Category Archives: News

Can we reverse the trend of dwindling hunting and fishing participants?

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How many times have you said or heard the following: “Look around, do you see any young people here?”  I hear it in almost every organization in which I belong – rod and gun clubs, county leagues of sportsmen, watershed groups, veteran organizations, etc.  And I suspect the same comments are heard at meetings of garden clubs, hiking clubs, knitting clubs, etc.  Where are the young people?

Because of the lack of younger people taking up the leadership reins, some outdoor sportsmen’s clubs have been forced to shut down and sell off their assets or consolidate with others, such as in the case with the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club.  Members of the Dalton Rod & Gun Club, Lakewood Sportsmen’s Club and a couple archery clubs merged with it.  Lucky is the outdoor sports club that has one or two younger folks stepping up to take on officer or director duties.

A few years back, I did a quick tally of the various outdoor sportsmen’s clubs that existed here in the Berkshires in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Using old newspaper articles written by former outdoor columnist Ted Giddings as my source, I stopped counting when I reached 20 local clubs that no longer exist.  Watershed groups such as the Housatonic River Watershed Association and the Friends of the Williams River had to shut down and transfer their treasuries due to lack of new, younger members taking the reins.

So where are the needed young people who will take over running these clubs that over the years built wonderful club houses, shooting and archery ranges, acquired property, etc. for future generations to use.  Well, I guess they are no longer interested in the hunting and fishing sports.

We can speculate as to the reasons why.

Some blame the parents, claiming they are too busy to take them hunting or fishing or because they themselves are no longer interested in such sports.  That could be true for I see more grandparents spending time taking kids fishing than the parents these days.

Perhaps it’s because kids have no time because they are tied up in school sports with competitions and/or practices now occurring on the weekends.

Perhaps they can’t put down their smartphones and devices and prefer to live in the virtual world instead of the real one where they can experience the sights, sounds and smells of mother nature.

Oh, they are missing so much – the thrill of a leaping wild speckled brook trout in a bubbly stream, the sound of yelping wild turkeys at the crack of dawn, the steaming cup of coffee sipped in the chilly early morning duck blind or the crackling sound of a campfire at the end of the day.

Many of us older folks relish the fond memories of hunting or fishing with now departed family members and friends.   Photo albums periodically refresh those memories. I can’t help but wonder what memories the youth of today will carry forward.  Will they be of computer games?

It’s not as though the youngsters are not given opportunities to experience these sports.  There are Archery-in-the-School programs, youth archery leagues, youth rifle leagues, youth fishing derbies, youth fishing clinics, after school fly fishing programs, Trout-in-the-Classroom programs (where students hatch and rear trout and then release them into local waters), youth trout stocking events, etc.  So why aren’t the kids continuing to participate in these sports?

As far as hunting goes, some speculate that the restrictive gun laws in Massachusetts have prevented or discouraged youths from taking up the sport of hunting. Others suggest that it’s the cost of obtaining the required FID card.  Still others feel that hunters and gun owners are being unfairly stigmatized by some in our society and shy away from the sport.

How sad it is that many parents and grandparents no longer can pass on their prized, heirloom hunting guns, fishing rods, extensive outdoor sporting libraries onto the next generation due to its lack of interest in such sports.  Hunting and fishing trips that some older folks thought would someday take place with their kids and grandkids will never take place.  How sad.

This dilemma is far reaching, not just with the family and clubs, but with state fish and wildlife agencies, too.

Recently, representatives from nearly 30 organizations gathered at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters for an R3 Summit. (R3 is a national movement to Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate hunters, anglers, and shooting sports participants.) The gathering allowed partners to collaborate on ways to support and grow outdoor recreation in Massachusetts.

The R3 initiative is a response to ongoing state and national trends. According to MassWildlife statistics, participation in fishing and hunting peaked in Massachusetts in 1988. Since then, fishing has declined by 40% and hunting by 58%. These downward trends are occurring nationally as well, which has led to a movement to reconnect and introduce people to these outdoor pursuits and keep outdoor recreation relevant to future generations.

“Getting outside is critical to our well-being and improves our quality of life,” said Tom O’Shea, MA Department of Fish and Game Commissioner. “We are committed to working with partners to equitably connect more people with nature and to make the outdoors more welcoming and accessible to everyone.”

Historically, hunters were one of the first conservation groups in the U.S. to recognize the importance of protecting open space for wildlife species. Most state fish and wildlife agencies, like MassWildlife, are heavily dependent on the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses and dedicated federal funds to support their state’s conservation programs. Therefore, declines in hunting and fishing participation have a direct impact on conservation funding at a time when habitat and species conservation are more important than ever. Though numbers may be dwindling, hunters and anglers remain the backbone of numerous management and conservation efforts across the country through advocacy, funding, species management, and volunteer time.

“No single organization can provide all the resources needed to recruit, retain, and reactivate anglers, hunters, and shooting sports participants,” said Mark Tisa, Director of MassWildlife. “Building and maintaining strong partnerships brings a diversity of perspectives and builds more capacity to provide expanded R3 programming here in the Commonwealth.”

Summit participants heard from state and national speakers about outdoor recreation participation trends, best practices for R3 efforts, and ways to improve educational programs that teach people how to hunt and fish. They also had the chance to collaborate on participation barriers and opportunities specific to Massachusetts

“There are many groups here in Massachusetts working to teach and grow participation,” commented Keith Fritze, Massachusetts chapter president of the National Wild Turkey Federation. “The Summit allowed us to come together and think about how each of our organizations, each with our own areas of expertise, can combine efforts and work towards a common goal.”

MassWildlife has been working towards R3 goals for years—offering a variety of outdoor skills programs, improving resources to support new hunters and anglers, and expanding access to lands and waters open to hunting and fishing.

The Summit, along with the release of the Massachusetts R3 Plan, mark a new chapter and a renewed commitment to building a strong outdoor coalition through collaboration and partnership. I encourage you to read it.  To access the 18-page R3 Plan, click onto https//www.mass.gov/doc/masswildlife-r3/plan/download.

 

MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa had these words about the R3 Plan, “Everyone reading this message understands the importance of this R3 initiative and what it means for preserving the outdoor traditions so many of us grew up with. But we can’t do it alone. No single organization can provide all the resources needed to recruit, retain, and reactivate participants, and diversity in perspective is especially important if we hope to reach the broadest audience possible. To succeed, and I know we can, we must all step up as equal partners now to implement this plan, because each partner has unique expertise and resources to bring to the table. Ultimately, partnerships are the key to successful R3 programs, and we are counting on you. I look forward to intensifying our collective efforts to increase participation in hunting, fishing, and shooting sports in the Commonwealth.”

 

MassWildlife staff among wildland firefighters deployed to Quebec

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According to a MassWildlife news release, two members of the MassWildlife prescribed fire crew, Connor Fleming and Ben Mazzei, recently departed for Quebec, Canada to help battle some of the more than 70 wildfires that have continued to burn since the beginning of June. Fleming and Mazzei join 14 other wildland firefighters from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

The crew will travel to Quebec, where they will be assigned to one of many ongoing fire incidents throughout the province. The 16 Massachusetts firefighters will be joined by four firefighters from Connecticut and one from Vermont. They will engage in direct fire suppression, working on the fire line for about 14 days—building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting structures.

Rising temperatures, drier conditions due to years of long droughts, and a lack of rain and snowfall, all caused by climate change, are fueling increased fire activity, making the fire season last longer and its effects more severe. The fires in Quebec are just the latest in a series of wildfires burning across Canada this year, including those in Nova Scotia, which resulted in major smoke impacts across the northeastern United States.

“These wildfires are continuing to rage, burning millions of acres of land and blowing smoke into Massachusetts that’s polluting our air,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “I’m proud that we are sending another crew of well-trained and dedicated firefighters to help our friends and partners in Quebec battle these intense blazes and stop further destruction of forests.”

“Fueled by climate change, wildfires are negatively impacting public health, forest health, carbon sequestration and biodiversity here in Massachusetts and throughout North America,” said Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are extremely grateful to the dedicated staff from DCR and DFG who have volunteered for this important and difficult assignment.”

Massachusetts, along with the other New England states and New York, established the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact—also called the Northeast Compact—in 1949. The Compact provides a means for member states to cope with wildland fires that may become too intense for a single member state to control.

 

MassWildlife awarded $773K to address wildlife diseases

The funds came from a Zoonotic Disease Initiative grant funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds will be used over a 3-year period to develop a wildlife health and public outreach program for Massachusetts and to research wildlife diseases and prevent their spread within the Northeast region.

Zoonotic diseases are defined as those that can be transmitted between wildlife and humans. This federal funding provides grants to states, Tribes, and territories to address wildlife disease outbreaks before they become pandemics. The highest priority for the initiative is to increase organizational readiness and ensure there is a network of partners across the nation who are prepared to respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. Strengthening partner capacity for wildlife health monitoring will allow for the early detection of diseases.

“Recent disease issues like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in birds and white-nose syndrome in bats have highlighted the need for building capacity within MassWildlife and other groups in the region to respond quickly using the latest science and best practices,” said Mark S. Tisa, Director of MassWildlife. “This funding will help us formalize working relationships with our partners to conduct surveillance and improve public outreach.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s One Health approach to zoonotic diseases includes working closely with experts who specialize in public, animal, and ecosystem health to develop comprehensive plans and appropriate responses to zoonotic disease events. This funding will provide critical financial resources to agencies like MassWildlife who can help prevent and combat global pandemics before they start.

Grants awarded under the Zoonotic Disease Initiative will be used to establish and enhance the capabilities of Tribal, state, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to effectively address health issues involving free-ranging terrestrial, avian, and aquatic wildlife. Authorized under the American Rescue Plan (2021, H.R. 1319, Section 6003.3), the Initiative will provide up to $9 million in funding to strengthen early detection, rapid response, and science-based management research to address wildlife disease outbreaks before they cross the barrier from animals to humans and become pandemics

Under the direction of MassWildlife, the new program will be guided by an interagency task force of subject area experts and cooperating partners, including the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, Cornell University, UMass-Amherst, University of New Hampshire, Tufts University, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and USDA Wildlife Services.

Shad stocking underway

The following information was provided by MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist, Steven Mattocks.

shad picture provided by MassWildlife

American shad are fish that migrate from oceans to rivers every spring to spawn. They were once abundant in large Massachusetts rivers like the Taunton, but now only a small portion of their historical population remains. To help increase their numbers, MassWildlife, the Division of Marine Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have begun stocking larval shad.

Fish, like American shad, that spend portions of their lives in both the ocean and freshwater rivers, are known as diadromous fish. Special techniques are needed to restore these migratory fish so that they become connected to a certain freshwater location. Tiny shad, just a few hours old and still attached to their egg sacks, are stocked in the Taunton so that they can “imprint” on the unique characteristics of the river. This will aid in their navigation back to the Taunton when they return as adults after spending 3–5 years in the ocean. Approximately 2 million larval shad will be stocked in the Taunton River each year over the next for 5 years.

. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began stocking in 2022. Monitoring will continue over the next several years to document population changes in response to the stocking effort. The goal of this partnership is to restore a strong, self-sustaining shad population, and to someday open the fishery to recreational harvest.

American shad are stocked in the Taunton River when they are only a few hours old.

Taunton River once teemed with river herring, shad, and other diadromous fish. However, during the industrial revolution these populations plummeted due to pollution, overfishing, and the construction of multiple dams that blocked passage of migratory fish. Today, water quality improvements and an increase in habitat quality and quantity through dam removal have allowed for the opportunity to bring back this historically important fishery.

This shad restoration effort is part of a larger conservation story for the Taunton. Recent dam removals on Mill River—a tributary of the Taunton—and water quality improvements have led to a rebound in the number of river herring in that system. The once diminished river herring population, which includes both alewife and blueback herring, is thriving and the Taunton and is now home to one of the largest river herring runs in the state. River herring numbers in the Mill River have increased from 1,000 fish in 2013 to over 31,000 fish in 2021.

MassWildlife, the Division of Marine Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue this collaborative restoration and monitoring work in the Taunton with the goal of returning the American shad population closer to historical levels.

 

Interesting events sponsored by BEAT

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The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) invites you to join them at their Berkshire Green Drinks gathering with geologist Mark Brandriss to read the stories written in the rocks and landscapes of western Massachusetts. You will be taking a quick trip through a billion years of geologic events that shaped the Berkshires as we see them today, what created the mountains, ridges, and valleys of the Berkshires.

The in-person gathering takes place on Wednesday, July 12 beginning at 5:15 pm with the presentation and Zoom meeting starting at 6:00 pm.

It will take place at The Barn at Williams Inn, 103 Spring St, Williamstown.  If the weather permits, the presentation will take place outdoors.

You must pre-register if you’d like to virtually attend this event: tinyurl.com/Berks-Green-Drinks-July2023.  RSVP for the in-person gathering: Berks-Green-Drinks-July2023.eventbrite.com.

Brandriss is a geologist who recently retired after teaching at Smith College for 22 years. His specialty is the study of magmas and igneous rocks in the Earth’s crust, based on fieldwork in Greenland, Scotland, Alaska, and South Africa. But like any geologist, he’s also interested in the geology of wherever he happens to be — in this case, Williamstown, where he has lived for 27 years with his wife, Rónadh Cox, Professor of Geosciences at Williams College.

Berkshire Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month. A guest speaker talks for about 30 minutes beginning at 6 pm, and the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join and bring along questions.

Can’t make that gathering?  Well on Saturday, July 15, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, you are invited to join BEAT for a guided naturalist walk in one of Pittsfield’s urban forests and conservation areas. You’ll observe some of the wonderful things you can find in nature during summer and talk about the area’s plants, animals, and natural history.

The guided walk will take place at Brattle Brook Park in Pittsfield. This conservation area exhibits a grassland-forest ecotone that provides quality habitat for wildlife. Walking conditions will be easy to moderate. The terrain will include forests with possible tree roots in the pathway and grassy meadows with some uneven terrain. Some areas might be a little soggy.

The number of participants is limited, so if you want to join them, email chelsey@thebeatnews.org. to RSVP.  She will answer any questions you may have about the walk.

 

Angling news from Connecticut

Quite a few local anglers fish in Connecticut, especially our flyfishing community.   Many like to flyfish the Housatonic River near Cornwall Bridge.  During the summer months when many of our local rivers get too warm to flyfish without stressing the trout, flyfishermen fish the Farmington River near Riverton, CT.  There the waters are much cooler thanks to the upstream bottom water releases of cold water from the dams of Colebrook Reservoir and Hogback Dam.  Every now and then, I like to take a peek at what’s going on, fishing wise in Connecticut. These are some of the items mentioned in the July 2023 CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) publication CT Fishin’ Tips.

“Rock Snot”, a descriptive name for a diatom (single cell algae) that makes a long stalk (billions combined make thick mats) is blooming (growing like crazy) in the West Branch of the  Farmington River in Riverton, CT.  Anglers fishing between Route 20 and the natural gas pipeline crossing are urged to clean and disinfect their waders after fishing in this section. Good methods are to completely dry for several days, freeze waders overnight, use a 10% bleach solution and then dry, or a highly concentrated salt solution and then dry. We don’t want anglers bringing this stuff into Massachusetts.

 

Other news from CT:

 

On May 27 of this year a Common Carp was caught which set a new CT state record.  Robert Jagiello caught one weighing 45 lbs 1 oz, 32 5/8 inches long with a girth of 26 1/4 inches out of Lake Lillinonah. (Lake Lillinonah is a manmade lake located in

picture provided by CT DEEP

Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties of Western Connecticut.) This fish takes down the 2012 record held by Mike Hudak, which was 43 pounds 12 ounces taken from the Connecticut River.

Picture provided by CT DEEP

There was a new Bowfin Catch & Release CT state record set also.  Benjamin Florian caught and released a 28.25-inch Bowfin from Crow Point Cove in Wethersfield, CT. This fish takes down the 2022 record held by Adam Chrzanowski, which was 28.25 inches from Pecausett Pond, Portland., CT.

And out of salt water came a new state record Fluke caught by Bill Proulx. It weighed in at 15.3 pounds, 32 5/8 inches long with a girth of 26 1/4 inches. It surpasses the previous record caught by Michael Maffucci of 14lb 13.76 oz and 31.5 inches back in 2019.

Housatonic River film produced by local students

The Housatonic River Association (HVA) is thrilled to share a short film by students from Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, MA.  Entitled “The place beyond the mountains,” it highlights the history of the river, its uses, wildlife, and more. Students spent hours working on the film in an after-school program. HVA’s Alison Dixon, Berkshire Watershed Conservation Manager, also worked with students on the project.

Funded by The 21st Century Program, this lesson will be available for other schools across the country to use as a model for their own after-school programs.

 

Click onto the HVA website to see the film.

Silver haired local fly fishers have a high regard for Thom Smith

 

Say, did you read about Berkshire Eagle’s NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith’s recent retirement?  (Berkshire Eagle Weekender issue of Saturday & Sunday, July 1-2, 2023 “An eye for nature”).   After nearly 45 years of writing a column for the Eagle, he certainly has earned his retirement.  The question is, are we ready for his retirement?  After enjoying his weekly column all those years, it won’t be the same without it. I don’t know about you, but I have learned an awful lot about our local wildlife from his column.

 

I first met Thom in 1984 when he was Curator of the Berkshire Museum.  He was instrumental in establishing an exhibit at the Berkshire Museum entitled Fly Tying, Fly Fishing, the gentle sport.  Running from April 6 to May 13, 1984 it promoted flyfishing and conservation.  Some 96 amateur fly tyers submitted flies for the exhibit and Kathryn Beebe arranged and mounted them. Some 17 of the tyers were members of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited, led by the then Chapter President Jerry Zink.  Not everyone can boast having one of their flies exhibited in a museum.

 

Augmenting the flies was an exhibit promoting fly fishing and conservation. There were flyfishing films, presentations by famous flyfishing authors such as the late internationally known Helen Shaw who wrote two fly tying books (Fly-Tying: Materials, Tools, and Techniques and Flies for Fish and Fisherman: Wet Flies.  She was named “the First Lady of Fly Tying”)  her husband Hermann Kessler (writer and Art Director for Field & Stream magazine) and other notables such as Leon Chandler (VP of Cortland Line Co, past Trout Unlimited President, and Freshwater Hall of Fame recipient).

 

In the introduction to the exhibit, Kessler wrote, “Fly tying engrosses the mind, and involves the dexterity of fishing enthusiasts from all walks of life.  Gathering in clubs and classes to exchange information, fly tyers bridge economic and social boundaries to develop fanciful deceivers and aquatic insect likeness. The Berkshire Museum has brought together the work of women, men, and children, to prove the point that amateur fly tyers are all working toward their concept of ultimate perfections.  Their flies are presented here for your study, admiration, and enticement to go and do likewise.”

 

On behalf of the local fly tyers who are still around, many thanks to Thom, for establishing this “gentle sport” exhibit and bringing it to the attention of the public.  That exhibit has not been forgotten after all these years.

2023 antlerless (doe) permit numbers announced

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According to the MassWildlife web page, the number of 2023 antlerless deer hunting permits is the same as it was in 2022. Also, there have been no changes in the permit numbers in the individual wildlife management zones.  The allocated permits are as follows in the various zones.  Note, Zones 1 through 4 are the zones in our area:

 

Zone 1 – 800 allocations, Zone 2 – 400, Zone 3 – 2,050, Zone 4N – 800, Zone 4S – 600, Zone 5 – 1,950, Zone 6 – 400, Zone 7 – 3,000, Zone 8 – 3,100, Zone 9 – 7,200, Zones 10 and 11 – no cap, Zone 12 – 1,350, Zones 13 and 14 no cap.

 

It’s obvious that in zones 10, 11, 13 and 14, in the eastern part of the state with no caps on antlerless harvests, they are still having troubles getting the deer population down to targeted deer densities.

 

Deer hunters should be aware that the deadline for applying for an antlerless deer permit is July 16. All three Massachusetts deer hunting seasons—Archery, Shotgun and Primitive Arms, are ‘bucks only’ if you do not possess this permit for the zone in which you are hunting.

 

According to MassWildlife, Massachusetts deer management is built on the harvest of does to regulate the population. Any deer with at least one three-inch antler is classified as a buck and your Massachusetts hunting license contains two antlered deer tags. You may take as many bucks as you have tags for on the same day.

 

Antlerless deer tags are allocated by zone based on population goals in that zone. Most hunters apply for their permit when they purchase their Massachusetts hunting license, but you can also apply online by going to MassFishHunt or in person by going to one of the MassWildlife District Offices or the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough.

 

If you apply for an antlerless deer permit by the July 16 deadline, you still must check to see if you have been awarded the right to purchase the permit.

 

The award period begins August 1 at 8:00 am and ends on December 31. Your odds of obtaining a permit are the same regardless of when you check your permit status. You can check the status through MassFishHunt or by visiting a MassWildlife office or license agent location. There is no fee for the application, but those who are successful are required to pay a $10 fee.

 

At the June meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden suggested that hunters verify that they already applied for an Antlerless Deer Permit before the July 16 deadline. I’m glad he did.  All along I thought that I had an application in because I applied for one when I bought my 2023 sporting license in December.  Well, it turned out that I didn’t have an application on file or it wasn’t recognized. I immediately reapplied.

 

Just to be on the safe side, hunters might want to verify that they have their applications in by checking their records through MassFishHunt.  Madden suggested that you contact the District Office in Dalton if you need assistance.

 

Basic Hunter Education|

 

Basic Hunter Education is mandatory for all first-time hunters. If you held a hunting license prior to 2007 or have successfully completed a Basic Hunter Education course from any jurisdiction, you already qualify to buy a Massachusetts hunting license.

 

If you are 18 years of age or older and you want to purchase your first-ever hunting license, you must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. Those wishing to obtain only a firearms license do not necessarily need Basic Hunter Education.

 

A Basic Hunter Education courses will be offered at the Worthington Rod and Gun Club on 458 Dingle Road (Route 112), Worthington on the following dates:

Monday, July 31, Tuesday, August 1, Thursday, August 3, and Friday, August 4.  All classes run from 5:30 to 9:00 pm and attendance at all 4 nights is required.

 

To enroll, call (508)389-7830.

 

Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Youth Derby

 

There were about 30 children who attended the Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club kid’s fishing event last Saturday at the Reynolds Pond in Cheshire.  According to club spokesperson Sandra Bushey, everyone caught fish and had a wonderful time.  Only one of the five tagged fish was caught.  A girl named Isabella caught the tagged trout and won a fishing pole.  Several of the PSC directors volunteered and everyone that was there had a fun day.  Fortunately, it poured rain right after they finished at 1:00 p.m.

Isabella is on the left holding the bag. Picture provided by Sandra Bushey

 

Kid’s Fishing Derby

 

Bring your children aged 13 and under next Saturday, July 8 to the monthly Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery youth fishing derby at the Hatchery’s Lower Pool at 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough.

 

It runs from 9:00 to 10:30 am.  Watch them learn to fish and compete for prizes.  No child goes away empty handed.

 

Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Jasmine Wang from Lexington won Best of Show in the 2023 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest. Her colored pencil drawing of a black-bellied whistling duck was selected from 185 entries. Wang’s award-winning work will represent Massachusetts at the National JDS Contest.

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

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

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

 

Picture not what it appeared to be

 

Last week I featured a picture of a big brown trout that Lawrence “Skip” Dean, of Becket, caught out of Lake Buel earlier this year.  He didn’t measure it but released it as soon as possible to fight another day.

 

If you looked closely at that picture, you probably saw blood on both of Skip’s hands and on the fish and thought, as I did, no way would that fish ever survive.  Most anglers know that it is a foregone conclusion that if your fish is bleeding, it will die shortly thereafter.

 

Well, Skip called me last week because he thought that some people would not believe that fish survived. It was not the fish’s blood on his hands, he said, it was his own.  While removing the lure from the fish’s mouth, it thrashed around and its sharp gill shield and teeth cut his hands.

He said that when he returned the fish to the water, he held the fish near its tail so that it would get reoriented.  After a while, the fish gave a sharp flip of its tail and shot off for deeper water.  It is probably lurching around in Lake Buel today albeit a little smarter.

 

Happy 4th of July

 

Here’s hoping you have a great holiday.  But after the hustle and bustle of the parades, picnics, visitors, and fireworks are over, you owe yourself a little peace and quiet.

 

In the Summer 2023 issue of Mass Audubon’s Explore magazine, there’s an article entitled Picturesque Ponds.  “Take a beat from your busy summer” it says, “to sit by a peaceful pond and ground yourself in nature.  Listen to the chirps of nearby birds or the kerplunk of a turtle jumping into the water.”  It goes on and lists a few favorite ponds that “will have you feeling calm and reconnected in no time.”

 

Pleasant Valley in Lenox being one of them listed.

 

“Walk on the newly constructed All Persons Trail at Pleasant Valley, which follows a scenic stretch of the Pike’s Pond shoreline.  Flanked by tall pines and other trees, this pond is a perfect place to get your water and forest fix.  Sit on the boardwalk bench to try and spot the bobbing heads and flat tails of beavers cruising the pond at dawn or dusk.”

 

Sounds nice, ey?

Sometimes fishing derbies matter – a lot

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Two important fishing derbies took place in our area on June 3 which you should know about.

 

Youth Outreach Derby

 

Some 20 youths and their families attended the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s Youth Outreach fishing event this year on Reynolds Pond in Cheshire.  This year’s group was from the Pediatric Palliative Care Program, part of Hospice Care in the Berkshires which is sponsored by the Department of Public Health.  It is a separate program from Hospice Care for kids who have life limiting health conditions.

According to Program Director June Green, the program is about giving the kids and their families a quality of life.  They provide nursing, social work, spiritual counselling, art, music and various therapy.  The siblings get to benefit from them as well because they do family events.  “Most of the kids get their medical care at Boston Children’s Hospital,” said Green.  “They have a nurse who comes to their homes and talks about what’s going on and discusses plans for doctor events. They have social workers who help connect the families to all of the resources that are available to them such as social security, mental disability services, fuel assistance, housing, anything to help the families. Also, to get them connected sometimes with charity”.

Simon Dembitzer, nurse for the pediatric care program said the kids along with their parents and grandparents were “super excited” to attend and learn how to fish.  Most never have been fishing before and it was a brand- new experience for them.

The League was more than happy to provide comfort to these kids that are medically challenged.  There was a wide variety of kids, some were in wheelchairs – and kids who look like any other kids but with conditions that may very well limit their lifespans.  Kids with seizure disorders, with cancer, and all kinds of different challenges.

photo taken by Gene Chague

Reynolds Pond was stocked and the kids were guaranteed that they would catch fish.  Fish cleaning service was also provided.

Each kid was given a fishing pole and equipment with which to fish and when the day was over, they were able to take them home. Their equipment was all set up by volunteers by the time they arrived and they were provided with the necessary bait. Each time a kid caught a fish, a volunteer would clean it and put it into a plastic zip lock bag to bring home to eat. Around noon time, a meal of burgers, dogs, chips, soda and desert was provided.

The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen sponsored the event with a significant grant from Whitetails Unlimited.  They provided the brook trout (which were raised in the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery), equipment, bait, and food. Volunteers from the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club, Adams Outdoor for Youth, B.A.S.S., Taconic TU, Berkshire Beagle Club and Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club assisted.

I have to tell you that after leaving the event and driving to the next derby, I had to pull over for a few minutes to process what I had just seen. Seeing those kids and their parent’s happy faces, and knowing about the difficult hand that was dealt to them, really got to me. God bless them, their families and the sportsmen who provided them with such an enjoyable and memorable day.

Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby

According to event organizer Stephen Bateman, about 300 registered fishermen attended the 31st Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby at the Onota Lake Pavilion.  They raised over $10,000 for the fight against cancer.

The event also drew city officials: Pete White, Peter Marchetti, Karen Kalinowski, Jon Krol along with calls from Berkshire County DA Tim Shugrue and from Governor Healy’s Office. This was all due to Mike Daley and his It’s Pittsfield Tonight Broadcast.

According to Bateman, in all the years of the fishing derby only 4 bowfins had previously been caught with the first being caught in 2010. This year, brother and sister team Quinton and Cloe Shuttleworth each caught one.

Photos provided by Steve Bateman

Food and beverages were provided by The Hot Dog Ranch, Market 32, Don Davis Heating & Plumbing, Integrity Distributors, Freihofer’s Baking Company, Premium Waters and Frito Lay. The Trophies were provided by Steve Ray of Berkshire Real Estate Associates and Jones Trophies. A special shout out to the City of Pittsfield Maintenance Dept, Eric Green and Dave Isby; Joshua Christman of Christman Charters, Mike & Tina Stewart from Berkshire Concrete Repair, Gable Electric, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and IUE/CWA Local 255.

Members of “COBB” (crippled, old, busted bikers) from western M

Photo taken by Autumn Phoenix of Autumn Phoenix Photography.

assachusetts were on hand to help children who had never fished before and according to Bateman, they did a great job.

Here are the 2023 Winners as provided by Steve Bateman:

CHILDREN HEAVIEST GAME FISH CATEGORY

1ST. PLACE: JADEN VIRGILIO – LARGEMOUTH BASS- 3 LBS. 14 OZ.

2ND. PLACE: JUSTIN PROPER, JR. – SMALLMOUTH BASS- 2 LBS. 1 OZ.
3RD. PLACE: BRYER FARREL – RAINBOW TROUT – 1 LBS. 10 0Z.

CHILDREN HEAVIEST NON-GAME FISH CATEGORY

1ST. PLACE: QUINTON SHUTTLEWORTH – BOWFIN – 6 LBS – 4 OZ.
2ND. PLACE: CLOE SHUTTLEWORTH – BOWFIN -5 LBS. 4 OZ.
3RD. RAYCHELLE ERRICHETTO – BULL HEAD – 11 OZ.

ADULT HEAVIEST GAME FISH CATEGORY

1ST. PLACE: BRIAN BARDE – CHAIN PICKEREL- 4 LBS. 8 OZ.
2ND. PLACE: SHAUN HERFORTH – CHAIN PICKEREL – 3 LBS. 8OZ.
3RD. PLACE: SUE O’BRIEN – BASS- 3LBS. 5 OZ

SPECIAL HEAVIEST FISH 1ST. PLACE AWARDS

BASS:  MICKY BUCK -LARGEMOUTH BASS – 4 LBS. ADULT
PERCH/CRAPPIE: CASSIDY WOJNICKI AND ALICE CHRISTMAN – WHITE PERCH – 1 LB
CARP: MATT CLARK – COMMON CARP- 6 LBS. 13 OZ.
TROUT ADULT: JOHN GALVANI AND JUSTIN PROPER – TIGER TROUT 2 LBS.  7 OZ.

TROUT CHILDREN: DOMINIC CURTIN – RAINBOW TROUT 1 LBS. 11 OZ.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: ERWIN O’HEARN

 

Congratulations to all!

 

Probably, most readers have had friends or relatives diagnosed with some form of cancer and probably those who are still around with us today have benefitted from the research conducted at the Dana Farber and other institutes.  Kudos to Steve Bateman and his team for putting on this event every year and raising the great amounts of money to help fund such research. Thanks also to the people and businesses that make the donations each year.  It’s a lot of work to put on this event every year and it’s not easy to ask for donations, but I’d be willing to bet that Steve would call it a labor of love.

Protection of freshwater lakes and watersheds

 

You are invited to join the 1st Annual Conference on the Protection of Freshwater Lakes and Watersheds of Western Massachusetts on Thursday June 22, at the Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield. Beginning at 5:30 pm, you will learn about the steps that individuals, local organizations, towns, and cities in your community are taking to maintain the natural biodiversity of this region. They will address the fundamental importance of these freshwater ecosystems, and discuss the planning, stewardship, education, recreation, and regulation initiatives serving to protect these natural watersheds and infrastructures from threats such as invasive species, damming and water drawdowns, nutrient overload, and exploitation.

This conference is free and open to the public.

Meeting Agenda:

  • A Community’s Common Cause: The Waters That Unite Us, • Lee Hauge: President, LAPA West (Lakes and Ponds Association of Western Massachusetts)
  • Battling Eurasian Milfoil on Lake Onota, • Michael Riordan: President, LOPA (Lake Onota Preservation Association)
  • The Voice of the Sportsman: Dimensions of Fishing, Hunting, and other Outdoor Pursuits, • Andrew Madden: Western District Supervisor, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Resource Management and Future Planning of Pittsfield’s Lakes and Open Spaces, • James McGrath: City of Pittsfield Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager
  • Invaders on the Doorstep: Challenges and Best Practices to Mitigate the Spread of Invasive Species, • Doug Spoehr: Director, Invasive Species, LOPA (Lake Onota Preservation Association)
  • Process Water for Industry and the Risks of Pollutant Transfer, • Speaker TBA
  • “Measure the Spread” Pilot Program, • Panelist discussion

Most brown trout in the Deerfield River are wild, not stocked

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For the past four years, MassWildlife has been conducting extensive mark-recapture electrofishing surveys on the Deerfield River to assess the brown trout population. The surveys were focused on the upper section of the river from the Fife Brook Dam to the Route 2 bridge crossing in Charlemont. Results from this work show that over 80% of the brown trout in this section of the Deerfield River are wild. These wild trout were born in the Deerfield or a nearby tributary, not stocked as adults from the hatchery. Based on these findings, MassWildlife has decided that brown trout stocking is no longer necessary in this section of the river since there are many wild fish present.

“Fishing in the Deerfield River is better than ever, and anglers will not notice much of a change from the stocking adjustments,” says Adam Kautza, MassWildlife’s Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. “We will continue to stock rainbow trout in this section of the river. Also, the typical allotment of hatchery-raised brown trout usually stocked upstream of the Route 2 bridge will still be stocked further downstream.” The combination of stocked trout and wild brown trout along with two catch-and-release only areas make the Deerfield a premier destination for all kinds of anglers.

Consistent with the last four years of the survey, MassWildlife biologists will continue to clip the adipose fin of all hatchery-raised brown trout released into the lower section of the Deerfield. “This will enable us to continue monitoring this area and we will know if any hatchery trout make the trip upstream,” says Kautza. “We will continue to monitor the trout population and reassess as needed.”

This survey, along with other fisheries research, allows MassWildlife to manage fish populations more effectively and to provide a variety of fishing opportunities to the public. This project was made possible by ongoing support from the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Greater Boston Chapter of Trout Unlimited. These groups were instrumental in getting this project started and provided physical and financial assistance along the way. “We commend MassWildlife for taking this huge step toward protecting and expanding the wild brown trout population in the upper Deerfield,” says Eric Halloran, president of the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We have known for years that this part of the Deerfield has a significant population of wild brown trout. We hope that through our working relationship with MassWildlife the wild trout population in the Deerfield Watershed will continue to expand.”

Proposed change in goose hunting season

A couple of months ago, it was mentioned in this column that certain waterfowl regulation changes were going to be recommended at a public hearing on April 26.  One of the proposed changes would have affected the goose hunters by listing the Berkshire Late Goose season from December 15 to January 30.  However; based upon the minutes of the April 2023 Fish & Game Board, they approved a different proposed season which would run from January 1 through February 15.

In response to my inquiry for reasons for the change, MassWildlife answered that they did so in response to public comments from hunters, both written and in person at the hearing, Hunters commented that the February portion of the season provides an important opportunity to hunt at a time, and in places, where there is little other activity or conflict with other users. Basically, the Board approved the dates that they felt gave the best opportunity for Berkshire goose hunters.

Ice fishermen expect cold temperatures at that time of year.  They need plenty of ice for safety reasons.  To counter the cold, they can walk around, chase the tip-ups, cook some warm grub on a hibachi, socialize with other ice fishermen, etc.

But hunkering down and staying still in a small goose blind in February? No, no, not for me.

Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club youth fishing event

The PSC is sponsoring a kid’s fishing event at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire on Saturday June 17 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. It is for kids 12 and under and their parents don’t have to be club members.

There will be snacks for the kids and 5 prizes for kids who catch a tagged trout.

For more information, contact Sandra and Ed Bushey at (413) 443-9371.

Mass Firearm Law Seminar

 

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club (LSC) is hosting an educational seminar for both License to Carry Firearms (LTC) holders and non-holders.  The Massachusetts Firearm Law Seminar is being held Tuesday, June 13 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am at the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club, 258 New Lenox Road, Lenox, MA.

Taught by Jon Green, Director of Education & Training for the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League (GOAL), this 3-hour long seminar reviews and explains both state and federal laws and regulations in simple-to-understand language. The seminar will clarify applicable Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) and Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) regarding;

  • Firearm definitions
  • Firearm purchase and sale
  • Proper and legal firearm and ammunition possession, transport, and storage
  • Record-keeping requirements
  • Recommended best practices for firearm owners

The cost is $15.00 per person for Lenox Sportsmen’s Club members and their guests and $20.00 for non-members.

Light snacks and soft drinks will be provided. Every attendee will receive a complimentary copy of the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League firearms law booklet.  A License to Carry Firearms (LTC) is not required to attend this seminar.

Pre-Registration is required for this event. People can register on the LSC website.

Hunter education course

Basic hunter education is mandatory for all first-time adult hunters. The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club has scheduled a Hunter Education course at its clubhouse with MassWildlife on August 20. These classes fill up quickly, so if you are interested in taking it, call MassWildlife at (508) 389-7830.

Summer wild turkey survey

Help MassWildlife with its annual summer wild turkey count. Every year from June 1 to August 31, wild turkey reports from the public help their biologists determine productivity, compare long-term reproductive success, and estimate fall harvest potential. Reports are welcome from all regions of Massachusetts, from the most rural communities to more densely-populated areas. The summer wild turkey survey is a fun way for people to connect with nature while contributing valuable data to MassWildlife biologists.

 

You are encouraged to report wild turkey sightings in your area.  Contribute to the annual wild turkey survey by reporting observations of hens (female turkeys), poults (newly-hatched turkeys), jakes (juvenile males), and toms (adult males). Click onto the MassWildlife web page to learn how to tell the difference between male and female turkeys.

Turkey sightings can now be submitted online using a form which can be downloaded.   The form has been updated for the 2023 to include a map that allows collection of more accurate location information. Users have the option to zoom to their location on the map or type in an address.

Carp Palooza

This year’s Carp Palooza event will take place on Onota Lake in Pittsfield on June 24. There will be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, pending the number of entries.  Sign-up will take place at the boat ramp between 1:00 and 3:00 pm.  Fishing ends at 12:00 am.

 

Two person teams, $50 per team.  Awards will be given for the best combined weight, 2 carp.  Lunker Pool optional at $20 per team.  Championship belts will be awarded to the first-place team.  There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

 

For information on the event, contact Joshua Christman at (413) 770-7111.

 

 

A note from the Environmental Police

According to Lieutenant Tara Carlow of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, officers are patrolling by boat and ATV for violations as well as increasing their presence in the DCR parks as their campgrounds and day use areas become busier.  They can always reach out to us for violations or to chat.

Recently they were out with the trout stocking trucks on a couple of occasions and one officer was at the youth stocking event which was recently held at Onota Lake.

So, boaters and anglers take note.

An unforgettable Opening Day on the River”

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Recently, I have been in contact with an old friend, Bill Hollister, a native of Pittsfield, but who now lives in Valatie, NY.  He is a retired New York State Wildlife Biologist, an award-winning outdoor writer, and a member of the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame.

 

He got thinking about an incident that occurred here in Pittsfield around 1950, when he was teenager, and wondered if readers would be interested in reading about it.  It is an article which may jog the memories of our silver haired readers.  It is probably more appropriate to run the story next spring, around trout stocking time, but since both Bill and I are in our 80’s, perhaps it’s best not to wait too long to run it.

 

The title of Bill’s story is “An unforgettable Opening Day on the River”

 

“As a teenager growing up in the Berkshires, there were many happy days.  In the springtime, many of those days were centered around the opening day of trout season.  Living within walking distance of a popular trout stream, the West Branch of the Housatonic River was a real asset.  The traditional opening day was the second Saturday in April. This was followed by the entire next week being out of school for spring vacation. This meant more pleasurable days on the river.

 

Like most opening days I was on the river well before dawn. I was on my way downstream, and had just passed the old swimming hole, a large deep pool, on a slight bend of the river. After passing this point, I looked across the river and was shocked to see a man lying face down in the river with young Teddy Hoffman, a friend from the neighborhood, holding the heel of the man’s boot, preventing him from being carried in the current into deeper waters.  I jumped off the bank into waist deep water, waded across the stream and tossed my fishing rod onto the riverbank. I then grabbed the man with both hands on his upper arm just below his shoulder, lifted his upper body out of the water, and dragged him up on shore.

 

As I did so, I yelled at some men nearby. “What the hell is wrong with you men? You see a man face down in this icy water and you just stand there watching? With a lack of action by anyone else present, I decided it was time for this 15-year-old to take charge. I yelled to two passing fishermen, “Run up to the house with the lights on and tell them to call the emergency ambulance. Pinky Danford lives there. He’s a Pittsfield city policeman. If he’s home, tell him to get down here. He’ll know just what to do.” Minutes later, Officer Danford came running down from his house clad only in slippers, his uniform trousers and a tee-shirt, not much protection against the 30 some degree temperature of that cold April day.

 

Upon reaching the stricken man, he began artificial respiration with the old back pressure arm- lift method.  After some time, the man gurgled some liquids from his mouth and appeared to be breathing slightly, though still unconscious.  Soon the Emergency Ambulance arrived and two burly men came running down the hill, one carrying a stretcher. They exchanged a few words with Officer Danford, then lifted the man onto a stretcher, and carried him to the ambulance and off to a local hospital.

 

I then left and hiked out to the highway, stopped to empty the still cold water from my hip boots then headed home.  Once there I told my parents of the morning happenings, changed into dry clothes, a pair of short, rubber boots, and headed back to the river,

 

A few days later, just as we were sitting down for dinner, my dad answered a phone call. The person calling said they live on Gale Avenue not far from the river. They were relatives of the man I pulled from the river. They said he had suffered a heart attack and collapsed into the river. He was currently in the hospital and doing very well, and was expected to be discharged soon. They thanked my dad profusely for my actions, and were extremely thankful to all who came to the aid of their relative.

 

Clearly, a number of people stepped up to help that day.  The Pittsfield Police Emergency Ambulance team, the two passing fishermen who ran up to the Danford residence to summon help, the two teenagers who had lent a helping hand, and definitely off- duty police officer Pinky Danford, whose quick and decisive action, along with the tireless application of CPR, saved the man’s life.

While there have been many memorable opening days of trout season, this day remains as my most unforgettable day on the river, knowing that perhaps the greatest reward for those who helped was just knowing that their actions had helped to save a man’s life.”

 

Wildlife Management Cleanup

A small but enthusiastic group participated in the DFW Western District Wildlife Management Area Cleanup which took place last weekend. Partnered with MassWildlife were the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) organizations. They picked up garbage and junk from the George Darey Wildlife Management Area in Lenox as well as certain areas along Roaring Brook Road.

Rain did not dampen their spirits and they managed to pick up a whole truckload of junk in a little over two hours of work.

Participants in the clean-up were Alison Dixon from HVA, paddlers Gary Aprea and Gloria Wesley, Taylor Woodward from BCC, Robin Perry, a volunteer from BEAT, and DFW staff members Heather Sadler, Andrew Madden, Leanda Fontaine Gagnon and Nate Buckhout. (You will notice that there were no people representing the various local outdoor sportsmen’s clubs. Must be they had the wrong date on their calendars).

Guido’s Fresh Marketplace provided tasty sandwiches, chips, etc. for all participants.

Results of the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club fishing derby

 

Last Sunday, it was rain free, but cold and windy with average temps in the mid 40’s to low 50’s and that wind made it feel colder.  They had 53 fishermen brave the elements and they caught some nice size fish.

 

Adult Winners ($100 dollars each):

Largest Trout:  James Trumps, South Lee:  1 lb. 12 oz, 15.5 inches long

Largest Pickerel: Peter Soules, Sheffield:   3 lbs. 12 oz, 25 inches long

Largest Bass:  Bill Navan, Lenox:  3 lbs. 10 oz, 17.5 inches long

Largest Bullhead:  Tina Lovern, Washington:  ½ lb. 10 inches long

 

Age 12 and under Winners (fishing tackle): 

Largest Trout:   Alice Christman, Pittsfield:  1 lb. 4 oz, 14.5 inches long

Largest Pickerel: Gabriel Christman, Pittsfield:  2.5 lbs., 21.5 inches long

Largest Bass (Rock):  Sadie Prew:  8 oz, 9 inches long

Largest Bullhead:  Mya Methe, Pittsfield: 12 oz, 11 inches long

According to Club spokesman Tim Minkler, everyone seemed to have fun and chef Bob Barrett warmed them all up with hot tasty food and drinks.

Kid’s Fishing Derby

Bring your children aged 13 and under next Saturday, June 10 to the monthly Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery youth fishing derby at the Hatchery’s Lower Pool at 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough.

It runs from 9:00 to 10:30 am.  Watch them learn to fish and compete for prizes.  No child goes away empty handed.

Correction

In last week’s column, I wrote about the dedication of a plaque noting the donation of land by the Weiss family to the Town of Lenox.  I mentioned a talk by Jim Brooks.  My mistake, the name given should have been Jim Brooke.  Please accept my apologies.

Commemorative plaque dedicated…. after 49 years

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Last Sunday afternoon, some 20 or so people, met on West Street in Lenox to show their appreciation for a land donation which was made to the Town of Lenox in 1974 by the late Robert Weiss and his wife Olga. In attendance were members of the Weiss family. Short speeches were made by Jim Brooke, representing the Lenox Land Trust, its president Sarah Hatch and LLT members, Lenox Selectwoman Mary Beth Mitts, and Lenox Town Manager Chris Ketcham.

In Brooke’s comments, he noted that the Weiss donation is assessed today at over $1 million.  He mentioned that the land, when partnered with the 84 acres donated by Mr. John Drummond (Jack) Kennedy totals nearly 150 acres of preserved land which covers the southern portion of Parson’s Marsh. The Weiss donation was made with the understanding that the Town would make hiking trails there. With tongue in cheek, Brooks commented, “The installation of the plaque, 49 years later, is a good start.”

Selectwoman Mitts thanked Olga Weiss not only for the donated land but also for the countless hours serving on many town committees.

Olga commented that we are living in perilous times and each of us needs to do what we can to preserve the environment.  She also mentioned the need to address the dramatic rise in the water level of the marsh.  Currently, Jack Kennedy’s plaque is under 3 ft of water as is the former path.

The wooden plaque, which was then unveiled, says it all:

“Weiss Family Gift”  “This land was donated to the Town of Lenox in 1974 by Robert and Olga Weiss to augment the Parson Marsh Conservancy and to preserve in perpetuity its natural flora and fauna.  It is habitat for deer, bear, fox, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, wild turkey, eagle, and osprey and a large variety of trees, plants, birds and smaller animals.    Erected by the Lenox Land Trust, Fall 2022.”

Trout Stocking

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week.  This is the last of the scheduled spring 2023 weekly trout stocking reports. But you never know, they might they find a few more trout hiding in the recesses of the hatcheries, so keep checking the website for any possible additional hatchery deliveries.

Deerfield River in Charlemont, Buckland and Florida, Housatonic River C&R in Lee and Stockbridge, East Branch of the Westfield River in Chesterfield, Cummington and Huntington, Laurel Lake, North Pond in Florida, Plunkett Reservoir, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond.

Many thanks go out to Deb Lipa and Leanda Fontaine Gagnon from the DFW Western District Headquarters in Dalton for providing the weekly trout stocking information to us.  I’m sure it resulted in more work for them and they did not have to do it.  If you are in their neighborhood, you may want to pop in and thank them.

The Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby had another great turnout

 

Last Saturday the Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby took place with some 98 Children registered. The age range was from 1 1/2 to 14 years old. This was the 9th year that the City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission and Lyon Aviation sponsored the event.

Representing the City of Pittsfield were Becky Manship, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator and Rob Van Der Kar, Pittsfield Conservation Agent. Assisting the anglers were Onota Fishing Club President Fred Ostrander and his team of OFC volunteers.

Dave’s Sporting Goods Store, Onota Boat Livery and Parks and Recreation provided bait, rods and tackle; Lyon Aviation provided the brook trout.   Ozzies Steak and Eggs Restaurant catered the event out of their food van. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the Onota Fishing Club donated a total of 7 fishing poles that were raffled off once the trophy winners were announced.

Only 3 out of the 300 stocked trout were caught as bass were the most popular catches of the day.  Some pumpkinseed and pond shiners were also caught.

4-year-old Gabe Christman caught the biggest fish, a 15 ¼ in bass which weighed 1.38 lbs.  5-year-old James Martindale caught the biggest trout which measured 14 inches and weighed 1.1 lbs.  All in all, some 25 children took home trophies.

This year the Sophomore Class at Taconic High School built 15 Leopold viewing benches for Wild Acres and they also helped to stock the trout.

Our hats are off to Lyon Aviation, the City of Pittsfield, the Onota Fishing Club, BNRC and everyone involved to make this event a great success.

A huge thank you goes to Becky Manship for her hard work in providing information on the derby winners and other pertinent information.

State Grants

Governor Healey’s office announced $500,000 state grants on Wednesday, April 26, to five coalitions and four individual non-profit watershed organizations across the state to support monitoring water quality.  The grant program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

Local organizations which received some of these funds were:  The Housatonic Valley Association – $48,605, The Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited – $26,007 and The Farmington River Watershed Association – $13,378.

 

Free Fishing Weekend in Massachusetts

This year’s Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is on June 3 and 4. No license is required to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream, or river in Massachusetts from 12:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 4.

For saltwater anglers, Free Saltwater Fishing Weekend is June 17–18.

All other regulations, including catch limits, apply so before heading out on the water, make sure you know them.

Annual Harry A Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby coming up

 

The 31st Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place next Saturday, June 3, at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing Weekend.

 

This fishing derby is perhaps the most important and largest of our local derbies.  Open to the public, its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute. All the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.

Many trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners of the fishing derby – 8 trophies for children, 4 trophies for adults and 3 trophies that can be won by adults or children. There is even a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow. All fish must be weighed in at 12:00 p.m. and can be caught at Onota Lake from a boat or the shore.  Don’t be late as the scales will be removed immediately after 12:00 pm.

Fishing tackle is given out with the trophy prizes and 2 prizes for the heaviest trout.  A sportsman award is given out to a child which includes a tackle box with over $100 of tackle.

The fee is $10 for adults, $5 for children 14 years old and younger. The fee includes food and beverages.  All children receive a free gift and children 5-14 years old have a chance to win a mountain bike boys/girls. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Avid Sports, Dave’s Sporting Goods, & Onota Boat Livery. Everyone needs to register at the Frank Controy Pavilion before all fish can be weighed in.  Even if you can’t make the derby, donations to the cause will be graciously accepted.

Memorial Day Weekend

 

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

Projects in which the DFW Western District is involved

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It’s possible that a lot of people don’t know what the folks at the DFW Western District Office in Dalton do.  Oh sure, we know that they weigh in deer during hunting season and stock trout in the spring and fall, but what else?

 

Well, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden and Aquatic Biologist Leanda Fontaine-Gagnon made a presentation providing some information at a recent monthly meeting of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  The presentation, which was held at the Pleasant and Main Café & General Store in Housatonic, MA was basically an overview of the district’s activities.

 

Andrew Madden started the presentation by providing an overview of non-fish related programs.  He mentioned that the mission of the MassWildlife is protecting the biodiversity in the state.  Some highlights included:

  • Counties covered by the Western District include Berkshire and western towns of Hampton, Hampshire and Franklin Counties.  With a small staff of 10 employees, they manage and focus on land protection including managing over 67,000 acres in Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Wildlife Conservation Easements (WCE).
  • They manage 500 acres of fields (e.g. mowing).
  • They stock 72 waters.
  • They stock 23 pheasant areas.
  • They band Bald Eagles.
  • They monitor 10 collared bears.
  • They have a focus on Outreach to colleges
  • Conduct Paraplegic Deer hunts.

 

A list of Projects includes the following:

  • Loons – they established the first nesting pair in Berkshire County.
  • Bats – many are endangered due to White Nose disease.
  • Bears – a current challenge is to establish bi-laws to prevent intentional bear feeding.
  • Large Animal Response – capture and relocate large animals as necessary.

 

Leanda Fontaine Gagnon followed up by presenting an overview of aquatic-related project, including:

Trout Stocking – is a renewable resource that improves angling opportunities.  The stocking program occurs over an average of 10 weeks in the spring through around Memorial Day.

  • Includes Brook, Brown, Rainbow and Tiger trout
  • Approximately 400,000-450,000 pounds of trout are stocked statewide of which the Western District receives about 20% of them.
  • Approximately 10,000 Landlocked salmon smolts from the Palmer Hatchery are stocked in the Quabbin Reservoir.
  • There are four hatcheries in Western Mass: Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague. The fifth hatchery is in Sandwich.
  • MassWildlife posts a stocking schedule and report at the following address: Mass.gov

 

Angling Education Program – learn to fish for the general public.  It is a free program including use of equipment.

Fishery Conservation – the main watersheds include the Hoosic River, Deerfield River, Farmington River, and Westfield River.

Fish Sampling – there have been a total of 11,500 surveys statewide over the years and over 6,400 since 1998.  The types of surveys include:

  • Electrofishing (shocking) – including wading rivers streams with shock backpacks as well as using barges and boats outfitted with shocking equipment for lakes and ponds.
  • Netting, including gillnets and traps.  Additionally, this netting often occurs when lakes and ponds are iced over in the winter.
  • Angling Creel Surveys.

Data gathered from surveys provide information about fish communities in the water to compare the fish species over the years.  It can tell you things like water quality, as well as the amount and location of wild trout populations.  It can also lend help in monitoring changes in habitat, water temperature, water quality, and river/stream connectivity.

Cold Water Resources – There are over 1,200 Cold Water Resources (CWR) in Western Mass.  There are many threats that can negatively impact CFRs including:

  • Impervious Surfaces – such as paved roads and parking lots which impact drainage and warm the water.
  • Surrounding Landowners.
  • Loss of Riparian Buffer Zones – such as mowing and cutting of brush and cover down to the water’s edge.
  • Inadequate connectivity of rivers and streams caused by damaged culverts, dams, etc.

 

Freshwater Mussel Surveys:

  • Mussel populations are great indicators of fish health.
  • They are great water filtration systems for our water.
  • MassWildlife Western District staff actually don scuba gear to survey local waters for mussels to determine size, species, and the type of substrate they live in.
  • Mussels and fish live symbiotically, where the fish provide a reproduction vehicle when the mussels temporarily lay minute mussels in the fish’s mouth.  These tiny mussels will live in the fish’s mouth until it is large enough to drop to the water body substrate and live on its own. The fish are not impacted.

Aquatic Invasive Plant Removal – Hand-pulling Water Chestnut plants from lakes and ponds.

 

Becoming an Outdoorswoman (BOW) program

The BOW Program offers shooting skills workshops, hunting seminars, fly tying and other classes and activities designed for adult women.

These are just some of the things with which the staff is involved. Things like weighing in deer and bear, youth fish stocking days, helping people obtain required licensing, answering a myriad of fish and wildlife questions, presentations at various sportsmen’s groups, etc.  They are a pretty busy bunch, wouldn’t you say?

 

Trout Stocking

 

Subject to change, the following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:

Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Deerfield River (Upper section only) in Charlemont and Florida, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Westfield River (East Branch) in Chesterfield, Cummington and Huntington; Konkapot River in Monterey and New Marlborough, Pontoosuc Lake, Laurel Lake, Greenwater Pond, Goose Pond, Lake Buel, Lake Garfield, Big Pond, Otis Reservoir and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

Celebrate the Housatonic River Valley

 

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) invites people of all ages to celebrate the Housatonic River Watershed from May 26 until July 4.  It is a free event that helps protect waterways and lands across the nearly 2,000 square mile watershed.

 

People can share photos and updates from their adventures and activities or attend an HVA-led event like a hike along the Appalachian Trail, river day for kids at Troutbeck or a hands-on session about HVA’s Follow the Forest initiative.

Participants can also join friendly competitions either solo or with a team such as most miles hiked or biked or best team photo and compete for exciting prizes like a guided river rafting trip for four, REI daypacks, Patagonia prize pack, Helinox Chair Ones and more.

“This event is all about bringing people together to explore and celebrate the Housatonic River Valley from the Berkshires and eastern New York through western Connecticut to Long Island Sound,” said Lynn Werner, HVA Executive Director. “By getting out there and sharing your experiences online, whether it’s paddling your favorite stream or hiking a local land trust trail or photographing wildlife, you’ll be raising awareness about how special this area is and why we’re all working so hard to protect it.”

Additional information and registration may be found at www.hvatoday.org.

Spring turkey hunting ends today

Sorry, if you haven’t bagged a wild turkey yet, then you will have to wait until the fall turkey hunting season to get another chance. The fall season opens on October 16 in our zone.

From what I hear, it was a very good spring turkey hunting season.  Lots of birds were taken.

Incidentally, there was a nice group of women who participated in the BOW Turkey Hunting event.   This program is designed for adult women (18 and older) who are new to turkey hunting and includes an in-person seminar and a mentored hunt.

The hunters and their mentors gathered on opening morning at Devens RFTA to put their skills to the test. (The Devens Reserve Force Training Area is located in Middlesex and Worcester counties).

Most of the women were surrounded by turkeys at one time or another, but they wouldn’t get close enough for a shot.  Kelly Swart Blanchard lucked out though and she bagged a 14.75 lbs. jake.

New commissioner named to head the Department of Fish and Game

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 Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper recently announced the appointment of Tom O’Shea to the role of Commissioner of the DFG. DFG works to preserve the state’s natural resources and protects and manages marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife, plants, and the habitats that support them.

O’Shea comes to the DFG from The Trustees of Reservations where he most recently served as Vice President of Conservation and Resilience, leading the conservation and climate agenda. Prior to his role at The Trustees overseeing land conservation, advocacy and policy, agriculture, coastal resilience, and ecology, he served as an Assistant Director for DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Tom earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Forestry from Yale University’s School of Environment, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine. He is an outdoorsman and triathlete who resides in Holden with his wife and son.

O’Shea had received statements of support from the presidents of the Trustees of Reservation, Mass Audubon, and former member of the Fish & Wildlife Board Mike Roche.  Current F&W Board Chairman Steve Sears said of O’Shea, “I don’t think a better person could have been selected.”

“I’m looking forward to this urgent and significant moment for meaningful and proactive action towards climate resilience, access to nature and outdoor recreation, and the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats.” said O’Shea.

O’Shea replaces Ron Amidon who served as commissioner for 6 years under the Baker-Polito Administration.  Many outdoor sportsmen across the Commonwealth considered Amidon one of the most effective commissioners in recent history.

 

MassWildlife protects more lands

 

MassWildlife continued its land protection efforts this month with the completion of two new projects:

 

Cummington Wildlife Management Area (WMA)– They added 125 acres in Cummington adjacent to Route 9. The parcel has a number of important natural communities and provides protection for drainages that contribute to the water quality in the Westfield River East Branch. The area is huntable beyond the road setbacks.

 

Steadman Pond Wildlife Conservation Easement – MassWildlife recently partnered with Berkshire Natural Resource Council (BNRC), DCR, and the Department of Conservation Services (DCS) to protect more than 750 acres in the towns of Tyringham and Monterey. Much of the project acreage will be owned by BNRC with a Conservation Easement held by MassWildlife. All of the MassWildlife easement areas will be open to hunting, fishing. and passive recreation. This is particularly important in Southern Berkshire County where town bylaws limit hunting access.

 

Wildlife Management Area Cleanups

This spring, MassWildlife is hosting a series of cleanup events at WMAs across the state. On May 20, MassWildlife invites you to join them, the Housatonic Valley Association, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, and others in the outdoor community for a day of service and fun. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves if you have them. The cleanup is rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

You are asked to meet at the main parking area at the George Darey Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area on New Lenox Road in Lenox at 9:45 am.  From 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the cleanup will take place at the designated locations. Participants may bring canoes or kayaks for river cleanup. A limited number of boats may be available.

Volunteers can gather at the main parking area for a casual cookout/lunch at 12:30 pm.

Pre-register at:  https://mass.gov/forms/wildlife-management-area-cleanup-registration. (Those who pre-register and attend will receive a 2-year subscription to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine).

Trout stocking

 

The following area waters, subject to change, were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:

 

Lake Buel in Monterey, Deerfield River (lower section only) in Buckland and Charlemont, Hoosic River (South Branch) in Cheshire and Adams, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Housatonic River (East Branch) in Hinsdale and Dalton, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Plunkett Reservoir in Hinsdale, Westfield River (East Branch) in Windsor, Cummington and Chesterfield; Westfield River Mainstem in Huntington, Montgomery and Russell; Westfield River (West Branch) in Becket, Chester and Huntington; Windsor Pond in Windsor and York Lake in New Marlborough.

 

Good showing at the Beagle Club Field Trials

 

On April 22 and 23 the Berkshire Beagle Club held an American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned field trial on its land in Richmond, MA. Participants came from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts participated in the two-day event.

According to Club spokesman Jeff St John, they had 95 total entries over the two days, 47 male dogs ran on Saturday and 48 females on Sunday.  Classes were further identified as 13-inch and 15-inch beagles. Awards were given for first through fourth places as well as NBQ (next best qualifier).

Ralph Harrington of Cambridge, New York, who is a Berkshire Beagle Club member, took home a blue ribbon in the male 13-inch category.  Readers may recall that his dog, Copper City Eaton Stew, also took the blue ribbon in 2022.  This year Ralph also placed a dog 3rd in this class and a 3rd place in the male 15-inch class as well.  Quite an accomplishment indeed when you consider the stiff competition.

Female 13-inch first place went to co-owners Robert and Robbie Kane.  She was handled by dad/grandfather Bob Kane (a club member).

 

15-inch male first place went to Justin Dean (past member).  The dog was handled by Mike Smith.

 

15”-inch female first place went to Philip Milici of Rochester, NY.

 

Also placing dogs on the podium was Chris Wilser.  He placed dogs third and fourth in the 15-inch female class.

Spring Fishing Derbies

The City of Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Department, the Onota Fishing Club and Lyon Aviation are sponsoring a Wild Acres Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 20 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.  The derby is exclusively for local children 14 years of age and under. The parking lot is located on South Mountain Road, and the accessible trail from the parking lot to the pond is open. Bait will be provided. The first 100 children will receive a free food voucher (food will be available for purchase from Ozzies Steak & Eggs).

Trophies, which will be awarded at noon, will be for those who catch the largest fish (length and weight).

For more information, contact the City of Pittsfield Recreation Program Phone: 413-499-9371, www.cityofpittsfield.org, or Parks @cityofpittsfield.org.

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is sponsoring its annual Spring Fishing Derby on Sunday, May 21 at the Stockbridge Bowl Boat Ramp.  It will run from dawn until 1:00 pm (note new ending time).  Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to the lucky anglers who catch the heaviest trout or salmon, pickerel, bass and bullhead.  There will be free lures for all kids 12 and under.  The pre-registration fee is $10.00 and post-registration is $15.00.

Food and drinks will be available.

Tickets are available at:  Minkler Insurance Agency at 31 Main Street, Stockbridge or (w) 413-644-3590, (h) 413-298-4630 or contact any club member.  Official rules may be picked up at the boat ramp.

Youth turkey hunters

 

Last week I covered the story of two local youth turkey hunters and their luck at bagging two turkeys each on the Youth Turkey Hunt Day.  Hunter Lawson’s picture was included in the column but not Matt Melito’s.  This week, I am including a picture of 17-year-old Matthew with his two birds.

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

MassWildlife encourages you to take mom fishing tomorrow.  Here are some of their suggestions:

  • Pick the perfect place. State parks are a great option. They often offer extra amenities like picnic tables, grills, walking trails, and bathrooms.
  • Get your gear ready. Pack everything the day before, (sunscreen, bug spray, mom’s favorite snacks, etc.). Let mom relax.
  • Buy her fishing license as a gift.  Remember, licenses are valid through the end of the year.
  • Take lots of pictures!  Especially when mom is reeling in her catch.
  •  Plan extra activities. Keep everyone entertained by adding a nature walk, bringing toys, binoculars, etc.
  • Prepare a meal. If someone reels in a keeper, bring it home to make a nice meal for mom.

Remember, time on the water with mom doesn’t have to just last one day.