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Quick Links
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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: 02/01/2012
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2012
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| Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Jan |
FEBRUARY 2012
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. Fact sheet on woodchucks!
- February 3 -- Rare Plants and Natural Communities in the Housatonic Valley, Cambridge -- The New England Botanical Club is hosting a presentation by Patricia Swain, DFW Natural Community Ecologist. Her talk, "Unusual Natural Communities and Rare Plants for the Housatonic Watershed in Massachusetts" will be at Harvard University's Haller Lecture Hall (Room 102), Geological Museum 24 Oxford St, Cambridge. This program is open to the public and begins at 6:45PM.
- February 4-5 -- Eastern Massachusetts Home and Landscape Show, Marlborough -- Visit MassWildlife staff at this show at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center on Rte 20 and learn about the common wildlife in your yard or neighborhood. Get tips on ways to keep wildlife wild, yet not in conflict with people! More info on the Home and Landscape Show.
- February 7, 9, 14, 16 -- Advanced Fly Tying, Westborough -- If you have some experience in fly tying or took the Basic class last month, sign up to bring your skills up to the next level! Join Jim Malo and Angler Education Volunteers from 7:00 - 9 pm at the DFW Field Headquarters for this advanced course. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- February 10-12 -- MassWildlife at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Expo, Worcester. The Expo is held at the DCU Centre from Friday through Sunday. Visit with MassWildlife staff, purchase a license, find out what programs and materials are availalbe at the agency booths. If you'd lke to be an volunteer Angler Education instructor, find out more about this program from the volunteers staffing this program space. Show website.
- February 11 -- Aquatic WILD Workshop for Educators, Lynn -- Educators of students/youth in grades k-12 are invited to a useful, hands-on and fun Aquatic Project WILD workshop at Girls, Inc., in Lynn. Aquatic Project WILD is an interdisciplinary, conservative and environmental education programs that emphasize wildlife, aquatic wildlife, aquatic ecosystems, people and the environment. Workshop participants will receive copies of each guide, access to the lending materials, and a certificate of completion. Pre-registration is required. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Mass. Wildlife Federation. To register contact Sarah Gillig at (781) 581-7370 x373 or email her at s.gillig@neu.edu. Registration deadline is February 2, 2012
- February 11 -- Project WILD: Mammal Tracking and Mammal Sounds, Northfield -- Educators of kids in grades k-12 are invited to a special Project WILD workshop at Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center. Project WILD is an award winning interdisciplinary, conservation, and environmental education program that emphasizes wildlife, people and the environment. The program guide contains over 100 activities for K-12 educators. We will model several activities that will each teach about a variety of different Massachusetts mammals as well as highlighting both the animal tracks and sounds unique to those species. Please plan to dress for the outdoors because at least part of this workshop in which we will be tracking animals in the field and learning the different track patterns. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the Project WILD Activity Guide, a Pocket Guide to MA Animal Tracks, natural history information about local mammals, a bibliography of mammal sounds, 6 hours towards PDP's as well as a certificate of completion. The workshop will be taught by Kim Noyes, Education Coordinator at Northfield Mountain and Patti Steinman, Education Coordinator for Massachusetts Audubon's Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Pre-registration is required. To register please contact Northfield Mountain at (800) 859-2960. This workshop is part of several Tracking programs throughout Western Massachusetts this winter sponsored by VEEC (Valley Environmental Educator Collaborative). Please bring snowshoes if you have them or they are available to rent at Northfield for $14.
- February 11--MassWildlife at Wildlife Rehabilitator's Conference,
Grafton -- Dr. Tom French, DFW Assistant Director of Natural Heritage
and Endangered Species will be talking about When and How to Report
Wildlife Violations at this conference. For other program and registration
information, go the Wildlife Rehabilitator's Association of Massachusetts
events
page.
- 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 14-- Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough--The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will meet on Tuesday, February 14, at 1 PM, at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Westborough Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, (off North Drive) Westborough, MA. In case of inclement weather the meeting will be held the following day on the 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the DFW Field Headquarters. Call (508) 389-6300 in case of a severe weather forecast.
- February 18-19 -- MassWildlife at the Essex County Home Show, Danvers -- Visit MassWildlife staff at this show at the Boston North Shore Crown Plaza on Ferncroft Road and learn about the common wildlife in your yard or neighborhood. Pick up some tips on ways to keep wildlife wild, yet not in conflict with people! More info on the Essex County Home Show.
- February 23-26 -- MassWildlife at the Springfield Sportsmens Show, W. Springfield. This show is held at the Big E in several buildings from Thursday through Sunday. Visit with volunteer instructors and DFW staff at the agency display located in the Better Living Center near the big fish tank. If you'd lke to be a volunteer Angler Education instructor, find out more about this program from the volunteers staffing the program space! Show information.
- February 23 (RESCHEDULED FROM JAN 29)-- Kids Ice Fishing Event, Hopkinton -- MassWildlife and the Woodville Rod & Gun Club's Pikers will be co-hosting this ice fishing festival on Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton from 11 AM - 2:30 PM off the state boat ramp on Rte 135. Learn how to fish the "hard water". Dress for the weather--warm boots a must! Pre-registration is required by February 23. Call (508) 435-4148 or email Lawrenceofwoodville@gmail.com.
- February 28 - Trout Stream Insects Talk, Foxborough - The public is invited to hear Ken Simmons, DFW Chief of Hatcheries, talk about the various aquatic invertebrates found in trout and other coldwater fish habitats. This presentation is hosted by the Crossroads Anglers Fly Fishing Club and will take place at 7:30 pm at the South Foxborough Community Center located at 382 South Street. Directions are found on the club's home page.
MARCH 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- March 3 -- Growing Up WILD Workshop, Lenox -- MassAudubon and MassWildlife invite educators to this fun, hands-on workshop from 9am - 3:30pm that focuses on early childhood education. The activity guide builds on a children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for students in pre K - 2. GUW is correlated to NAEYC Standards and the Head Start Domains. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide, access to the lending materials, and a certificate of completion. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Mass. Wildlife Federation.Cost is $30. Pre-registration is required For registration and information contact Gayle Tardif-Raser, gtraser@massaudubon.org, (413) 637-0320. Registration deadline February 20, 2012. Please bring a brown bag lunch, mug or water bottle and wear comfortable clothes & shoes for outdoor activities.
- March 7 -- Growing Up WILD Workshop, Bridgewater -- Join other pre-school educators at the Watershed Access Lab at Bridgewater State University for this fun, hands-on workshop from 9am - 3pm that focuses on early childhood education. The activity guide builds on a children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for students in pre K - 2. GUW is correlated to NAEYC Standards and the Head Start Domains. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide, access to the lending materials, and a certificate of completion. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Mass. Wildlife Federation.Cost is $30. Pre-registration is required For registration and information visit the Watershed Access Lab webpage at www.bridgew.edu/wal. Please bring a brown bag lunch, mug or water bottle and wear comfortable clothes & shoes for outdoor activities.
- March 11 -- Growing Up WILD Workshop, Norwell -- Join other pre-school educators at the South Shore Natural Science Center for this fun, hands-on workshop from 9am - 3pm that focuses on early childhood education. The activity guide builds on a children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for students in pre K - 2. GUW is correlated to NAEYC Standards and the Head Start Domains. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide, access to the lending materials, and a certificate of completion. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Mass. Wildlife Federation.Cost is $30. Pre-registration is required. Contact Karen Kurkoski at kkurkoski@ssnsc.org or (781) 659-2559 ext 210. Please bring a brown bag lunch, mug or water bottle and wear comfortable clothes & shoes for outdoor activities.
- March 13 -- Flying WILD Workshop, Newburyport -- If you work
with middle school audiences and are interested in helping students
understand the importance of migratory birds and their conservation
through classroom activities and school bird
festivals. Attending this workshop would be a feather in your cap. Why a workshop on birds? With a presence in urban areas, diversity of form, spectacular
coloration and amazing abilities of flight, birds are a great hook for promoting students interest in learning about the environment. Learn about teacher led classroom activities, volunteer & student led festival activities, and service learning projects. The material you glean will help students lead hands-on experiments, create educational exhibits, stage performances, and accomplish bird conservation projects.
Topics to be explored may include diversity & adaptation of organisms, habitat issues, scientific inquiry, migration, cultural connections, identification, monitoring, conservation needs, and role of birds in maintaining ecosystems. This workshop will be a fun-filled, interactive, hands-on experience in conducting activities and
implementing the Flying WILD Program while also learning how to become a City Partner. Cost of workshop is $15 and includes light refreshments, Flying WILD curriculum guide, & supporting material. Please bring lunch, mug, and clothing for indoor & outdoor activities. Registration form. Questions? Contact Pam Landry, MassWildlife, (508) 389-6310 or pam.landry@state.ma.us. - 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.
- March 17 -- Living with Wildlife, Dennis -- The Dennis
Conservation Trust has invited DFW Wildlife Technician Susan Ingalls
to talk about the common wildlife found in the area and offer tips
on preventing conflicts with your wild neighbors. Location and time
will be announced on their website.
- 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.
- March 22-- Massachusetts Endangered Species Protection, North
Adams -- As part of the Mass. College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Green
Living Seminar series, Jon Regosin, Environmental Review Manager will
be offering a talk about how endangered species protection works in
Massachusetts. The presentation begins at 5:30 pm in MCLA's Murdock
Hall Room 218. All presentations are free and open to the public.
Podcasts will be posted online at: www.mcla.edu/greenliving.
For more information on the Green Living Seminar Series call Elena
Traister at (413) 662-5303.
APRIL 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- April 14--Growing Up WILD Workshop, Newton -- Family Child
Care and MassWildlife invites child care providers to the Simply Circus
in Newton for this fun, hands-on 6-hour workshop that focuses on early
childhood education. The Growing
Up WILD activity guide builds on a children's sense of wonder
about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around
them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides
a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while
also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for students ages
3-7 years. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide
and a certificate of completion. Please bring a brown bag lunch, mug
or water bottle and wear comfortable clothes & shoes for outdoor
activities. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW
and the Mass. Wildlife Federation. Pre-registration is required, fee
is $25. To register contact Judy Santos, Family Child Care,
at judy@simplycircus.com
or (617)527-6118. Registration deadline March 31, 2012.
MAY 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- 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 6 -- Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline-- On the shores of Brookline Reservoir, from 9:00am - 12:00pm, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Brookline Recreation Department. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or email jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- May 19 -- Growing Up WILD, New Bedford -- The Buttonwood Zoo and MassWildlife invites child care providers to the Simply Circus in Newton for this fun, hands-on 6-hour workshop that focuses on early childhood education. The Growing Up WILD activity guide builds on a children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for students ages 3-7 years. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide and a certificate of completion. Please bring a brown bag lunch, mug or water bottle and wear comfortable clothes & shoes for outdoor activities. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Mass. Wildlife Federation. Pre-registration is required, fee is $25. To register contact Gail Janeczek at info@bpzoo.org or (508) 991-6178 x 22.
- May 19 -- Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Marlborough--This special festival is open to disabled veterans only at the Marlboro Fish and Game Club, 10:00 - 2:00pm. The Angler Education Program is partnering with the Marlboro Fish and Game Club. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
JUNE 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- June 2 & 3 -- 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 scheduling a fishing festival or clinic in your area during the year at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- June 2 -- Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Hudson -- This event is open soley for disabled veterans and will be held from 10:00 - 2:00pm in cooperation with the Riverside Rod and Gun Club. Contact Jim Lagacy at at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- June 6 -- The Rare Plants of Massachusetts, Cambridge -- Grow Native Massachusetts is hosting a series of presentations February through June. On this date, DFW State Botanist Bryan Connolly will provide an overview of the broad diversity and threats to rare and endangered plants in Massachusetts. This free public lecture will be held at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway in the Main Lecture Hall from 7 - 8:30PM. For more information on this series and Grow Native, go to www.grownativemass.org.
- June 20 -- Summer Solstice is here, the longest day of the year.
JULY 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- July 8--Blueberries begin ripening, beginning with low bush varieties.
- July 11--Snowy tree crickets and katydids begin singing around this date.
- 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.
- July 28 -- Houghton's Pond Family Fishing Festival, Canton -- This family-friendly event will be at Houghton's Pond at the Blue Hills Reservation. It will be held from 10:00 - 2:30pm in cooperation with DCR's Blue Hills Reservation. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. Contact the Blue Hills Reservation at (617) 698-1802.
AUGUST 2012
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, or summersweet, is a shrub that 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 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- 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.
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September 23 -- Fishing at the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (The Big MOE), Sturbridge Learn about fishing from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and many other fun outdoor and nature related activities at The Big MOE located on the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds. Organized by FAWNS (Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society) this outdoor extravaganza is packed with activities for the whole family! For more information on MOE, contact Gary Zima at (508) 389-6314.
September 29 -- Friends of Myles Standish State Forest 4th Annual Take Me Fishing Fishing Event, Carver-- This family-friendly event will be at Fearing Pond at Myles StandishState Forest. It will be held from 10:00 - 3:00 pm in cooperation with the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. For more information, contact Sharl Heller at slheller@comcast.net
OCTOBER 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- Bullfrogs, snapping turtles and garter snakes are going into hibernation.
- Juncos, often called snowbirds, begin to arrive from their summer breeding areas in northern New England and Canada.
- 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.
- 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.
NOVEMBER 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- Eastern cottontail rabbits have switched to a winter diet of
twigs and buds.
- 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.
DECEMBER 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
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JANUARY 2013
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.
- 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.
- Breeding begins for several furbearers in this chilly month, including coyote, beaver, opossum and raccoon.
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.