Category Archives: Hunting

Hunting

Hunters Share the Harvest Program” is a success.  Expansion planned for next year.  

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In my December 10, 2022 column, I did an article on MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program, a new program which provides an opportunity for hunters to donate and share wild game meat like venison with Massachusetts residents in need.

Free range, organic venison is a lean, healthy protein with a low carbon footprint that already feeds thousands of licensed hunters and their families across Massachusetts each year and now successful hunters can help combat hunger and food insecurity in their communities by donating venison.

In last year’s deer hunting seasons, there was only one approved meat processor that accepted whole-deer donations.  The packaged venison was to be distributed to those in need through the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Food 4 Vets program.

Meat processors, food pantries, hunger relief agencies, or other organizations who wanted to participate in MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program in the future could contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlife’s Deer and Moose Project Leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov.

Well, at last week’s Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s (BCLS) meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that MassWildlife had a very successful launch of the Share the Harvest Program. “With support from the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation and through the generosity of hunters, more than 700lbs of venison were distributed.” said Madden.

MassWildlife will be expanding the program in 2023 to reach wider distribution and provide meals for more people throughout the state.

BioMap is available.

BioMap, a newly-updated online tool that identifies critical land and waterways throughout the Commonwealth in need of conservation is now available. MassWildlife and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) worked to develop the tool to help state and local governments, land trusts, non-government organizations, and other conservation partners strategically plan projects to conserve wildlife and their habitats.

The latest version of BioMap combines more than 40 years of rigorously documented rare species and natural community records from MassWildlife with cutting-edge climate resilience data from TNC and spatial data identifying intact fish and wildlife communities, habitats, and ecosystems that are the focus of the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan.

You are invited to join Assistant Director of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Eve Schluter and TNC Ecologist Andy Finton for a demonstration of the new BioMap webinar on January 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Click onto https://www.mass.gov/news/new-release-of-biomap to register for the webinar.

Email natural.heritage@mass.gov to request BioMap technical support or to request notification of future trainings.

 “Tracking Wildlife: Stories from the More-Than-Human World”

Skilled wildlife tracker and educator Dan Gardoqui is visiting the Berkshires to present a talk: “Tracking Wildlife: Stories from the More-Than-Human World” at Berkshire Community College’s Robert Boland Theater in Pittsfield on Friday, January 20 at 6:00 PM. This event is sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), Greenagers, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), Housatonic Heritage, Richmond Pond Association, and Berkshire Community College. It is free and open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation.

Dan Gardoqui will give a presentation on tracking wildlife. He’ll lead attendees to make deeper connections with the natural world and the wildlife that surrounds us by sharing thrilling stories and photos from his tracking experiences and discussing ways to actively participate in the more-than-human world by applying wildlife tracking skills. A Q & A session will follow the talk.

The following day, Saturday, January 21, Dan will lead two back-to-back trackings (8:30 am to 11:30 am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Eugene D Moran Wildlife Management Area on the border of Cheshire and Windsor, MA. Each workshop costs $50 and has a limited space of 10 participants Email team@thebeatnews.org with any questions.

For over 30 years, Dan Gardoqui has been a student, teacher, observer, and active participant in the more-than-human world. A Certified Wildlife Tracker since 2006, he has trained hundreds in the science and art of tracking. Dan is also a bird language expert and bird mimic – known for his YouTube series “Learn a Bird.” Some of his contributions include the books “Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species” (Elbroch & MacFarland) and “What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal Nature’s Secrets” (Young). Dan applies wildlife tracking skills in citizen science projects (e.g., Canada Lynx, Flying Squirrels, Moose, Eastern Wolf) as a Registered Maine Guide.

Fly fishing show in Marlboro

 The 2023 Fly Fishing Show will take place January 20-22 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center,181 Boston Post Road Marlborough, MA. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday. The show promises more fly-casting, tying, manufacturer and retail store displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies during the three-day run.

The show will have many demonstrations at its Destination Theater presentations each hour including Labrador’s Monster Brookies, Fly Fishing Martha’s Vineyard, Montana, Iceland, the Adirondacks and many others.  There will be more than $30,000 in door prizes.

Admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days. Children under age 5 are free, children 6-12 are $5 and active military with ID’s are $10.

Fly Fishers International hosts the Fly-Fishing Show Learning Center with fly tying, casting instruction and other fly-fishing information and is free to show attendees.

The New England premiere of the 2023 International Fly-Fishing Film Festival is Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

For a complete listing of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars, door prizes, demonstrations, etc., visit www. flyfishingshow.com or phone (814) 443-3638.

Beginner Snowshoe/Winter Hike

 On Saturday, January 21 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm BEAT and the Great Barrington Land Conservancy are having a 1-mile beginner winter hike at BNRC’s Housatonic Flats reserve on Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington. If weather permits, they’ll snowshoe, if there’s no snow, they’ll go for a winter hike. They will review the basics of winter hiking like what traction to wear on your feet, how to layer properly, and what to look for.

It will be an easy hike of 0.9 miles.  Bring water, wear sturdy footwear and wear layers. BNRC has a few pairs of micro-spikes and snowshoes to loan.  Animals not allowed. For questions contact Charlotte at chood@bnrc.org

Fishing community mourns the loss of Fred Moran

Frederick Dennis Moran of Adams passed beyond the riverbend on January 8 at the age of 80. He undoubtedly will be remembered by former students from the Lenox, Cheshire and Dalton schools.  He completed his last years as a classroom teacher at the Craneville Elementary School in Dalton.

Perhaps more people will remember Fred as an avid fly fisherman who ran Points North Outfitters in Adams.  For two decades Fred and his wife Marilyn taught hundreds how to fly fish and they guided hundreds more on the Deerfield River.  Fred was known for collecting antique (bamboo) fishing rods and reels and the building and restoration of fly-fishing rods. He later worked at the Orvis fly rod factory in Manchester, VT. He was a close friend of the legendary local bamboo rod builder, Francis “Digger” Degere and became his apprentice.

Fred was an esteemed member of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited where he and Digger put on rod building demonstrations.  Fred and Marilyn were recipients of TU’s Crooked Staff Award, the highest honor that the chapter bestows.  He was also a director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association.

Fred was a good friend.  The last time I saw him was when we did some flyfishing one day at the Alford Brook Club in August of 2020.  It was such a wonderful day that I did an article about it in this column. (Google Gene Chague-Fred Moran to read the Berkshire Eagle article). Boy, could he cast a fly!

Fred’s son Kevin (Berkshire Eagle Executive Editor) emailed me about his dad’s death and included these words, “I figured maybe some of his fishing buddies would imagine him casting a fly out there on heaven’s river, which is one way he’d like to be remembered, I’m sure. I suspect that Digger Degere is waiting for him there, and probably has the flies already picked out and ready to give to dad.”

Our condolences go out to Marilyn, Kevin and his entire family.  He will never be forgotten.

Hunters Share the Harvest Program” is a success.  Expansion planned for next year.  

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In my December 10, 2022 column, I did an article on MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program, a new program which provides an opportunity for hunters to donate and share wild game meat like venison with Massachusetts residents in need.

Free range, organic venison is a lean, healthy protein with a low carbon footprint that already feeds thousands of licensed hunters and their families across Massachusetts each year and now successful hunters can help combat hunger and food insecurity in their communities by donating venison.

In last year’s deer hunting seasons, there was only one approved meat processor that accepted whole-deer donations.  The packaged venison was to be distributed to those in need through the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Food 4 Vets program.

Meat processors, food pantries, hunger relief agencies, or other organizations who wanted to participate in MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program in the future could contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlife’s Deer and Moose Project Leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov.

Well, at last week’s Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s (BCLS) meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that MassWildlife had a very successful launch of the Share the Harvest Program. “With support from the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation and through the generosity of hunters, more than 700lbs of venison were distributed.” said Madden.

MassWildlife will be expanding the program in 2023 to reach wider distribution and provide meals for more people throughout the state.

BioMap is available.

BioMap, a newly-updated online tool that identifies critical land and waterways throughout the Commonwealth in need of conservation is now available. MassWildlife and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) worked to develop the tool to help state and local governments, land trusts, non-government organizations, and other conservation partners strategically plan projects to conserve wildlife and their habitats.

The latest version of BioMap combines more than 40 years of rigorously documented rare species and natural community records from MassWildlife with cutting-edge climate resilience data from TNC and spatial data identifying intact fish and wildlife communities, habitats, and ecosystems that are the focus of the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan.

You are invited to join Assistant Director of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Eve Schluter and TNC Ecologist Andy Finton for a demonstration of the new BioMap webinar on January 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Click onto https://www.mass.gov/news/new-release-of-biomap to register for the webinar.

Email natural.heritage@mass.gov to request BioMap technical support or to request notification of future trainings.

 “Tracking Wildlife: Stories from the More-Than-Human World”

Skilled wildlife tracker and educator Dan Gardoqui is visiting the Berkshires to present a talk: “Tracking Wildlife: Stories from the More-Than-Human World” at Berkshire Community College’s Robert Boland Theater in Pittsfield on Friday, January 20 at 6:00 PM. This event is sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), Greenagers, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), Housatonic Heritage, Richmond Pond Association, and Berkshire Community College. It is free and open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation.

Dan Gardoqui will give a presentation on tracking wildlife. He’ll lead attendees to make deeper connections with the natural world and the wildlife that surrounds us by sharing thrilling stories and photos from his tracking experiences and discussing ways to actively participate in the more-than-human world by applying wildlife tracking skills. A Q & A session will follow the talk.

The following day, Saturday, January 21, Dan will lead two back-to-back trackings (8:30 am to 11:30 am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Eugene D Moran Wildlife Management Area on the border of Cheshire and Windsor, MA. Each workshop costs $50 and has a limited space of 10 participants Email team@thebeatnews.org with any questions.

For over 30 years, Dan Gardoqui has been a student, teacher, observer, and active participant in the more-than-human world. A Certified Wildlife Tracker since 2006, he has trained hundreds in the science and art of tracking. Dan is also a bird language expert and bird mimic – known for his YouTube series “Learn a Bird.” Some of his contributions include the books “Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species” (Elbroch & MacFarland) and “What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal Nature’s Secrets” (Young). Dan applies wildlife tracking skills in citizen science projects (e.g., Canada Lynx, Flying Squirrels, Moose, Eastern Wolf) as a Registered Maine Guide.

Fly fishing show in Marlboro

 The 2023 Fly Fishing Show will take place January 20-22 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center,181 Boston Post Road Marlborough, MA. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday. The show promises more fly-casting, tying, manufacturer and retail store displays of the newest rods, reels, lines, boots, waders, clothing and flies during the three-day run.

The show will have many demonstrations at its Destination Theater presentations each hour including Labrador’s Monster Brookies, Fly Fishing Martha’s Vineyard, Montana, Iceland, the Adirondacks and many others.  There will be more than $30,000 in door prizes.

Admission is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $35 for three days. Children under age 5 are free, children 6-12 are $5 and active military with ID’s are $10.

Fly Fishers International hosts the Fly-Fishing Show Learning Center with fly tying, casting instruction and other fly-fishing information and is free to show attendees.

The New England premiere of the 2023 International Fly-Fishing Film Festival is Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

For a complete listing of fly-fishing films, classes, seminars, door prizes, demonstrations, etc., visit www. flyfishingshow.com or phone (814) 443-3638.

 Beginner Snowshoe/Winter Hike

 On Saturday, January 21 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm BEAT and the Great Barrington Land Conservancy are having a 1-mile beginner winter hike at BNRC’s Housatonic Flats reserve on Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington. If weather permits, they’ll snowshoe, if there’s no snow, they’ll go for a winter hike. They will review the basics of winter hiking like what traction to wear on your feet, how to layer properly, and what to look for.

It will be an easy hike of 0.9 miles.  Bring water, wear sturdy footwear and wear layers. BNRC has a few pairs of micro-spikes and snowshoes to loan.  Animals not allowed. For questions contact Charlotte at chood@bnrc.org

Fishing community mourns the loss of Fred Moran

Frederick Dennis Moran of Adams passed beyond the riverbend on January 8 at the age of 80. He undoubtedly will be remembered by former students from the Lenox, Cheshire and Dalton schools.  He completed his last years as a classroom teacher at the Craneville Elementary School in Dalton.

Perhaps more people will remember Fred as an avid fly fisherman who ran Points North Outfitters in Adams.  For two decades Fred and his wife Marilyn taught hundreds how to fly fish and they guided hundreds more on the Deerfield River.  Fred was known for collecting antique (bamboo) fishing rods and reels and the building and restoration of fly-fishing rods. He later worked at the Orvis fly rod factory in Manchester, VT. He was a close friend of the legendary local bamboo rod builder, Francis “Digger” Degere and became his apprentice.

Fred was an esteemed member of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited where he and Digger put on rod building demonstrations.  Fred and Marilyn were recipients of TU’s Crooked Staff Award, the highest honor that the chapter bestows.  He was also a director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association.

Fred was a good friend.  The last time I saw him was when we did some flyfishing one day at the Alford Brook Club in August of 2020.  It was such a wonderful day that I did an article about it in this column. (Google Gene Chague-Fred Moran to read the Berkshire Eagle article). Boy, could he cast a fly!

Fred’s son Kevin (Berkshire Eagle Executive Editor) emailed me about his dad’s death and included these words, “I figured maybe some of his fishing buddies would imagine him casting a fly out there on heaven’s river, which is one way he’d like to be remembered, I’m sure. I suspect that Digger Degere is waiting for him there, and probably has the flies already picked out and ready to give to dad.”

Our condolences go out to Marilyn, Kevin and his entire family.  He will never be forgotten.

A look back at 2022 Woods and Waters columns

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At the end of last year, I highlighted the more informative and interesting articles that were included in this column during the year.  Because of positive comments received, I am doing the same for the year 2022.

In January we reported that seventeen women deer hunters participated in MassWildlife’s 2021 Becoming-an-Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunt Program. Nearly all the women saw deer and all participants enjoyed their hunt. Two women harvested their first deer ever.  We also mentioned a lost Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), which is native to Asia. Somehow it found its way to the Taunton River in Massachusetts.

In March there was an article about Bob Leverett “the old growth evangelist”.  He informed us that there were indeed old growth forests in Massachusetts. He developed ways for measuring and aging them and their ability to capture carbon.  His work, along with that of Dr. Anthony D’Amato (of University of Vermont), have helped to ensure the protection of 1,200 acres of old growth in the Commonwealth’s Forest Reserves.  His message is “We have a duty to protect an old-growth forest, for both its beauty and its importance to the planet”. We learned of the death of Leo M Daley who spent some 42 years with the DFW.  He had held the titles of Aquatic Biologist, Fisheries Manager, and interim District Manager. In the 30 years spent in our district, he stocked over 1.5 million trout in Western Massachusetts waters.

In March and April there were articles about hungry black bears emerging from their dens and the problems they cause by raiding our bird feeders.  In the Berkshires there are about 2,000 of them and readers were advised on how to avoid conflicts with them.  MassWildlife Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist Dave Wattles’ study showed that female bears that they study in more suburban areas are very large, with weights averaging more than 250 pounds, compared to bears in more rural, forested areas averaging closer to 150 pounds.  A second big takeaway was how close to people bears will den. They had bear dens 10 yards off the back parking lot of a fire department, under a building on piling foundations, on the edge of a backyard, and in the middle of a construction yard. These bears had plenty of options to den in more remote locations but chose not to, indicating bears are finding supplemental food sources in suburban areas, such as unsecured garbage, bird feeders, and open compost. Biologists warn that human food sources are harmful to bears’ natural diets and put communities at added risk of unwanted conflicts.

picture taken and provided by Gene Chague. Bears heading for Gene’s deck.

In April we learned about the numbers and types of wildlife violations that our Massachusetts Environmental Police are dealing with.  A pitch was made for Massachusetts to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a network that seeks to reduce wildlife poaching through information sharing across state lines and reciprocal recognition of license suspensions and revocations for fishing, hunting, and trapping. The legislation, co-sponsored by Berkshire State Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Paul Mark, would update the Commonwealth’s outdated penalties for illegal hunting, some of which have not been updated in a century and currently amount to little more than a slap on the hand.  The bill passed later this year.

In April we reported that the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in wild birds in multiple locations in Massachusetts. Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a common influenza strain that can spread from birds to humans through saliva, naval secretion and feces. The avian flu is not common among humans, but is very contagious among birds.  We reported the Preliminary 2021 deer harvest figures verses last year figures:

  • Youth Deer/Paraplegic Hunt Days: 86 vs 131 last year
  • Archery Season: 5,894 vs 6655 last year
  • Shotgun Season: 5,008 vs 5138 last year
  • Primitive Firearms Season: 2,375 vs 2842 last year

 

Although Western Zone harvests were not mentioned, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden said that they were consistent with 2020 (which was a record year).

In May, 5 individuals received Silvio O. Conte sportsmen awards:  The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, received the Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously; Meredyth Babcock of Becket received the Outstanding Achievement Award; Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield received the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award; Donald E. Girard of Adams received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Gregg Armstrong, of North Adams, received the John Zuber Award.  We also reported that after 38 years of state service, Marion E. Larson retired in early March from her position as Chief of MassWildlife’s Information and Education (I&E) Section.  Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, who had been named Massachusetts Angler of the Year (Adult Catch and Keep Category) in 2016, 2020 and 2021 by MassWildlife and a frequent multi-gold pin awardee, was off to another good start this year.  He caught a large rainbow trout out of Berkshire waters which measured 24 inches long and weighed 4 lbs.

In June Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn announced that BEAT was awarded $200,000 from the Cultural Facilities Fund of the Massachusetts Cultural Council to renovate their new Environmental Leadership & Education Center.  Thirteen-year old Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield landed a carp out of Pontoosuc Lake which weighed in at 13.3 lbs. and was over 30 inches long.   While fighting it he had to cross 2 house lots, a couple of bridges and over people’s docks.

Picture provided by Middlebrook family

James McGrath, Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager, City of Pittsfield announced that the Mill Street dam was successfully removed along with over 8,000 tons of contaminated sediments.   Lee Sportsmen’s Association Higher Education Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Kelly.   The Bateman Jimmy Fund fishing derby was the greatest with over 355 people in attendance and over $10,000 raised.

In July, Joshua Christman, organizer of Carp Palooza, announced that it was a great event with 39 teams participating.   Steve Sears of Dalton was elected Acting Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board. We featured an article about a Picnic Table Boat.  It is powered by an electric motor, and if you run out of power, it has a solar panel on the top of the umbrella which recharges the battery.  The battery has a USB port into which they plug in lights, a speaker, an iPad, cooler, etc.

In August we covered the 75th anniversary of the Stockbridge Bowl Association.  Feature speaker was the old growth evangelist Bob Leverett. We covered successful flyfishing trips to Labrador and Yellowstone National Park made by local anglers.  Eight-year-old Michael (Mikey) Hubbard of Pittsfield successfully landed a 21-inch, 4.4lbs largemouth bass.

 

In September, Travis Bailey of Lee harvested a bear weighing 620 lbs. field dressed.  After it was skinned out, it measured 7 feet from nose to tail, with a space between its ears of 10 inches. Rachel Kanter of Lenox landed a monster 35-inch pike.

In October we reported that It was a good year for MassWildlife/ Department of Fish & Game land acquisitions and conservation completing 11 projects and protecting 937 acres. Great Barrington approved a new ordinance to help curb problem bears.

 

In November Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide. The Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters. Some $483,922 was awarded in state grant funds to improve wildlife habitat on 514 acres of land within the Commonwealth.

 

In December we did an article about MassWildlife’s controlled burns. National Geographic wrote an article titled, ‘This Trail May Be the Best Way to See New England’s Fall Colors”. The specific Berkshires trail mentioned was BNRC’s High Road. The town of Nahant hired sharpshooters to eliminate its coyote problem. DFW Western District Supervisor had a great article in Massachusetts Wildlife about feeding bears.

 

During the year, we reviewed three books, two by local authors. The Richmond Pond Association and the Richmond Historical Commission produced a book entitled, The Gem of Richmond:  A History of Richmond Pond. The editor was Ken Kelly, of Lenox and Richmond. Paul C. Carter of Dalton came out with a new deer hunting book entitled, More Deer Hunts, through a Tracker’s Eyes.  Author Robert (Bob) Romano came out with a wonderful book entitled River Flowers.  All were still highly recommended.

Thanks for taking the time to read the columns this past year and hopefully you’ll stay with us next year.

Happy New Year!

Great article in Massachusetts Wildlife magazine

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There was an interesting article in the Massachusetts Wildlife magazine which came out last week.  (No.3, 2022) The article, written by Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor is entitled “The Stockbridge Solution”.  It deals with “habituated bears.”  (Bears becoming unnaturally comfortable around humans).  It is a growing problem in Massachusetts, especially here in the Berkshire because of unintentional feeding (through bird feeders, unsecured trash, etc.) and by outright intentional feeding

“Outreach and education campaigns have made some progress by altering behavior for those who choose to follow recommendations.” wrote Madden. “Unfortunately, collective gains that are made through outreach and public compliance are too often offset by individuals who intentionally attract wildlife, including bears, by feeding.”  “Feeding habituates wildlife, causing the animals to lose wariness and seek additional food sources around homes and people” he wrote.

The 10-page article went on and illustrated cases where people were carelessly feeding bears and cases where people were attacked by bears in their own homes.  “Intentional bear feeding cases in Lanesborough and Pittsfield have rendered neighboring yards unusable because bears are constantly passing through.” (Presumably to get to neighboring homes where they are being fed).

According to Madden, feeding has negative implications for wildlife, including increased risk of mortality.  This is where the disconnect between the desire to experience wildlife and concern for the animal’s welfare.  Feeding sites draw wildlife across roads, increasing the risk of collision with vehicles.  MassWildlife’s radio-telemetry research, which tracks bear movement, clearly shows that individuals repeatedly travel distances to known feeding sites, increasing the frequency of exposure to vehicles. MassWildlife has documented multiple cases of bears killed on roadways as they traveled to a feeding site.

The article mentioned the towns of Stockbridge and Great Barrington and how they have passed Wildlife Feeding ordinances in efforts toward reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Picture taken by DFW Western District wildlife biologist Nate Buckhout

It is a well written article which I highly recommend reading.

There also is a short article written by DFW Assistant Director of Wildlife Michael Huguenin entitled “Do we have a coyote problem or a people problem? According to Huguenin, there are 5 cases per year of coyotes biting or attacking people in Massachusetts. Over the last 25 years there have been 30 such cases.  Of those cases, 5 animals were either confirmed or suspected rabid, 6 involved the defense of a pet and 4 were undetermined.  The remaining fifteen (50%) were a result of confirmed or highly likely habituated coyotes.

If you are a Massachusetts Wildlife subscriber, you might want to share the above articles with your neighbors.

Incidentally, Massachusetts Wildlife is a quarterly magazine featuring award-winning writing and photography covering the environment, conservation, fishing, hunting, natural history and just about everything outdoors in Massachusetts. It is a great magazine which has been in circulation for more than 65 years.  A subscription for one year is only $6.00.

Bunnies want your used Christmas trees

 

The Berkshire Beagle Club will once again be accepting used and unsold Christmas trees at its club at 380 Sleepy Hollow Road, Richmond.  There should be an A frame sign by the drop spot.  In case it’s not there just put them to the right of the driveway as you pull in. The bunnies nibble on the branches and use them to provide cover from predator raptors.  Make sure to remove all tinsel, angle hair and other decorations and ornaments.  The bunnies have a tendency to eat them and can die from their ingestion.  And please no plastic or metal trees.

Basic Hunter Education Course Field Day


The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) has scheduled a blended Basic Hunter Education Course in its Main Clubhouse with MassWildlife, in which students complete the online MA Hunter Study Guide before attending one in-person Field Day

Information and links can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/basic-hunter-education-courses.  The field day at LSA has been scheduled for Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 9:00 am to 4:00pm, and participants are required to sign up for the field day through the MassWildlife website, as LSA does not handle registration.  Contact MassWildlife directly for any further questions or concerns at (508) 389-7820.  All courses are free of charge and open to the public.  Students 17 years old or younger must have parental consent to attend this course, and parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to stay for the in-person field day session as well.

Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season

For those deer hunters who have yet to harvest their deer, they only have until next Saturday to do so.  After that, it’s time to empty the gun, oil it and put it away in a locked cabinet until next year’s hunting season.

Some other hunting seasons will still be open in January.  Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and fox hunting seasons end on February 28, 2023.  Coyote and bobcat hunting seasons end on March 8, 2023. If you decide to hunt them, don’t forget to buy your 2023 license.

Sportsmen’s club elections

Most of the sportsmen’s clubs have elected their officers for the 2023 season.  Here are a couple:  Berkshire Beagle Club officers reelected were:  President – Al Costa, VP- Dick Kalisz, Treasurer – Tim Cahoon and Secretary – Pat Barry.

The officers elected at the Sheffield Sportsmen’s Club were:  President – Robbie Brownson, VP- Jim Olmsted, Treasurer – Lee Donsbough and Secretary – Ryan Shimmon.

Congratulations to all for stepping forward and helping their clubs.

Follow-up on the Town of Nahant

Following last week’s article about the coyote problem in the Town of Nahant and the hiring of a sharpshooter to control them, I received an email from Tom Zuppa, Public Relations Representative for the Town.  In it he stated that the article overlooked a key point:

“While hunters could provide a valuable service here, hunting is effectively illegal in Nahant.

Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 131, Sec. 58, states that hunting is not allowed within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling or within 150 feet of a paved road. Nahant is one square mile, accessible only across a peninsula, and is densely populated. Nahant does not have a significant area in which to allow hunting safely.”

“Nahant is the smallest town in the state land-wise. It’s beautiful, right on the Atlantic, and only one way in-out.”

 

“I have attached a statement released on Sunday that provides further background about the Town’s efforts and decision” wrote Zuppa.

 

Statement from town: “For more than two years, the Town of Nahant has taken significant steps to limit the impact of habituated coyotes on our community.

The Town has increased its educational efforts, posted informational signs to improve public awareness, and strengthened its reporting procedures. The Town has worked with both wildlife experts and animal interest groups to gain new insight into the issue, and adopted many of their mitigation suggestions. The Board of Selectmen also has held several public forums with wildlife professionals to educate residents and hear their concerns and ideas.

Despite these efforts, habituated, aggressive coyotes remain a serious public safety problem.

In the past few months, the Town has received multiple, vetted reports of packs of coyotes placing residents in danger. Three times in the past year a coyote has attacked a pet while on its leash, under its owners’ control, and two were killed on the spot. Human presence and hazing attempts in these cases did not curb the aggressive behavior by problem coyotes.

Mass Wildlife has identified the coyotes as “problem animals,” meaning they cannot be captured and relocated.

The safety and well-being of Nahant residents and visitors is the Town’s top priority. Therefore, selectmen approved hiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services to conduct a cooperative wildlife management project. The Board reached this decision after careful consideration of the facts, and only after lengthy consultation with Mass Wildlife experts.”

My apologies if I have offended residents or officials of the town.  It sounds like a beautiful place to live.  Too bad the coyotes found it attractive too.

Keep our armed forces personnel in your thoughts and prayers

Most veterans will tell you that the Christmas season can be an emotional time for soldiers who are stationed abroad. No gathering around the Christmas tree with their loved ones, no watching the joy of youngsters opening their presents, etc.

With that in mind, you might want to contact them, thank them for their service, tell them you are thinking about them and are hoping for their safe return.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation

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The Baker-Polito Administration recently established the new Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation, furthering its commitment to outdoor recreation. It is within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretariat and will work alongside state agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the Commonwealth and support the associated economic, environmental, and quality of life benefits they bring.

“Outdoor recreation is a consistent economic driver for communities throughout the Commonwealth, creating jobs and supporting small businesses,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our world-class parks, beaches, and trails attract visitors from all across the world, and the creation of this office will promote collaboration between local communities, outdoor businesses, and the Commonwealth on expanding these opportunities even further.”

Following the establishment of the new Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Commonwealth now joins 17 other states around the country that have created similar offices. Additionally, the office will focus on the following efforts:

  • Coordinating outdoor recreation policy;
  • Identifying funding opportunities for programs and infrastructure;
  • Enhancing public access and recreation infrastructure;
  • Supporting the outdoor recreation economy;
  • Advancing equity and access to outdoor recreation opportunities; and,

According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation economy accounted for $9.5 billion in value added to the Massachusetts economy, or 1.5% of the Gross Domestic Product, and 93,422 jobs, which is 2.6% of employment in the Commonwealth. Furthermore, Massachusetts’ outdoor recreation economy grew 24% from 2020 to 2021, a strong indicator of how much residents and visitors alike value the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreational resources. Top sectors by economic value include boating and fishing; hunting, shooting, and trapping; RVing; climbing, hiking, and tent camping; snow activities, such as skiing and snowshoeing; and motorcycling, ATVing, and bicycling.

“Massachusetts consistently ranks as a top quality-of-life state in the nation. The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation will help raise that standard for residents and visitors alike. From seashore to mountain tops, there are a diversity of landscapes, environments, people, and organizations to explore. Tying these together and telling the right story will be a significant benefit to our wonderful state,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Zoar Outdoor, and Catamount Mountain Resort. “

Congratulations BNRC!

National Geographic recently released an article titled, ‘This Trail May Be the Best Way to See New England’s Fall Colors”. The specific Berkshires trail mentioned is the High Road, the first section of which was opened by Berkshire Natural Resources and its partners in 2021.

“Now,” wrote National Geographic, “a new regional pathway across the spine of the Berkshires is turning the local tradition of long walks into an American spin on the European “walking holiday” popular with pilgrims journeying on Spain’s Camino de Santiago or Scotland’s West Highland Way.

The eight-mile path along Yokun Ridge, connecting trails from Pittsfield to Lenox, provides hikers with an opportunity to explore a scenic and ecologically diverse woodland. This route links the properties of five landowners who together conserve and steward over 5,000 acres along this ridgeline. BNRC worked with these landowner partners to transform what was a tangled network of social trails into a clear and consistent hiking route for the public. Featuring three scenic vistas, expansive woodlands, stone and water features, the Yokun Ridge Trail offers a special way to travel.

 

Work is underway to expand The High Road trail network. As it evolves, it will offer many varieties of terrain, starting points, and route options along trail corridors through woodlands and into towns and villages.

NY DEC announces conservation of 1,300 acres in Taconic Mountains

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the protection of 1,300 acres of forest and grasslands in the Taconic Mountains in the town of Berlin. The recent acquisition will connect the Taconic Ridge and Berlin State Forests, preserve critical open space, and expand recreational opportunities to support the local economy.

“DEC and our partners are continuing to collaborate with stakeholders to permanently protect the Taconic Ridge and the valuable ecological and recreational opportunities it provides,” Commissioner Seggos said. “This newest 1,300 acres will help connect and enhance DEC’s existing state forest network and builds upon our ongoing progress in conserving this Capital Region natural treasure.”

The acquisition will be added to the Taconic Ridge State Forest and provides a critical connection between the Taconic Ridge and Berlin state forests, linking together more than 12,000 acres of state forests. New York State purchased the parcel for $890,000 through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The purchase protects forested steep slopes leading to the top of the Taconic Ridge. It includes a tributary of the Little Hoosic River, one of New York State’s wild trout streams, and 80 acres of critical grassland habitat. As part of DEC’s state forests, this parcel will be managed for multiple uses, including sustainable timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

Located in Rensselaer County along the Massachusetts and Vermont border, the Taconic Ridge and Berlin state forests are primary gateways in the Taconic Mountains that conserve important natural resources and provide diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. It is adjacent to MassWildlife’s conservation lands such as the Misery Mountain Wildlife Management Area making for a really large block of protected land.  Their rolling hills, forests, scenic vistas and over 34 miles of trails, including the Taconic Crest Trail, are ideal for hiking. The purchase builds on other recent acquisitions including more than 5,700 acres announced in 2020 in partnership with The Conservation Fund.

Sharpshooters to kill “habituated coyotes.”

Nahant, a community on Massachusetts’s North Shore voted recently to sign an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to help address a growing issue. Town residents have been reporting that they are being stalked or surrounded by coyotes while walking their pets.  Three times in the past year, a coyote has taken a pet off its leash while under the control of its owner, town officials said.  The citizens of Nahant have every right to demand that something be done with the coyotes.

Nahant has become the first town in the commonwealth to approve hiring federal sharpshooters to kill “habituated” coyotes.

“MassWildlife has authorized our community to dispatch the problem coyotes but our legal options of ways to do that are limited, ineffective, and not practical.” said Nahant Board Chairman.  Sometime in the next several weeks, the sharpshooters will come in, stake-out a place where coyotes congregate, like the town composting site, and pick them off in the middle of the night with rifles.

The announcement has left many Massachusetts hunters scratching their heads.

It was only a couple of years ago that MassWildlife banned coyote derbies and outlawed the “wanton waste” of them. To quote the regulation: “It is unlawful for hunters to intentionally or knowingly leave a wounded or dead animal without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and use it.  Each animal must be retrieved until processed or used for food, pelt, feathers or taxidermy.”

Correct me if I am wrong, but leaving a dead coyote in the woods for eagles, vultures, bears and other critters to feed upon seems to be a better way of disposing them than wherever the Nahant coyote carcasses will end up.

Many Massachusetts hunters favor year-round coyote hunting as a way of reducing the numbers of fawns and mature deer that fall prey to them.  However; MassWildlife’s position basically was that the hunting of coyotes will not in the long run affect their population as they have the reproductive capacity to compensate for the losses.

If that is true, then the Town of Nahant is wasting its money on these sharpshooters. The town estimates the program will cost $5,000 to $10,000 to alleviate the problem.  Allowing hunters to take care of the problem probably wouldn’t cost the town a penny.

Primitive Firearms Deer Hunting season opens Monday

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The shotgun deer hunting and late bear hunting seasons end this weekend, but the primitive firearm deer hunting season opens on Monday, December 12. If you hunt during that hunting season with a primitive firearm, you must comply with the following information, as listed in the MA Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Regulations:

You must use shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel length 18 inches or more with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing the firearm loads from the muzzle. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, break/hinge-action muzzleloaders, and scopes are permitted. Powder limited to black powder or black powder substitutes.

A muzzleloader is considered unloaded when the cap or pan powder is removed.

All primitive firearms deer hunters must comply with the 500 square inch blaze orange requirement. A primitive firearm stamp is required.

You may also archery hunt during the primitive firearm season.  There are certain regulations which govern archery hunting, so be sure to review them on page 18 of the above-mentioned regulations. A primitive firearm stamp is required.

It is permissible to report your deer harvest online rather than an official check-in station.  Remember, it must be reported within 48 hours of harvest.

Here’s hoping the hunters have a safe, enjoyable primitive firearms hunting season and remember, keep your powder dry.

Also, for you hardy waterfowlers, late Canada goose hunting season starts on December 14 and runs until February 15, 2023. The duck hunting season in the Berkshires resumes on December 19 and runs until January 7, 2023.

Be sure to check the 2022-2023 Migratory Game Bird Regulations.

Hunters be careful out there

By now, most people have heard about the deer hunter who had gone missing and was found dead in the woods early Friday, December 2. The body of the man, who has not been identified, was found about 10 a.m., according to state police.

Chesterfield Police Chief Michael Malouin reported that the 64-year-old hunter was found deceased in an area of woods in the town of Goshen. The search began Wednesday evening when he called a friend to tell him he was lost in the woods and that he would stay put.

The search over the heavily wooded area included multiple agencies including search dogs, Chesterfield Fire Department, the Department of Fire Services, Special Operations, Massachusetts State Police, multiple sheriff departments, a drone and The Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue Team.

Laurie Loisel, Director of Communications at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, said the hunter was not from western Massachusetts, but had been staying in a rented hunting cabin in Chesterfield.

Loisel said there were no apparent injuries and no foul play is suspected, and that the office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine a cause of death. “It appears as though he was out hunting and may have lost his way,” Loisel said.

The Special Emergency Response Team for State Police located the body and an investigation into his death is ongoing.  Apparently, a ping from his cellphone was used to identify his general location.

At the time of this writing, the Medical Examiner was determining the cause of death.

Also, recently a Camillus, NY man died when he fell from a tree stand while hunting with his father in Cayuga County, authorities said.  Michael S. Rinaldo, 33, died of head injuries when he fell about 18 feet, hitting his head on the way down while hunting, according to Jomo Miller, a spokesperson for the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.

It was reported that Rinaldo was not wearing a full-body harness, a recommended safety measure when using elevated stands, according to the DEC.

Tree-stand hunters take note:  Research shows that falls from elevated stands are caused by: Incorrect placement and use of equipment,  mistakes while climbing into or out of the stand, equipment being damaged by exposure to the elements, the hunter’s lack of knowledge about the equipment or excessive wear or stress on the equipment.

Preliminary Shotgun deer hunting results

The harvest totals for the first week of shotgun deer hunting locally were not fully compiled as of Wednesday, December 27 because some deer check stations had not yet submitted their harvest figures.  However; we were able to obtain figures from those checked in at the DFW Regional Headquarters in Dalton the first week.

Some 128 deer were weighed and checked in, and some were quite large.  For example, an 8-point, 208 lbs. buck was taken in Stockbridge (Lorette); a 7-point, 180 lbs. buck was taken in Middlefield (McCarthy); a 12-point, 178 lbs. buck was taken in Lanesboro (Patriguin); an 8-point, 175 lbs. buck was taken in Sandisfield (Drumm); a 7-point, 174 lbs. buck was taken in Peru (Kirchner) and an 8-point, 170 lbs. buck was taken in Washington (Dermody).

Complete figures were not available from Southern Berkshire County, but we do know of a 10-point 205 lbs. buck that was taken in New Marlboro.

Those were field dressed certified weights. To determine the estimated live weight, multiply field dressed weight by 1.26.  For example, that above referenced 208 lbs. buck probably weighed around 262 lbs. on the hoof.

A total of 67 deer were checked in the first week at Ernie’s Auto Sales in North Adams

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman mentored deer hunt 

MassWildlife’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program offers shooting skills workshops, hunting seminars, and other outdoor skills classes and activities designed for adult women. This fall, MassWildlife offered a deer hunting seminar and a mentored hunt for women who are new to deer hunting. During the seminars, students learned about the lives and habits of white-tailed deer, deer hunting regulations, equipment, and safety, and practiced new skills like shooting, scouting, and recovery. Fifteen women participated in the mentored deer hunt at the Fort Devens Military Area in Lancaster on opening day of shotgun deer season (November 28, 2022), and two women harvested deer.

Picture provided by MassWildlife

“I had an amazing time with the BOW program!” said Marilyn Patterson, BOW Program participant. “If there are any females out there that are interested in learning to hunt, I highly recommend it! Thank you to Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife!”

MassWildlife is grateful for the many volunteers and mentors who make the BOW Program possible. To learn more about it and sign up to be notified of future workshops, click ontohttps://www.mass.gov/service-details/becoming-an-outdoors-woman-bow.

MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program

MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program provides an opportunity for hunters to donate and share wild game meat like venison with Massachusetts residents in need. Regulated hunting is a safe activity that brings communities together through the sharing of food, skills, and time spent outdoors with nature. A recent study by The Greater Boston Food Bank shows that nearly one-third of adults in Massachusetts are facing food insecurity, a number that has grown during the pandemic.

MassWildlife says that free range, organic venison is a lean, healthy protein with a low carbon footprint that already feeds thousands of licensed hunters and their families across Massachusetts each year. Licensed hunters play an important role in wildlife management in Massachusetts, and now successful hunters can help combat hunger and food insecurity in their communities by donating venison.

This year, there is only one approved meat processor (Haskins Custom Butchering in Hanover) accepting whole-deer donations, and packaged venison will be distributed to those in need through the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Food 4 Vets program. With the support of donors, processing and packaging costs will be covered for deer accepted into the program.

MassWildlife plans to expand donation and distribution locations in the coming years. Meat processors, food pantries, hunger relief agencies, or other organizations who want to participate in MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program in the future should contact Martin Feehan, MassWildlife’s Deer and Moose Project Leader, at martin.feehan@mass.gov.

 

Anyone can help financially support MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program with a monetary donation to the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation. Your donation will help cover the processing and packaging costs for donated meat. A donation of $25 will provide about 50 servings of meat for families in need.

2023 Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Laws are now available

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Commonly called “the abstracts”, they are out and available in the usual places. The booklet has a cover picture of Daniel Chen, who was recently introduced to angling by MassWildlife staff holding a nice largemouth bass at Lake Chauncy in Westborough.

 

New regulations for 2023 are as follows:

  • Extended pheasant and quail seasons: These seasons now open on the Saturday after Columbus Day and close on December 31.  No hunting them during shotgun deer season.
  • Expanded hunting implements used on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs. Hunters can now use all legal methods to hunt game other than pheasants and quail on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs.
  • Extended hunting hours on pheasant and quail- stocked WMAs for certain game. Hunters targeting game other than pheasant and quail on certain WMAs are no longer restricted to hunting from sunrise to sunset.
  • There is now a single statewide season for gray squirrel (beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day and ending on the last day of February), and for cottontails and snowshoe hares (beginning the Saturday after Columbus Day and ending the last day of February). The black-tailed jack rabbit season has been eliminated.

 

Hunters are encouraged to see each species’ page for specific season dates.

 

Also, certain resident and non-resident fishing, hunting and sporting license fees have been increased as have the pheasant/quail stamps.

 

Shotgun deer hunting harvest results

 

As of last Wednesday, hunting conditions were less than ideal.  Yes, it was fairly warm Monday and Tuesday, but then the rain moved in on Wednesday.  What deer hunters really like is a layer of snow so that they are able to find deer tracks and follow them.  I checked with DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden to see how things were going up to that date.

 

He said, “The week seems to be going well so far. We are about where we were last year at this time. Some of our stations are a little higher and some are a little lower, but overall, pretty good considering conditions are not the best.”

 

I hope to have a preliminary update after the first full week of the shotgun season in next week’s column.

 

Prescribed burns

This fall, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), conducted a prescribed burn at MassWildlife’s Karner Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Egremont and TNC’s Jug End Preserve, a public recreation area located in the towns of Egremont and Mount Washington, Massachusett. MassWildlife also conducted a prescribed burn at the Fairfield Brook WMA in Richmond, MA. Prescribed fire improves habitat conditions for many common and rare fire-adapted plants and animals found within the wetlands such as fringed gentian, slender cottongrass, American woodcock, native butterflies, and bees. The prescribed fires occurred in late November within prescribed parameters for weather and vegetation including wind, temperature, and fuel moisture.

MassWildlife and TNC have a long history of safely conducting prescribed fires for restoration and

Fairfield Brook burn.
Picture provided by MassWildlife – Ben Massei

habitat improvement. A prescribed fire can only take place when environmental conditions are right to achieve both safety and ecological restoration goals. Egremont and Richmond fire department officials and air quality regulators at DEP were involved and notified regarding all prescribed fires. These activities were conducted by a specially trained and certified prescribed fire team. MassWildlife supervised the burns with a prescribed fire team from MassWildlife, Mass DCR Forest Fire Control, and The Nature Conservancy.

Karner Brook. Picture Karner Brook burn.
provided by MassWildlife Alex Entrup

The Karner Brook and Fairfield Brook wetlands are large and diverse wetland ecosystems composed of marsh, fen, swamp, and open water areas influenced by alkaline ground water. The targeted wetland is known as a calcareous sloping fen and is imperiled in Massachusetts and throughout its entire global range. “Disruption of local hydrologic patterns, flooding by beaver, increases in invasive plants, and discontinuance of certain land use practices such as prescribed fire, have had negative effects within this particular wetland type range wide,” reports MassWildlife’s Senior Restoration Ecologist, Chris Buelow. “Restoring periodic prescribed fire at the right time of year helps keep the fens free of invading trees and shrubs, promotes growth of specialized calcium-loving native plants, and creates habitats needed by wildlife for food, cover, breeding and rearing of young.”

“TNC is partnering with MassWildlife on a large restoration effort at Karner Brook WMA,” says Angela Sirois-Pitel, TNC’s Western Massachusetts Conservation and Restoration Manager. “Wildlife and plants don’t recognize land ownership boundaries and our combined conservation efforts are protecting a critical piece of the Berkshire’s natural and cultural heritage.”

The prescribed fire is funded in part by a grant that MassWildlife received from the EPA’s Housatonic River Natural Resources Damages Fund in 2020. The goal of this project is to restore function and integrity to a suite of calcareous fens in the Housatonic Watershed.

To learn more about:

Calcareous sloping fens in Massachusetts, go to calcareous sloping fen.

MassWildlife’s prescribed fire work, go to Prescribed fire for habitat management | Mass.gov.

TNC’s Berkshire Conservation Work, go to: Berkshire Wildlife Linkage.

Media Contacts: MassWildlife Outreach & Information, Nicole McSweeney, masswildlife.news@mass.gov.

Caren Caljouw, MassWildlife Prescribed Fire Manager, caren.caljouw@mass.gov (508) 439 1070.

“We are thankful to the many partners for helping to make these burns a success.” said Caljouw.

Introduction of BioMap

 

MassWildlife and TNC recently announced the launch of BioMap, a newly-updated online tool that identifies critical land and waterways throughout the Commonwealth in need of conservation.  The web portal delivers the latest scientific data and resources to help state and local governments, land trusts, non-government organizations, and other conservation partners strategically plan projects to conserve wildlife and their habitats.

It combines more than 40 years of rigorously documented rare species and natural community records from MassWildlife with cutting-edge climate resilience data from TNC and spatial data identifying intact fish and wildlife communities, habitats, and ecosystems that are the focus of the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan.

“BioMap is a robust online resource that helps people better understand and appreciate the natural resources in their communities and provides information on where to strategically deploy limited resources to make real and lasting conservation impacts in Massachusetts,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “By making an investment in the strategic protection and stewardship of lands, we will better conserve natural areas throughout the state that provide all people with access to nature and outdoor recreation.”

Through BioMap, users can gain a detailed understanding of habitats, species, and resilient landscapes, both locally and across the state. BioMap users can customize data and use the site’s new online Habitat Restoration Resource Center to plan habitat management and land stewardship projects. Additionally, it provides strategies to help communities prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change, while bolstering habitat resilience. Taken together, these efforts help to protect the state’s extraordinary biodiversity now and into the future.

“BioMap is more than a map, it is a critical tool that offers a vision for the people of the Commonwealth to come together to strategically protect, manage, and restore lands and waters that are most important for conserving biological diversity in Massachusetts now and well into the future,” said MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa.

A major innovation is the addition of local data to BioMap, which complements statewide habitat information. Habitats assessed from the perspective of each city and town in the Commonwealth will inform local decision making. Furthermore, it includes the latest information on land use in Massachusetts, including a new focus on aquatic environments and habitat restoration tools.

“Massachusetts is home to a wide variety of plants and animals,” said Deb Markowitz, TNC Massachusetts State Director. “Our rich biodiversity is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and invasive species. Since its inception, BioMap has become a trusted source of information to guide conservation that is used by a wide spectrum of conservation practitioners. The addition of local data will make BioMap applicable and relevant to many more people and communities, providing opportunities for equitable conservation.”

With similar missions, goals, and science-based approaches to conservation, MassWildlife and TNC are natural partners to produce and maintain BioMap. BioMap received support from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), DFG, and numerous generous donors. For more information on how to use BioMap or to sign up for technical assistance trainings, contact natural.heritage@mass.gov.

Shotgun deer, bear seasons open Monday

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

picture provided by MassWildliife

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

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

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

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

Ernie’s Auto Sales – Mon-Sat 10-6

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

Lee Sportsman’s Club – Mon-Sat 10-6

Mill River General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

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

B&D Variety – Mon-Sat 10-6

Goshen General Store – Mon-Sat 10-6

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

picture provided by MassWildlife

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gun safety course

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

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

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

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

Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Dale Bailey. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

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

 

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

Mark Tartaglia. Picture provide by MassWildlife

 

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

 

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

 

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

Volunteers and hunters in southern Berkshires. Photo provided by MassWildlife

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Tree stands can be dangerous

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters

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

Picture provided by Cheshire Rod & Gun Club

The program is divided into multiple parts:

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

 

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

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

 

Requirements:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Bear Hunting Season

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

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

New DFW Western District staff member hired

 

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

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

 

Trout Spawning under way

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Free Stream Smart Training

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Results of Berkshire Beagle Club field trial

 

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

Picture provided by Berkshire Beagle Club

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

Congratulations to all.

 

Veterans Day

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