September 2023
Read MassWildlife's August newsletter
2023 fishing and hunting season summary
September 7–10: MassWildlife at Franklin County Fair, Greenfield – Stop by the MassWildlife booth at the fair to see wildlife displays and ask your wildlife-related questions.
September 9: Harold Parker State Forest Family Fishing Festival, Andover – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Sudden Pond at Herold Parker State Forest (17 Middleton Road in Andover) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. No pre-registration is required; contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Friends of Harold Parker State Forest.
September 9: Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Hudson – This family friendly fishing event open to disabled veterans and their families. The event will be held at Riverside Rod and Gun Club (16 Wilkins Street in Hudson) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. No pre-registration is required; contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Riverside Rod and Gun Club, and the Hudson AMVETS.
September 12: Family Fishing Clinic, Westborough – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Sandra Pond (click for directions) from 5 – 7 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register. For more information call (508) 393-5034. This event is being held in cooperation with the Northborough Recreation Department.
September 13: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough – The September monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, Massachusetts. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board members and MassWildlife staff will be present at the physical meeting. Interested persons can attend the meeting either in person or via a Zoom video webinar. Click here for instructions on how to join the meeting via Zoom.
September 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Lexington – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Old Reservoir in Lexington (parking area off of Rt. 2A) from 5 – 7 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or contact (781) 698-4800 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Lexington Recreation Department.
September 14: Family Fishing Clinic, Wellesley – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Morses Pond (Morses Pond Trail in Wellesley) from 5 – 7 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or contact (781) 235-2370 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Wellesley Recreation Department.
September 14: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting – A virtual meeting has been added to review the proposed MESA list changes. This Advisory Committee meeting will be held virtually via a Zoom webinar of the Members, Associate Members, and MassWildlife staff, with the public invited to join the webinar at 1:30 p.m. Click here for more details, and to get a link to join the webinar virtually.
September 16: Family Fishing Clinic, Lowell – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Muldoon Park (5 Billerica Street in Lowell) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register. This event is being held in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mass Audubon, the Hispanic Access Foundation, and the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust.
September 16: Non-lead Ammunition Workshop, Hadley – The North American Non-Lead Partnership is holding a public workshop on Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Hadley from . Learn about non-lead ammunition, ask questions, and compare ballistics at the range. Click here to learn more and reserve your seat.
September 19: Scouting for Deer, Online – MassWildlife staff from across the state will share tips for finding areas to hunt, demonstrate how to use online maps to identify good deer habitat, and describe what sign to look for while scouting in the field. This class will be taught through Zoom. The class is from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Registration is required; register now.
September 19: Family Fishing Clinic, Lincoln/Sudbury – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Camp Sewataro Fishing Pond (1 Liberty Ledge Road in Sudbury) from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (978) 443-9961 x3326 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Lincoln-Sudbury Adult & Community Education Program.
September 20: Family Fishing Clinic, Leominster – This event has been canceled.
September 20: Scouting for Deer, Ashby – Learn what what to look for when scouting for deer. During this two-hour class, participants will walk through a Wildlife Management Area while instructors point out different sign and features to look for when scouting for deer. The class will be held from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Ashby Wildlife Management Area in Ashby. Registration is required; register now.
September 21: Family Fishing Clinic, Medway – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Choate Park Pond (7 Oak Street in Medway) from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (508) 321-4740 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Medway Parks and Recreation.
September 23: Fearing Pond Family Fishing Festival, Plymouth – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Fearing Pond in the Myles Standish State Forest (get directions) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. No pre-registration is required; contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
September 23: Scouting for Deer, Brookfield – Learn what what to look for when scouting for deer. During this two-hour class, participants will walk through a Wildlife Management Area while instructors point out different sign and features to look for when scouting for deer. The class will begin at held from 9–11 a.m. at Quaboag Wildlife Management Area in Brookfield. Registration is required; register now.
September 24: Run for Wildlife, Westborough – MassWildlife is hosting a run to support endangered species conservation in Massachusetts. Join the fun at Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area in Westborough—options include a 5K or 10K trail run and a 1-mile Kids Fun Run. All proceeds will benefit the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund in Massachusetts. Click here to learn more and to register.
September 27: Family Fishing Clinic, Shrewsbury – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Jordon Pond (805 Main Street) from 5 p.m. – dusk. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (508) 841-8503 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Shrewsbury Recreation Department.
September 28: Family Fishing Clinic, Andover – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish class at Pomps Pond in Andover (147 Abbot Street) from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (978) 623-8340 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with the Andover Recreation Department.
September 30: Growing Up WILD Professional Development Workshop, Concord – Growing Up WILD 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. 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. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide and a certification of completion. Click here to learn about this workshop. To register contact Pam Landry (pam.landry@mass.gov). Registration deadline is September 18. Space is limited, so register early.
September 30: Reel Fun Fishing Day at Nut Island, Quincy – Join the fun at this family friendly learn to salt-water fish event at the Nut Island (Hough’s Neck) fishing pier in Quincy (get directions). The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the MA Division of Marine Fisheries, MA Water Resources Authority, The National Park Service, Boston Harbor Now, and Save the Harbor Save the Bay. Pre-registration required; click here to register.
October 2023
October 1: Scouting for Deer, Taunton– Learn what what to look for when scouting for deer. During this two-hour class, participants will walk through a Wildlife Management Area while instructors point out different sign and features to look for when scouting for deer. The class will begin at held from 9–11 a.m. at Erwin S. Wilder Wildlife Management Area in Taunton. Registration is required; register now.
Questions about an event?
Email Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
Event accommodations
If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations or will require translation services for an upcoming event, please contact Susan Sacco via email at susan.sacco@mass.gov.