Thunder Brook originates in the Mt. Greylock State Reservation in Cheshire, flows southeast down a steep ravine, crosses under Lanesborough Mountain Road, turns east and used to flow into a reservoir.  The brook joins Kitchen Brook a short distance downstream from where the reservoir dam was and flows into the South Branch of the Hoosic River in Cheshire. It is designated a cold water stream and supports a wild population of eastern brook trout and possibly long-nose suckers and the slimy sculpins (all of which have been on the decline in recent years).   For example, eastern brook trout currently occupy less than half of their original range in Massachusetts and according to MassWildlife, the long nose sucker is considered a ‘Species of Concern’.

The Thunder Brook dam, off of West Mountain Road in Cheshire, once provided municipal water supply to the town of Cheshire from the 1920s to the 1970s, but is no longer needed by the town.  As sediment continued to accumulate behind the dam, the water in the shallow impoundment was heated to a greater extent than in the past. This solar heating of the water reduced habitat suitability for trout downstream by encouraging algae growth and reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen.  That and an undersized culvert caused segmentation of habitat, sedimentation and erosion issues.

You notice that I write in past tense because a partnership was formed to do something about the dam and culvert.   Recently they took down the dam, improved downstream water quality and restored connectivity to 2.4 miles of riverine and riparian habitat.   Technical and funding support came from the following members of this partnership:  Hoosic River Watershed Association (HOORWA), Hoosuck Chapter of Trout Unlimited, MA College of Liberal Arts, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Town of Cheshire and the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), Mass Dept. of Fish and Game. 

A $10,000 grant was received from Tout Unlimited to help fund the final design for the reservoir dam removal and to purchase equipment to monitor water quality both before and after dam removal, and a $51,000 grant was received from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to support topographic surveying and mapping, sediment sampling and analysis and the preliminary design for the project.  About $45,000 of in kind services was committed by the town of Cheshire and they have done most of the physical work under supervision of the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration.  

The dam was obvious, but many people didn’t realize that there were actually two barriers.  The second one was a culvert downstream of the dam which also prevented fish from upstream movement during many months of the year.  According to DER, the culvert was undersized and perched on the downstream side hindering fish migration, and sometimes causing blockage and bank scouring, thus requiring frequent repairs.   Migrating fish do not normally cross through culverts just to get to the other side, but they need to.  For the good of the species it is important that they interbreed with other fish upstream and downstream.  Otherwise they would be hanging out with the members of the same old school.   

The second part of the project (culvert) will be starting in October and should be completed before winter.  The undersized culvert will be replaced using the most recent State stream-crossing guidelines which enhance the ability of fish and other critters to cross roads.  By removing these barriers, the project partners have given a substantial boost to one of the Berkshire’s most beautiful streams and helped ensure the ecological health of this part of the Hoosic River’s headwaters.  

Following completion of this project, the DER will be busy working on a half dozen new projects statewide.  One of the projects coming up will be working with the Pioneer Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited to restore multiple sites on Kinne Brook in Chester through dam removal and culvert replacement. They love doing this for their stated mission is to restore and protect the health and integrity of the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people, fish and wildlife. ****

MassWildlife Deer Project Leader David Stainbrook recently reported that a total of 11,154 white-tailed deer were harvested by licensed hunters during the combined 2011 seasons.   This compares with 10,699 in 2010, 10,381in 2009, 11,217 in 2008 and 11,576 in 2007.  By season, the 2011 total breaks down to 8 deer taken during the special deer season for paraplegic sportsmen; 3,765 taken in the archery season; 5,349 taken during the shotgun season; 1,959 taken during the primitive arms season; and 37 deer harvested during the Quabbin Reservation hunt.  (I think he meant 73 deer taken at Quabbin). For those of you keeping statistics, here is more detailed harvest information for our area (Zones 1 through 4).  There were 522 deer taken with the bow in 2011 and that compares with 466 in 2010 and 449 in 2009.  In 2011 some 904 were taken by shotgun and that compares with 815 in 2010 and 857 in 2009.  In 2011 some 251 were taken with the muzzleloader verses 285 in 2010 and 360 in 2009. On average statewide, 34% are taken with the bow, 47% with the shotgun and 19% with black powder.  For more detailed information about the deer harvests, click onto the MassWildlife web site. Stainbrook went on and reported that deer populations are managed according to deer density goals established to maintain healthy deer populations in balance with the environment.  Goals are set at levels that balance deer hunting and viewing opportunities with levels which minimize impacts on property damage, public health issues, and safety.  Deer densities throughout the western and central parts of the state and some areas in the east with lands accessible to hunters are at or near deer management goals.  High deer populations are still found in suburban areas in eastern Massachusetts where hunter access is limited, but recent trends in towns opening lands to archery hunting have shown promise for reducing deer numbers in these areas.***** While we are on the subject of deer, readers may recall that in my December 19, 2010 column I mentioned that Kiley Coty of Becket bagged a big 10-point buck in Tyringham which weighed 199 lbs field dressed.   He was hunting with his wife Cheryl who urged him to “Shoot it! Shoot it!”  And that’s just what he did.  He was to get the head mounted and I asked him to send a picture of it when he got it back so you could see it too.   As you can see, it was a monster buck with a beautiful rack.  The Boone & Crockett (B&C) scoring agency rated it at 170 3/8 in its typical big buck category.  The Northeast Big Buck Organization rated it 176 3/8.   According to the Cotys, it was rated the #1 buck taken with a gun in the State of Massachusetts in 2010 and #7 all time in the state with a gun.  It has been written up in both the B&C quarterly and Northeast Big Buck magazines and it will be listed in the hard cover record book which comes out every three years.  It was displayed at this spring’s Big E Eastern Fishing  and Outdoor Sports Exposition. *****

The Outdoor Industry Association recently released “The Outdoor Recreation Economy,” detailing the national economic impact of outdoor recreation (OR) in the United States.   According to the report, OR has an annual economic impact of $1.6 trillion.  The information is based upon economic analyses which were conducted by Southwick Associates, Inc. and consumer surveys developed and executed by Harris Interactive Information.   According to their various surveys and analyses, OR is responsible for 6.1 million American jobs, $646 billion in outdoor recreation spending each year, $39.9 billion in federal tax revenue and $39.7 billion in state/local tax revenue.

According to the Association, the last comprehensive study was released in 2006 and much has changed since then.   The Great Recession radically altered consumer spending habits, unemployment reached its highest level in decades, and federal and state deficits resulted in massive spending cuts.   Yet, more than 140 million Americans made OR a priority in their daily lives, proving it with their wallets by putting $646 billion of their hard-earned dollars right back into the economy. Even better, this spending directly results in highly sought-after jobs for 6.1 million Americans.

At the core of the OR economy is the outdoor consumer whose diverse interests fuel a robust and innovative industry.  Today’s outdoor lovers aren’t confined to traditional demographics or activity segments. They seek meaningful outdoor experiences in their back yards and in the back country.  They are all genders, ages, shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and income levels.  They live throughout America, and they view OR as an essential part of their daily lives.  They fill their garages with bicycles, dirt bikes, backpacks, boats, skis, tents, hunting rifles and fishing gear. This is redefining the outdoor industry, an evolution that is evident in the growth of sales and jobs since 2006.

In short, OR is a growing and diverse economic super sector that is a vital cornerstone of successful communities that cannot be ignored.  Most importantly, it is no longer a “nice to have,” it is now a “must have” as leaders across the country recognize the undeniable economic, social and health benefits of OR.

More than 140 million Americans make OR a priority in their daily lives and they prove it with their wallets as evidenced by the $646 billion.  It is an overlooked economic giant and is essential to the American economy.  It compares with:  Pharmaceuticals ($331), motor vehicles and parts ($340), financial services and Insurance  $780), outpatient health care ($767), gasoline and other fuels ($354), household utilities ($309). 

The OR economy thrives when Americans spend their hard-earned dollars in pursuit of outdoor recreation. This spending occurs in two forms: the purchase of gear and vehicles, and dollars spent on trips and travel.  Gear purchases include anything for outdoor recreation, such as outdoor apparel and footwear, bicycles, skis, fishing waders, tents, rifles, or backpacks. Vehicle purchases include vehicles and accessories used only for OR, such as boats, motorcycles, RVs, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

The OR economy grows long after consumers purchase outdoor gear and vehicles. When people use their outdoor gear and vehicles, they spend money on day and overnight trips, and on travel-related expenses such as airfares, rental cars, lodging, campgrounds, restaurants, groceries, gasoline and souvenirs. They pay for river guides and outfitters, lift tickets and ski lessons, entrance fees, licenses and much more. Their spending supports innumerable small business owners. And they visit recreation areas that are cared for by land managers, park rangers, various organizations and volunteers.

A tremendous diversity of career opportunities exists beyond product-related jobs. When Americans play outside during day outings or overnight trips, their spending directly supports professions like guides and outfitters, lodging operators, park managers and rangers, concessionaires, small business owners and many more.

The OR economy grew approximately 5 percent annually between 2006 and 2011 – this during an economic recession when many sectors contracted. Every year, hundreds of millions of visitors – young and old, after-work enthusiasts to international travelers, and from coast to coast – flock to America’s parks, forests and waters. From seashores and local parks to the wild backcountry, America’s public lands and waters are the very foundation of the national outdoor recreation system. OR can grow jobs and drive the economy if we manage and invest in parks, waters and trails as a system designed to sustain economic dividends for America.

More than 725 million visits to state parks provide a collective $20 billion in economic benefits to communities surrounding them.   Cities and towns across the country are tapping into the business of OR, and for good reason. They recognize that OR and open spaces are key ingredients to healthy communities, contribute to a high quality of life, and most importantly, attract and sustain businesses and families.

The Outdoor Recreation Economy report took a conservative approach in tracking direct annual spending by Americans in pursuit of OR across 10 activity categories (Bicycling, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Motorcycling, Off Roading, Snow Sports, Trail Sports, Water Sports and Wildlife Viewing).

OR is a larger and more critical sector of the American economy than most people realize. As a multi-dimensional sector, the billions spent each year flow throughout the American economy and fuels traditional sectors like manufacturing, finance, retail trade, tourism and travel.

Supporting the OR economy are our nation’s public recreation lands and waters.  Not only is access to quality places to play outside critical to our businesses, it is fundamental to recruiting employers and is at the heart of healthy and productive communities.  Open spaces and recreation areas are magnets that draw after-work activity and tourists alike.

With the bountiful natural resources we have here in the Berkshires I wonder whether  we are doing enough to market them so that we can also tap into this robust OR economy.

This year, as of June 21, 2012 some 48 Atlantic Salmon returned into the Connecticut River.  This compares with 108 in 2011, 50 in 2010, 76 in 2009, 140 in 2008, 137 in 2007 and 208 in 2006.   Other anadromous fish which returned into the Connecticut River this year were as follows:  222 American Eel, 249,420 American Shad, 138 Blueback Herring, 422 Gizzard Shad, 3 Shortnose Sturgeon (which were captured at the Holyoke Dam and returned downstream below the dam)  182 Striped Bass and 27,233 Sea Lamprey

While swimming upstream, 9 salmon took a left turn and returned to our Westfield River and that compares with 4, 2, 34, 21, and 34 for the previous respective years.  They were captured at the DSI dam in West Springfield.  Each year hundreds of thousands of salmon fry are released into the tributaries of the Westfield by volunteers and DFW staff.  Hundreds of them are also reared and raised by students from the Becket Elementary School and Taconic High School.  Who knows, maybe some of them made it back this year.

This year 9 salmon returned to the Leesville Dam in the Salmon River in CT and 15 returned to the Rainbow Dam in the Farmington River also in CT.  One angler caught an adult salmon in the Salmon River and it was retained at the Richard Cronin National Salmon Station and there was one adult salmon mortality in the Connecticut River in Old Lyme, CT.  These CT fish may have been hatched,  reared and released by the late LeRoy Thorpe and John Doelman lead volunteers/directors from Berkshire National Fish Hatchery.  Who is to say that they weren’t?   We’ll never know, but wouldn’t they be a wonderful legacy left for us by these fine gentlemen.

Continuing upriver, 72 salmon went on and were captured at the Holyoke Dam. One adult Atlantic salmon was captured at the Townsend Dam in VT and was retained for brood stock.

Other anadromous fish counts for the Westfield River this year were as follows:  5,025 shad, which compares with 3,449 last year, 1,391 in 2009, 3,293 in 2008 and 4,497 in 2007.  American Eels totaled 32 vs. 371 last year, 30, 213 and 131 respectively from previous years. *****

The 400 member Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) claims that it is the oldest sportsmen’s association in Berkshire County and is reputed to be the second oldest one in the state.  As part of its 100-year celebration, it is putting on two fund raisers.  The first is a Baseball Day at Wahconah Park next Sunday, July 1.  The LSA’s fundraising committee is selling the first 200 tickets, ($5 for game only or $18 which includes a pre-game picnic).  In exchange the Pittsfield Suns baseball team is setting up a clinic for kids aged 14 and under to gain tips from the semi-pros.  You are encouraged to purchase your tickets through the LSA Fundraising Committee.  Tickets will be available at the skeet house or by calling Mary Smith at 413-243-2710.  Additionally, you may purchase tickets directly from the Pittsfield Suns website at pittsfieldsunstickets.com, using the Group Password “sunsandguns”.  Ticket sales will end on June 29.

The second event, to be held at the LSA clubhouse on July 28, will be a Murder Mystery Comedy by Brickroad Productions and a 3-course dinner catered by Other Brother Darryl’s Seafood.  While you dine on a fabulous meal, you will be entertained by a live performance of “Gangsters in Love”.  Tickets are $40 and are limited to 110 tickets due to seating accommodations, so buy early.  Contact Jody Decker at 413-243-1853 for tickets and more information.  Ticket sales end on July 21.

The celebration day will be September 29 and there will be more information on that in a future column. *****

In spite of the cool rainy weather, some 25 youngsters enjoyed the Youth Outreach Fishing Derby that took place at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire last Saturday  The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) stocked the pond, ensured that each kid got a new fishing outfit, bait and a tasty lunch.   The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club actually ran the event with food preparation help from the Adams Outdoor for Youth (AOFY).  Sportsmen from throughout the Berkshires pitched in to ensure that each kid had a mentor who helped with any fishing problems, provided bags in which to place their fish and provided fish cleaning services so that they could take the fish with them to eat.  Every kid (boys and girls) caught fish. The BCLS Youth Outreach derby is an annual event which tries to get kids interested in fishing and enjoying the outdoors.  This year kids from the Key Program and the C.O.T.Y. (church outreach to youth ) Center were chosen to participate.  The Key Program is a premier human services program for adolescents.  COTY is based in North Adams and has been serving at-risk kids for 25 plus years.  These kids are dealing with unfortunate issues at home or school and are in need of home based services. 

According to Berkshire County Chief Probation Officer Bill Gale and Probation Officer Alex Daugherty, who brought them there in vans, these are good kids that need a break and some guidance. 

About half of the COTY kids learned to fish just last year with the BCLS or the AOFY “ said Daugherty, “ They were eager to get back out there and experience the thrill of catching fish again.   A trio of sisters who caught the fishing bug at a derby last year were back with their parents, who now call this “family time” away from the video games or TV.  It is that kind of story that inspires and recharges my battery every year!”      As we stood alongside the pond in our raincoats and ponchos amidst the rain, splashing fish, flying bobbers and shouts of glee, it was readily apparent that the kids were having a great time and really appreciated the caring adults and the opportunity to enjoy fishing.   Mike Kruszyna, BCLS Vice President, often says that this day is one of the best days of the year for him.  I agree. The Berkshire Juvenile Court Probation Office thanks all of the sponsors and sportsmen that participated in this great event.  You’re welcome, but the pleasure was all ours. *****

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration of 1937 is most often referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act for its sponsors; Nevada Senator Key Pittman and Virginia Congressman Absalom Willis Robertson.  The act was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 2, 1937 and became effective on July 1 of the following year. 

Prior to the creation of the Pittman-Robertson Act (P-R) many species of wildlife were driven to or near extinction by hunting pressure and/or habitat degradation from humans.  The Act created an excise tax that provides funds to each state to manage such animals and their habitats. Notable species that have come back from the brink since the implementation of this act include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and wood ducks.

P-R took over a pre-existing 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition.  Instead of going into the U.S. Treasury as it had done in the past, the money is kept separate and is given to the Secretary of the Interior to distribute to the States.  The Secretary determines how much to give to each state based on a formula that takes into account both the area of the state and its number of licensed hunters. According to MA DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, because of the size of our state and the number of hunting licenses sold, Massachusetts gets the minimum amount.  However, that amount is not too shabby and since enactment in 1937, Massachusetts has received some $138 million in these funds.

States must fulfill certain requirements to use the money apportioned to them.  None of the money from their hunting license sales may be used by anyone other than the State’s fish and game department.   Plans for what to do with the money must be submitted to and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.  Acceptable options include research, surveys, management of wildlife and/or habitat and acquisition or lease of land, among other things.  Once a plan has been approved, the state must pay the full cost and is later reimbursed for up to 75% of that cost through P-R funds.  The 25% of the cost that the State must pay generally comes from its hunting license sales.  If any of the federal money does not get spent after two years, it is then reallocated to the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.  According to MacCallum, this state has never had to reallocate.

In the 1970s, amendments created a 10% tax on handguns and their ammunition and accessories as well as an 11% tax on archery equipment.  It was mandated that half of the money from each of those new taxes must be used to educate and train hunters through the creation and maintenance of hunter safety classes and shooting/target ranges.

Perstatute, no money apportioned under this chapter to any state shall be expended until the state in question assents to the provisions of this chapter and has passed laws for the conservation of wildlife, which includes a prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any other purpose than the administration of said state’s fish and game department. This legislation has provided states with funding for research and projects that would have been unaffordable otherwise

According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service webpage updated in January 2010, over $2 billion of federal aid has been generated through this program, which in turn means that states have kept up their 25% contributions with over 500 million dollars.  The habitat acquisition and improvement made possible by this money has allowed some species with large ranges such as American black bears, elk, cougars, and others, to expand those ranges beyond where they were found prior to the implementation of the act. Important game populations such as white-tailed deer and several game birds have also had a chance to recover and expand their populations.

The idea behind this act is that by creating more and better hunting experiences for people through habitat management and hunter education, more taxable items will be purchased, which would then provide more funding for management and improvement. The habitat improvement may also stimulate the Eco-tourism industry by creating jobs in areas where people tend to visit for hunting or aesthetic reasons. 

One source shows hunters spending around $10 billion a year on everything they need for their hunting trips.  Another source found that hunters spend between $2.8 and $5.2 billion a year on taxable merchandise. This generates between $177 and $324 million dollars a year in P-R money. Another source estimated that hunters contribute about $3.5 million a day to conservation by purchasing taxable items and hunting licenses.

The Pittman-Robertson Act was so successful that in the 1950s, a similar act was written for fish named the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act or the Dingell-Johnson Act.  *****

On May 5, around 4:30 PM, Mike Storie of Pittsfield was enjoying the nice weather fishing with his brother-in-law Kevin Janis in Laurel Lake.  When he reeled his spinner-bait to about 3 – 4 feet from their boat, a large fish grabbed it and swam under the boat.  After a good battle, Kevin netted it.    It turned out to be a bass that weighed in at an even 10 lbs at the Onota Boat Livery in Pittsfield.  It was 25 ½ inches long with a girth of 18 ½ inches.  The folks from the Livery, said that it was the largest bass they can ever remember weighing in. 

For a while it was in the lead for the 2012 state gold pin (largest species taken for the year), but a 10 lb 5 oz bass was taken out of Mary’s Pond in Rochester, MA a few days later.  Even so, Mike’s fish, which he will have mounted, will qualify him for a bronze pin and provide him with years of fond memories. *****

MassWildlife fisheries biologists certified a new state record for a carp caught on April 8, 2012. Shane Felch of Shrewsbury took a 46-pound 5-ounce carp from Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury.   Boating late at night on the lake, Shane took his fish with a cross bow (which requires a special permit for hunting and fishing). Carp are one of the few freshwater fish in Massachusetts which can be taken either by a hook and line, or by using bow and arrow. The others are suckers and eels.  A line on the crossbow bolt is connected to a reel, which is attached to the bow. When the bolt is released, the angler can then use the bow to reel in the fish.

This catch was a team effort between Shane and his buddy Devon Dubois who operated the boat. “This fish dragged us all over the place – it’s only a little 14-foot john boat,” Shane said.

He brought the fish to MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters in Westborough to have it weighed and certified by fisheries biologists. Shane’s fish breaks the record set in 1993 by Roger Pyzocha of a carp weighing 44 pounds, 2 ounces caught in the Connecticut River.

Shane says he’s going to be back at the office with another fish.  “This isn’t the biggest fish. I’ve seen another one that looks twice as big as this one,” he said. “I promise you, I’ll be back.”

The picture and some of the information was derived from the Great Outdoors Blog at http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/.  Check it out.

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On the June 1 – 3 weekend, MassWildlife will be holding its Becoming an Outdoorswoman (BOW) workshop at the Chimney Corners YMCA Camp in Becket.  A host of outdoor skills aimed at educating the novice will be available, including: shooting firearms, bows and arrows, muzzleloaders, spin fishing, fly fishing, nature photography, edible plants, kayaking, outdoor cooking and many more opportunities.  This program is designed for women ages 18 and up and is for you if you have never tried these activities but want an opportunity to learn; you are a novice who would like to improve your skills; you have tried some of these activities but would like to try new ones, or you are looking for the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.

The $275.00 per person workshop fee includes instruction, program materials, use of demonstration equipment, transportation to off-site sessions, seven meals, and two nights lodging.  A 10% discount will be given on any mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter or sister registrations.  Upon receipt of your registration and payment, you will be sent a confirmation letter with directions and a list of appropriate clothing and equipment.

For more information and application forms click onto www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_calendar.htm.  The registration/cancellation deadline is 4 PM on May 25, 2012, so don’t delay