Category Archives: Turkey Hunting

It was a bittersweet youth turkey hunting day

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The day started out on a dismal note. Early in the morning, the hunters had to contend with a steady rain downpour. After a couple of hours, the rain stopped and then a cold wind came up. That was followed around noon by a snow storm and snow squalls. Little did we know that things would even get worse that day.
I was at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club hoping to get some pictures and hunting stories from the excited mentored youths. I was glad that I wasn’t out hunting in that miserable weather. Around 11:30 am, the mentors and youth hunters started arriving at the Club to enjoy a delicious casserole lunch prepared by Peter Delgrande. In spite of the bad weather, all of the hunters and mentors had seen, heard, shot at or killed turkeys. The first team in was Jardin Buffoni, hunting with mentor Jay Raifstranger who shot a tom weighing 20.24 lbs. Mark Buffoni, who was mentored by Bob Spence saw 5 turkeys but couldn’t bag any. No problem, for Mark already got one in neighboring NY. Matthew Fletcher hunting with Lori Fletcher saw toms and hens but didn’t shoot any. Bailey Gilmore, hunting with David Gilmore shot at one and saw others. Curt Wilson III, who was hunting with Mike Buffoni and John Mange saw some but couldn’t get one. Elaina Donsbough hunting with her dad Lee Donsbough got one (pictured).

Around 12:30, the food was out and we were waiting for the last stragglers to come in from the hunt. Noticeably not present was Chris Puntin and his mentored youth. It was getting late, people had to go to games and what not, so Mike Buffoni told us not to wait for the others but to eat.
During the meal, we started to get reports of an accident somewhere. I remember thinking as I was driving home, I hope the accident wasn’t a serious one. I didn’t know if it was an auto accident or an accidental shooting. It wasn’t until later that evening that we learned that an apparent accidental shooting occurred and that Chris Puntin passed away.
His wake was held at Bencivenga & Dagnoli Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon, and how sad it was. This scribe has personally never seen such a large wake. The line went out the door down to the rear of the long parking lot and back up on the other side. It was that long when I got there and when I left 3 hours later, it was still that long. Although the wake started at 4:00 pm, people stood for 3 – 3 ½ hours outside in the cloudy, misty but moderate weather well into darkness, with nary a complaint from anyone. Funeral home officials estimated the crowd to be between 1,500 and 1,600 and it ended at approximately 9:45 pm. I can only imagine the crowd that went to the funeral mass at Sacred Heart the following morning.
This should be of no surprise as Chris was well liked and respected as is his family. The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) sent a beautiful spray of flowers, interspersed with turkey feathers. Other sprays had similar feathers and also deer antlers.
MassWildlife also was saddened by the tragedy and extended its heartfelt sympathies to families and friends. To quote words from Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor, “Chris was well known to us. He was very active with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), a Paraplegic Deer Hunt volunteer for MassWildlife, and a good friend to the Agency and the District.”

Chris was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was the local chairman of the NWTF and served on the NWTF State Board. For many years he was a mentor for the youth turkey hunts and was a key organizer at the NWTF fund raisers. He helped in trout stockings and was a member of the Snow Seekers (tending snow mobile trails on October Mountain). He helped on the “Buddy Walks” by driving the tractor for its hayrides in Dalton (The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness) and he volunteered as its “grill person”.
Words are hard to come by at times like this. I offer this meek consolation, that even though he was taken from us far too soon, he died doing what he truly loved right up to his last moment, that being getting the youth exposed to the outdoors and all it has to offer. I’m sure I speak for many local and Massachusetts sportsmen and women by offering up our sincerest condolences to his parents Willian and Mary Ellen, his son Nick, his life partner Carla Halley, other family members and friends. He will truly be missed.
Other than the information already provided, local harvest figures for the youth turkey hunt this year were hard to come by. No report was received from north county or from the Lee Sportsmen’s Association.
Travis Delratez (former president of the Pittsfield Sportsman Club) reported that his nephew Tristan Parsons shot a nice Tom on Saturday during the Youth Hunt. He said that it weighed 20+ lbs., had an 8 1/2-inch beard and 1-inch spurs. Tristan also shot another “long beard” the previous week in the NY Youth Hunt. Tristan has now bagged 5 long beards to date. He took another one in VT a couple of years ago. He has also shot two deer in his hunting career so far. Pretty good, ey? But get this, Tristan is only 13 years old!
According to Marion Larson, Chief, Information & Education, MA DFW, some 44 harvested birds were reported online and there was at least one taken to a check station on Monday. This is only the preliminary number of birds harvested as they need to get further information from check stations on birds checked in on Monday the 29th. Final figures will be available at a later date.
Larson reported that statewide 70 new Youth Turkey Hunt participants completed the Youth Turkey Seminar and Hunter Education this year and 247 youths obtained permits for the youth turkey hunt day. (She doesn’t know how many actually hunted.) Just over 1,000 youths in total have participated in the Youth Turkey Hunt program since its inception in 2009.
Trout Stockings
The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week. Rivers and brooks: Westfield River (West Branch) in Becket, Chester, Huntington and Middlefield; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Hubbard River in Granville, Konkapot River in Monterey and New Marlborough, Kinderhook Creek in Hancock, Dry Brook in Adams and Cheshire, Green River (north) in Williamstown, Hemlock Brook in Williamstown, Pelham Brook in Charlemont and Rowe, Dunbar Brook in Monroe and South Brook in Cheshire.
Lakes and Ponds: Windsor Pond in Windsor, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Berry Pond in Hancock, Pelham Lake in Rowe, North Pond in Florida, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington and Plunkett Reservoir in Hinsdale.
Fishing Derbies

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is having its Spring Fishing Derby at the Stockbridge Bowl boat ramp next Sunday, May 19, from dawn until 3:00pm. Prizes of $100 will go the heaviest trout, pickerel, bass and bullhead. There will be free lures for all kids 12 and under. Hot breakfast and lunch will be available. Pre-registration fee is $10 and post registration is $15. Tickets are available at the Minkler Insurance Agency, 31 Main Street, Stockbridge, (W)413-644-3590, (H)413-298-4630 or from any club member.

DER Releases New Dam Removal Video
The Department of Environmental Restorations (MA DER) is excited to present Dam Removal in Pittsfield: Different Reasons, One Goal, a five-minute video about the upcoming removal of the Tel-Electric Dam on the West Branch of the Housatonic River. The video features City staff, the dam owners, and local partners. Together they make the case that the dam removal will restore river health, improve public safety, and build community resilience in Pittsfield.
This film is part of a multi-year endeavor, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Science Media Collaborative. The project has culminated in a six-part film series entitled River Run – A Story of Dam Removal in Massachusetts. The films highlight the efforts by many of DER’s partners to advance river restoration projects across the Commonwealth. Be on the lookout for the additional five films that will be released later in 2019.

Spring turkey hunting season opens tomorrow

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The season opens tomorrow and runs through May 25. Hunting hours begin ½ hour before sunrise and end at noon. Hunters can harvest up to 2 bearded birds in the spring (1 per day).
MassWildlife predicts this spring turkey season will be a productive one for hunters across Massachusetts. In 2017, there was a record high spring harvest, and 2018 was the third highest spring turkey harvest ever. These continued high harvest years indicate a strong, resilient turkey population across all Wildlife Management Zones.
Spring and summer brood productivity can locally influence turkey populations, but overall brood success has been strong over the last several years. Winter severity may sometimes reduce turkey populations in northern climates, but habitat conditions are very good across the state and help buffer the effects of winter.
But don’t let the high abundance of turkeys fool you, says MassWildlife, it’s still very important to scout pre-season. Turkey hunting is very popular in the spring, especially during the first week of season, so scouting will help you identify multiple areas where hunting may be productive.
As always, remember to be respectful when hunting on private and public lands, watch out for ticks and be careful.
Rainbow trout liberated
The skies were leaden colored and there was a chilly wind which whipped across the lake into our faces, at the Stockbridge Bowl boat ramp on Thursday, April 18. But that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 50 or so people who were gathered there to witness or take part in the great trout liberation. Little tykes along with their siblings, parents and grandparents helped the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) release about 800 rainbow trout (which had a total estimated weight of approximately 1,000 lbs).
Everyone was focused on getting those trout into the lake. They were beauties, averaging around 14 inches with brilliant reddish pink bands along their sides
Aquatic Biologist Leanda Fontaine trucked the fish in from the McLaughlin Hatchery in Belchertown, MA. Prior to releasing the fish, she gave a little talk about the DFW and the various functions it provides. She talked about the 5 state hatcheries, the number of fish that are stocked statewide (500,000) and in our area (100,000), how long the stocking will take place this spring and other tidbits of interesting information. The overall reason for the event was to get kids, their parents and the general public aware of MassWildlife and its activities.
Leanda and her boss, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden then netted some fish from the truck fish holding tank, put them into buckets and had the kids rush them to the water’s edge and toss them into the lake. Some of those kids weren’t much taller than the buckets but there were plenty of adults to help them. When everyone got tired of racing to the water’s edge with the buckets of fish, Leanda and Andrew flushed the remaining hundreds of fish directly from the truck to the water.
I am happy to announce that there were no casualties, all the fish survived the ordeal and no buckets were accidentally tossed into the lake with the fish in them. I’m not sure who had the most fun, the adults or the kids.
Warning to the parents/grandparents: Many of these kids are old enough to remember where those fish were stocked and you can safely bet that they will be looking to you to bring them back to catch some of them. Perhaps you may want to catch a few yourself.
Look at that cute girl in the photo. The look of joy and excitement in her face tells it all. Don’t you just love seeing happy kids enjoying the outdoors. Who knows, maybe she was so inspired that someday she will become an aquatic biologist.
Trout stockings
The following local water bodies were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week.
Rivers and Brooks: Bronson Brook in Worthington, Depot Brook in Washington, Factory Brook in Middlefield, Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Little River in Worthington and Huntington, Mill Brook in Plainfield, Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, West Branch Brook in Chesterfield and Worthington, Westfield Brook in Windsor and Cummington, Westfield River (East Branch) in Cummington and Chesterfield, Williams River in West Stockbridge and Great Barrington and Yokum Brook in Becket.
Lakes and Ponds: Big Pond in Otis, Lake Buel, Lake Garfield, Goose Pond, Greenwater Pond and Otis Reservoir.
Firearms Safety Course
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club will be hosting a scheduled live fire NRA & Massachusetts State Police Certified Firearms Safety Course next Sunday, May 5. This is to qualify MA residents and non-residents alike for the MA License-To- Carry or FID Card. It will be a hands-on live firing, one day course. A full lunch and a $10 gift certificate to Pete’s Gun Shop will be provided.
The cost is $100 which covers all ammo, safety gear, class materials, certificates, an NRA Firearms Safety textbook and the food. The class starts at 9:00 am and lasts until about 4:30 pm. Interested parties are asked to pre-register by calling or stopping in at Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780, as space is limited. This live fire course fills up very quickly and you should call or stop in early to pre-register. They also ask you to be there by 8:45 am to sign in.
New Land Protected

MassWildlife recently acquired 13 acres in the town of Worthington on Sam Hill Road. This small but strategic acquisition provides greatly improved access to the part of the Fox Den Wildlife Management Area which is in Worthington. Beware, Sam Hill Road is an unpaved dead-end road which can get very muddy at times.

Map, Compass & Survival Course

On Saturday, May 11, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, MassWildlife will be conducting a Map, Compass, & Survival course at the DCR/Mass Park’s Visitor Center, 740 South Street, Pittsfield. This course is not recommended for students less than 12 years of age. To enroll call (508) 389-7830 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
Let’s not take this anymore!
What’s going on with those aggressive wild animals lately? Not too long ago, a young girl from Norwell was chased into her house by a coyote. It bit her arm and ran off with one of her shoes. Then there was the bear incident in Hinsdale a couple of weeks ago where a family’s small horse was killed. Now comes news of gangs of wild turkeys becoming aggressive, intimidating and pecking people near Boston.
Lock em up! That’s what I say. Build a wall! They’re thugs, bad actors! They’re intimidating us. Let them know that they are not welcomed in our neighborhoods. Round them up and drop them off in a sanctuary town, like Ripton!
Or we could take a more sensible approach by taking down those bird feeders to help keep the bears and turkeys away. We could put our garbage pails near the curbside in the morning instead of the night before. We could cover windows and shiny objects to keep turkeys from responding aggressively to shiny objects and their own reflections while they’re trying to assert dominance within their flock.
Pardon the levity this morning, but I think you get the point.

Four new members were inducted into the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame

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On February 2, 2019 the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) held its New England Turkey Hunting Awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in Concord, N.H. Award recipients were: Stew Bristol, from Maine, Ed Cotter from New Hampshire and Ellie Horwitz and Joe Judd from Massachusetts. This column is about the Massachusetts recipients.

Joe Judd, a member of the MA State Board of Directors of NWTF said this about Ellie: “Ellie Horwitz served the MA DFW as the of Chief of Information and Education for 34 years until her retirement in June, 2011. She was a strong supporter of the NWTF and was a leading advocate behind the Becoming an Outdoors Women (BOW) movement in Massachusetts. Referred to as a “Renaissance Woman”, she held her own in a male dominated field by quickly establishing herself in a role where a woman in an authoritative position was almost unheard of. Her work with the Division was nothing less than remarkable and her teaching skills and innovative thought process brought much to sportsmen and women in MA.”

“In the very early years of turkey hunting in MA, she took to it quickly, realizing the opportunities it could offer to all who love the outdoors and hunting in our State. And she was comfortable and confident in any setting she found herself in whether it be attending the opera, turkey hunting, or in a tense meeting with unhappy sportsmen and other DFW officials.

Her determination to watch women carve out a niche in this great sport was accomplished through her hard work, knowledge, and ability to communicate the message of, “Becoming an Outdoor Women “, clearly and convincingly while offering every program she could find. Everything from bird watching to big game hunting to Dutch oven cooking! It was amazing to watch her work and see the fruits of her labor evolve into an inspirational journey that continues today, literally, throughout the country.

In 1985, she Introduced Project WILD, a national conservation education program for teachers in schools, educators at nature centers, parks and other educational venues. This program began in partnership with Mass Audubon for over 10 years due to their connections with educators across the state.

In 1990, she conceived an interstate watershed education project partnering with NH Fish and Game Department, Mass Audubon, UMass-Lowell and Merrimack Watershed Association, where middle and high school students learned about and conducted water quality tests on any stream, brook or river that eventually made its way to the Merrimack River.

In 1996, she began the Massachusetts BOW program with a weekend of outdoor skills sessions at Eastover Resort in Lenox. Some 68 participants, including many Berkshire outdoorswomen attended this first-time endeavor. Supporters of the program range from the Mass. Sportsmen’s Council, County Leagues, NWTF and many others. Weekend workshops were offered for several years, then some one day and overnight programs offered ranging from Shooting Sports, Winter Survival, Tracking in Winter, Coastal Fishing, Paddling, Becoming an Outdoors Family, to name a few.

In 1999, she initiated turkey hunting seminars and guided hunts for outdoorswomen at Fort Devens that began a partnership with the military that is still going strong today.

Her trusted colleague and longtime friend, Marion Larsen, MassWildlife’s current Chief of Information & Education, said this of Ellie: “In the work that we do, and so much of what Ellie taught me, PARTNERSHIP and COLLABORATION are a big part of how we, and how Ellie got things accomplished. We work in an environment that essentially runs on a shoe-string budget … and partners pooling resources can get things done. That’s what is so great about the partnerships Ellie had, and what we still have today, with groups like NWTF. Ellie realized this and had the vision to nurture these partnerships, thus accomplishing so much as an educator, wildlife biologist and friend. I owe you so much Ellie for helping me in learning to look at projects and programs from partnership perspectives — many hands make light work, which allows everyone to rise with the tide in the spirit, that Ellie taught us, of working together.”

I will leave you with this, said Joe Judd, “ Ellie Horwitz is a friend to all who love the outdoors, who love the land we all have use of, and who respect all God’s creatures, both great and small”.

Incidentally, she is an officer of the New England Outdoor Writer’s Association, serving as its Secretary for many years. She is quite an accomplished hunter not only for turkeys, but she has even successfully hunted big game in Africa.

On a personal note, I first met Ellie when the BOW program was being held here in the Berkshires. I taught fly tying classes for them for several years. Unfortunately, I had to stop as other commitments were taking my time on the same weekend in June.

One cold, stormy, wintery night, Ellie showed up at a Berkshire County League of Sportsmen meeting at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club in the foothills of Mount Greylock. She wasn’t listed on the program agenda and I wondered what on earth could bring her to the Berkshires on such a miserable night. It turned out that she drove all that way from Concord, MA to present me with a plaque of appreciation for teaching those fly-tying classes for the BOW Program. After she presented it, she drove back home that night. I will never forget that. That’s the kind of person Ellie is.

After presenting Ellie her plaque, Joe sat down, but not for long. Ron Gleason, another member of the MA State Board of Directors of NWTF, surprised Joe by calling him to the podium and presenting him with his own Hall of Fame plaque.

“Joe Judd is a great turkey hunter”, said Gleason, “who has hunted wild turkeys in 15 or more states, including New England, has been a spokesperson for the NWTF for decades, always doing the best possible job in supporting our message. His dedication to turkey hunting and the NWTF spans over 40 years, starting when he saw his first wild turkey in1976. It was love at first sight and his journey to start learning all he could about this bird, had begun. “Little did I know at the time how this bird would not only lead me into a unique hunting experience but also forever change my life in ways I would have never dreamed of!” said Joe.

Joe’s life as a hunter started at a very young age, but his wild turkey hunting career didn’t begin until 1978, on a hill in the Green Mountains, and from that moment on it just never stopped. Being an Independent Insurance Agent allowed him the independence needed to hone is hunting skills. And hone them he did! In 1979, he was asked to write an outdoor column for a small local newspaper, which was just starting up. Thus, a second career had begun and 40 years later his column “On the Ridge,” published in The Greenfield Recorder is being read in New England and beyond.

In 1980, a NWTF chapter was formed in Massachusetts and it wasn’t long before Joe became involved. “Those early years were filled with the “grassroots” of hard work, just trying to get a Chapter off to a good start, especially in a small state like Massachusetts, where a wild turkey was about as foreign to most, as you could imagine” said Joe.

It was during this time that he began to learn about the mission and message of the NWTF. He began working closely with other early committee members just trying to drum up interest and recruit other members. Since those humble beginnings Joe has shown his dedication to the NWTF in so many ways. For example:

In 1988, Joe worked with MA DFW Turkey Biologist Jim Cardoza to initiate funding to create and distribute the first Educational Information Boxes (Safety Leads to Success). He also worked with Jim and with other New England States, in the Live Trap and Transfer Programs.

In 1989, he joined the Quaker Boy Pro Staff which not only expanded his hunting expertise, but also allowed him to work with Dick Kirby, and so many others, producing turkey hunting videos all over the country. This also began his career as a seminar speaker doing over 275 seminars over the past 30 years throughout New England and the East Coast

During that same period Joe has been a Master of Ceremonies in nearly 100 NWTF sanctioned turkey-calling contest in New England and beyond. Prior to this, he served as a judge for many years.

He was chairperson of the first fund raising banquet that exceeded the $10,000 mark in Massachusetts. (Quite an accomplishment 30 years ago). He remained chairperson of the fund-raising banquet for the next three years.

He was also a Local Chapter President later becoming State Chapter President for 2 terms. While State Chapter President Joe spearheaded many projects, one of which was the designation of November 18 as “Eastern Wild Turkey Day”. Working closely with Governor William Weld, he led to the Wild Turkey being named as, “The State Game Bird of Massachusetts”. A special print, along with a Companion Box Call set, was commissioned and spearheaded by Joe twice, benefitting the chapter financially.

As State Chapter President Joe was on the Blue-Ribbon panel that the created the “Be Safe Stickers” which are still used today. Joe also worked with the State on turkey hunting season expansion and limit extensions.

He initiated the efforts to create the first Massachusetts State Chapter Scholarship which
continues today

He worked as a seminar speaker for the first ever Youth Turkey Hunting program in Massachusetts

In 2013 he received the Roger Latham Award which is the highest award given to an NWTF volunteer.

Joe is still working hard as a member of the State Board of Directors. He still does between 8-10 seminars a year and continues to work with the Massachusetts BOW Program. He still conducts seminars in many school districts talking about the State’s number one conservation success story, the re- introduction of the Eastern Wild Turkey.

Ron Gleason wrapped it up by saying, “Joe Judd is a great turkey hunter, sportsmen, and advocate for the sport of hunting. And I know of only a hand-full of people who have devoted more time, energy, and resources in promoting our message as a living, true ambassador of the sport of turkey hunting. He then quoted Joe’s words, “I continue to work for the good of this organization ensuring that the gobble of the Eastern Wild Turkey will never again fall silent in our beautiful New England Hills.”

Wow! A couple of very worthy award recipients, wouldn’t you say?

New Turkey Regulation Changes are being proposed

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At the request of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, and in response to a request submitted by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), MassWildlife initiated a review of wild turkey hunting regulations with the goal to evaluate potential changes to enhance turkey hunting opportunities. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board is considering the following regulatory changes:
1. Youth Day – Expand hunting hours to ½ hr before sunrise until 5 P.M on the single day designated for the Youth Turkey Hunt.
2. Allow all permits issued to youths aged 12-14 to be utilized across the entire spring AND fall season.
3. Spring Season – Increase the daily bag limit to 2 per day.
4. Fall Season – Expand fall season (ARCHERY ONLY) to overlap the exclusive archery deer season.
5. Allow 2 spring tags and 1 fall tag (3 turkeys total per year) for all permit holders.

In making the case for the above proposed changes, David Scarpitti, MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader, presented the following background information to the Board:
The goal is to maintain hunter satisfaction in a way that will not compromise other hunters (pheasant, deer, rabbit, etc.). In order to find the right balance, an elaborate review was conducted with a good cross section of people and agencies
They looked at the harvest data from the 1980’s until present and learned that turkeys now exist in over 350 municipalities and towns in MA. After sharp harvest rises in the early years, the population and harvest stabilized over the last 10 years to around 35,000 turkeys and annual harvests of about 3,000 birds.
They analyzed the ratio of adults in the spring season to the juvenile ratio and determined that hunters are choosing to select adults. There is a good brood production year after year and they are getting lots of recruitment of mature birds. The ratio is 3 to 3 ½ adults to juvenile. MassWildlife is confident they have a high robust population and high satisfaction of hunters across the state. Allowing 3 turkeys total per year should pose no problems.
They have never had a lot of harvested birds in the fall. The harvest sex ratio is 50/50. With 350 towns in MA, and hunters harvesting 100 hens a year, and that is less than 1 female for every 3 towns. “That tells us we have a lot of potential in the fall season and can harvest considerably more females. There is little threat from over harvesting”, Scarpitti said.
One component of fall turkey hunting season that is increasing is the archery component. Last fall archers took 40% of last year’s total fall harvest. Studies show that half of the fall turkey hunters are doing so in conjunction of archery hunting season for deer.
Scarpitti cited figures showing that 20 to 25% of successful spring turkey hunters do not have an opportunity to hunt in the fall. By expanding the archery turkey hunting season in the fall, it will allow archery deer hunters to hunt turkeys. He recommended expanding the current 2-week season to overlap the archery deer hunting season.

MassWildlife is looking for feedback on these proposed changes. Berkshire hunters are welcome to contact the Western District Office (413) 684-1646 or David Scarpitti, Turkey Project Leader (508) 389-6300 David.Scarpitti@mass.gov .
At its November 1, 2018, Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden discussed the proposed changes. After discussions, the League delegates voted and unanimously approved going on record as supporting the proposed turkey regulation changes.

Update on Youth Deer Hunt Harvest Report
The 2018 Youth Deer Hunt Day was held on September 29. This unique opportunity allowed young hunters to hunt deer with their own permit during a special one-day season that preceded the Commonwealth’s regular annual deer hunting seasons. This year MassWildlife issued 1,115 youth permits and 125 harvested deer were reported online. Deer reported at physical check stations will be tallied and added to the total at the conclusion of the regular deer hunting seasons.
Disturbing Environmental Police statistics

During the latest MA Fisheries & Wildlife Board Meeting which was held on October 25 in Lenox, the Massachusetts Environmental Police representative, Major Loos, reported that there were 59 ORV/ATV accidents in 2018 with 9 fatalities. There were also 104 boat accidents with 12 fatalities.

How tragic! Please, please exercise caution when out on these vehicles/water craft.

Do you know about the 37-mile Taconic Crest Trail?
If you’ve ever hiked through the Pittsfield State Forest, over Berlin Mountain, to the Snow Hole in Petersburg or along some of the Shaker Trails above Lebanon Mountain, you’ve seen the bright blue triangles that mark the Taconic Crest Trail.
If you love this kind of access to recreational opportunities along the Taconic Range, the Taconic Hiking Club (THC) wants to extend an invitation to you to join them.
The THC has been in existence since 1932 and has a strong legacy of trail advocacy at the state and local level. It maintains thirty-seven miles of the Taconic Crest Trail and five of its access trails. It also protects and secures parking and trail access and offers seasonal outings for hikers, bikers, and paddlers. It runs a well-attended and supported biennial End-to-End hike over 29 miles of the trail from Berry Pond to Vermont.

Over the years the Club has provided social opportunities for people who love the outdoors and has published two series of professional-level maps of the trail. Members have volunteered hundreds of hours of trail clearing, blazing, and marking and have turned out in force to keep the trail motor-free and free of irresponsible logging.

The trail winds along the Taconic Ridge in and out of New York and Massachusetts. When either DEC (Dept. of Environmental Conservation in NY) or DCR (Dept. of Conservation and Recreation in MA) have issues in that region they include THC in the discussion. The Club is an important agent for protection of this large forested area.

Both New York State and Massachusetts cite the Taconics as areas of special interest in their Open Space Plans, and there is a new consortium of land trust groups from the surrounding 4-state area that is focused on the Taconic Range. The Taconic Range provides recreation in one of the last remaining intact forested areas and serves as an important wildlife corridor.

The Club is seeking new members. By joining you help solidify the membership base and give recognition to the Club’s mission and purpose. Dues are minimal at $10.00. No activity is required, but you might want to order that map and check out the trail on some beautiful fall day.

Many thanks to Karen Ross of New Lebanon, NY for the info. She has forwarded it to us because she believes that many people in the Berkshires have never heard of the Taconic Crest Trail or the Taconic Hiking Club. For more information on the Taconic Hiking Club, click onto http://taconichikingclub.org.

Incidentally, Karen began volunteering her time with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in 2001, “doing monitoring, blazing, boundary marking, trail clearing, map making, writing, editing, documentation—whatever was needed”.

Ronald R. Smith, Turkey Hunting History Maker1980

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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

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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

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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.

HALF A MILLION TROUT TO BE STOCKED

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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.

Local turkey hunter is an inspiration to us all

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On the last Friday of this year’s Spring Turkey Hunting Season, Zach Porio, of Adams, went hunting for toms. Normally, he hunts with friends Richard Frew or Nick Chenail but they couldn’t go with him that day. So, he went with his usual partner, his trusty black lab Roxanne. He likes to take her for she is quiet and in case he falls out of his wheelchair or stand, he can send her for help. (In case you didn’t notice from the photograph, Zach is a quadriplegic. That was the result of a motorcycle accident he had in 2012.)
It had rained the night before but this day was turning out to be a nice one. The only thing he had to worry about was the tires of his wheelchair getting stuck in the mud.
Dave Willette, author of Coyote Wars and columnist for the Northwest Sporting Journal wrote about that day in his August 2017, Mass Wanderings column, entitled, “Determination and Desire Personified”, and much of the following is derived from it.
“Zach couldn’t get into his normal spots that morning so he tried a new place where he had permission to hunt. It’s a real challenge for Zach to find suitable places to hunt as he has to take into consideration what his limitations are, especially if there is a slope of any kind and if it’s wet. He has to know that there are birds around there because he can’t do any scouting. He usually hunts out of his wheelchair, but if he has to use his truck, he has to be sure not to trample the farmers’ hay.
On this day, Zach drove his custom truck to the edge of the farmer’s field and backed out 30 yards to drop the turkey decoys out of the truck window. He then drove back to the edge and watched for birds by looking through his rear- view mirrors.
An hour after daylight ten or so turkeys popped out of the hedgerow 400 yards away so Zach started calling with his box call. By 10:00am, the birds had gotten within 200 yards and soon two jakes broke off and came within 50 yards. When Zach started to turn a little, they saw him and ran off. He then got into a better position.
He can’t sweat like he used to due to his injuries and he got very hot sitting in the truck. Around 11:00am, he was getting ready to quit, but before doing so, he decided to try his new turkey call. He got a response! Zach slowly turned to see two toms about 20 yards from the decoys but the bigger one detected him and decided to bail. He shot the second one with his .20 gauge shotgun and “it dropped like a stone”.
Because Zach only has partial use of his upper extremities, he had to pull the trigger with both hands while supporting the gun on his knees. He then had to drive his truck closer, grab a rope, get into his wheelchair and push it 20 yards over a meadow to retrieve his turkey. (He doesn’t have a motorized wheelchair). He had to bend over, tie the turkey by its feet, push himself back upright, put the rope into his mouth and drag it to the truck while pushing his wheelchair. (That bird weighed over 12 lbs!). “I was exhausted by the time I got back into the truck”, he said.
Zach, who is married (to Samantha) and has two children, is quite a guy. He hunts other birds and animals, too, including bears.
He felt funny about relaying this story. He prefers to keep stuff like that to himself. It wasn’t until I stressed upon him that he is such an inspiration to all of us, especially to others who are battling physical disabilities, that he relented.
Many thanks to Dave Willette for providing much of the above information. Incidentally, you may want to check out the Northwoods Sporting Journal. It is an excellent outdoor sporting magazine which focusses mainly on northern New England.
Lobsterfest
The Friends of the Berkshire Hatchery Fund Raiser Lobsterfest will be held next Sunday afternoon, August 20 from 2 to 5pm, at the Hatchery at 240 Hatchery Road, Hartsville, MA. This event supports the programs and scholarships that the Foundation provides. The full lobster dinner, which will be catered by Other Brother Daryl’s, costs $65 pp. Tickets can be obtained by calling (413)528-9761.
Basic Hunter Education Courses
All first-time hunters who wish to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license must complete a Basic Hunter Education course. One will be taught at the Lee Sportsmen’s Club, 565 Fairview Street, Lee, on August 21 and September 9. The times are 6:00 to 9:30pm on August 21 and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on August 19. Participants must attend all class dates and times to successfully complete the course. To enroll, call (508)389-7830.

Young Adult Pheasant Hunt
Hunter Education graduates aged 12–17 can participate in the Young Adult Pheasant Hunt. The program involves shooting instruction and practice, a pre-hunt workshop, and a mentored hunt prior to the regular pheasant season. All young adults between the ages 15 and 17 will need a hunting license and FID card to participate in this program.
This hunt takes place on Saturdays in September and October; specific dates vary and are determined by participating sportsman’s clubs. For more information and to view participating clubs, visit the MassWildlife website or contact Astrid Huseby by email at astrid.huseby@state.ma.us.
F&W Board
The August meeting of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Tuesday, August 22, at 1:00 pm, at the Stationery Factory, 63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton, MA.

 

Another successful Youth Turkey Hunt Day

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Saturday, April 22, was the day when the youths and their mentors took to the woods to bag a gobbler.  For the kids it was the culmination of classroom instructions, safety classes, shooting practice, etc. Traditionally, the special youth turkey hunting day occurs on the Saturday before the opening day of the spring turkey hunting season.  Each year I try to cover the kids at a different sportsmen’s club that has the youth turkey hunting program.   Last year I was at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, this year the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club and next year I hope to be at the Lee Sportsmen’s Club.

 

This year the SSC had a fairly large group of kids (20) to mentor.   As you can see by the photo, they did very well with 5 kids bagging birds and just about every kid and mentors had action, either by having toms respond to their calls or having opportunities to see some.  That’s really important for it takes a great deal of fortitude for the youngsters to get up early and be out in the woods before daybreak.  If they don’t have some kind of positive action, they may get immediately discouraged and not ever go turkey hunting again.

 

Mike Buffoni, who heads up the Stockbridge program and who also is a mentor had a memorable morning himself.  He and his accompanying youth spotted a female moose during the hunt.  Others hunters spotted a bear of two.  Mike has to be super proud of his two sons Max and Marco for they both bagged gobblers.

 

The day started off damp and raw with a few sprinkles here and there but as the day progressed, it warmed up.  When the kids and mentors returned to the club around noon, (turkey hunting must cease at noon) they were treated to a hot roast beef dinner expertly prepared by Chef Peter Delgrande.

 

After the meal, the customary procedure is to teach the kids how to dress the birds, breast them out for consumption, and save the tail feathers, beards and spurs for display.   Getting that first turkey was a big event for these kids and I’m sure they wanted to save such items for fond memories and bragging rights.

 

While one of the mentors was eating his meal, he picked at least 20 ticks off of his shirt – both wood ticks and deer ticks.  He had hung his hunting jacket on the back of his chair and they were jumping off of that onto his shirt.  He said that he had also pulled a lot of ticks off of him when he finished hunting and was leaving the woods.

 

From what I hear and see, this is going to be one heck of a year for ticks, so please make sure you use a tick repellent spray on your clothes, such as permethrin, and be sure to carefully inspect yourself when you get home.

 

Matt Ranzoni, who headed up the Lee Sportsmen’s Association youth hunt, had 6 kids participate this year and 3 of them were successful.  Donavan Coccomo got a tom weighing 21 lbs, Hunter Briggs got a 20 lb bird and Matt Driscoll got a 15 lb jake.  Travis Bush passed up a jake because he saw a tom that he was after.  The other two hunters, Dorian Page and Owen Bush had close calls.

 

No word was received as to how the kids at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club did.

 

The Lee and Cheshire youth turkey hunt programs are similar to that of the Stockbridge Club, but I doubt very much that they had the kind of delicious meal that Delgrande prepared.

 

As of midweek, MassWildlife only had harvest numbers on what had been reported online. Many check stations still issue physical seals so they aren’t able to obtain harvest numbers until they get information back from all the check stations statewide after the season closes.

 

Incidentally, readers may recall my March 5 column, ”NE Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame inductees announced”, wherein I mention that MassWildlife’s James Cardoza was one of the inductees for supervising the recovery of Massachusetts wild turkey.  Following that article, 90-year old Joe Robinson called me to tell the rest of the story.  Robinson, a former DFW Western District biologist, retired 35 years ago, but he remembered the turkey recovery effort quite well and related the following:

 

The real credit for reintroducing the turkeys back into Massachusetts belongs to the then DFW Western District Supervisor Winn Saville, and his staff including Frank Putnam, Ed Hover, Fred Bohlman and Joe.  “We were the pioneers”, he said.  “Members of the staff traveled to New York in the early 1970’s, got the birds and released them in Beartown State Forest.  We kept an eye on them to see how they were doing.  We built feeders for the turkeys and put bags of corn into them.  The deer got a lot of that corn.”  Joe said that the first turkeys migrated to the Great Barrington area along with their poults.  After some years of reintroducing them and their own self populating, the hunting season was opened 1980.

 

Fishing Derbies

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is having a free children’s fishing derby next Saturday, May 13  from 9 to 10:30am at its lower pond.  Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Trout Stocking

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  West and Middle Branches of the Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Trout Brook in Peru, York Lake in New Marlborough, Otis Reservoir, Laurel Lake, Richmond Pond and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

 

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

 

Front left to right; Curt Wilton III, Max Buffoni, Madison Gilmore, Nick Powers, Zack Lupioni  Back row left to right; Kadin Shafiroff, Brady Whalen, Matt Fletcher, Bailey Gilmore, Marco Buffoni, Nick Puntin, Darrin Cloran, Nate Smith.  Not in picture; Kade Groeber, Kevin Triono, John Field III, Myles Houle, Juliana Hektor, Briel Winters, Brett Smith.