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Shotgun deer, bear seasons open Monday

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Shotgun deer hunting season starts on Monday and it runs until December 10, (excluding Sundays).  Two bucks can be harvested and if hunters are fortunate to have valid antlerless deer permits (doe permits) they can also take a doe.  Remember, the buck antlers must be at least 3 inches long.

picture provided by MassWildliife

According to the Massachusetts hunting abstracts, deer hunters may take and possess up to two deer in a day before reporting/checking them in.  Once those deer are reported, the hunter may resume deer hunting on the same day.

All hunters must wear 500 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, back and head.  If using a blind during the season or on a Wildlife Management Area with blaze orange requirements, all deer hunters must wear the required amount of orange while in the blind.  MassWildlife recommends that blaze orange be visible on the outside of the blind, too.

 MassWildlife will be working biological deer check stations during the first week of the Shotgun Season. All deer harvested during that week must be taken to a physical check station so biologists can collect data used in the deer management program. After that week, deer can be checked on-line. A map of Check Stations can be found at:  https://www.mass.gov/info details/massachusetts-check-station-map.

The following Western District stations will open during the first week of shotgun:

Ernie’s Auto Sales – Mon-Sat 10-6

MassWildlife HQ – Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 10-6

Lee Sportsman’s Club – Mon-Sat 10-6

Mill River General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel – Mon-Sat 10-6

B&D Variety – Mon-Sat 10-6

Goshen General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

 

Well, here comes another sleepless Sunday night in anticipation of opening day.  If you are like me, memories of past opening days will be relived as we toss and turn all night. One such memory I will never forget occurred sometime in the 1980’s or 1990’s. It was the first year that regulations were implemented addressing the transport of our hunting guns while traveling.  They had to be unloaded and in an enclosed case.    I believe the case had to be locked.

 

Opening day arrived and I was up at 4:00 am and arrived at a parking area on Beartown Mountain around 5:00 am.  Good!  No one was there ahead of me and I could hike up the mountain to get to my favorite hunting stand.  There I could wait for the other hunters to start hiking the mountain and perhaps scare a deer or two which hopefully would run in my direction.

 

After getting into my hunting coat and backpack, the only thing remaining was my shotgun.  Then a terrible event occurred.  That was when I learned that I had forgotten the key to my locked gun case!

 

Back home I went to find the key.  As you may suspect, I was not a happy camper.    I cursed the new regulation and the people who implemented it.

 

Once home, I still could not find the gun case key and after rummaging around the house, I had to take a different shotgun in a different case.

 

By the time I arrived back at the parking space, it was around 7:30 am and there were several cars and trucks parked there. On the way up the mountain, I could see the tracks of other hunters who had already gone up and I could hear gunshots coming from the area in which I had hoped to be.

 

I didn’t get a deer that day or the following days.  I was grumpy all week. Perhaps I couldn’t see any deer because I was still seeing red.

 

Bear Season: The Second Hunting Season for Black Bear ends this weekend.  However; the Shotgun Black Bear hunting season starts on Monday and it also runs until December 10.  Shotguns may be used, none larger than 10 gauge. Only slugs are allowed and the use of buckshot is prohibited.  Archery as well as muzzleloader implements may be used. Hunters must wear blaze orange during this season, too.

picture provided by MassWildlife

 

Good luck!  Here’s hoping you have a happy and safe hunting season.

 

Nearly $500,000 in grants to support habitat management across the Commonwealth

 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced recently it had awarded $483,922 in state grant funds to thirteen organizations and municipalities to improve wildlife habitat on 514 acres of land within the Commonwealth. Now in its ninth year, the MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP), which is overseen by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW), provides financial assistance to private and municipal landowners of conserved lands to improve and manage habitat for wildlife.

 

“The MHMGP is critical to the success of ongoing habitat management projects on state-managed lands and ensures a multipronged strategy to improve a variety of Massachusetts’ habitats,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Public and private investment in habitat management is critical for promoting ecological resiliency and diversity, and we are thrilled to work with this year’s grant recipients as they commit to improving wildlife habitat.”

While MassWildlife and other conservation organizations have made unprecedented investments in land acquisition within Massachusetts, land protection alone is not enough to guarantee the persistence of the Commonwealth’s diverse wildlife. Investment in habitat restoration and management is needed on public and private lands across the state. To address this need, the Baker-Polito Administration has substantially increased investment in habitat management on state wildlife lands and is committed to working with partners to promote these efforts on other conserved lands across the state. The MHMGP program encourages landowners to engage in active habitat management on their properties to benefit wildlife.

“Most forests and other wildlife habitats in Massachusetts are not state-owned, and we rely on conservation organizations, cities and towns, private landowners, and other partners to help us manage habitat to benefit all wildlife,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “This program provides us with the opportunity to expand our habitat management footprint, directly benefiting wildlife, the sporting community, and other people who enjoy outdoor recreation.”

“MassWildlife restores and manages habitats to help conserve the great diversity of wildlife and plants found in the Commonwealth,” said Mark Tisa, MassWildlife Director. “In addition to MassWildlife’s habitat management activities, these funded projects will improve declining habitats that provide homes for our most vulnerable wildlife, while also enhancing everyone’s ability to connect with nature.”

Of the thirteen projects, two local organizations will receive MHM grants.  They are:

  • Great Barrington – The Berkshire Natural Resources Council has been awarded $33,875 to control invasive species in the Housatonic River watershed.
  • Stockbridge – Stockbridge Bowl Association has been awarded $11,885 to conduct hardy kiwi invasive species control at Bullard’s Woods.

“Our natural resources are one of the most prized possessions we have here in the Berkshires,” said State Representative Smitty Pignatelli. “I am grateful to the Baker-Polito administration’s continued investment in our outdoor spaces, and I look forward to seeing the great work that the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Stockbridge Bowl Association do with this round of MHMGP funding.”

For more information regarding MassWildlife Habitat Management Grants, visit the program’s webpage.

Gun safety course

Pete’s Gun Shop is holding an NRA & Massachusetts State Police Certified LTC Safety Course on December 4. This will be a one day all inclusive, live fire class at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club starting at 9 AM.

A non- refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat at the time of registration. They do accept credit cards in person at the gun shop or by phone.

This is a class where they spend time at the range and you get to shoot. You are also given an NRA Basic Pistol Safety textbook which is included in the class cost.

This qualifies MA residents and non-residents alike for the MA License To Carry or FID Card.  They also give you a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop in appreciation for taking the course. The cost is $100 and covers use of our range firearms, ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, and the NRA Safety Textbook. They ask that interested parties pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited. This live fire course fills up very quickly so call or stop in early to pre-register.

Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide

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MassWildlife holds a special three-day deer hunting season for paraplegic hunters. Staff and volunteers place hunters in safe areas at several hunt locations in the state. When a hunter shoots a deer, volunteers assist the hunter by retrieving the deer, field dressing it, and getting it checked in on site.

 

Each year, about 25–30 paraplegic hunters sign up for the special hunt. For many of these people, it’s the only opportunity they have to hunt. The hunt is typically held at 5 sites:

  • The Northern Berkshires
  • The Southern Berkshires
  • The Quabbin Reservation
  • Devens Reserve Forces Training Area in Lancaster
  • Otis/Edwards Military Reservation in Falmouth

Many hunters are able to see deer and several get the opportunity to harvest a deer.

The dates of the 3-day hunt this year were November 3 to 5.  Statewide this year some 14 hunters participated, (2 at the Northern Berkshires site, 4 at the Southern Berkshires site, 3 at Quabbin, 2 at Fort Devens, and 3 at Joint Base Cape Cod).

Two of those hunters (Mark Tartaglia who hunted in the Southern Berkshires, and Ricky Dyer who hunted at Quabbin) were new to the program this year.

 

A total of 4 deer were harvested here in the Berkshires, 3 at the Southern and 1 at the Northern Berkshire sites.  The others were harvested at the Joint Base Cape Cod.

 

In the Northern Berkshires, hunters Shawn Mei of Baldwinville, MA and Dale Bailey of Clarksburg, MA participated.  Dale Bailey harvested an 8-point buck.

Dale Bailey. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

In the Southern Berkshires, hunters Mark Tartaglia of Barkhamsted, CT, Dan Massaconi of Cheshire, MA, Vyto Sablevicius of Norwood, MA and Sidney Eichstedt of Lee, MA participated.  Sid Eichstedt harvested a doe, and the new guy, Mark Tartaglia, harvested a 6-point buck and a doe.

 

You will note that Mark Tartaglia was from CT. According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, MA and CT have a Memorandum of Understanding that paraplegic hunters in each state are eligible for a complementary license in the other state.

Mark Tartaglia. Picture provide by MassWildlife

 

In the Joint Base Cape Cod, Steven Davis harvested a buck and a doe and red Baker harvested a buck.

 

According to MassWildlife Biologist Susan McCarthy, deer were seen by all participants and feedback was positive from all.

 

But this story is not all about the hunters and their harvests.  There are three other components which must occur to make the hunt a success.  The second component is the volunteering.  Statewide there were 23 volunteers assisting in helping the physically challenged hunters get to ideal hunting spots and who helped them by retrieving the deer, field dressing them, and getting them checked in on site.  In some cases, the volunteers brought the hunters to a central point at lunchtime and provided them with a warm, home cooked meal.

Volunteers and hunters in southern Berkshires. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

Southern Berkshire volunteers and their years of involvement: Fred Lampro – 13yrs

Wendy Lampro – 13yrs, Mark Portieri – 33yrs, Shaun Smith – 48yrs, Al Vincent – 47yrs, Thomas Dean – 11yrs, Greg Arienti – 27yrs, Casey Green –1yr, Dru Paspuletti – 1yr, Matt Roche (DCR) – 15yrs, Paul Mullins – 27yrs and Christel Massaconi –2yrs.  Sadly, this year they missed the late Guy Morin, who passed away this year. He was a volunteer for many years.  One of his great pleasures was assisting paraplegic hunters during the annual deer hunt.

 

Northern Berkshire volunteers were Rick French, Stacy Sylvester, Jay Sylvester, Jim Guiden, Tony Mei, Doug McLain and Joe Benoni.  Sorry I don’t have the number of years that they have been volunteers, but some have been helping for many years, such as Rick French and Stacy Sylvester.

 

The third component is the assistance provided by the Western District of MassWildlife staff including Ray Bressette, Heather Sadler and Jacob Morris-Siegel covering the Northern site and Andrew Madden and Nate Buckhout covering the southern site. Also let’s not forget Dan White from DCR and Nick Stone from the MEP.  According to McCarthy, total statewide, there were 13 MassWildlife employees, 2 MA Environmental Police Officers, 8 DCR staff members, 7 private landowners, and 23 volunteers totaling 52 individuals aside from hunters and their family members.

Most importantly, let’s not forget the folks at the MassWildlife Main Headquarters in Westborough, MA (the fourth component) who supported and supervised this annual hunt. They also spent a considerable amount of time and effort obtaining and providing most of the information included in this article, as did Andrew Madden.  They pushed the credit onto others saying: “As always, this hunt would not be possible without our fantastic network of MassWildlife and DCR staff, private landowners in the Berkshires, and our amazing volunteers.”

Without Sue’s, Andrew’s, and other’s help, the information in this column simply could not be obtained.  Thank you.

Incidentally, paraplegic sportsmen and women interested in taking part in the hunt next year should contact Susan McCarthy at (508) 389-6326.

Get out hunting, fishing and hiking.  Its good for our economy

On November 9, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account Report, showcasing the 2021 economic impact data for the outdoor recreation industry. According to the report, the outdoor recreation industry generated $862 billion in economic output in 2021. This led to the creation of 4.5 million jobs which equals 3 percent of all workers in the United States. The total economic output value is 1.9 percent of the nation’s total GDP.

 

According to the American Sportfishing Association, (ASA) the outdoor recreation industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy is greater than the amount contributed by other notable industries such as oil and gas extraction, mining, agriculture, and computers and electronics.

 

The outdoor recreation industry is also ahead of the country in overall economic growth, as it saw an increase of 18.9 percent from 2020 to 2021 compared to just a 5.9 percent increase in the overall U.S. economy. The industry also saw a 13.1 percent increase in job growth from 2020 to 2021, equal to 3.1 percent of the country’s total job growth.

 

Among the various segments of outdoor recreation, boating and fishing contributed $50.4 billion in economic output (per ASA Calculations). This makes fishing and boating the largest economic driver among conventional outdoor recreation activities.

 

“The economic impact of our industry is also an indicator of how important it is for Americans to have access to clean waters and abundant fisheries. ASA will continue our work with Congress, federal agencies and at the state level to ensure that outdoor participation continues to grow.”

“The growth our industry saw in 2021 indicates that outdoor recreation remains a top priority for all Americans in terms of time and dollars spent. Outdoor recreation will continue to have a huge impact on our nation even in the face of overall economic uncertainty. ASA is committed to promoting participation in outdoor recreation and getting more Americans outside and on the water.”

 

Tree stands can be dangerous

 

In my October column, I mentioned that “Archery season can be dangerous as many hunters hunt out of tree stands. Almost every year we read about someone falling out of a stand and getting seriously injured or killed. Bow hunters should bone up on safe procedures in climbing to and getting into the tree stand.”

 

Well, it almost happened recently in Sudbury, MA.  A hunter was rescued after officials found him dangling upside down from a tree. Sudbury police officers say a hunter called 911 the morning of Thursday, Nov. 10, to report a tree stand malfunction in the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge that left him stuck in a tree. Using the phone coordinates from the 911 call, police and fire personnel used their drone unit and utility vehicle to locate the stranded man, a news release from the department said.  After about 15 minutes, officials located the hunter. He was suspended about three to four feet in the air. Officials say the hunter was uninjured and brought down from the tree safely.

 

Reminder to tree stand hunters:  Be careful up there and don’t forget to bring your cell phones.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Youths report on their experiences at the MJCC

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Earlier this year the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) voted to send two youths to the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp (MJCC) at the Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. The MJCC is a two-week overnight summer camp for girls and boys ages 13 -17.

Conservation subjects taught include Fish & Pond Life, Forestry, Soil Conservation, and Wildlife Management. Outdoor skills taught include Archery, Basic Camping, Fly & Spin Casting, Orienteering, Riflery and Shotgun. These courses are taught by certified instructors in their respective fields. Additional MJCC curriculum includes the Massachusetts Hunter Education Program and Small Boat Safety, which may require online learning prior to camp attendance. All sections of these courses must be completed, and attendance for the entire camp session is required in order to earn certificates.

The camp this year had 98 youngsters, 23 girls and 75 boys.  The BCLS wanted to send one girl and one boy but no girls were entered. The League sent two boys instead.  It gladly coughed up the $2,200 from its meager treasury to send them ($1,100 each) with the stipulation that they come to a League meeting afterward and tell the delegates of their experiences there.  The two boys were 15year-old Liam MacNeil and 14 year-old Tatum Oates.

 

They gave talks on their experiences there.  Liam said this camp was “one of his best experiences. Being at this camp, I was with many kids my own age who enjoy and appreciate all the outdoor sporting activities.”  He brought trophies that he won for placing 2nd in the camp for rifle shooting and he caught the 3rd largest bass.  Considering he competed against a possible total of 98 anglers, he didn’t do too badly.

 

He took classes that included forestry, rifle shooting, shotgun, black powder, map and compass and air rifle.  He chose fishing and blacksmithing as his elective weekend activities.  He caught a 14-inch rainbow trout out of the Westfield River on a fly that he tied.  He couldn’t thank the League enough for choosing him to attend “this awesome camp.”  “Your continuous support of kids like me helps grow the outdoor community.  I will always remember this experience for the rest of my life.”

 

Tatum thanked the League for choosing him to go to the camp and he also had a wonderful time.  He told of all the classes that he took; map and compass, rifling, black powder and archery.  For his elective he chose fishing and black powder. He caught the 4th largest bass. “They taught me first aid, how to properly track a deer, gut a fish and deer, stuff about bird dogs, how to hunt a turkey, build a shelter, start a fire and find food in the wilderness.”

 

MA Fish and Wildlife Board Chairman Steve Sears was at that meeting and he reported that the MA Outdoor Heritage Foundation agreed to provide new compound bows for the camp.

Outdoor violators, beware!

 

In my June 19, 2021 column, I did an article about a bill filed that would enter Massachusetts into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a network that seeks to reduce wildlife poaching through information sharing across state lines and reciprocal recognition of license suspensions and revocations for fishing, hunting, and trapping.  This legislation would update the Commonwealth’s outdated penalties for illegal hunting, some of which have not been updated in a century and currently amount to little more than a slap on the wrist.

 

Simply put membership protects wildlife, supports law-abiding hunters and anglers, and provides the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) additional resources to combat poachers and other wildlife criminals.

 

It similarly updates fines and license suspensions for other violations unchanged since the 1930s.  For context, a fine of $50 in the 1930s would, keeping up with inflation, be about $800 today. The (proposed) updates are more modest.”

 

At the November meeting of the BCLS, Lt. Kara Carlow of the MEP reported that in August, 2022, Governor Baker signed a bill authorizing Massachusetts Fish & Game Commissioner Ron Amidon to join that Compact.  It was scheduled to go into effect in early November of this year.  From now on, if you break the law and lose your license in MA, it will be reciprocated in every other state and vice versa.  Also, fines will be increased, doubled in some cases. It would allow for the suspension of licenses for up to three years for a first offense and up to 10 years for a third offense.

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program funds a variety of conservation projects in Massachusetts. To remain eligible for these grants, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs must submit a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every five years. Input from the survey will be included in the next SCORP and will help determine how LWCF funding will be distributed over the next five years. The Survey is available at https://www.mass.gov/news/outdoor-users-let-your-voice-be-heard.

 

Since the program was established in 1965, more than $100,000,000 has been awarded to projects in every county in the state for the acquisition of conservation and park land, development of new parks, or renovation of existing parks. If you have questions or comments related to the survey, email SCORP.2022@mass.gov.

I know for a fact that the Berkshires has previously benefitted from this Fund. I’ll write about it in a future article.

Incidentally, there is another survey going on.   A group of random anglers were recently invited by MassWildlife to take a Freshwater Fishing Survey. The Survey invitation comes via email and uses the Novi software system.

 

BCLS officers chosen

 

That same evening, the League delegates elected the officers for the upcoming year.  All were re-elected to their previous positions.  Wayne McLain of the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club was reelected President.  Bob McCarthy also from the EMSC was reelected VP, Dan Kruszyna of the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club was reelected Treasurer and this scribe, representing the Berkshire Beagle Club, was reelected Secretary.

 

Taconic Chapter of TU elections

 

The officers of Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited were elected at its annual meeting which was held on October 27.  The officers are: President – Justin Adkins of Williamstown, VP Henry Sweren of Lanesboro, Secretary – Fran Marzotto of Pittsfield and Treasurer -Bruce Collingwood of Pittsfield.

 

Talk to be given on regional wildlife corridor

 

Laura Marx, a Climate Solutions Scientist from The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, will speak at the Berkshire Environmental Action Team’s (BEAT) November Pittsfield Green Drinks event on Tuesday, November 15, at 6:00 PM via Zoom. She’ll be talking about The Staying Connected Initiative and the cross-border effort to protect and connect wildlife habitat across the Canadian Acadian Mountains and the Northern Appalachian Mountains of New England.

Since 2013, various partners in Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and Connecticut have been working on a portion of this regional wildlife corridor called the Green Mountains to Hudson Highlands (or Berkshire Wildlife Linkage.) You are welcomed to join Laura Marx to hear about some of the recent work this group has done; how it has built upon data gathered by wildlife trackers, culvert surveyors, and GIS gurus; and how they continue to protect land and improve wildlife and water passage under roads in the Berkshires and beyond.

Marx leads the chapter’s work on natural climate solutions – better management and protection of forests, wetlands, and farms to reduce and remove carbon emissions. As part of her work on how forests are impacted by – and can help fight – climate change, Laura leads the Regional Conservation Partnership and works to improve state policies relating to land conservation and forest management. Laura has a PhD in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University and can be contacted at lmarx@tnc.org.

Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. You are encouraged to bring your curiosity and questions.

This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to join. You can register at: tinyurl.com/Nov2022-Green-Drinks

Pittsfield Green Drinks is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). For more information (and photos) regarding Pittsfield Green Drinks, contact Chelsey Simmons, chelsey@thebeatnews.org,  (413) 464-9402.

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Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters

The Massachusetts Youth Pheasant Hunt Program was developed by MassWildlife to provide an opportunity for Hunter Education graduates aged 12 to 17 to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt under the guidance of an experienced adult hunter.

Picture provided by Cheshire Rod & Gun Club

The program is divided into multiple parts:

  • Seminar and Range Practice: Participants get hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals and firearm safety, learn upland hunting basics, and focus on how to have a safe and fun hunt.
  • Pheasant Hunt: Participants get to experience a real pheasant hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter on 1 of the 6 Saturdays prior to the regular pheasant season.

 

Several sporting clubs across the state offer the Youth Pheasant Hunt Program which includes a seminar and a mentored hunt. You do not need to be a member of the club to participate in the seminar or the hunt. All participants must complete the seminar before the day of the hunt.

Registration is now closed for the 2022 youth pheasant program, but you might consider entering your youths into this program next year.

 

Requirements:

  • Be between the ages of 12 to 17
  • Have graduated from a Basic Hunter Education course (in any state) before the day of the hunt
  • Participants 15 to 17 years of age must have a hunting license, a pheasant/quail permit and a Firearms Identification Card (FID). Note: A FID card is only required if using a shotgun.

According to Astrid Huseby, DFW Coordinator of the Youth Pheasant Program, some 60 students were registered for the program from 6 clubs statewide. The participating club in our area was the Lee Sportsmen’s Association which had 7 participants.  The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club ran its own program and had 3 youths participating.

According to Karen Kruszyna, Cheshire Rod & Gun Club spokesperson, the three boys who participated there were Wyatt Bellows, Jacob Trudeau and Tim Morgan, Jr.  They were treated to a pancake breakfast, safety talk/hunting plan and then out they went hunting.

They had a great time pheasant hunting behind the bird dog Beau which is owned by Rick Moffett, and as the picture shows they had great success.

Sorry, details of the Lee Sportsmen’s Association were not made available in time for this column.

I’ll bet that picture congers up wonderful memories to older upland game hunters, for one never forgets the experience of their first pheasant hunt.

Second Bear Hunting Season

The second bear hunting season opens on Monday, November 7 and runs until November 26.  The hunting implements that are allowed are rifles, muzzleloaders and archery.  No revolvers or shotguns are allowed.

This past September’s bear hunting season ended with a harvest of approximately 153 bears. This was substantially more than last year’s 112 and is on track for a good year for bear hunters.

New DFW Western District staff member hired

 

Colby Kellogg-Youndt was recently hired as a Wildlife Technician in the Western District. Colby is originally from upstate New York but is now living in Pittsfield. She is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and brings excellent experience from previous biological technician positions, including her most recent work with shorebirds on Cape Cod. Colby will be stocking fish and pheasants, maintaining Wildlife Management Areas, working check stations, collecting biological data, and providing field support for all MassWildlife programs. “The District is excited to add Colby to our excellent crew.” said District Supervisor Andrew Madden.

District Biologists and particularly District Technicians provide most of the on-the-ground conservation service that benefit hunters, anglers, and the general public.

 

Trout Spawning under way

 

MassWildlife stocked over 63,000 trout into Massachusetts waterbodies this fall. While fall stocking has concluded, hatchery staff are hard at work preparing fish for the year ahead.

 

Have you ever wondered from where all these trout come from?  Well, MassWildlife operates five fish hatcheries in the state, located in Sandwich, Belchertown, Montague, Sunderland, and Palmer. Each fall, hatchery staff manually spawn trout at Palmer and Sandwich hatcheries to produce more than 1.5 million fertile brook trout, brown trout, and tiger trout eggs.

Eggs from the female and milt from the male are combined, then water is added to activate the sperm. Spawning happens when hatchery staff carefully mix trout eggs and milt together. The process begins when eggs are gently squeezed from a female and collected in a bowl. Milt from a male is then squeezed into the same bowl and a small amount of water is added to activate the sperm. Male and female fish are quickly returned to the water to minimize stress.

 

The mixture is gently stirred to encourage fertilization. The eggs are placed in a bath containing a mixture of water and a special buffered iodine-based disinfectant. This process reduces the risk of disease and allows the eggs to absorb water and become fully formed and firm, a process called water hardening. The water-hardened eggs are then counted and placed in incubation troughs where they remain until they hatch. These million and a half eggs, coupled with rainbow trout eggs obtained through a cooperative program with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will be reared at MassWildlife’s five hatcheries.

 

After incubating for about two months, the eggs hatch into fry. When they are about two inches long, the fry are moved from the indoor “hatch house” to outdoor rearing pools. The fish grow in these pools for 1.5–2.5 years until they reach stocking size. Depending on the species, trout are stocked when they are between 12–14 inches long.

 

Trout are stocked in hundreds of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds throughout the Commonwealth every spring and fall.

 

Free Stream Smart Training

The Berkshire Clean, Cold, and Connected Partnership is hosting a workshop on how to implement Stream Smart Culvert Replacements to help conservation commissions, nonprofits, highways, and towns with navigating culvert replacements to ensure they are fish-friendly and flood resilient.

 

You are encouraged to join Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to learn how to design, permit, build, and finance culvert replacement projects that address flood resilience and Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP).  Presentations will be targeting projects in the Housatonic, Hoosic, and Farmington watersheds that are within Berkshire County. Presentations include:

 

  • Stream Geomorphology Demo with Billie Li and Alison Dixon from Housatonic Valley Association
  • Field Reconnaissance and Location Prioritization with Erin Rogers from Trout Unlimited
  • How to Create Stream Smart Crossings with Carrie Banks from Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration
  • Legal Requirements for MassDOT Chapter 85 review and Conservation Commission Notices of Intent with Scott Jackson from University of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation, and Mark Devylder from Mass DOT
  • Funding Opportunities with Holden Sparacino from Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Carrieanne Petrik from Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

 

Support for this training provided by the Massachusetts Natural Resources Damages Fund and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration.

 

The free workshop will be held at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in the Koussevitsky Arts Center on Thursday, December 1, from 7:45 AM – 12:15 PM. Participant space is limited, and pre-registration is necessary. (413) 298-7024.

 

Results of Berkshire Beagle Club field trial

 

According to club spokesman, Jeff St John, there were 95 total entries at the Jack Silvernail Memorial Field Trial which was held at the Berkshire Beagle Club last weekend.  Some 37 registered on Saturday and 58 on Sunday.

Picture provided by Berkshire Beagle Club

 

The winners on Saturday were: 13-inch males – Larry Mazza, of Warren, MA .and

15-inch males – Zinny Swanson of Brattleboro, VT (who is a club member).

 

The winners on Sunday were:  13-inch Females – Michael Hebert, Michael Santos of Fairhaven, MA and 15-inch Females – Scott John Howard Harrington of Cambridge, NY.

 

Next best qualifier honor went to Bubba Allen of Hadley, NY.

 

Congratulations to all.

 

Veterans Day

If you know or happen to see any veterans next week, you might want to give them a fist bump to show your appreciation of the sacrifices they made for our country.  Let them know that you do not consider them “losers” or “stupid” as a former US President once called them.

MA DFW Deer & Moose Project Leader Martin Feehan gives talk about deer management

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At the October meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, MA DFW Deer and Moose Project Leader Martin Feehan gave a presentation about deer management.

He started by saying, “There have been 0 non-hunters killed due to hunting in Massachusetts and there have been 0 non-hunters injured in Massachusetts from archery hunting.”

Feehan reported that he and other staff continue to work with communities to open more private and municipal lands for hunting, particularly of deer. He noted that the Town of Harvard Conservation Commission has doubled the number of properties open to hunting and that the Town of Brewster approved a 3-week December archery season in the Punkhorn area, as two examples of recent fruits of those efforts

In-person biological deer check resumed in 2012, where staff collects information used for modeling the abundance of deer in each Wildlife Management Zone (WMZ). He stated that MassWildlife uses a Downing Reconstruction Model for harvest-based abundance estimates, noting that this method does not sample areas closed to hunting.

He discussed deer density estimates in each WMZ.  He noted that some zones, including zones 2, 4N, and 4S (our area), are maintaining densities well within the Board-approved statewide goal of 12-18 deer per square mile. But data from the other western zones –Zones 1 and 3 – are indicating that densities there are rising and are now slightly above the statewide goal.

picture taken and provided by Mark Thorne

He noted that a similar analysis for Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 showed that 5 through 8 are relatively stable, while Zone 9 is becoming increasingly similar to Zones 10 and 11, which are above the statewide goal with high densities and showing persistent growth. Zone 12 is still relatively stable but increasing in density, and in zones 13-14, where densities are very high, the harvest is actually declining.

Feehan outlined a proposal to the F&W Board’s consideration to unify the archery deer season statewide by extending the archery season 2 weeks earlier in zones 1 through 9 to match that already established in zones 10 through 14, with the change to begin with the 2023 season. He explained that this proposed change simplifies the regulations, the seasons, and enforcement; would allow hunters to spread out their effort and therefore creates more hunting opportunity; and addresses feedback staff receives from many archery hunters wanting more hunting opportunities.  He also proposed removing the season harvest cap in Zones 10, 11, 13 and 14.

He reported that the previously extended season in zones 10 through 14 did not increase the harvest beyond the established trajectory but rather redistributed the harvest based on hunter preference and was very popular with archery hunters who don’t want the season to overlap with the pheasant season.

He then discussed the following emerging issues

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD – So far, they have never had a case.  EHD is a disease that is spread by midges that infect deer.  In the northern portions of its range, it usually is about 95% fatal for deer, which don’t have any resistance.  From the time they show clinical signs, they usually die in 3-5 days.  It takes them about a week to show clinical signs from the time that they are bit.

EHD has historically been constrained to southern states where they have evolved resistance and there is about a 50% mortality there.  As our winters have become milder, it allows the midges to get further north. New York had its very first outbreak in 2012 and since then they have had 5 outbreaks this year.  Last year there was a really bad outbreak, by far the most extensive., It ended up in more than 30 counties.   Last year Vermont had its very first outbreak, and a second outbreak occurred in Connecticut.  This year it is significantly smaller than last year, but they are seeing a continual northern spread around us.  New Hampshire had its very first case about a month ago, Vermont had its second outbreak and Connecticut its third.

In NY they confirmed a little over 3,000 cases.  In CT they are now about a dozen cases this year and VT had a similar situation. There is a surveillance issue with EHD because essentially, they don’t really know how many deer are actually getting it unless one finds lots of the dead deer and that is difficult because deer die from different issues going on with the environment.

There are some very distinct traits and patterns of mortality when it comes to EHD.  In terms of live deer, they usually have faces with lots of swelling, ulcers around both the lips and nose, tongue and they will look feverish and very exhausted.  When they have EHD they become very dehydrated and congregate around water sources. There you usually see lots of mortality issues later in the summer when a lot of the waterways are dried up and you have deer congregated around them.  Also, midges congregate around waterways.

Sometimes it can also be behavior.  You may see times when deer will look confused.  One indicator is when they do tight circles which is a good indicator that the deer has been infected.

NY has their very first Blue Tongue case about a month ago.  Blue tongue and EHD are somewhat similar but they are spread in different ways.

If you have a deer that looks sickly, DFW always recommend not to put you and your family health at risk.  Make a decision that you are most comfortable with.  You can absolutely eat those deer, not a risk whatsoever.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) In the last 18 months there have been 3 new states and 2 new Canadian provinces found positive for CWD. Across the country there is vigilance to stop its spread. CWD is a disease that is always fatal after deer contract it.  It generally takes 1½ to 2 ½ years to get to the point where it is fatal. It is spread by a prion (misshapen protein) that spreads from deer to deer via contact with the environment.  Most cases came from deer farms and then spread to the wild deer population. Currently the only place where it is active is Pennsylvania.  NY is considered a CWD positive state because once prions are in the environment, it can’t be eliminated.

Massachusetts has joined a regional program called SOP4CWD (Surveillance Optimization Project for Chronic Wasting Disease), a collaborative international effort to develop quantitative tools and software to aid state and provincial wildlife agencies responding to CWD. The project is led jointly by the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab at Cornell University and the Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center at Michigan State University.  It is a program which makes it able to predict the areas that are most likely to get CWD as well as to develop efficient surveillance techniques and programs based on input and the resources of each individual state.

DFW is planning to disseminate a survey to hunters in coordination with the USGS’s Cooperative Unit at UMass/Amherst, to measure baseline knowledge about CWD and about misinformation that might be circulating. This will allow staff to develop an effective communication plan to improve knowledge about CWD and guide future management.

SARS Covid.  Last year DFW participated in a national effort with USDA Covid Services.  They are working in target states across the country.  MA DFW actually were able to be the very first state in the country to actually fill its sampling requirement last year of 500 deer.  They sampled 558 deer within the state.  All samples were taken during the first week of shotgun season, when lots of deer were being checked in.

Some 86 deer tested positive.  Two random samples were taken from deer that were tested with positive antibodies and those studies were sent to the national veterinarian laboratories. Both of their samples ended up testing positive for live virus with the delta variant.  There have been very limited delta cases that confirmed human/deer transmission across the entire continent.  That’s part of the reason they do all this testing because in that way they are able to track what variants are moving around in the deer population.

DFW will continue its surveillance program with the USDA this fall targeting 750 samples, equally distributed across the state, so that they can really get an idea of different statewide problems.

Good news for the Deerfield River brown trout

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Background:  Wild Brown Trout Spawning Studies conducted by the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited (DRWTU) volunteers, under the guidance of Dr. Michael Cole, of Cole Ecological, Inc. of Greenfield, in 2017, and Dr. Erin Rodgers, of Trout Unlimited, in 2018, documented that brown trout were successfully spawning in the upper Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.

But the studies also revealed that winter conditions were destroying many of the eggs during periods of minimum flow. The irrefutable results in these studies convinced MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that the damage to wild trout from Fife Brook’s winter flow regime needed to be addressed. Thank goodness, the DEP declined to authorize the Water Quality Certificate – mandated in the FERC re-licensing process – until this issue could be resolved.

The outcome was an Agreement negotiated between DRWTU (under the umbrella of Trout Unlimited, Inc), MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, MA Division of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species, Brookfield Renewable Power and MA DEP that will benefit the wild brown trout as well as other aquatic organisms in the river. It is noteworthy that DRWTU was the only non-governmental agency that signed-on to be an Intervenor in the process.

An Agreement with Brookfield Renewable Power Company will allow for increased minimum winter flows from their Fife Brook Dam and Bear Swamp Pump Storage Operations on the Deerfield River. The Agreement was approved by MA DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg on September 27. The Agreement is part of DEP’s Water Quality Certification process, which is directly tied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Re-Licensing of Brookfield’s Fife Brook Dam and Bear Swamp Pump Storage Operations. In late 2025 or early 2026, the winter minimum flow at Fife Brook Dam will increase from 125 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 225 cfs for the period from November 1 to April 15 every year going forward.

The Agreement also provides for a $125,000 fund, paid by Brookfield Power, for ecological projects on the Deerfield.

“This is a huge victory for the ecology of the river,” said Eric Halloran, president of the DRWTU. “We know from our spawning studies that the lack of water during minimum flows was killing off nearly 40 percent of the trout redds (nests) and eggs over the course of the winter. The eggs suffered as a result of being de-watered, exposed to the air, and frozen. The minor increase in river flow negotiated in this agreement will keep the eggs covered with water throughout the winter and allow more eggs to hatch in the spring. More trout will hatch and increase the number of wild fish in the river.”

Picture provided by Deerfield River Watershed TU

“Achieving Intervenor status gave us a seat at the table and a stronger bargaining position than we could ever have achieved by simply commenting on the outcome from the sidelines.” Halloran noted. “We’re incredibly pleased with this outcome and there were many years of hard work and countless hours of volunteer time that led to this moment.” Halloran specifically praised Springfield attorney Christopher Myhrum, who specializes in environmental law, for volunteering his services to lead the negotiation effort. Halloran also thanked former DRWTU President and Vice-President Kevin Parsons, Esq., and Christopher Jackson, a veteran fishing guide on the Deerfield, for pushing DRWTU’s agenda in the re-licensing process for 10 years.

DRWTU hopes that this historic achievement will be a crucial step in creating the Commonwealth’s first Wild Trout Management Area, where an improved ecosystem will allow fly fishers of today and tomorrow to appreciate a healthy population of wily, wild Brown Trout.”

Personally, I am particularly proud that our local chapter of TU (Taconic Chapter) helped in this effort by contributing funds and volunteer hours during this process. Well that they should, for many local anglers fly fish that river.  But the bulk of the work was conducted by the DRWTU volunteers.  Congratulations fellow anglers for the job well done. You have made Massachusetts’ premier trout river even better.

Time to bone up on our hunting laws

Now that many of the hunting seasons are open, hunters are (or should be) aware of the various regulations governing them.  Laws governing such subjects as daily harvest totals, hunting tags, the type of hunting tools allowed, hunter red requirements, etc. are generally known by hunters and are abided with in order to stay out of trouble with the law.

But tucked away in the abstracts are other not so obvious regulations which can also get you into trouble if violated. Let’s review some:

Tree Stands: Written permission of the landowner (on either public or private lands) is required to construct or use any tree stand which is fastened to a tree by nails, bolts, wire, or other fasteners that intrude through the bark into the wood of the tree, or that is fastened or erected in any manner and is emplaced for a period exceeding 30 days. This includes hang-on tree stands.

Landowner permission:  Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted on private land that is not posted against trespass; however, some towns have bylaws that require written permission. As a courtesy, ask the landowner for permission in advance. If you plan to use wildlife/trail cameras on private land, seek permission for that activity as well. Landowners with posted land may provide (written) permission for individuals to access their property. Written landowner permission is required to trap on posted land.

Hunters should check for relevant town bylaws pertaining to any written permission requirements and restrictions on discharge of firearms.

Landowner Liability: Landowners permitting use of their property for recreation without charging a fee are not liable for injuries to recreational users of the property except in cases of willful, wanton, or reckless conduct by the owner.

Careless and negligent use of firearms:   Fines of up to $500 and/or 6 months imprisonment and loss of license for 5 years.  In some cases, licenses could be revoked for one year in addition to other penalties; fines of up to $1,000, restitutions, and/or one year in jail.

Use of handguns:   Handguns are not allowed for deer hunting and may not be in your possession while deer hunting.

Animals tagged for research: Some bear, deer, coyotes, and other animals may have ear tags or radio collars. It is legal to harvest them. If you find or take one of these animals, contact MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters (508) 389-6300 immediately. You will be asked for information that will help biologists determine the source and status of these animals and you will be asked to return the equipment to MassWildlife.

Hunter harassment:  No person shall obstruct, interfere with or otherwise prevent the lawful taking of fish or wildlife by another at the locale where such activity is taking place. It shall be a violation for a person to intentionally (1) drive or disturb wildlife or fish for the purpose of interrupting a lawful taking; (2) block, follow, impede or otherwise harass another who is engaged in the lawful taking of fish or wildlife; (3) use natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory or physical stimulus to effect wildlife in order to hinder or prevent such taking; (4) erect barriers with the intent to deny ingress or egress to areas where the lawful taking of wildlife may occur; (5) interject himself into the line of fire; (6) effect the condition or placement of personal or public property intended for use in the taking of wildlife; or (7) enter or remain upon public lands, or upon private lands without the permission of the owner or his agent, with intent to violate this section.. A person who sustains damage as a result of any act which is in violation of this section may bring a civil action for punitive damages. Environmental protection officers and other law enforcement officers with arrest powers shall be authorized to enforce the provisions.

This section shall not apply to the owners of the lands or waters or tenants or other persons acting under the authority of such owners of the lands or waters.

Wanton Waste:  And, of course, there is the recently enacted Wanton Waste laws where it is unlawful for any person while hunting or trapping to waste an animal. Each retrieved animal shall be retained or transferred to another until processed or used for food, the pelt, feathers, or taxidermy.

It was a good year for MassWildlife/ Department of Fish & Game land acquisitions and conservation

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In his October report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that the MassWildlife/Division of Fish & Game land program was very successful once again in FY22 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022) completing 11 projects and protecting 937 acres. These projects were

completed using bond funds, Land Stamp funds, and cooperative partnerships with area Land Trusts.

The following is the full list of projects:

  • Soda Creek Wildlife Conservation Easement (WCE) in Sheffield  – 301 acres along Water Farm Road in cooperation with Berkshire Natural Resource Council.
  • Elizabeth Woods WCE – 86 acres along North Egremont Road in cooperation with Alford Land Trust
  • Karner Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) – 19 acres near Smiley Pond in Egremont in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy.
  • Misery Mountain WMA – 5 acres along Route 43 in Hancock abutting the existing WMA
  • Fox Den WMA – 26 acres of landlocked woods in Chester abutting the existing WMA on Smith/Patterson Road
  • Hinsdale Flats WMA – 15 acres along Washington Road abutting the existing WMA
  • Konkapot River Access – 8 acres along the Konkapot River in New Marlborough
  • Ram Hill WMA – 86 acres of oak woodlands along old Chesterfield Road in Chesterfield
  • Tower Brook WMA – 207 acres along Bronson/West Branch Brook in Chesterfield
  • Fox Den WMA – 10 acres abutting the existing WMA along Starkweather Road in Worthington
  • Jackson Swamp WCE – 175 Acres along Route 112 in Worthington in cooperation with Hilltown Land Trust

All these properties are open to hunting, fishing, and trapping.

All projects can be viewed on the MassWildlife Land Viewer https://www.mass.gov/howto/masswildlife–lands–viewer

Archery deer hunting and fall turkey hunting starts next week

Archery Season starts in Zones 1 – 9 on October 17 and runs until November 26.  A hunting or sporting license is required along with an Archery Stamp.  Two antlered deer may be taken annually with at least one antler 3 inches or larger.

Archery season can be dangerous as many hunters hunt out of tree stands. Almost every year we read about someone falling out of a stand and getting seriously injured or killed. Bow hunters should bone up on safe procedures in climbing to and getting into the tree stand.

Wild turkey hunting also opens on October 17 in Zones 1 – 9 and also runs until November 26.  A hunting or sporting license is required as well as a turkey permit and an official safety sticker.  The sticker must be placed on the gun in such a way that it must be visible when the hunter is sighting down the barrel.  One turkey of either sex may be taken during the fall season.

Good luck hunters and be careful.

Great Barrington approves a new ordinance to help curb problem bears.

Like other nearby towns Great Barrington is experiencing problems with bears looking for food in bird feeders, garbage pails and business dumpsters instead of in wild environs where they feed on wild apples, berries and other natural foods. Such close encounters with humans usually do not result in happy endings for the bears.

In an effort to reduce the numbers of bear/people encounters, the Board of Health voted unanimously last week on a bylaw that restricts such access. They enacted a new law making it illegal to feed wildlife, intentionally or not. Bears have been breaking into houses in recent years and health officials say it’s the unsecured restaurant trash bins, neighborhood trash and compost containing animal products or bones that put people at risk. The ordinance will seek to lessen conflicts that can result in a dead bear.  It’s time to crack down on people whose behavior draws wildlife to places they shouldn’t be. The new ordinance took effect immediately.

A first violation would involve a written warning with information and suggestions for securing food and other attractants. A second violation comes with a $50 fine; beyond that, fines rise to $200.  It doesn’t make bird feeders illegal, but if they are found to be the source of a problem, residents will be ticketed.

OLA (Old Lard Ass) seen resting before taking on an apple tree. Picture provided by Paul Knauth

According to MassWildlife’s Black Bear Biologist David Wattles, the new law doesn’t preclude the use of bird feeders. “However; some people hide behind this and claim that they are just feeding the birds. They have many bird feeders out in the backyard or they have trays of black oil sunflower seed. It is Waddles’ opinion that they’re clearly feeding other wildlife. When a bear finds food rummaging through garbage, it will return, Wattles said.

Great Barrington Conservation Agent, Shepard “Shep” Evans, said he is relieved the town will police human behavior he calls “inexcusable.”  “It really is important not to pervert the wildlife feeding world with thoughtless garden garbage and intentional feeding,” he said. A bear can grow habituated and lose its fear of humans.

When asked if there was any “push back” from the town residents or business owners, Evans was not aware of any.  The residents seem to agree with the Board of Health decision.

The town of Stockbridge put its ordinance on the books last year. Businesses with dumpsters were a major attractant and the ordinance enabled the police and town officials to encourage them to comply.  “It made a difference in resolving some of the issues where they were having bears walking down Main Street on a regular basis,” Wattles said.

MassWildlife’s stocking procedures are questioned.

Last week a reader called expressing disapproved with how trout are being released into our waters.  They simply throw the fish into the lakes out of pails or nets rather than bending down and releasing the fish more gently so that they can leisurely swim away.  It’s a reasonable question, in fact for a while, I questioned the procedure myself.  I learned that there is a reason.  I forwarded the question to DFW Western District supervisor Andrew Madden to give a more complete answer that I could.  It is as follows:

Proper handling of fish that are caught and released is an important part of fishing that all anglers should understand. When someone catches a fish that will be released, either by regulation or by choice, that fish is already acclimated to the water and so a slow and gentle release is often the best way (particularly with trout).

In contrast, our stocked trout are going from one environment (truck) to another (lake/river/stream). These environments have differences in temperature, oxygen, even water chemistry. Because of this, when fish are stocked into a river, stream, or lake they need to adjust physiologically. When we toss fish, it stimulates a response which causes them to swim more actively, move water over gills, find cooler water, and adjust more quickly. When fish are placed gently into the water along the shore they often lay in place, taking a longer time to adjust. MassWildlife staff have stocked millions of fish over the years and we have learned from experience that the tossing technique is generally the best approach.

 

Much better explanation that I could have given.  I believed it had something to do with the effects of the aerated stocking trucks affecting their air bladders and the rougher treatment is something like burping the baby.

 

Drivers, brake for moose and deer

Because fall is the breeding season for both moose and white-tailed deer, MassWildlife reminds motorists to be mindful of increased deer and moose activity, especially during early morning and evening hours. Moose, found in central and western parts of Massachusetts, breed in September and October. White-tailed deer breed from late October to early December.

Moose on the road are especially hazardous. The dark color and height of moose make them difficult to see in low light; moose eyes rarely shine like deer eyes because their eyes are above headlight level. In addition, long legs and heavy top bodies make moose very dangerous to motorists when struck. Observe road signs for moose and deer crossings and slow down. Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer because it may lead to more risk and damage than hitting the deer. Moose are less likely to move from the road than deer, so stay alert and brake when you see a moose in or near the road.

Deer and moose/vehicle collisions should be reported to the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

 

Small game, upland game and waterfowl hunting seasons are opening next week

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Time to oil up the pea shooter, check out the decoys, waterproof your boots, etc.  Monday, October 10 begins the hunting seasons for Regular Geese and Ducks in our area.  Its important that you check the waterfowl regulations for there is a myriad of regulations, including the use of non-toxic shot, HIP compliance, State and Federal permits required, kinds and numbers of ducks that can be harvested, etc. You are requested to report all banded bird information to www.reportband.gov. Don’t forget to wear your personal floatation vest if applicable.

Incidentally, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in domestic and wild birds in MA. Because common eiders were impacted by HPAI, hunters across the Atlantic flyway are being asked to voluntarily avoid shooting hens and young, brown eiders this season.

common eiders photo provided by MassWildlife

 

Next Saturday, October 15, the ringneck pheasant, ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and coyote seasons open statewide. Remember, this year there is a new pheasant/quail permit which is required for pheasant hunters.  It costs $4.00 this year.  As previously noted, it is imperative that you check and abide by the regulations covering these game species.

 

The woods are busy this time of year so be careful. Bring some tick protection spray along and, remember, no hunting on Sundays in Massachusetts.

Bear hunting season off to a good start

According to preliminary figures provided by MassWildlife some 153 black bears were harvested statewide in this year’s September bear hunting season.  That compares with 112 that were taken last year. According to DFW Western District Supervisor, Andrew Madden, it is a “solid number” for them and puts them on pace for a good overall season.

The second bear season opens on November 7 and runs to November 26

Lately, some bear hunters have expressed concern about shooting a bear that is collared.  Their concern is whether or not people should eat the meat that has been previously immobilized by a dart.  I took that question to David Wattles, DFW Black Bear & Furbearer Biologist and here is his response:

“It is perfectly safe to harvest and eat a bear that is ear tagged or collared. The ear tags enable us to identify the bear, so we can determine the last time it was handled. If we had a bear that was very recently handled and taken in the hunting season, we would notify the hunter not to consume it. That being said, it is safe to consume meat from a bear that has received immobilization drugs 15 days after handling. It is very common practice for bears to be immobilized, tagged, hunted, and eaten throughout the U.S. without negative results.”

 

“I should note” he wrote, “that we also make every effort not to handle bears during or shortly before hunting season. None of our collared bears have been handled since late June and the vast majority of them not since March or before. Our trapping season ends in early July and only bears relocated in emergency situations would have been handled since then. I believe there are at most only 2-3 in the whole state since July and all of those would be safe to consume by now.”

 

Tri-Club skeet shooting results

Bill Stanard, spokesman for the Sheffield Sportsmen’s Club, reported the results of the Tri-Club Skeet Shooting Tournament which took place last Sunday after two years of no tournament because of the covid 19 pandemic.  The Sheffield Sportsmen’s Club won.

 

The scores were:   Sheffield – 1,348, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club – 1,270 (second) and Lee Sportsmen’s Association – 1,258.  (third)

 

Ryan Shimmon was high scorer for Sheffield with scores of 45,46 and 49 out of 50 shots.

 

Fall trout stocking is underway

Children stocking trout, picture provided by MassWildlife

MassWildlife has begun its trout stockings here in the Western District.  As of October 3, they have stocked the following waters: Stockbridge Bowl, Onota Lake, Lake Buel, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, North Pond, Windsor Lake, Windsor Pond, Otis Reservoir, Richmond Pond and Ashfield Lake.  They have also stocked the Deerfield and East Branch of the Westfield River (C&R).  With the exception of Ashfield Lake, which was stocked with brown trout, all of the other waters received stockings of rainbow trout.

 

DFW trout stocking program questioned

 

From time to time, I receive correspondence from readers expressing their opinions on items written in this column.  The following is one that I received from a close friend and well- known and respected local environmentalist/conservationist. Far from being an expert, the letter probably should have been forwarded to the DFW, and a better response given, but because of our friendship, I responded as following:

 

Question: “I completely support protecting and restoring brook trout habitat! But why on earth does DFW stock non-native trout that can out compete our native brookies for food?  I oppose DFW wasting money on fish stocking. What do you think?”

 

Response:  Your questions regarding the stocking policy of the DFW with regard to brook trout is bona-fide and deserves a serious response.  I will give you my take on it.

 

As you probably know, the only native trout in the eastern US, were brook trout (actually char).  They were plentiful and easy to catch and our forefathers were greedy (or hungry) and caught more than their share, resulting in bringing the numbers down to near extinction.  Surviving populations existed only in the remotest, most difficult places to access such as in Maine, Labrador, and a few secret spots here in the Berkshires.

Sometime in the late 1800’s fish biologists began to fear that the native brook trout population would be wiped out completely if no action was taken and because of that, began to look into importing and introducing other types of trout to our area.  It was either that or ban trout fishing altogether, which no one would accept.

Brown Trout from Europe and Rainbow Trout from out west were introduced to our waters with the probable thought being that some trout fishing was better than no trout fishing (and eating).  The new, non-native trout took hold nicely and provided anglers with fishing (and) immeasurable enjoyment (catching them.)  Unfortunately, the larger stocked trout out-competed the wild trout (for food) for a while until the warmer months when the wild guys have the advantage of knowing where to find cooler waters necessary for their survival.

Fast forward to now.  If brown and rainbow trout fishing was not allowed here, there would probably be no trout fishing whatsoever.  Yes, DFW stocks hatchery brook trout, but they would be caught out fairly rapidly and are not as tough or resilient as the native guys. (Put and take, thus leaving the native guys alone.)

MassWildlife is generally careful about where they stock the non-native fish, taking pains to leave wild brook habitat pretty much alone or stocking at the lower, larger reaches of the rivers while leaving the upper, cooler reaches of the river to the wild brookies.  I say generally as there are a few streams which are stocked which would perhaps be better off left alone.  But those streams (usually) are stocked mainly in neighborhoods for kids to fish and they want to go home with some nice fish.

The raising and stocking of these non-native trout, has provided a lot of employment as well as enjoyment for anglers over the years.  In some cases, it got the kids out of doors and have inspired youths to take up the sport which often times led to interests in other environmental issues. (I did).

Many kids don’t understand the concept of preserving the wild brookie and are only interested in catching a trout and bringing it home to mom or dad.  (I can speak from experience because each year, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen has a Youth Outreach fishing day, mainly for kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go fishing.  You should see the look of glee on their faces when they catch a trout.)

By not stocking them, are we not depriving kids of that pleasure?

So, as you see, the answer to your question is complicated. And you are not alone in your concerns. There is a movement by some groups such as the Native Fish Coalition to do less such stocking.

Far from a perfect solution, I personally think the MassWildlife is addressing the trout stocking issue fairly well.

Is the drought finally over?

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Well, maybe.  This summer’s drought was so bad that it was compared with the one that occurred in the Berkshires in 1955. For a while this year, there was concern that the State would perhaps temporarily close down the woods to hunting. They sometimes do that.

I remember that bad drought of 1955 when my dear life-long friend, Jerry Zink and I were only 12 years old.  We used to fish all of the little brooks in and around Lenox with great success.  Heck, all the brooks in those days contained wild brook trout, commonly referred to as “speckled trout”.

But that year, most of the brooks dried up or nearly so, and we were forced to fish the lakes instead.  One day that summer, we decided to fish Laurel Lake in Lee/Lenox.  What we saw there when we arrived was unbelievable.  It seemed like one third of the lake was dry.  From the shore of the south west side of the lake near the old “White Bridge” there was no water.  The channel which crossed under the bridge was there, but it contained no water.

We were able to walk across parts of the lake from the Highlawn Farm side to a point on the west shore, now known as Edith Wharton Park, and then across the dry cove to where Sargent Brook entered from the northeast.  Only a couple of large puddles or pools which contained a few trapped sunfish were there.

We then walked along the water east toward the dam outlet near Rte. 20.  For sure, there was water in the middle of the lake, for it normally is over 50 feet deep there, but it was considerably smaller.  When we got to a point which is now close to the boat ramp on Rte. 20, we were able to walk across to a point of land on the other side, not too far from Lee Beach.  The outlet channel was there, but there was little if any water in it.  The dry lake bottom actually went uphill to reach the dam.

We surmised that the drought along with the withdrawal of water from the lake by a paper making mill in Lee caused the excessive condition.

It was an eerie sight and every time there has been a drought around here in the Berkshires, my thoughts immediately return to that time, that place

I wonder if any other old timers (er…seniors) remember that sight.

Fall trout stocking

MassWildlife reports that over 63,000 trout will be stocked across Massachusetts starting around mid-September. Summer may be winding down, but the fishing opportunities are still going strong and fall is a great time to fish.

Trout stocking will begin when water temperatures start to cool down, around the middle of September. When stocking begins, locations will be updated daily on the MassWildlife trout stocking map page. You can click any point on the map for more information.

The breakdown of the 63,000 trout is as follows:

  • about 33,000 rainbow trout over 12 inches
  • about 26,100 rainbow trout over 14 inches
  • about 4,000 brown trout over 9 inches

The Western District will probably receive 20% of them.

Local waters typically stocked in the fall include:  Ashfield Pond, Deerfield River, Littleville Dam, East Branch of the Westfield River, Upper Highland Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Windsor Lake, Windsor Pond, Goose Pond, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake and Stockbridge Bowl.

 

Incidentally, with the drought hopefully over and our streams coming back to normal fall levels, the native brook trout will start their migrations upstream to conduct their fall spawning.

Watch for them and expect them to be in their full fall colors.

Grandmas/grandpas like to fish, too!

Gloria Zink holding nice bass. Picture provided by Zink family

As readers are aware, I often feature pictures of young boys, girls, moms and dads who have had great days out fishing, including pictures of their big fish.  But, for some reason I rarely, if ever, have shown or written about grandmas or grandpas, especially fishing together.

Well, this past week I received correspondence from my buddy Jerry Zink now residing in Berlin, NY (yes, the same Jerry previously mentioned) telling of the great days he and his wife Gloria have been having fishing Ashmere Lake in Hinsdale this summer. They oftentimes fish with grandsons Kyle and Kaleb who catch whoppers, too.

Jerry Zink holding a nice pickerel. Picture provided by Zink family.

They always let the bass and pickerel go but now and then keep a few perch, panfish and crappie for fish fries.

The picture of Gloria holding that 4 lbs. bass was taken a few years ago, but rest assured she has often caught similar bass this year.  She also recently caught a 24 inch, 4lbs pickerel just last week.

Live on the Lake

Too bad Jerry and Gloria weren’t fishing up there last Sunday evening, because for a while the air was filled with fireworks and later with lovely music. The 3rd Annual Live on the Lake was taking place.  Around 6:15 pm, after the fireworks had subsided, local musicians Melissa Brinton and her violinist set up their loud speaker on a cottage dock across the cove from us and began to play music and sing.

The soft music drifted across the cove during twilight so that boaters and other nearby cottage owners could sit on their decks, docks and lawns and hear the lovely music.  With a voice similar to Joan Collins, Melissa started off by singing a couple of old Irish favorites (Oh Danny Boy and Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.)   I have to admit what little Irish DNA remaining in this old heart still reacts to those songs.

It was a wonderful way to spend part of the Labor Day weekend.

Bass Fishing Derby

On the first Sunday in October, the Cheshire Fire Department will be holding its Bill Lewis Memorial Bass Fishing Derby.  It will run from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm with registration costing $20.00.

Following that, there will be an award ceremony and picnic on the Causeway at 1:30 pm to benefit the Bill Lewis Scholarship Fund.

Just think, bass fishing on that beautiful lake surrounded by mountains displaying their lovely fall colors.  It doesn’t get any better.   Who knows, this may be your last bass fishing outing of the year, so you might want to participate.

Many thanks BNRC

 

In the latest Berkshire Natural Resources Council Landscaper News, there was this nice article regarding hunting seasons and conservation.

 

“All Berkshire Natural Resources Council reserves, except for Parsons Marsh (in Lenox) and Roosevelt Trail (in Washington), are open to hunting subject to Massachusetts state regulations. Sunday hunting is prohibited in Massachusetts.

 

During hunting seasons BNRC recommends (to its non- hunter users):

  • Wear blaze orange outerwear
  • Stay on existing trails
  • Keep dogs under your immediate control (consider blaze orange outerwear for your dog)

In 2021, Massachusetts anglers, hunters, and others contributed over $7.5 million to land conservation, land stewardship, wildlife management and research, outdoor skills programs, and education via the sale of fishing, hunting, and related licenses and fees.

 

BNRC wishes all hunters a safe, enjoyable, and fruitful hunt this autumn.”

 

Nice article, ey?  BNRC has always been a friend to area sportsmen, so if you or your club happen to have a couple extra bucks, you might want to send them their way.

SBA wraps up 75th birthday with a walk among old giants

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The Stockbridge Bowl Association (SBA) was formed on August 30, 1946 in order to protect the natural beauty of Stockbridge Bowl and to set standards that aid the cause of conservation. Today, the SBA pursues the same objectives as at its founding, seeking to protect and preserve the ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic value of Stockbridge Bowl and the SBA properties, including Bullard Woods and Kwuniikwat Island. It is an all-volunteer organization.

 

Last Sunday, they met at Bullard Woods to celebrate its 75th birthday and there was a great turnout. Bullard Woods is at the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Hawthorne Street in Stockbridge, across from Tanglewood’s Linde Center.  It is comprised of 52 acres of land along Stockbridge Bowl.

Leading up to the event was an exhibit at the Stockbridge Library on June 25, a Beach Island Day with a boat parade on July 16, Annual Meeting with reminiscences on August 6 and an “Old Growth Forest Walk” led by Bob Leverett on this day.

Kicking off the events was Board Member Rick Ruben.  “Today is a culmination of a series of events that have been sponsored by SBA.” he said, “One level is to commemorate the SBA 75th anniversary.  Another reason is to bring the community close to the lake and to celebrate this resource that we all love and that we have at our fingertips.”

He proceeded to bestow medals on several VIPs for all they do to protect and love Stockbridge and the Bowl.

Stockbridge Selectboard Chairman Patrick White spoke about environmental things the town is working on:  culvert repair – part of a municipal grant working with Pittsfield, New Marlborough and Lenox to assess every culvert in town looking for undersized culverts not only for fish to go upstream but also washouts of roads. It is working on a FEMA grant for 900,000 or 90% to fix just one nearby culvert.

The town is working with a climate partners program with the State.  They are basically working on how to save our local forests.  Some significant problems were discovered with trees at Ice Glen and they were able to treat 50 old growth ash trees through injections and all survived.  Hemlocks have been more difficult and are too stressed and damaged to benefit from treatments.

The town is working with State to get charging stations downtown.  “It is working hard on climate issues.” he said.

Kevin Foran, better known as “Moose”, who Ruben called “The curator and grounds keeper for nearby Kripalu and also Bullard Woods, super guru and guardian of the Bowl.”

Moose was groundskeeper and supervisor for the properties of the old Shadowbrook Estate for 38 years and has represented Kripalu on the SBA Board for 15 years.  He chairs the Property and Trails Committee.

 

Moose led a hike down to one of the meadows where 2 young pin oak trees were just planted, not far from an older lovely red oak.  (Here-to-fore to be referred to as the three sisters).

The first tree was planted in honor of heroes who stepped forward during the covid pandemic placing themselves and families at great risk.  Medical professionals, first responders, and the essential workers who played a big part of the supply train that was able to take us through this pandemic up to now.

The second tree honors all the individuals, commissions and committees in the Town of Stockbridge who have dedicated their time to protect the beauty of Stockbridge, who partnered with the SBA in the most beautiful way possible.

Dr. Dan Doyle represented the Berkshire Medical Community.  He is director of Pulmonology at BMC and also is the Director of the Public Health Alliance.  He referred to a phrase by George Elliot which he interpreted as follows:  The strength of a community is powered by community spirit, something that carries on from generation to generation and sustained by the efforts of multiple individuals who help and strengthen it all the time. Bullard Wood and the SBA are certainly examples of that.

Canyon ranch volunteer guides led the way to the meadows. When we got to the new trees, we were encouraged to write messages on bio-degradable paper to the trees to inspire their growth. The messages were buried at the foot of each tree. Plaques were placed under both trees honoring those listed above.

Then the “Old Growth Evangelist” Bob Leverett took over and led the group into the nearby woods to see some old growth trees.  Bob Leverett is world renowned, known for his work in locating, identifying and measuring old growth trees.  He has been written up in the February 2, 2022 issue of Smithsonian Magazine (where we first saw his title of old growth evangelist.) He was the subject of this column’s March 5-6 issue entitled “They call Bob Leverett “the old growth evangelist.’

 

When he started hiking the most difficult ridges in Massachusetts  he began seeing patches of forests that looked like old forests he saw growing up in the smokey mountains.  Bob explained that it has long been believed that old growth forests around here are gone, having been cut down in the 17th century to be used as fuel, fields to farm and timber with which to build.  But the loggers missed a few spots over the 300 years, such as areas in Ice Glen Ravine in Stockbridge, the Mohawk State Forest in Rowe, MA, on Mount Greylock and yes, here in Bullard Woods.  About 1,400 acres of old growth forest and old growth trees were discovered in MA which could be saved.

“Somewhere along the line someone said you ought to see Bullard Woods,” said Bob, “I came and said this is really great.  Not sure what the history is but there are a lot of the original trees in here and it is a hell of a tree growing environment”.

In our walk, we saw oaks and hemlocks 250 years old, a giant white pine over 300 years old. At its last measuring, it was 161 feet high and 13 feet at its trunk, with 1,000 feet of trunk volume.  That tree is larger than the famous Monarch pine that grew in Hartly Pine State Park in Michigan. This is one of the great pines in the northeast. We saw a black birch over 200 feet tall, a tulip tree over 100 feet and a very tall shagbark hickory.  He referred to the large old trees as “honkers”

Old growth, primary is given to places that were never cleared or logged and exist primarily with the same species that we would have seen in the 1600’s or earlier.  They are being impacted for sure, but they also have a certain resilience about them because they have created their environment naturally over several centuries so there is usually a very deep organic layer on the forest floor that deters the invasives.  They also are a link to the past.  One black gum tree in Orange, MA is 537 years old.  A hemlock in Morris Trail State Forest in PA is roughly 500 years old.  A lot of old trees are still here scattered around the landscape.”

He talked extensively on the importance of how the old growth trees capture and hold carbon, and even when they fall they release the carbon slowly to the ground.

When asked to define an old growth tree, he said that there is no real definition of how old a tree has to be to be considered an old growth tree.  What makes an old growth environment is that it has been controlled by natural processes over several centuries.  Whatever you get from that, that’s old growth.  There should be in there old trees, certainly older than 250 years or so (if maximum age of the species is about 350).  Outside of that we get into deep discussions on how you identify an old growth forest.

“Bullard Woods is not a terribly large forest of old growth trees, but it is quite diverse.”  said Moose. “There is something very special about these woods.”.  His feelings were summed up by words once written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”