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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: 05/25/2012
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2012
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| May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
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 5 -- Snows Pond Family Fishing Festival, Charlton -- On the shores of Snows Pond, located at Fay Mountain Farm off Cemetary Rod from 10:00am - 2:00pm, 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's Angler Education Program is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Charlton Conservation Commission. Contact: Charlton Conservation Commission, Todd P. Girard (508) 248-2247 or email: todd.girard@townofcharlton.net
- May 5 -- Westborough Spring Fishing Challenge, Westborough -- On the shores of Sandra Pond at the Minuteman Park in Westborough from 9:00am - 1:00pm, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. MassWildlife's Angler Education Program is providing a limited quantity of fishing equipment at this event. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or email jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- 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 10 -- Natural Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough -- The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the DFW Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd (off North Drive) from 1:30 - 4:30pm. The MassWildlife Field Headquarters is handicapped accessible. Directions or call (508) 389-6300.
- May 12 -- US Fish & Wildlife Service Kids Fishing Event, Sunderland -- Bring your kids to the US Fish and Wildlife Service regional office at the Cronin National Salmon Station on East Plumtree Road. MassWildlife's Angler Education Program is providing a limited quantity of fishing equipment for this event. For more information, contact Bryan Sojkowski at Bryan_Sojkowski@fws.gov.
- May 12 --Coes Pond Fishing Derby, Worcester -- On the shores of Coes Pond, from 8:00am - 11:00am, 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's Angler Education Program is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Worcester Fish & Game Association. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or email jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- May 19-- Growing Up WILD Workshop, New Bedford-- The Buttonwood Zoo and MassWildlife invites early childhood educators (adults only please) to a fun, hands-on 6-hour workshop 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 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 x22.
- 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.
- May 20 -- Whitmans Pond Family Fishing Festival, Weymouth -- On the shores of Whitman pond, from 10 AM - 2 PM, 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's Angler Education Program is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Whitman's Pond Association and Weymouth Youth and Family Services. Contact Marie Feely at (781) 340-6976 for more details.
- May 22 - Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough -- The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will meet on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at 1pm at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd (off North Drive) in Westborough. The MassWildlife Field Headquarters is handicapped accessible. Directions or call (508) 389-6300.
- Memorial Day Weekend marks the end of MassWildlife's trout stocking activities. Enjoy the fishing for our warmwater fish over the summer and take a friend of family member fishing!
JUNE 2012
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- June 1-3 - Becoming an Outdoorswoman Weekend Workshop, Chimney
Corners YMCA Camp, Becket. A host of outdoor skills aimed at educating
the novice adult women will be offered, including: shooting firearms,
bows and arrows, pin fishing, fly fishing, nature photography, edible
plants, kayaking, campfire cooking and many more opportunities! Ask
for the Outdoorswoman weekend event as a holiday, birthday, Mother's
Day, or women's get-away weekend! Gift certificates are available
by calling Sue Fritze at (508) 389-6329. Scholarships are also available.
Registration
Materials
- 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 -- Great Falls Family Fishing Day, Turners Falls -- On the bank of the Connecticut River, at Turners Falls (Montague) from 10 AM - 2 PM, 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's Angler Education Program is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Contact Sarah Bevilacqua at (413) 863-3676 or Sarah_Bevilacqua@fws.gov for more details.
- June 2 - Franklin Rod & Gun Club Trout Derby, Franklin -- This family event open to all is located at the Franklin Rod and Gun Club, 51 Florence Street and will be held from 6 AM - 3PM. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! MassWildlife's Angler Education Program is assisting by loaning fishing equipment. Contact Bob Dewsnap at rdewsnap@verizon.net.
- 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. MassWildlife's Angler Education Program is cooperating with the Riverside Rod and Gun Club. Contact Jim Lagacy at at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- June 3 -- Fish Ladder Open House, West Springfield -- Take
this once-a-year opportunity to see migrating fish return to the Westfield
River and its tributaries to lay their eggs--you may see Atlantic
salmon, American shad, Sea lamprey and Blueback herring! Sponsored
by the Westfield Watershed Association and MassWildlife, watershed
members and MassWildlife staff will be present to describe the history
and operation of the fish ladder, and you'll have a chance to go down
into the "pit" to watch fish moving upstream. Parking is
available near the old Southworth Paper Company building at 150 Front
St. in West Springfield. For more information, contact Bill Rose at
(413-786-0195).
- June 3 -- 21st Annual Horn Pond Family Fishing Festival, Woburn -- On the shores of Horn Pond from 9 AM - 1 PM, 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's Angler Education Program is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Woburn Elks. 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 9 -- Spot Pond Family Fishing Festival, Stoneham -- On the shores of Spot Pond (at Middlesex Fells Reservation) from 9 AM - 1 PM, 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 Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Stoneham Police Department. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
- June 16 -- Lancaster River Festival, Lancaster -- Celebrate with the Friends of the Nashua River at the 2nd Annual River Festival in Lancaster. MassWildlife's Angler Education Program will be offering a casting opportunity at this event which will be held at Culley Field on Rte 117 directly across from the Bolton Fairgrounds. This is a free, public event that runs from 9 am - 5 pm. More information.
- June 20 -- Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting & Public Hearing, Dalton -- The Fisheries and Wildlife Board June meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Western District Office, 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton, MA. A Public Hearing will be held at the same location at 3 PM to establish rules and regulations relative to the regulations concerning the game harvest reporting and to hunting, fishing, and trapping license classes. Directions
- June 20 -- Summer Solstice is here, the longest day of the year.
- June 28 -- Family Fishing Day at the Refuge, Sudbury -- Bring friends and family to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge located on Weir Hill Road from 10 AM - 2PM. Cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. For more information contact Sue Russo at susan_j_russo@fws.gov or call her at (978) 443-4661 x34.
- June 30-- Growing Up WILD Workshop, Foxborough-- MassWildlife invites early childhood educators to a fun, hands-on 6-hour workshop that focuses on early childhood education at Bass Pro in Foxborough. 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, the Growing Up WILD workshop provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills for children 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 Debbie Munro at munrodeb@aol.com or (508) 655-5380.
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.
- 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.
FEBRUARY 2013
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!
- 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!
MARCH 2013
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- 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 2013
See the MassWildlife Fishing & Hunting Laws page for regulations, bag limits and zone information.
- Remember Endangered Species on Your State Tax Form!
Help protect Box Turtles, Peregrine Falcons and other endangered wildlife
by supporting the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund when
you file your state income tax this year. Massachusetts tax filers
of Form 1 can donate to this effort through the Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund when
filing their state income tax (Line 32a: "Endangered Wildlife
Conservation"). Donations help restore populations and conserve
and maintain habitat for many vulnerable kinds of wildlife, from raptors
to reptiles. You can also contribute directly to the Fund by sending
a check payable to: "Comm. of Mass-NHESP Fund" and send
it to: NHESP, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife,
1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA, 01581.
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.