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Calendar of Events
Looking for a wildlife related workshop, talk, walk or demonstration? Need to find out what seasons are open or closed? When and where is the next Fisheries and Wildlife Board meeting? Events of all types can be found in this area. If your organization, club or association is hosting a speaker or a workshop designed by MassWildlife, we can help publicize your event.
Note: Some calendar links are to files in PDF format and will require PDF reader software such as Adobe Acrobat. Click here to obtain free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Last Updated: 11/13/2009
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NOVEMBER 2009
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- November 2 -- Opening day for bear hunting season in Wildlife Management Zones 1-9. Opening day for fox hunting and second half of woodcock season opens.
- November - December--Quack, quack! Junior Duck Stamp Traveling Art Exhibits in Holden and Turners Falls-Interested in submitting artwork to the 2010 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest? Take inspiration from traveling exihibits featuring top youth entries from the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest at Wachusett Regional High School's Bowes Gallery in Holden. The exhibit will be on display November 2 - December 21, 2009. For directions and more information, contact Suzanne Breen at (508) 829-6771. A separate exhibit of artwork will be on display at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner's Falls (Montague) from November 6 - December 18, 2009. For further information, visit call Sarah Bevilaqua at (413) 863-3676. More information on the JDS Program.
- Eastern cottontail rabbits have switched to a winter diet of twigs and buds from shrubs as we--Second Annual Wildlife Trackers Conference, Leominster- A 1-day conference held by Massachusetts Wildlife Trackers will take place on November 7, 2009, at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster. Peter Mirick, Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine editor, who will speak on "Wildlife Trends: A Century of Success in Massachusetts Wildlife Conservation." The conference will feature presentations on a wide variety of wildlife topics including Ecology and Food Habits of American Mink, Track and Sign Certification, Field Guide to Skulls and Bones, and, Wildlife Habitat and the Importance of Connectivity. Bring a bag lunch and find out how fellow trackers have been using wildlife tracking in their work, share your experiences, and browse exhibits about other tracking-related resources. Registration information and materials. For registration questions and information contact Jane Winn at (413) 442-6815 or jane@thebeatnews.org.
- November 7 -- Deer Hunting Seminar for Outdoorswomen, Shirley--
The Deer Hunting Seminar segment is part of a 2 part session designed
for adult women on Deer Hunting and a Deer Hunt (taking place December
5). Participants may choose to take part in one session or both. No
previous hunting experience is required, but participants must have
shotgun and a valid 2009 Massachusetts hunting license. You need a
hunting license in order to apply. This segment will provide information
on deer ecology, behavior and deer management in Massachusetts. There
will be an overview of deer hunting strategies and an opportunity
to check hunting gear and to sight in (target shoot) your shotgun
with expert assistance. No Refunds after November 1 for the seminar.
Registration
materials for entire workshop.
- November 12 -- Natural Heritage and Endangered Sepcies Advisory
Committee Meeting, Westborough. This group will hold a meeting
on Thursday, November 12 at MassWildlife's
Field Headquarters in Westborough from 1:30- 4:30 pm. This meeting
location is handicapped accessible and the meeting is open to the
public.
- November 13 -- Registration Deadline for Growing Up WILD workshop on November 21 in Westborough.
- November 13-Association of Massachusetts Wetlands Scientist Annual Meeting, Ashland -This year's theme is WETLAND SCIENCE: 5 BIG TRENDS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT; Climate Change, Stormwater, Wetland Banking, Habitat Protection & a Challenging Economy. Jon Regosin, NHESP Regulatory Review Manager, will be giving a presentation at this meeting regarding wildlife habitat protection. More information about the meeting.
- November 14 -- Woodcock season closes.
- November 16--Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare seasons open in Wildlife Management Zones 13 & 14. Jackrabbit hunting season opens.
- November 17--Bobcat Informational Meeting, Northampton -- The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold an informational meeting from 6:30- 7:30 pm at the Northampton City Council Chambers on 210 Main Street, to discuss the proposed changes to rules and regulations pertaining to the bobcat harvest quota and the time period for sealing of harvested bobcats. Bobcat FAQs on proposal.
- November 18--Second split season for hunting ducks in the Coastal Zone opens and ends January 16, 2010. Season for brant on the Coastal Zone opens. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010. You must wait and call in the last few days of December to obtain your 2010 HIP number.
- November 21 -- Black bear and archery for deer hunting season closes.
- November 21 -- Growing Up WILD Workshop for Early Childhood Educators, Westborough -- Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education activity guide that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. MassWildlife and the Westborough Congregational School are co-sponsoring this workshop which will be held at the Congregational Church in Westborought. Participants will experience some of the activities during this 1-day workshop and receive the Growing Up Wild guide as part of the materials presented. Pre-registration is required. $25/person Send a check made payable to: MA Wildlife Federation/Project WILD to Pam Landry, MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road Westborough MA 01581. Registration deadline is November 13. More information on Growing Up WILD.
- Black bears begin seeking a place to sleep through the winter, particularly sows with cubs. If there is no snow cover and food is available, bears may not den up for winter until later in December. Wait to put out bird feeders until mid-December.
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November 24-- Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough. The November meeting of the Fisheries & Wildlife Board will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd (off North Drive) in Westborough. Two Public Hearings will be held on November 24 at the above location. The first hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. relative to rules and regulations pertaining to resident alien minor fishing licenses and correction of certain administrative and typographical errors in license classes.The second public hearing will be held immediately afterwards relative to rules and regulations pertaining to the lists of stocked and non-stocked wildlife management areas and the definition of "installations." This location is handicapped accessible.
- November 28 -- Hunting season for pheasant, quail, grouse closes. First split season of ducks, snow and blue goose hunting in the Berkshire and Central Zone closes. Goose season in the Berkshire Zone closes. Brant season in the Coastal Zone closes.
- November 30-Living With Coyotes, Foxborough-Laura Hajduk, furbearer biologist for MassWildlife, will be giving a program "Coyote Biology, Behavior and Avoiding Conflicts" at the invitation of the Foxborough Animal Control Officer. This program will be held at 7 PM at the McGinty Room of the Public Safety Building on Chestnut Street. It is open and free to anyone with an interest in learning about Massachusetts' largest member of the canid family. The program does not require registration, but to be sure you receive a handout, please contact the Foxborough ACO Sue Thibedeau at (508) 384-2523 or email her at foxcroft160@verizon.net. Fact sheet on coyotes.
- November 30 -- Shotgun season for deer hunting opens statewide.
All other hunting seasons are closed except for coyote and hunting
waterfowl on coastal waters.
DECEMBER 2009
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- December 2 - 4, 2009-Northeast Mosquito Association Annual Conference, Sturbridge- The Northeast Mosquito Association is a non-profit, educational organization of mosquito research and control professionals from New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This year's conference will be held in Sturbridge. Among the presentations being offered, Pat Swain, Natural Community Ecologist from MassWildlife, will be giving a presentation on "Wetlands as Natural Communities: Massachusetts' State Classification and Priority Types of Wetland Natural Communities." Registration is required. Conference details and registration materials. For any other questions regarding the conference, email NMCA President Wally Terrill at president@nmca.org.
- December 5 -- Deer Hunt for Outdoorswomen, Devens -- The
second segment of a 2 part seminar on deer hunting designed for adult
women will feature an actual hunt on the South Post military training
area at Devens. Only women who have previously taken the deer hunting
seminar may participate in the deer hunt. Registration
materials.
- December 11--Second split season opens for hunting ducks in the Berkshires and closes January 2, 2010. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010. You must wait and call in the last few days of December to obtain your 2010 HIP number. Goose season opens on this date in the Berkshire Zone.
- December 16 --Brant season opens in the Coastal Zone and closes January 30, 2010. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010. You must wait and call in the last few days of December to obtain your 2010 HIP number.
- December 17--Second split season for ducks in the Central Zone opens and closes on January 9, 2010. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010. You must wait and call in the last few days of December to obtain your 2010 HIP number.
- December 22--Goose season in the Berkshire Zone closes.
JANUARY 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- January 1--Happy New Year! We hope you enjoy and use this calendar for your recreation and educational needs.
- January 1- December 31 --Fishing is open year round for all freshwater fish species except for smelt. Smelt fishing begins Jan 1 - Feb 28 and then May 16-December 31. Saltwater fishing information is found at the Division of Marine Fisheries website. Hunting seasons for bobcat, coyote, crow, cottontail rabbit, fox, opossum, raccoon, snowshoe hare, jackrabbit, snapping turtle and gray squirrel are open statewide.
- SUPPORT WILDLIFE WORK IN MASSACHUSETTS! Buy a fishing or hunting license. Unlike most other state agencies, the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife's budget is approximately 95% funded through license fees and our work benefits all citizens and the wildlife residing in the Commonwealth. Consider this a natural investment in wildlife conservation, research, recreation and education! You can also contribute to the Heritage and Endangered Species Fund which is partially supported by donations as well as license fees and general tax funds. Another valuable way to help wildlife is to donate to the Wildlands Fund--this fund was set up for the exclusive purpose of purchasing important fish & wildlife habitat. The land will also be open to the public, from fishing and hunting, to wildlife watching and hiking.
- January 2 -- Season for hunting ducks in the Berkshire Zone closes. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010.
- White-tailed deer are shedding their antlers--shedding begins around mid-December and runs through February. Rodents often chew on the "sheds" which provides them with calcium.
- January 9 -- Second split season for hunting ducks in the Berkshire Zone closes. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010.
- Breeding begins for several furbearers in this chilly month, including coyote, beaver, opossum and raccoon.
- January 15 -- Late goose season opens in the Central Zone.Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010.
- January 16 -- Hunting ducks in the Coastal Zone closes. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010.
- January 30 -- Sea duck and brant season closes. Waterfowl hunters are reminded they will need a 2010 a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to hunt in 2010. Raccoon and opossum season closes.
FEBRUARY 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- February 2 --GROUNDHOG DAY Here in New England, what some
people call groundhogs are actually woodchucks. See
a fact sheet on woodchucks!
- Housing for Wood Ducks-With safe ice throughout the state, district and Westboro biologists are replacing old wood duck boxes or installing new ones in wet (frozen) areas throughout the state. Contact the MassWildlife District office closest to you for wood duck box plans or check our website!
- February 5 -- Snowshoe hare and jackrabbit season closes.
- February 11 -- Hunting ducks and coots by falconry closes.
- February 15 -- Late goose season in the Central and North Coastal Zone closes.
- February 27 -- Cottontail rabbit and fox season closes.
- February 28--Smelt fishing closes.
MARCH 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- March 8--Bobcat and coyote season closes.
- Peregrine falcons return to establish their territories. Peregrines can migrate as far away as South America, but the falcons which nest here in Massachusetts probably don't go very far south.
- Garter snakes beginning their breeding season. One
of the earliest snakes to emerge from hibernation, the garter snake
is probably our most common snake. Generally, these snakes breed at
or near their hibernation site.
APRIL 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- April 1--Trout Creel Limit Changes. Trout creel limits stay at 3 fish on lakes, ponds and the following major rivers: Childs, Coonamessett, Deerfield, Farmington, Green (Colrain), Green (Great Barrington) Ipswich, Jones, Mahspee, Millers, Nissistissit, North (Colrain, North (West Branch), Parker, Quaboag, Quinapoxet, Quinebaug, Seven Mile, Santuit, Scorton Creek, Shawsheen, Squannacook, Stillwater (Sterling, Princeton), Swift (East Branch), Swift (Winsor Dam to Ware River, except as posted), Tully (East and West Branches), Ware, Ware (East Branch), Westfield (all branches). On the Housatonic River, Daily creel is 1 trout 20 inches or longer in length. On all other rivers and brooks, trout creel limits increase to 8 fish on this date.
- April 10--Crow season ends.
- April 26--Opening day of spring turkey season in Wildlife Management
Zones 1-13. Permit
required.
MAY 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- May 16--Smelt season reopens and runs through February of 2011.
- Red spotted newts are laying eggs during this time. The adults live in water, but the young, when they hatch crawl onto land, living in moist areas on land from 2-7 years. Look for the bright orange red young called "red efts" after periods of rain, moving about on the forest floor. When they return to the water, they become aquatic, turning green with small bright red spots.
- May 22--Spring turkey season ends.
JUNE 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- June 5 & 6-- STATEWIDE FREE FISHING WEEKEND! Take a friend or family member fishing for free--you won't need a fishing license to fish any waterbody statewide for these two days! It is time well spent with family and friends. Your purchase of a fishing license directly supports fishing, stocking, education and fish habitat management programs. Contact Jim Lagacy, Program Coordinator for information about fishing festivals and clinics to be scheduled at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- June 20--Summer Solstice is here, the longest day of the year.
JULY 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- July 1 -- Crow Season Opens and closes April 9, 2011.
- July 8--Blueberries begin ripening, beginning with low bush varieties.
- July 11--Snowy tree crickets and katydids begin singing around this date.
- July 16--Bullfrog and Green frog season opens.
- July 15--Watch for fireflies blinking above meadows and overgrown lawns.
- The whine of cicadas on hot days begins.
- Shorebird migration to southern climes and hemisphere begins, watch for flocks along the coast.
AUGUST 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- August 5--Yellow warblers and northern waterthrushes begin moving south.
- Clethra, a shrub, begins to bloom in wet areas, filling the air with a sweet spicy scent.
- August 20--Bright red Cardinal flowers bloom along high quality freshwater streams.
- Nighthawk migrations begin in the last week of August.
SEPTEMBER 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- Fall warbler migration is near its peak. Watch for them in shrubs and treetop.
- Mid-September is when broadwing hawks and sharp shinned hawks are migrating. Take up a watching post on a high hill or some of the popular hawk watching peaks such as Mt. Tom, Mt Wachusett, the Blue Hills or Monument Montain or high dunes on Cape Cod. Check with local bird clubs for hawk counting locations at www.massbird.org
- September 7 -- Opening day of black bear season in Wildlife Management Zones 1-9. Permit required.
- September 13 -- Gray squirrel season opens in Wildlife Management Zones 1-9.
- September 25-- Bear season closes.
OCTOBER 2010
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- October 1--Raccoon and opossum hunting season opens.
- Bullfrogs, snapping turtles and garter snakes are going into hibernation.
- October 16 -- Pheasant, quail, coyote,and ruffed grouse season opens statewide. Gray squirrel season opens in Zones 10-14.
- Juncos, often called snowbirds, begin to arrive from their summer breeding areas in northern New England and Canada.
- October 18--Archery season for deer opens statewide.
- Spawning at the Hatcheries--Trout and salmon are being spawned by MassWildlife hatchery staff to begin the process of fertilizing eggs and raising fish to be stocked in future years for eager anglers.
- October 25 -- Fall Turkey season opens in Zones 1-9 and 13.
- Brook and brown trout are spawning during this time.
- Woodchucks are beginning to seek out hibernation areas. Their body temperature and breathing rate will drop and they will no longer excrete, an unusual physiological phenomenon.
- October 30 -- Fall turkey season closes.
Note: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) provides external links to the websites of entities mentioned on this page as a public service. The Division does not exercise control over the content of these websites. A link's presence here should not be construed as an endorsement of its contents by MassWildlife.
Last Updated: 10/02/2009