Although I could never fill Ted’s shoes, it truly has been an honor to follow his steps. Many thanks go to the Berkshire Eagle for running this column and for the sports editors (Brian Sullivan and Matt Sprague) who sometimes had to straighten out my messes.

Thanks also to my home-based editor, my wife Jan, for her perspectives, especially from a woman’s point of view. If she didn’t understand something that I wrote, then chances were good that other women wouldn’t either, and appropriate clarifications were made before the article was submitted.

Thanks to the numerous DFW folks, local sportsmen and women, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts for constantly feeding me interesting subjects to write about along with pictures. Most of all, thanks to you, the readers who invited me into your home to share your morning coffee these past 520 Sunday mornings. Your readership has never been taken for granted and I pray that it never will. What a wonderful way to retire.

Gotta run, I’m already working on column number 521.

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