Canada Goose and Bear Hunting seasons open Tuesday

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Gene

The Early Canada Goose season which opens this Tuesday runs until September 21.
This year the September statewide goose bag limit was increased to 15 birds and the possession total was increased to 45. Due to federal requirements for migratory game bird season selections, the Board voted the increase. These totals do not apply during the regular goose hunting seasons which open on October 10 and December 3. There were some other waterfowl hunting changes which will be noted in a future column.
The increase in the daily bag limit from 7 per day last year to this year’s 15 appears quite drastic. Perhaps it was caused by the rapid increase in resident geese which may have placed them in the nuisance category. Goose poop has become a real problem at our beaches, playgrounds, golf courses, etc.
Funny how things change. I am of the age when the only Canada geese one ever saw around here were those large flocks high up in the sky winging their way north in the spring to their summer breeding grounds and then back south in the fall to spend their winter months there. They were massive flocks honking away, sometimes in the middle of the night. There appears to be fewer of them these days.
Although the new total is 15 per day, it is hoped that hunters consume the meat and not just shoot them for the heck of it. Although wild goose meat can be tough, there are decent recipes on how to properly prepare it. Goose hunter Phil Hiser, of Lee, has goose jerky prepared by a meat processor. I have tried it and it is very tasty.
Hunters are advised to check the waterfowl regulations regarding the HIP number, State and Federal waterfowl stamps, non-toxic shot, etc.
This Tuesday also marks the opening of the first black bear hunting season and it runs until September 22. During this season it is legal to hunt with a rifle, handgun, muzzleloader or bow, but not a shotgun. Be sure to check the regulations to see what gun calibers and/or bow draw weights are allowed. There are no hunter orange requirements during the First Season. Hunters must have a hunting or sporting license and a bear permit.
No hunting in any form is allowed on Sundays in Massachusetts.

Young Adult hunting programs

In an effort to get our youth into the outdoors and interested in hunting, MassWildlife has established three special youth hunts. They are the Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Young Adult Pheasant Hunt and the Youth Deer Hunt.

During the Youth Waterfowl Hunt season dates, (September 22 and October 6) only waterfowl hunters ages 12–17 may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers and geese. All youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with a valid MA waterfowl stamp. Only one firearm is permitted. The adult hunter may not hunt but may carry a firearm only when unloaded and cased. No license or waterfowl stamps are required for Youth Waterfowl season hunters aged 12–14.
A license and MA waterfowl stamp are required for 15-year old hunters. A license, MA waterfowl stamp, and Federal waterfowl stamp is required for Youth Waterfowl season hunters aged 16–17. All other migratory game bird regulations and bag limits apply.
For more information, click onto the MassWildlife web page and go to “Youth Waterfowl Hunt”.
The Massachusetts Young Adult Pheasant Hunt day is a great way for young adults (ages 12-17) to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and join in a pheasant hunt with an experienced hunter in a friendly environment.

The Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program builds the confidence of young hunters in a safe, friendly environment. You must sign up with any participating club and each club will have a pheasant seminar and a hunt. You don’t need to be a member to participate.
The pheasant seminar course includes hands-on instruction in shotgun shooting fundamentals and firearm safety, how to have a safe and fun hunt, and information on upland hunting basics. During the pheasant hunt, participants get to experience a real pheasant hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter on one of the six Saturdays prior to the regular pheasant season. Contact the club you are planning on hunting with to see which day they picked for the hunt.
The requirements to participate in the program are as follows: Be between the ages of 12-17, have completed a Basic Hunter Education Course before the day of the hunt. Participants at least 15 years old who wish to use a shotgun must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID).
In order to participate, you must: Make sure you meet all the requirements above, find a club near you to participate with for the seminar and hunt, send in the Participant Application form and complete a MassWildlife Youth Pheasant Seminar.
The local 2018 participating clubs are: Worthington Rod and Gun Club,Contact: Walter Fritz Jr., (413) 238-5841 mail: ridgerdizzaboo@verizon.net; Lee Sportsmen’s Club, Contact: John Polastri, (413) 822-8278 and East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club (Williamstown), Contact: Tom Brule Email: tom.brule@gmail.com.
If you have questions about the program, contact the Youth Hunt Coordinator Astrid Huseby at (508) 389-6305.
The Youth Deer Hunt Day allows youngsters to hunt deer with their own permit. The hunt occurs on a special one-day season before the state’s annual deer hunting seasons (September 29). Shotgun deer season regulations apply during the hunt.
The License and permit requirements are as follows: Children between 12–14 years old must be with a licensed adult and a Youth Deer Permit is required, which can be obtained through MassFishHunt. Youths between 15–17 years old must get a Minor Hunting License and a Youth Deer Permit. You can get your hunting license and Youth Deer Permit at a vendor or online at MassFishHunt beginning August 1.
Young hunters may use shotgun, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow. MassWildlife allows only one hunting tool when an adult accompanies a minor. Accompanying adults may not use any hunting implements. The bag limit is one deer of either sex. The Youth Deer Permit allows either: one antlered deer statewide or one antlerless deer in the Wildlife Management Zone specified on the permit.
All youth hunters and accompanying adults must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange on their chest, back, and head. Young hunters must fill out the tag from the Youth Deer Permit and attach it to the deer before moving it. You must report deer harvest within 48 hours.
A youth after my own heart
“While other 16-year old youth may be sleeping late…. not this one”, wrote Pam Ellis of Pittsfield. Her ambitious 16-year old son Billy Ellis rose at 4:45 am to walk the shores and fish on the banks of beautiful Cheshire lake recently. Mind you, she thought he was sleeping, but look what he caught.
She thought this beautiful fish and ambitious boy were a worthy story as we live in a world where most kids are spending their time on video games and cell phones. She is right.
Nice to see. I didn’t think youths did that any more.

MassWildlife increases antlerless deer permit allocations in Western District

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Gene

Some 725 more antlerless deer permits are being issued in the Western District (Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 4) this year. The largest increase will be in Zone 3 where 300 more permits will be issued bringing the total to 1,400. That is followed by 125 increases in Zones 4N and 4S, bringing those totals to 500 and 400 respectively. Permits in Zone 1 will go up by 100 to 500, and lastly an increase of 75 in Zone 2 brings that total to 250. MassWildlife classifies our Western District deer herd as stable, a place where they want to be.
So, did you get a permit? Effective last Wednesday, you can find out by clicking onto the MassFishHunt website and following the instructions. If you did receive one and you plan to shoot an antlerless deer, you owe MassWildlife $5.
The attached chart lists the statewide antlerless deer permit information by Wildlife Management Zones.
As you can see, the eastern part of the Commonwealth has some serious issues with getting the deer population down to desired numbers. For example, in Zone 10 MassWildlife would issue 12,000 permits, but not enough people applied for them. Thus, they have a 9,100 surplus. A similar situation exists in Zone 11. Not good. One could only imagine the problems with deer/auto accidents, deer ticks and difficulty in sustaining the new growth in the forests out there. Not to mention the shrubs in residential areas that are destroyed each winter.
Surplus antlerless deer permits for Zones 9 through 14 will be available for sale and will be staggered over the following days in September:
• Zone 11: Tuesday, September 25 at 8 a.m.
• Zone 10: Wednesday, September 26 at 8 a.m.
• Zones 9, 13, and 14: Thursday, September 27 at 8 a.m.
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Surplus Permits must be purchased within 15 minutes after being placed in your shopping cart. You may purchase only one Zone 11, one Zone 10 and one Zone 9 permit per day; up to four permits per day may be purchased for Zones 13 and 14. The permits cost $5 each.
Incidentally, the Department of Conservation and Recreation recently opened 7,500 acres of land to hunting in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed. That is north of Worcester. Hunters can apply for a 5-year permit for property west and east of Rte. 190, (open for all game during all hunting seasons), or an annual permit for property immediately adjacent to the Reservoir, designated as the Reservoir Zone,(for deer only December. 1 through 31). Permits will be selected by lottery. If interested, apply by August 31. Both permit types are free. Click onto https://www.mass.gov/service-details/wachusett-reservoir-watershed-deer-hunt, for details.
Welcome back firefighters
According to MassWildlife, three members of their prescribed fire crew, Fletcher Clark, Chris Connors, and Ben Mazzei, assisted in securing wildfires in Québec Province, Canada for two weeks this past July. They were joined by 16 wildland firefighters from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to form the Massachusetts Interagency Wildfire Crew- MA#1 and were mobilized through DCR and the Northeast Forest Fire Compact.
The wildfire hand crew spent time containing two different wildfires, one near Radisson and the other near Lebel-sur-Quévillon in Québec Province. The crew spent most of its time on a large 24,500-acre fire on Wilson Lake in a remote region of Québec Province. Lightning strikes caused the dry, dense vegetation in the area to ignite and caused the wildfires.
The Massachusetts crew was deployed to these wildfires for two weeks. They worked with other crews to establish helicopter landing sites, coordinate water drops, and secure sections of the fire to keep it from spreading. Securing a section of fire can mean a lot of different kinds of work, says MassWildlife.
The crews set up water pump sites and ran hoses around the section of fire to make sure water was readily accessible to combat the fires. The crew established a fire line around their section. A fire line is essentially a wide path on the ground that is cleared of vegetation, debris, and anything else that can potentially burn to stop the fire from spreading. The crews also went into already-burned areas and put out any hot spots that might have still been smoldering or burning. The crew was helicoptered daily from their base camp to the remote wildfires to perform these duties.
On July 22, the Massachusetts crew returned back to the Commonwealth safely. There are still many wildfires burning in the province of Québec alone. During the past week, rain has somewhat helped with battling the fires. However, if conditions dry out, the potential for large fires to become active again exists. Québec continues to seek assistance from Canadian provinces and the northeastern United States to help cope with these wildfires.
“Please join us in welcoming these dedicated individuals back from this rugged assignment,” said Caren Caljouw, MassWildlife’s Prescribed Fire Program Manager. “We are very proud of the assistance they provided to our Canadian neighbors and know the vast experience they gained will translate directly to improving MassWildlife’s prescribed fire program and working as a cohesive team with DCR and other fire management partners.”
Massachusetts, along with the other New England states and New York initiated the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact—also called the Northeast Compact—in 1947. The Compact was established to provide a means for member states to cope with wildland fires that may become too intense for a single member state to control. In 1970, the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick joined, making the Northeast Compact international. Currently, the Northeast Compact members include seven states—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York—and five provinces—Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland-Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. The Northeast Compact also includes the Fire Department of New York City, the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US National Park Service.
Adams Outdoor for Youth fishing derby
The AOFY held its annual fishing derby on Reynolds Pond in Cheshire last month. Some 54 kids attended and the winners were as follows: Age 0 to 6 years old: Smallest fish 8 ½ inches – Corbin Porio/ Largest fish 14 1/4″- Layla Jayko. Age 7 to 11: Smallest fish 8″ Charlie Bean / Largest fish 14 1/2″ Wyatt Bellows. Age 12 to 15: Largest and Smallest fish 14 1/4″ and 8 3/4″respectively – Cameron Bostwick. All brook trout came from Berkshire Hatchery.
Spokesman Mike Lefebvre thanked all the volunteers from all clubs for another successful year supporting the Youth Fishing Derby.

New Director of Fisheries and Wildlife

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Gene

Recently, the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board unanimously voted to appoint Mark S. Tisa, Ph.D., M.B.A., to the position of Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife).
He started his career in 1987 with MassWildlife as the Project Leader of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, was promoted to Assistant Director of Fisheries in 1990, and then to Deputy Director in 2015. Director Tisa led a number of major initiatives over the years for the agency, including the Youth Pheasant and Young Adult Turkey hunt programs and the construction of the MassWildlife Field Headquarter’s 45,000-square-foot zero-net-energy building in Westborough. Upon the retirement of former Director Jack Buckley, he was appointed Acting Director, effective May 1, 2018.
“I’m honored, humbled, and thrilled to be appointed to lead MassWildlife, where I have worked for 31 years,” said Director Tisa. “We at MassWildlife care about all the Commonwealth’s wildlife and plants, including state-listed species, and I look forward to continuing to work with hunters, anglers, trappers, conservationists, and all Massachusetts citizens to carry forward MassWildlife’s tradition of conserving and helping everyone to enjoy all our treasured wildlife resources.”
Director Tisa grew up in Leominster, MA. He earned a B.S. in Biology from Springfield College, a M.S. in fisheries from the University of Tennessee, a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech, and an M.B.A. from Anna Maria College. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, hunting, shooting, and retriever training.
Update on Project Healing Waters

Readers may recall an article that I did in July, 2016 entitled Veterans helped by Healing Waters regarding a group that belonged to Project Healing Water Fly Fishing, Inc.(tm). The organization is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. My wife Jan and I were camping at the Indian Hollow Campground along the East Branch of the Westfield River in Chesterfield, MA. When we met them.

The Massachusetts/Rhode Island Council of Trout Unlimited (TU) rented the camping area for the weekend and delegates from both state’s TU chapters were there to conduct business and do a little fly fishing. Next to our campsite was a group of men which was made up of veterans and mentors participating in a therapeutic fishing trip as part of Project Healing Waters.

The idea behind Healing Waters is simple – to provide a therapeutic and fun outlet for physically or mentally disabled vets by teaching them the basics of fly fishing, casting, tying, and rod building, and then going out on fishing trips to ideal spots such as the Indian Hollow campground.
Nationwide, Healing Waters raises its own money with a budget of close to $3 million and administrative costs are kept low, in the 15 % range, reserving as much as possible to fund trips and provide gear for the vets who take part. The entire program is completely free to the Veterans. In addition to funding from Healing Waters, the group is sponsored by the non-profits TU and the New England Fly Tyers.
It is open to any veteran who has a disability, whether physical or mental. “ 95% of what we have here is post-traumatic stress,” said Bill Manser, Project Leader. With that in mind, counselors provide the therapeutic support for the group, joining Manser and the volunteer mentors who bring a variety of outdoor skills to the group, some of them being vets themselves.
Well, this past May Jan and I attended the TU event again, and once again camped near the Healing Water guys. This time there were 13 of them. I was curious about how the group was doing these days. Manser, who is in his 5th year as project leader, said exciting things are happening. As an adjunct to TU, they initiated a Veteran’s Service Partnership whereby veterans and their families get a free one-year membership. This applies to every chapter, including our own Taconic Chapter here in the Berkshires. This is different from Project Healing Waters which requires a DD-214 and some level of disability.
Another wonderful thing is that the Worcester Chapter of AMC, along with Enterprise Rental Car funds trips for them to stay at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins in Maine allowing them to fish the Roach River, some 14 ½ miles of catch and release fishing for landlocked salmon and wild brook trout during the 3rd week in September. The AMC’s focus is on maintaining streams with no dams, similar to TU’s focus.
The Catskill Fly-fishing Museum in Livingston Manor, NY provides housing, and the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon program provides meals, private waters, and a one day fully paid for float trip on the East/West Branches of the Delaware River. The famed DeBruce Club, a deluxe private fly fishing club which is located in Livingston Manor, the heart of flyfishing in the Catskill, allows them to fish there.
Nothing is too elegant for these veterans and I was so happy to hear about this outpouring of kindness and support extended to them. Some of them are Viet Nam veterans who are still fighting dragons after nearly fifty years. Of the group that we saw at Indian Hollow this year, four of them were homeless, living in group homes. They need help, understanding and compassion to help them cope with their hurdles.
With funding available and the group thriving with the help of volunteer staff, Manser encourages more veterans to join so they can be helped. Veterans or volunteers interested in participating can reach Manser at (978)895-5261. Its home website is projecthealingwaters.org. Donations are always happily and gratefully accepted.
Please forgive me but I can’t help but repeat what was written in that previous column, “So how does fly fishing help? Perhaps it is as fly-fishing author Tom Meade wrote in his 1994 book entitled Essential Fly Fishing, “The rhythm of the rod carries your body, mind and spirit to the water. Whether you catch a fish or not, the water will always give you a little of its strength, some of its energy and much of its peace.”
Beagle Club
Robbie Kane, Berkshire Beagle Club spokesman, believes that next weekend’s field trials (August 3, 4, and 5) have the makings for their biggest and best August trials yet. The Field Trial for Champions trial on Friday evening is completely full, which makes the club able to donate $1,000 to the Northeast Regional Junior Beagle Program. There is an online dog auction for the Friday night trial going on the Facebook Group “Beaglers”. Half of the money raised goes towards the Club. They plan to have pizza Friday night for the participants and spectators.
Saturday’s 2-Couple Pack is also shaping up as well. That evening they will have their annual cookout. It should be a good time around the fires on both Friday and Saturday nights.
On Sunday is their derby and the All-Age Trial. They will be raffling off TT15 Mini Collars on both Saturday and Sunday for $10 a ticket. Spectators are welcome.

One day remaining to obtain an antlerless deer permit

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Gene

If you want to hunt antlerless deer this year, you need an antlerless deer permit. An antlerless deer is any deer without antlers or any deer with both antlers less than 3 inches long measured on a straight line form the center of the front base of the antler burr to the tip. If you have not yet applied for your antlerless deer permit, you better get a move on it for tomorrow, July 16, is the last day in which to apply.
Permit applicants should already have their 2018 hunting or sporting license. If not, they had better get a move on that, too, for it is needed in order to get the antlerless deer permit. Both the hunting licenses and the applications can be obtained through MassFishHunt or by visiting a MassWildlife office or license agent location. There is no fee to apply, but if awarded a permit, a $5 fee is charged.
If you made the July 16 application deadline, you then must check to see if you have been awarded the ability to purchase the permit. The award period begins August 1 and ends on December 31. Your odds of being awarded a permit are the same regardless of when you check your permit status. You can check the status of your permit through MassFishHunt.
Are you interested in participating in the Quabbin Deer Hunt? Well, that permit application period is from July 1 through August 31.
The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt is an annual event conducted on Quabbin Reservoir watershed land which was implemented as part of the management program to maintain a balance between deer herd densities and forest regeneration. Participants are selected from an applicant pool in a special lottery in early September.
All applications must be submitted online; the application must be filled out and submitted from the DCR Deer Hunt web page between July 1 and August 31. Hunters can get assistance completing applications online at the Quabbin Visitor Center on Saturdays (9 a.m. to noon) and Wednesdays (noon to 3 p.m.) during the application period.
Once selected, all successful applicants will receive written notification by early October. If you have any questions or concerns, contact: mass.gov/dcr/deerhunt.
MassWildlife recently filed a regulatory amendment that would extend the archery deer season by two weeks (opening the eighth Monday prior to Thanksgiving) in eastern Massachusetts (Wildlife Management Zones 10–14). In WMZs 1–9, our area, the archery deer season will remain the same, opening six weeks before Thanksgiving.

The amendment will increase hunting opportunities in a region where deer numbers are above management range goals. No changes were recommended for WMZs 1–9, as deer numbers in those zones are within management range goals. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to accept the proposed regulatory amendment in May, and currently, the regulation change is awaiting publication in the Massachusetts Register by the Secretary of State’s Office. MassWildlife anticipates that the season extension will be approved and in effect by the end of July.

Fish kills
This summer has been a hot one, and lakes and ponds are warming up, possibly resulting in fish kills. The sight of dead and dying fish along a shoreline can be distressing and can prompt concerns about pollution. However, according to MassWildlife, the vast majority of summer fish kills reported are natural events.
Natural fish kills are generally the result of low oxygen levels, fish diseases, or spawning stress. Depletion of dissolved oxygen is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills. Water holds less dissolved oxygen at higher temperatures; in shallow, weedy ponds oxygen can be especially low as plants consume oxygen at night. Spawning of fish including sunfish and bass in late spring and early summer occurs in shallow waters along the shore. These densely crowded spawning areas can become susceptible to disease outbreaks, especially as water temperatures rise. The result is an unavoidable natural fish kill, usually consisting of only one or two species of fish.
To be sure there isn’t a pollution problem, it’s always best to report fish kills. When a fish kill report is received, a MassWildlife fisheries biologist determines if the kill is a natural event or the result of pollution. In general, pollution impacts all kinds of aquatic life; therefore, the most important piece of evidence for the biologists is the number and variety of fish associated with the incident. When pollution is suspected, MassWildlife notifies the Department of Environmental Protection, who then conducts a formal investigation of the water and affected fish to determine the source of pollution.
To report a fish kill, contact the Environmental Police Radio Room at 1 (800) 632-8075.

Good news for BEAT

The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) recently received a $35,000 grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. This funding will enable BEAT to continue its work surveying and sampling stormwater outfalls (e.g. pipes emptying into our rivers) in Berkshire County.

Since 2014, BEAT’s work on water quality has identified over 100 previously unmapped outfalls, and as recently as the spring of 2017, identified at least one dispensing raw sewage into the Housatonic River. That outfall has since been remediated.

The project has trained dozens of citizen scientists to use smartphone technology to document stormwater outfalls in Berkshire County and contribute data to a regional database. “This grant will allow BEAT to continue working with students, interns, and volunteers using cutting edge technology to test the quality of the water flowing directly into the Housatonic River and other waterbodies,” said Jane Winn, Executive Director of BEAT.

According to MA Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, the Trust will provide over $500,00 in grants to 16 organizations this year, thanks to motorists who choose to purchase one of the Trust’s specialty license plates. Beaton said, “This funding has been made possible because over 40,000 drivers in Massachusetts choose to purchase one of the three environmental license plates, and I applaud our state’s residents for their continued commitment to the well-being of the Commonwealth’s environment.”

Working with Berkshire Community College (BCC) students has been a key part of this water quality project. Winn continued, “Our partnership with BCC has given their students field experience using microbiology for public health and environmental stewardship projects.”

For this project, BEAT worked with the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) who developed the quality assurance project plan (QAPP) and oversees training and collection practices.
Supporting the environmental programs funded by the Trust in our community is easy: choose one of three environmental plates, the Right Whale & Roseate Terns, The Leaping Brook Trout, or the Blackstone Valley Mill when you purchase or lease a new car or renew your registration with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The standard registration fee for a Massachusetts plate is $60.00. The special plate fee is an additional $40.00 (tax-deductible every two years) for a total cost of $100. Every time you renew your registration, you are supporting the Trust.

There is now an innovative website for citizen science

Posted on June 17, 2018 by Gene

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According to MassWildlife, just under 7 million people share roughly 7 million acres of land and water with wildlife in Massachusetts. Roadways crisscross much of the landscape, impacting both people and wildlife. The most obvious impacts are vehicle collisions. Less obvious—but perhaps more influential to wildlife populations—is habitat fragmentation and degradation caused by roads.
MassWildlife and MassDOT have partnered since 2008 to provide safe passages for both wildlife and people, and to address the conservation needs of vulnerable species listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. This partnership helps incorporate the needs of fish, wildlife, and plants that might have been ignored otherwise during the planning process and maintenance of roadways.
The partnership also has a website where you can report animals you see on the road. If you see roadkill, or a turtle or amphibian crossing the road, consider visiting linkinglandscapes.info to submit information. To submit your findings, click the major project that best fits what you see: reducing turtle roadkill, mapping amphibian crossings, or mapping wildlife roadkill. Fill out the short survey, with detailed location information. There is a Google Map at the bottom of the survey that can be zoomed in and panned to a specific location. The information provided on the website helps MassWildlife and MassDOT determine priority areas to mitigate wildlife-human interactions and how best to manage them.
The agencies suggest that there is another way you can help wildlife on the road and that is to be an alert driver. If you see a turtle crossing a road—and if it’s safe to assist—move the turtle in the direction it’s going. Don’t put it where you think it should go. Slow down if you see a moose or deer on the side of the road or crossing the road. If the animal is crossing the road, don’t swerve around it. Wait patiently for it to cross.
DFW Western District Land Acquisition
MassWildlife recently acquired 150 acres along East Washington Road in Hinsdale. This parcel connects the Hinsdale Flats Wildlife Management Area to the Tracy Pond Wildlife Management Area. It has fields, young forest, old orchards and mature woods, good habitat for most of our wildlife.
All lands acquired by the DFW are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, bird watching, hiking and other forms of passive recreation. The use of motorized vehicles is not permitted.
New Catch & Release State Record Walleye caught
Congratulations to Mike Taylor who recently caught a 29.5″ walleye out of the Connecticut River. Mike is now the catch & release state record holder for walleye.
According to Mass DFW, in the past, they made an extensive yet unsuccessful effort to stock walleye in dozens of waterbodies across the state, but survival rates were low and there was little, if any, natural reproduction. (They even tried stocking them in Stockbridge Bowl in the 1930’s or 1940’s with no reproduction success).
The DFW says that if you’re looking for places to catch walleye in the State, the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers, as well as the Lakeville system in the southeast, provide good opportunities.
Basic Hunter Education Course

There will be a Basic Hunter Education course held at the Worthington Rod & Gun Club, 458 Dingle Road, Worthingon, MA on July 23, 24, 26 and 27. All four sessions are from 5:30 to 9:00 pm.

You must attend all class dates and times to successfully complete the course. If you are interested in this course and wish to enroll, call (508) 389-7830 immediately; students are enrolled first-come, first-served, and courses fill quickly.

Get those kids outside. Please!
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are certainly doing their share. Recently, they announced that they will be donating some 50,000 rods and reels nationwide this summer in an effort to get kids outside. Recently, Masswildlife accepted a generous donation of 400 rods to its Angler Education Program at the Massachusetts Cabela’s.

They are EPOs, but I still call them game wardens
What this column needs is a good game warden story every now and then. Game wardens (now called Environmental Police Officers in Massachusetts) are very important and are an integral part of our hunting and fishing lore. When I think of the old-time game wardens, I conger up visions of him in his Smokey the Bear Hat, sneaking through the woods and peeking through some pines observing a person fishing right next to a “No Fishing” sign. I am partial to game wardens as my father was once a deputy game warden in the 1920’s and he used to relate some interesting stories to my brothers and me which I hope to pass on in future columns.
In the meantime, let’s start off with this one from nearby New York. Three hunters charged with illegally killing eight bucks in Columbia County, NY, last December have been fined a total of $16,300, according to New York Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union that represents the officers who made the arrests.
As reported in the Times Union, Environmental Conservation Officer Jeff Cox received an anonymous tip last Dec. 16 that a poacher had illegally shot a buck after dark on Friday evening. Cox and his partner, Officer James Davey, went to the alleged poacher’s home to investigate and found 19-year-old Hunter Ordway of Chatham preparing several antlered deer for processing and display. During an interview, Ordway admitted he had shot the two larger deer that Friday night and did not tag a third he’d also killed, the PBA said in a statement. Ordway named 41-year-old Jeremy Schemerhorn of Chatham and 24-year-old Ryan Bishop of Niverville as accomplices.
Schemerhorn and Bishop “eventually implicated each other in a variety of illegal hunting activities” in subsequent interviews the PBA said.
The officers seized eight bucks in total: one 10-point trophy, three 8-pointers, one 6-pointer, two 5-pointers and one spike. The meat was donated to the Columbia County Hunters for the Hungry Program.
The deer were killed by hunters who baited, stalked and shot the animals after dark with the aid of a light and night vision eyewear, the union said. The three men were ticketed for various offenses and also charged with a total of 10 misdemeanors, the police union said.
Ordway pleaded guilty on April 25 to six misdemeanor counts involving the illegal taking of deer and was sentenced on May 23 to $12,400 in fines and court costs.
Schemerhorn pleaded guilty on March 5 to three misdemeanors involving the illegal take of deer and paid a total of $3,225 in fines and court surcharges.
Bishop pleaded guilty on Feb. 28 to four violations: hunting deer over bait, failure to tag a deer, failure to possess an archery license and failure to wear backtag. He paid $675 in fines and court surcharges.

Ronald R. Smith, Turkey Hunting History Maker1980

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Gene

Wild turkey hunting began in Massachusetts in 1980 and the following year, on the second day of the season, a little bit of Massachusetts turkey hunting history took place right here in the Berkshires. In the predawn darkness, Ron Smith, then of Lee, now of Pittsfield, MA, was carefully picking his way through thick brush and trees down a wooded mountainside to an area where he hoped to find a roosting tom turkey. He imitated the call of a barred owl (a turkey predator) and a tom responded with a loud gobble about 100 yards away.

After waiting until it was light enough to find a good spot to stand, Ron selected an area where there was a large tree behind him to break his outline and disguise his presence. He was also fully camouflaged, including his face, hands and bow. He was somewhat familiar with the area as he had done some pre-season scouting there. Cupping his hands to his mouth, he called again, this time clucking quietly to imitate the soft “tree call” of a roosting hen. The tom responded immediately, rapidly gobbling several times. Ron cautioned himself not to call too frequently, which could cause the tom to become suspicious and disappear.

He said that he was “unusually calm”, probably because he had accepted the probability that any chance for bagging a wild turkey with a bow and arrow was just about nil. The fact that he had practiced for months did little to restore his confidence. A wild turkey is capable of spotting a slight finger movement at 80 yards, and if they do, they are out of there.

Several hundred yards further off, another roosting male started gobbling resulting in fierce competition. Each bird tried to outdo the other in his attempt to lure the hen by calling continuously. Ron’s concern mounted because other hunters might hear the birds, arrive at the scene and unintentionally ruin any chances that he may have at taking a tom.

He could hear the flapping of wings as the nearest tom left the tree and landed behind some thick brush about 80 yards away. The tom double and tripled gobbled and paraded back and forth waiting impatiently for the hen to come to him. Ron turned his head, covered his mouth and issued a few muffled yelps with the hope that the tom would think the hen was losing interest and was wandering off.

The tom stopped calling and Ron knew he was coming in. He raised his 57 pound draw Wing Impact compound bow to a shooting position and nocked the arrow. Seconds later, there was movement some 40 yards to his right. The bird had partially circled him and was proceeding cautiously, with head turning and stretching and eyes searching for the hen. He was heading for a nearby clearing. Ron had specifically chosen that opening right in front of him knowing that turkeys seldom venture into bushy areas where vision is limited.

Now the excitement suddenly his Ron, his mouth became dry and his chest started pounding and his arms started to shake. It appeared as though the bird’s piercing eyes were staring directly into his. About 12 yards away, off to the right, the bird stopped behind a large tree. That gave Ron the opportunity to adjust his shooting position and draw his bow. After a while, his head appeared, his black eyes penetrated Ron’s eyes and then withdrew his head and disappeared. There was silence. Then came a strange hissing and drumming sound and the tom stepped out strutting in full display. Ron let the arrow fly and it was over.

Then he sat down to control his shaking. He was a history maker for he had taken a turkey with a bow, the first turkey bagged with a bow and arrow in Massachusetts modern times.
The bird weighed 17.7 lbs, had 1 ½ inch spurs and a 9 ½ inch beard.

The late Ted Giddings, Editor for the Berkshire Eagle, covered the story and had the attached picture of Ron and the tom on the front page of the May 6, Berkshire Eagle, with the headline. “Lee man sets modern first by killing turkey with bow”. Ron also wrote about his experience and his story was featured in the May 1983 issue of Bowhunter, the National Magazine for the Hunting Archer.

Ron has always been an avid sportsman. Over the years he has served as President of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen and still is a delegate to the League. He was named Sportsman of the Year in 1995. He was secretary of the Lee Sportsmen’s Association for over 30 years and taught Bowhunting Eucation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for many years. He has served as President of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited. (In fact, he signed my diploma for passing a fly tying course back in 1982).

Now, at the age of 83, Ron is still an avid sportsman. He still bowhunts for deer and turkeys and goes out west to hunt elk in Montana, although lately, he hunts for elk with a camera. He is a member of several other sportsmen’s clubs, and, lest I forget, he is the elder statesman of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), a group which gathers for lunch weekly.

Father, daughter have great spring turkey hunting season

Say, remember my May 6, 2018 column wherein I mentioned the Youth Turkey Hunting results? In that article, I mentioned that Grace Krzanik of Adams, while being mentored by her dad Scott bagged an 18 lbs bird. Well guess what? On May 12 Grace and Scott went hunting again and she shot her second tom at 5:19 am. As they were heading back to the truck, she heard gobbles, so they went back to where she shot hers and set up again. Two more came in behind them and Scott shot his second bird of the season at 6:30am. Both father and daughter tagged out for turkey season.

Incidentally, Spring Turkey Hunting Season ended yesterday.

Trout stockings

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week: Clesson Brook and Upper Branch of Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, Greenwater Pond in Becket, Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington, Montgomery, Middlefield, Russell, Savoy, Worthington, Cummington, Chesterfield and Windsor; Deerfield River in Buckland, Florida and Charlemont; Cold River in Savoy, Florida and Charlemont, Chickley River in Hawley and Charlemont, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, North Pond in Florida, Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough, Laurel Lake in Lee, Housatonic River (C/R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, Windsor Pond in Windsor, Lake Garfield in Monterey, Otis Reservoir in Otis, and Richmond Pond in Richmond.

Firearms Course
On Saturday, June 2, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association will hold a Multi-License Firearms Course from 9am until 4pm for a proprietary License-To-Carry course that qualifies for licenses in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, and Utah. (those not participating in the Utah class can expect to be completed at approximately 3pm) This comprehensive one-day course includes information for federal and state firearm laws, operation and safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals, care and cleaning, concealed carry methods, a live fire session on the pistol range, and much more.
Seating is limited to the first 25 students who register. Course fee is $150, or you can take only the MA & CT portion for $120 with live fire, or take only the Utah portion for $100 without live fire. State license application fees and processing are not included. Participants will receive a course certificate, application forms, an informative student resource CD, and supporting documents. All firearms, ammunition, and eye and ear protection will be provided, including lunch as well.
For more information, contact Robert McDermott at (413) 232-7700 or email robmcdermott@verizon.net.
Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby
The 26th Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing Weekend for the state of Massachusetts.

The derby’s purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute For Children. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Central Berkshire Bowmen and I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.

Many trophies and prizes will be given out to the adult and youth winners of the fishing derby. There is even a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow. All fish must be weighed in at 12:00 PM and can be caught at Onota Lake from boat or shore. Everyone still needs to register before all fish can be weighed in. You must be wearing your wrist band provided at the registration desk in order to receive food and to weigh in your fish.
Fishing tackle is given with the trophy prizes and 2 prizes for heaviest trout. A sportsman award, which includes a tackle box with over $100 of tackle, is given out to a child

Fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 years old and younger and it includes food and beverages. No alcohol is served at this event. All children receive a free gift and they get a chance at winning a mountain bike. The carp shoot is part of the fishing derby because that was something that Harry enjoyed. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Avid Sports, Dave’s Sporting Goods, Maces Marine and Onota Boat Livery.

Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club fishing derby
According to club spokesman Tim Minkler, some 64 fishermen and fisherwomen showed up for the SSC’s annual Fishing Derby on May 20 and fished from dawn to 3:00 pm at Stockbridge Bowl. Weather predictions were not good calling for rain most of the day with thunderstorms coming through mid-day and temperatures in the 60s. Well, the weather man was wrong. There were a few sprinkles throughout the day with a 10-minute cloud burst right around 2:30pm, but for the most part they stayed dry all day.
The $100 Winners were as follows: Largest Trout- Sheila L. Malumphy, Lee Ma., 1 lbs 12 oz., 16” long; Largest Bass- Tim Fogarty, Becket Ma., 3 lbs 8oz., 18” long, Largest Pickerel- Dawson Farina, West Stockbridge, Ma. 4 lbs, 2 oz., 26.5” long and Largest Bullhead – Seth Slemp, Lee Ma., 1 lb, 3oz, 12” long.
The Age 12 and Under Winner was Dylan Trumps of South Lee with a trout weighing 1 lb 2 oz and 13” long.

Local youth turkey hunting results were low, but enthusiasm was high

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Gene

The special mentored youth turkey hunting day took place on Saturday, April 28. The combined turkey harvest for the Lee and Stockbridge Sportsmen’s clubs was only 4 birds. Its hard to figure out why as the weather wasn’t bad, the mentors are eminently qualified, the kids are decent shots and there appears to be a lot of turkeys strutting their stuff out there. Maybe the toms detected an accent in the turkey calls this year and became leery. Well, that’s the way it goes…..no excuses were offered.

This year, I covered the Lee Sportsmen’s Association which had 9 participants in the program and two birds were taken. Alex Navin, while hunting with mentor Doug LaPlante managed to bag a 15 lbs. bird around 6:00am with one clean shot to the head. They called in 5 or 6 other gobblers, too. He is very pleased with his new 20-gauge Mossberg Shotgun.

Daniel Epe, who was mentored by Mark Bartini, heard at least 6 toms all around them. The trouble was that some were in back yards and obviously he couldn’t go there to hunt them. He had one bird interested in Mark’s call, but he got busted (bird detected them and took off).

A similar situation occurred to Will Loring who was mentored by Isaac Winters. They had a bunch of gobblers nearby but couldn’t call them in. One bird had the nerve to strut nearby, but it got away. Matt Ranzoni was mentoring Will’s brother Charlie Loring and he bagged a 17 lbs. bird. No luck for Taylor Salice, who was mentored by Josh Hurlihey, but she had a good time hunting never-the-less.

John Ranzoni mentored Hunter Briggs, and he took a shot but didn’t drop the bird.

After having a burger or two excellently prepared by Tom and Virginia Dubois, the youngsters learned how to dress out the birds. In addition to the meat, they were shown how to save the tail feathers, beards, spurs, other feathers, etc.

Meanwhile, the folks at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club also bagged two birds. Some 18 youths went out turkey hunting this year. Thanks to information provided by spokesman Mike Buffoni, here is how they did:
Two youths got birds and Mike reported that at least 3 other youths had shots but missed. Every kid had great action and heard birds gobbling. Colby Carlson (Mike’s nephew) who was mentored by Brian Korte went on his first hunt ever and got a jake. Brady Donald also got a nice bird. Pretty sure it was his first also. “Very cool to see the excitement in these youth hunters” said Mike.

As usual they had a really nice lunch put on by Chef Peter Delgrande at the club. After eating, they also learned how to tend to the birds. Quite a few of the kids didn’t come for lunch and most were in shorts so they didn’t get a group photo this year. We did get a picture of young Colby Carlson with his turkey. The expression of joy and pride says it all, hey?
Few details came from North County except that Scott Krzanik of Adams, MA was mentoring his daughter Grace when she bagged an 18-pound bird with a 9 inch beard and 3/4″ spurs. She did this at 6:35 a.m. I believe I interviewed her back in 2016 when she got her first bird on youth day as well. Scott said that Matthew Tassone also got a nice tom North county.
According to Astrid Huseby, DFW Youth Turkey Hunt Coordinator, they don’t have exact numbers of how many youths participated. They do know that 270 youth ages 12-17 obtained the required permits/authorizations to hunt on the youth day, but not how many of those 270 actually went out hunting.
As for how many turkeys were harvested, they have a preliminary number of 52 birds reported online. More birds may have been harvested and taken to a check station that doesn’t use online reporting so they won’t have total numbers until the end of the season when all harvest reports are collected from check stations.

Free Fishing Days

In order to plan your fishing trips, here is a listing of free fishing days, where no freshwater license is needed: In Massachusetts, the dates are June 2 and 3. (You can also take advantage of free saltwater fishing on Father’s Day weekend – June 16 and 17). While you can fish for free on June 2-3, a license is required at all other times if you’re 15 or older. If you’re aged 15-17, your license is free.

In New York the free fishing days are June 23-24. They also have two additional free fishing dates in 2018 which are September 22 and November 11. In Vermont it is June 9. (Be sure to verify that date as I am receiving conflicting dates for Vermont). In New Hampshire the day is June 2; in Maine, the dates are June 2 and 3; the Connecticut Free Fishing date is May 12 and in Rhode Island they are May 6 and May 7. Now’s your chance to “test the waters” in our neighboring states free.

Pistol Shoots
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Rd., Cheshire, MA, will be having outdoor pistol shoots this year. The monthly shoots take place on Saturdays starting at 10:00 am. The entry fee for the first shoot is $10.00 and $5.00 for the second shoot. The winners will split ½ the first shoot take and all of the second shoot take. On May 12, there will be “Wood Blocks Standin’ on a Log” centerfire. 5 shots at 5 blocks at 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards.

Rules: For Rimfire – .22 Caliber, Semi-Automatic Pistols or Revolvers. For Centerfire – Semi-Automatic Pistols or Revolvers, no caliber over .45, red dot scopes are allowed, 1 or 2- handed allowed.

Also, on Sunday, May 20, they will be having a Steel Action Shoot, and on Thursday, May 24 they will be having their first Thursday Night Steel Match.

For more information contact: Martha Lee (413) 212-4154, Evelyn Jones (413) 684-3391.

Trout Stocking

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week: Hoosic River in Adams. Cheshire and Clarksburg; Greenwater Pond in Becket, West Branch of the Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington and Middlefield; Westfield River Mainstem in Russell, Potash Brook in Blandford and Russell, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Hudson Brook in Clarksburg, Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough and Big Pond in Otis.

Fishing Derby
The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is having its next free children’s fishing derby next Saturday, May 12, from 9 to 10:30 am at its lower pond. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Bass Fishing Tournament

The bass fishermen have started their 2018 tournaments and the first event was at the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, MA on April 29. The results are as follows: 1st place went to Ricky Terzak with 16.4 lbs. of bass. In 2nd place was Paul Procopio with 12.13 lbs. Dave Benham took 3rd with 12.4lbs, 4th place went to Bill Gates with 11 lbs. and in 5th place was Bill Pigott with 8.7 lbs. These are 5 fish totals weights. All were caught, weighed in and released.

The lunker (largemouth) bass was taken by Bill Gates, one weighing 4.1 lbs. Paul Procopio caught a 3.3 lbs. smallmouth. Both are currently leading in the Lunker of the Year contests.

Registration is open for the next tournament which takes place on May 13.

HVA to conduct Stream Assessments of the Konkapot and Williams Rivers

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) invites interested individuals to help form “Stream Teams” to complete Stream Assessments this spring and summer. “Stream Team” volunteers will walk, sometimes in the river, or paddle along an assigned segment of the river and record information along the way. All of the information collected will be compiled into a final Stream Assessment Report which will include conditions and use of the river sections plus possible recommendations for future projects. Assessments are to be completed from May to July and can be scheduled according to the volunteers’ availability.

HVA has scheduled a Stream Assessment volunteer training on Tuesday, May 15 from 5 to7pm in the Community Room of the Mason Library, Great Barrington. Registration is required, space is limited. They will also conduct an on-stream training practice review with date and time to be determined.

These surveys help HVA assess the health of the river and work with the community to improve that part of the watershed. All of the information collected will be compiled into a final Stream Assessment Report which will include conditions and use of the river sections, plus possible recommendations for future projects. These reports should be available in October 2018 on HVA’s website (hvatoday.org). Copies of the report, both digital or hard copy can be requested.

Funding for the Stream Assessments is provided by The Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The Green River and Southwest Branch of the Housatonic River Stream Assessments were completed in 2017. Copies of these reports and other previous reports are available at hvatoday.org or you can call and request a copy. If you are interested in participating in this project, call HVA at 413-298-7024 or email Alison at adixon@hvatoday.org.

The two Stream Assessments that are to be completed this year are the Williams and Konkapot Rivers. Both of these rivers are tributaries of the Housatonic River. The Williams River flows south and southeast through West Stockbridge and Great Barrington where it joins the Housatonic River while the Konkapot River begins in Monterey and continues south through New Marlborough and, after a dip into Canaan, Connecticut, flows into the Housatonic River in Sheffield.
“Stream Teams” for each of the rivers will be made up of small groups of 2 – 3 volunteers and the teams are typically assigned a 1 – 2 mile section of the river. HVA will train “Stream Team” volunteers on how to conduct the survey, what information to record, and safety protocols. Volunteers will be asked to record things of note such as: pipes that are seen, invasive plants or wildlife observations, and general river conditions and usage. Following the surveys, the “Stream Team” volunteers will come together to share their findings and discuss suitable recommendations. The information gathered will be compiled into final Stream Assessment reports – one for each of the tributaries.
Not all “Stream Team” members need to be involved in conducting a survey. If you have an interest or expertise in either the Williams or Konkapot Rivers, HVA welcomes your input. Trainings are expected to be scheduled in May. Surveys will be completed from May – July weather and water levels permitting. The final reports, which are expected to be compiled in late summer, will be submitted to the local municipalities and state government and should also be available to the public by October 2018. The assessment will be placed on the HVA website along with their past reports. Feel free to check out these past reports to help understand more about this program. Contact HVA at 413-298-7024 for more information about volunteering for a “Stream Team.”
Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting
The May meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Stationery Factory ,63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton, MA.

Suggestions to avoid bear problems

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Gene

According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, as of March 1, 2018 the Western District has had three reports of bears attacking livestock, in two cases killing a sheep and a goat. In the third case, a llama was attacked but got it away with minimal harm. The attacks took place in the towns of Monterey, Blandford and West Stockbridge.

Madden noted that in all three cases residents had seen bears regularly but continued feeding birds.

Bears are pretty hungry this time of year. With this lingering winter, succulent vegetation
such as skunk cabbage is late arriving. We would be wise to keep a close eye on our pets and animals, and for goodness sake, don’t invite the bears with bird seeds, suet and garbage. The following are some suggestions for farmers and others to help avoid encounters with bears:

Protect livestock
Avoid pasturing animals in remote areas or nearby heavy wooded cover or travel areas that bears might use. Whenever possible, pen livestock in or near the barn at night, especially pregnant females and those with small young. Avoid field birthing if possible. Do not leave carcasses of dead animals exposed in fields, pastures, or nearby areas. Consider the use of guard animals. Keep livestock feed in secured outbuildings protected by electric fencing or in bear-proof containers.
Protect bees and chickens
Use electric fencing to safeguard hives and coops. Electric fences are most effective when put up and continuously charged before the first damage occurs. Keep open, mowed areas on all sides of hives and coops and do not locate hives or coops in abandoned areas or close to brushy, overgrown areas.
Protect crops and orchards
Temporary electric fencing may be used to protect corn and other crops. Seven-strand slanted non-electric fences have been used to keep bears out of orchards. Contact local bear hunters for the early September bear season to hunt the fields.
If you have a second home owner neighbor who has not yet arrived in the Berkshires, you might want to share the following information with them:
Bird Feeders
MassWildlife recommends that if you live in an area with bears, it is best to avoid bird feeders altogether. Bears finding a bird feeder, bird seed, corn or other bird food will often revisit that site. Bird feeders draw bears closer to people, resulting in bears losing their fear of people. This process is called habituation. It’s not safe for bears or people to be close to one another.
If you choose to put out feeders, doing so in the winter when bears are denned decreases the chances of a bear coming to your feeder. In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. Although most bears in Massachusetts enter winter dens, MassWildlife biologists have tracked bears that remained active for some or all of the winter if food is available. It is important that you remove the entire feeder at the first sign of bear activity.
Many wild animals are attracted to bird feeders including wild turkeys and coyotes. Since bird feeders attract small mammals like squirrels, they can also attract animals like fishers and bobcats who prey upon the smaller animals.
For those people who enjoy birds in their yards, MassWildlife suggests growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Adding a water feature is a big draw for birds. Taking these actions may increase the diversity of birds you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife. Some bears have learned to empty bird feeders without destroying the feeder. Do not continue to fill a feeder. Do not leave empty feeders out because residual smell and the sight of feeders can still attract bears.
Pets
Pet food is a tasty treat for bears so don’t leave pet food outdoors. The presence of a dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive. Keep dogs leashed and never let dogs chase or interact with bears. Check your yard for bears before letting your dog out. If you encounter a bear while with your dog, back away slowly and leave the area.
Garbage
Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Do not leave your garbage barrels outside overnight. Rather, put them by the roadside before pickup. Use of double bags or sprinkling with ammonia will help reduce odors. Bears and other wild and domestic animals will tip cans and scatter garbage. Smelly cans may attract bears even if there isn’t anything in them, so store garbage cans inside.
Compost responsibly. Do not throw meat scraps, greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. These kinds of food attract bears and other animals.
Bear-proof garbage cans may be available from municipalities or waste management contractors. In communities where bears are more common, bear-proof dumpsters are recommended for apartments, condos and campgrounds.
Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers or spilled grease in your yard.
If you see a bear in your neighborhood

A bear’s first response to something unusual is to leave. If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesn’t belong, such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster, MassWildlife recommends you step outside, yell, and make lots of noise. The bear will usually leave—accompanied by its young. Habituated bears may ignore minor harassment. If you continue to see bears, check your property and remove any potential food sources.

In the Woods

Black bears are usually wary of people. Normal trail noise will alert bears to your presence and they will often disappear before you see them. If you see a bear, it may not immediately recognize you as a human and may be curious until it scents you. Make the animal aware of your presence by clapping, talking, or making other sounds while slowly backing away. Do not approach bears or intrude between a female bear and her cubs. Keep dogs leashed and stay a respectful distance away.

While Camping

MassWildlife recommends that you don’t cook, eat, or store food in or next to your tent or camp trailer where odors may linger. Sleep as far away from food storage and preparation areas as possible. Do not dispose of food scraps, grease, or other edibles in your campfire. These materials may not completely burn. Also, the scent of burned food may attract bears.
Store food in bear-proof containers or hang it high on sturdy poles or on wires strung between two trees. Food should hang at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet off the base of the truck. Don’t feed bears or leave food items or coolers out when away from the campsite. Use caution if storing food in your vehicle. Some bears may be able to break a window to gain entry. Even if unsuccessful, the bear’s attempts may damage your vehicle.
Store toiletries safely with your food. The scent and use of perfumes and colognes may attract bears. Stay at campgrounds that are clean, use “bear boxes” for safe food storage and dispose of garbage in bear-proof dumpsters. While hiking, normal trail noise will alert bears to your presence and prompt them to move without being noticed.
Spread the word about how to avoid conflicts with bears by sharing these tips with others.

Black bears are important and valuable mammals in Massachusetts. They are big game mammals for which regulated hunting seasons and a management program have been established.

Be River Smart!
No, I’m not referring to smart river fishing or river paddling. Heck, you don’t even have to go near a river to be river smart. The Housatonic River Association (HVA) folks are encouraging everyone to “Be River Smart!” in a different way.
According to Allison Dixon, HVA Berkshire Outreach Manager, polluted stormwater runoff is the number one threat to the water quality of our rivers and lakes today. Yet, we can all be part of the solution. Just get River Smart! Understanding the issue is the first step and then being mindful and maybe adjusting of some of our everyday behaviors is the next and most crucial step.
As Dixon points out, we all learned as kids about the water cycle – when rain falls or snow and ice melt, it either soaks into the ground or evaporates. What we probably didn’t learn is that when rain fall meets hard surfaces like roofs, paved parking lots, streets and driveways, it flows as runoff into the storm drains and asphalted channels into the nearest river or lake.
By the time it reaches that water body it is polluted stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff picks up fluids that leak from cars such as motor oil, litter, pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, sand and salt and more from the ground. This runoff contaminates the water raising bacteria levels and compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and the health of the aquatic life in all streams of all of our watersheds in Berkshire County.
Each one of us contributes to this source of pollution and each one of us can make a difference. Pick up that pet waste and throw it in the trash, identify and fix those vehicle leaks quickly, switch to organic lawn care and wash that car on the lawn or at a car wash.
For more information on how to be river smart, contact HVA at 413-298-7024 or email Alison Dixon, HVA’s Berkshire Outreach Manager at adixon@hvatoday.org
Trout Stockings
The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week but, as Deb Lipa, Clerk for the Western District DFW noted, the water levels/conditions are crazy so there may have been changes and further updates after this list was prepared: Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, South River in Ashfield, Swift River in Cummington, Ashfield and Goshen; Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, West Branch Brook in Chesterfield, East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington, Chesterfield and Huntington; Stones Brook in Goshen, West Brook in Great Barrington, Little River in Worthington and Huntington, Greenwater Brook in Lee, Goose Pond Brook in Tyringham and Lee, Beartown and West Brooks in Lee, Goose Pond in Lee, Hop Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Factory Brook in Middlefield, Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield; Lake Buel in Monterey, Mill Brook in Plainfield, Richmond Pond in Richmond, Buck and Clam Rivers in Sandisfield, Stockbridge Bowl and Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge, Depot Brook in Washington, West Brook in Windsor and Bronson and West Branch Brooks in Worthington.
Spring Turkey Hunting
Next Saturday, April 28, the 2018 Youth Turkey Hunt day takes place in Wildlife Management Zones 1-13. That is a special day set aside for youths aged 12 to 17. This hunt, developed through a partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, allows for a mentored hunt. Hopefully, the youths paid attention and successfully completed the pre-hunt workshop and received the special permits.
Hey youngsters, get to bed early Friday night for the spring season begins ½ hour before sunrise, which is around 5:15 am, and you should be in your hunting spot by then on Saturday morning. Good luck and have a safe and enjoyable hunt. Hopefully, the weather will be nice
Incidentally, the regular spring turkey hunting season opens on Monday, April 30 and runs through May 26.

Questions arise over the handling of Pittsfield Lakes

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Gene

Recently, I have been receiving correspondence from sportsmen questioning why the water level on Pontoosuc Lake is so low that they are unable to launch their boats in the open water near the outlet channel. I didn’t know the answer. It was my understanding that per Order of Conditions, the lake had to be completely refilled by April 1, and I am unaware of any amendments or exclusions to that Order of Condition.

On April 2, I went to the lake outlet and found that the water level indeed appeared to be 2 feet below the dam overflow level and that water was being diverted around the dam in a pipe and into the outlet stream (one of the feeders to the Housatonic River). It looked as though the
refilling, a process which probably takes a couple of weeks to complete, had not even begun. It is my understanding that the lake is allowed to be raised or lowered no more than 3 inches per day to reduce adverse impacts on the outlet stream. While there, I took a picture of the outlet. (Picture quality not quite sufficient for this column).

Through e-mail and telephone calls, I tried to reach the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding this matter. (I subsequently found out that I should have contacted the DCR because it is the permittee and operator for Pontoosuc Lake). I called the Pittsfield Conservation Agent (Rob Vanderkar) and we had a good conversation. He claimed he contacted the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) on April 2 and requested that they begin
refilling the lake that very day. If they did so, it must have begun after I visited the dam and took pictures.

On March 4, the DCR Press Secretary responded to my inquiry with the following information:

“Every year, the DCR conducts a winter drawdown of approximately three feet of water from Pontoosuc Lake by opening the dam in the City of Pittsfield. Staff then elevate the water levels back to normal for the spring/summer season (typically April 1st).”

“However, the agency has not brought the water levels up to normal seasonal heights just yet due to the large amounts of ice currently present within the lake caused by a prolonged winter season, which has happened in past years. Elevating the water levels at this time would enable ice to drift to the shoreline and potentially damage the bank, property, and/or other structures that it may encounter.”

“DCR staff are currently allowing the ice to fully melt, water levels are slowly rising (approximately 15 inches from the spillway), and staff continue to monitor the issue. Water levels are expected to be at spring/summer heights later this week or early next week.”

I am no biologist, but I don’t think “winter drawdowns” cut it. Unless something changed in the regulations recently, drawdowns had to be completed by November 15 in order to allow the critters (amphibians, mammals, etc.) to relocate in order to survive the freezing temperatures.

The issue of severe and late lake drawdowns and refills has been a constant point of contention to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), the umbrella organization for a dozen or so local sportsmen’s clubs and some 3,000 or more local sportsmen and women. Rarely has a monthly meeting taken place in the last couple of years when this subject, as well as the use of herbicides, did not come up. Some of the concerns are: too severe drawdowns, drawdowns conducted too late to allow the critters to make new winter homes, excessive or overuse or unnecessary uses of herbicides, and others.

Their concerns were piqued when it was learned that there was a drastic drawdown last winter on Onota Lake which left thousands of freshwater clams, mussels and a rare aquatic plant exposed on a sandbar to freeze. Even a muskrat had been left stranded in the low water and had to be trapped out by DFW. (Keep in mind that drawdowns are supposed to be completed before winter).

I have since learned from the DEP that Jim McGrath, Pittsfield’s Harbormaster, is the operator for Onota Lake and that MassDEP has and is providing guidance and recommendations to the Conservation Commission regarding permits.

Complicated, hey?

Nevertheless, someone should have been held accountable for the demise of the thousands of those bivalves. The freshwater mussels were identified by DFW aquatic biologists as common mussels, but they were estimated to be from 50 to 80 years old. A Comb Water Milfoil (as opposed to the invasive Eurasian Milfoil), was also exposed to freezing during that drawdown. It is listed in Massachusetts as “Endangered.”

The County League’s concerns have been frequently conveyed to the Western District DFW Supervisor Andrew Madden, but his hands are tied in these matters because the Conservation Commissions call the shots. (Although I am not sure if the Concom called the shot on the above referenced Onota Lake drawdown last fall). Isn’t it ironic that the very agency that has the best trained aquatic biologists and expertise to address these concerns, basically has no say? Yes, DFW advice and recommendations are sought by lake associations, conservation commissions and others but at the end of the day the recommendations are largely unheeded it is they who make the decisions and who, in the County League’s opinion, are the least qualified to make them. The County League hopes to change all that.

It is important that fishermen, conservationists and those who represent the critters also have a say in the management of these Massachusetts “Great Ponds”. It is up to them to become informed, attend the various meetings and work with the Conservation Commissions, lake associations, DEP, DCR, DFW and others to come up with sound lake management plans that all can live with, even the critters.

Incidentally, Dan Miraglia, of Pittsfield, has been the watch dog keeping the BCLS updated on lake matters. As a sign of appreciation, the League chose Dan to receive its Silvio O. Conte Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award this year.

Incidentally, the leadership of the BCLS asked me to announce that they still have tickets available for the Silvio Conte Memorial Banquet on April 21. At that banquet, Dan, along with George Wislocki, Karen Kruszyna, Tom Tyning and another guy will be recognized. While there, maybe we can ask Tom what the effects the constant drawdowns have on the turtle, crayfish and other amphibian populations.

Trout Stocking

The following water bodies were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week, subject to change: Green River – Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; West Branch Westfield River – Becket, Chester, Middlefield and Huntington; East Branch Westfield River- Chesterfield, Cummington, Savoy, Huntington Russell and Windsor; Deerfield River – Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Farmington River – Otis and Sandisfield; Konkapot River – Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Mansfield Pond in Great Barrington and Lake Buel in Monterey.

Coyote Contest

Eight coyotes were entered into Dave’s Sporting Goods Coyote Contest this year, and the winner was Carl Dolle of Clarksburg. He bagged the most with a total of 5 and he also bagged the largest coyote which weighed 41 lbs. Joe Trybus, of Lanesborough, MA won the random draw. Congratulations to both.

As you undoubtedly noticed the checked-in numbers were low this year. According to store owner, Dave (DJ) Benham, Jr., it was probably due to the poor weather conditions. It seemed like every time it snowed, it crusted over, keeping the hunters out of the woods. The hunters did not want the crust harming their dog’s paws.

Fishing Derby
The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is having this year’s first free children’s fishing derby next Saturday, April 14, from 9 to 10:30 AM at its lower pond. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Intro to Action Shooting 101 Class

Do you want to start shooting International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), or Steel Challenge this season but really don’t know where to start? On April 15 there will be an Action Shooter 101 class at Lee Sportsmen Association (LSA) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The cost is $5 per person.

The training will begin with a mandatory 45-minute safety and procedures training session in the clubhouse. They will then move to the range for training on action shooting match firearm handling. Later you will be shooting a short, simulated match under the direct supervision of a safety officer. The instructor is LSA’s Paddy Sullivan a Master level shooter in IDPA, Steel Challenge and USPSA

You do not have to be a member of LSA to attend this class. This is a class for new shooters and you are absolutely welcome. But this is not a class for someone not familiar with the firearm you will use. You should have practiced and be very comfortable with loading, unloading, shooting and clearing jams prior to taking this class. You are encouraged to find some introduction to IDPA and Steel Challenge videos on YouTube prior to taking this class in order to be much better prepared and more comfortable.

On April 22, they will be having a 2-gun event. (2 Gun is similar to IDPA only you use a pistol and shotgun.)
There are certain rules with which you must abide. For information on them and to see the 2018 IDPA and Steel schedule, contact Shawn Sullivan at ssullee@icloud.com.

Beagle Club hunt
Looking for something to do next Saturday or Sunday? Maybe you want to hear some good music, sung only by beagles. Perhaps that type of music brings you back to the old days when lots of folks had beagles tied to dog houses in their back yards.
Well, I know just the place to once again hear that music, and that is the Berkshire Beagle Club on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, MA. Next Saturday and Sunday, the club is having its spring field trials where some of the best beagles in the northeast compete at following the scents of snowshoe hares and/or cottontail bunnies. All of the dogs are AKC registered and many already possess championship ribbons won at other field trials.
When they strike a scent, they sure sing, some practically yodeling. For beagle lovers, it is truly music to their ears.
The club welcomes folks to come and just listen to the dogs and observe the judges. Every now and then, you will hear someone shout “Tally Ho!” to let the judges know that they spotted a bunny or dog on its scent.
There will be plenty of food to purchase there.

HALF A MILLION TROUT TO BE STOCKED

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Gene

Close to 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout will be stocked this spring from MassWildlife’s five hatcheries located in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague. According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, about 100,000 or so trout will be stocked in our area. These fish, coupled with the more than 65,000 fish stocked last fall, should provide some excellent fishing in the coming months.
Stocking was scheduled to begin in the southeastern area of the state during the first full week of March with the Western District stocking taking place any time now, subject to weather and water conditions. Anglers can get daily stocking updates at Mass.gov/Trout, or by contacting local district offices for the latest stocking information.

2018 spring trout stocking stats:
Most of the trout will be over 12 inches
More than 40% of the trout will be over 14 inches
More than 51,000 brook trout will be over 12 inches
More than 45,000 brown trout will be over 12 inches
More than 200,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches
More than 1,200 brown trout will be over 18 inches
More than 500 brook trout will be over 15 inches
More than 2,500 tiger trout will be over 14 inches

Madden noted that the DFW puts a lot emphasis in stocking big fish as opposed to stocking smaller fish to grow.

New Trout and Salmon Stamp in Connecticut

There are a considerable number of area anglers who flyfish in the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers in Connecticut. Please be aware that they will now require a Trout and Salmon Stamp. State officials say that 100% of the money invested in this stamp is guaranteed to go to support fisheries programs.

Anyone age 16 or older including everyone who is age 65 or older who chooses to do one or both of the following must purchase a trout and salmon stamp:

1. FISH in one of the following areas: Trout Park, Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area or a Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Area.

2. HARVEST (keep) trout, Kokanee Salmon, or Atlantic Salmon anywhere in the state (except for places not stocked by the state).

The fee is $5.00 for age 18 and older and $3.00 for those 16-17. The stamp is good for the calendar year (expires on December 31). The Trout and Salmon Stamp will print on your fishing license as an additional privilege.

The trout and salmon stamp requirement will be effective once published on the eRegulations system by the Secretary of State’s office.

Incidentally, opening day of trout season in Connecticut is April 14.
Big Brown Trout caught out of Stockbridge Bowl

On Saturday morning, January 27, Linda and Andrew (Andy) Stephenson of Lenox were ice fishing on Stockbridge Bowl. Fishing for yellow perch, they were using small bait and small hooks. While Andy was making some coffee, Linda’s tip-up flag went up. She set the hook on the fish and began pulling it in. At first, it didn’t appear to be that big of a fish, but when it got near the hole, Linda caught sight of it and excitedly shouted that she had a really big fish on.
Andy saw she was fighting a pretty good fish so he hustled to grab a gaff and ran over to help her out. Before he could get to her with the gaff, Linda realized she had to do something immediately or lose the fish. She pulled the fish partially out of the hole and with her bare hand scooped it out. When she got the fish on the ice they discovered that it was a large brown trout. The small hook was half straightened out, so Linda would surely have lost that fish if she hadn’t done some quick thinking and taken immediate action.
The brown trout weighed 6.9 lbs on their unofficial scale and was 28 inches long. They were unfamiliar with how to qualify the fish for a state pin and didn’t get it properly weighed on certified scales or measured. If they had, it would have easily qualified for a State pin, perhaps the gold pin. Oh well, they took it home to eat. Some of it was cooked, but it was not as tasty as the perch so they brined and smoked the rest.
They are going to get a reproduction mount of the fish to hang up on the wall.
Linda is no stranger to hauling in large fish. In 2007, while she and Andy were on their honeymoon, she caught a 49 inch, 42 lbs King Salmon on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Andy said that he is pretty used to being out-fished by Linda for she always seems to end up with the best catch of the day.

Young Adult Turkey Hunting Program
If you are thinking about enrolling a youngster into the Massachusetts Young Adult Turkey Hunting Program you had better get a move on it. The requirements to participate in the program are:
• Between the ages of 12 to 17
• Must have completed Basic Hunter Education before the day of the hunt.
• Must have completed the Youth Turkey Class.
• Participants who are at least 15 years old or older who wish to use a shotgun must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID).
The hunting program is a two-part workshop. It teaches young adults proper hunter safety and techniques. Hunters ages 12 to 17 will get to hunt wild turkey under supervision of an experienced adult hunter. MassWildlife, the Massachusetts State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (MA NWTF), and participating Sportsmen’s Clubs run the program. The workshop teaches young hunters specialized training and instruction for turkey hunting. This workshop is a dress rehearsal for the actual turkey hunt. This year the hunt occurs on Saturday, April 28.
The youth turkey permit for youth ages 12-14 is good not only for the youth day, but also for the regular spring season.
You do not need to be a member of a club to participant in the seminar and hunt, it is open to anyone.
Hunting mentors are adults with a current state hunting license and a turkey permit for the current year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to take part in the hunt if they can. Legal guardians can involve themselves as much as possible, even if that means sitting in during the workshop.
Young adults who took part in a pre-hunt workshop in a prior year, do not have to attend it again. They can take part in only the hunt. In this case, young adults must mail MassWildlife Field Headquarters to get their turkey permit for the current year.
Local participating clubs are: Lee Sportsmen’s Association, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club and the Worthington Rod & Gun Club.
For more information about the program, click onto: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/young-adult-turkey-hunt-program
Firearms Safety Course
Avid Sports, 1201 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, will be holding its next Firearms Safety Course on Tuesday March 20 at 5:00 PM. This course allows you to apply for a pistol permit or F.I.D. card. Call 413-997-3600 or message them for more details.
Bowhunting Education Course

There will be a bowhunting education course at the Singletary Rod and Gun Club, 300 Sutton Avenue, Oxford, Massachusetts, on Saturday, April 28, from 8:00 AM to 4:30PM. For directions, click onto http://www.singletaryrodandgun.com/directions.html. If you are interested in this course and wish to enroll, call (508) 389-7830 immediately; students are enrolled first-come, first-served.

Youth Sportsmen’s Gala Event
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association and Ducks Unlimited will be having its 4th Annual Berkshires Youth Sportsmen’s Gala at the Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street in Pittsfield on Saturday, April 7, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Doors open at 4 PM. There will be a general raffle, silent and live auctions, fantastic food music and fun. Ticket costs $100 and there are various sponsor packages.
For more information, contact Virginia Dubois at (413) 446 – 5404.

Correction
Readers may have been confused with last week’s column regarding who caught that 30.8 pound northern pike out of Lake Buel. The column headline listed (Matt) Ranzoni as having caught it but it was actually caught by Mike Scarpa of Lee. Matt helped by grabbing the big fish by its gills and pulling it out of the hole, but Mike Scarpa actually hooked and fought that fish and brought it to the hole. The photo was provided by Matt Ranzoni.
Sorry about that Mike. As a consolation, you can add a couple more pounds to that fish’s weight……nobody will object.

Berkshire Outdoorsman

Hunting and fishing in the Berkshires, MA

Category Archives: Hunting