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MassWildlife Monthly April 2023

News from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Table of Contents

School is out, help stock trout!

The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week! Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. Join us at one of the following stocking events:

Can't make one of these stocking events? You can still join in on the fun by planning a fishing trip with family or friends to take advantage of spring trout stocking. MassWildlife will stock nearly 500,000 hatchery-raised brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout statewide this year. Information about where trout have been stocked is updated daily at Mass.gov/Trout

Spring tips for aggressive turkeys

March through May is breeding season for wild turkeys and as a result, there is an increase in turkey activity all across the Commonwealth. Some turkeys may be seen acting aggressively by pecking, following, or exhibiting other intimidating behavior towards people. Males will puff out their feathers, fan their tails, and "strut their stuff" while gobbling and making other vocalizations. This behavior is common during the breeding season and other times of year when turkeys are establishing social dominance or status within the flock.

Wild turkeys live in flocks organized by pecking order. Each bird is dominant over or "pecks on" birds of lesser social status. Turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people that they view as subordinates, and this behavior is observed most often during breeding season. They may also respond aggressively and peck shiny objects like windows or automobiles, interpreting their own reflection as an intruding turkey.

Most importantly, MassWildlife urges the public to avoid feeding wild turkeys. Aggressive behavior towards people occurs when turkeys have become overly comfortable in the presence of humans, usually over several months or even years, in areas where turkeys are fed. Never intentionally leave out food like bird seed or corn in attempts to help or view turkeys. Avoid using bird feeders, as fallen bird seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. For those who enjoy viewing songbirds, MassWildlife recommends planting native plants and shrubs or adding a water feature to attract birds.

“The best thing you can do to prevent conflicts with turkeys is to stop feeding them,” says Dave Scarpitti, MassWildlife Turkey Biologist. “Feeding turkeys, whether intentional or not, can cause turkeys to act tame and may lead to bold or aggressive behavior, especially in the breeding season from March through May. Once this behavior is established, it can be very difficult to change.” People are encouraged to scare or threaten bold turkeys with loud noises or water sprayed from a hose. A leashed dog may also be an effective deterrent. Mylar tape, balloons, or pinwheels can be used in and around your property as a deterrent to turkeys; however all these techniques may have variable success for turkeys that have become highly habituated around people. For more information on how to prevent problems with aggressive turkeys, check out MassWildlife's Tips for Wild Turkey.

MassWildlife also reminds the public that the wild turkey is the state's official game bird and that the 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Season begins Monday, April 24 and continues through Saturday, May 20. Licensed hunters with a turkey permit can harvest up to two bearded birds in the spring. To learn more about turkey hunting, visit MassWildlife's Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations.

What to do when you find young wildlife

Do you know what to do if you find a baby bird, a nest of newborn bunnies, or another young animal in your yard this spring?

The arrival of spring means the arrival of young wildlife. Every year, the lives of young creatures are disturbed by people who take young animals from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to save them, but this often does more harm than good. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is reminding the public that young wildlife belong in the wild and urging residents to leave young wildlife alone. Finding a young animal alone does not mean it’s been abandoned or needs to be rescued. Adults are often nearby and visit their young only occasionally to avoid detection from predators.

Nearly all wild birds and mammals are protected by law; they may not legally be taken from the wild or kept as pets. Most people quickly find that they can’t properly care for young wildlife, and many animals soon die in the hands of people trying to help. Young wildlife removed from the wild are also denied important natural learning experiences which help them survive on their own. Even if these animals are released back into the wild, their chances of survival are reduced. Often, the care given to young wildlife results in some attachment to humans and the animals may return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or hit by cars. With little fear of humans, once-tamed wildlife may become nuisances or injure people.

What you should do:

  • If you find a baby bird: While baby birds may look helpless, they do not need your assistance unless you see clear signs of injury, like a broken wing. If you find a hatchling or nestling (a young bird without feathers) outside the nest, you can try to return it to its nest or create an artificial nest. The parents will not reject it if you touch it. If you find a fledgling (a young, fully feathered bird) outside the nest, leave it alone. While it is spending some time hopping around on the ground learning how to fly, the parents are usually nearby still taking care of it. If you find a fledgling near a road or exposed to danger, it can be moved to a safer, sheltered location nearby. Young birds naturally have a low survival rate, which keeps populations in balance with available resources.
  • If you find a fawn: Young deer are born in late May and early June. Even if you see a fawn alone for several days, you should still leave it alone. The animal may be motionless and seem vulnerable, but this is the normal behavior for a fawn and the mother (doe) is probably feeding or bedded nearby. Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected. Does visit their fawns to nurse very infrequently, a behavior that helps fawns avoid detection by predators. If sympathetic people repeatedly visit a fawn, it can prolong separation from the doe and delay needed feeding. Fawns cannot be cared for by wildlife rehabilitators; if a fawn is visibly injured or found with its dead mother, call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300. Click here for more information on finding a fawn.
  • If you find bunnies or other young mammals: Generally, young mammals are visited by their mother only a few times a day to avoid attracting predators to the young. For example, a nest of bunnies will only be visited by the adult female twice per day to nurse the young. The young are generally safe when left alone because their color patterns and lack of scent help them remain undetected. In most cases, it’s best to leave young animals alone.
  • Keep pets leashed. Keeping pets indoors or restrained helps wildlife, as pets often like to chase and hunt songbirds and other mammals. This also helps your pets avoid health and safety dangers posed by wild animals, other pets, or automobiles.
  • Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice. In almost all cases, it’s best to leave wildlife alone and let nature take its course. In the rare case you find a young animal with a dead parent or if you see visible signs of injury, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. An injured wild animal may be assisted, but a person must deliver the animal immediately to a licensed rehabilitator. MassWildlife licenses wildlife rehabilitators who are qualified to care for most injured or truly orphaned wildlife.

For more information on what to do if you find sick, injured, or young wildlife, please click here.

2023 spring turkey season

The 2023 Massachusetts spring turkey hunting season is April 24–May 20; the Youth Turkey Hunt Day is April 22 (restrictions apply).

Get your license and turkey permit

If you’re hunting wild turkeys in Massachusetts, you need a hunting or sporting license as well as a turkey permit. A turkey permit comes with 3 turkey tags. Hunters can take 2 bearded turkeys in the spring and 1 turkey of either sex in the fall. Buy online at MassFishHunt.mass.gov or at a license agent (click here for a map).

Spring turkey hunting tips and regulations

  • Review turkey hunting regulations including hunting hours, bag limits, and allowable hunting implements.
  • Browse spring turkey hunting tips to learn more about pre-season scouting, using decoys, roosting birds, calls, and more.
  • Turkey Calling Seminar on April 11—space available
    Join MassWildlife and the National Wild Turkey Federation for a 1-hour class to learn to use turkey calls. Each student will choose to focus on either box calls, pot calls, or mouth calls. Box and pot calls will be available to borrow; if you select mouth calls, please bring your own. The seminar will be held from 5 – 6 p.m. at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road) in Westborough. Space is limited, click here to register.

Harvest reporting

Successful hunters must report their turkeys within 48 hours of harvest. The easiest way to report a harvest is online. Click here to learn more about harvest reporting

Youth Turkey Hunt Program

The 2023 Youth Turkey Hunt will be held on April 22. There is still time for existing Basic Hunter Education graduates to participate in the Youth Hunt. Click here to learn about the Program and to register for an online or in-person seminar.

 

Turkey hunting safety information

  • Always follow the 10 basic rules of firearm safety.
  • Be completely sure of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot. Always practice firearm safety.
  • Don't stalk turkey sounds; it could be another hunter. Sit or stand and call the birds to you.
  • Do not wear red, white, blue, or black; these colors are associated with male turkeys.
  • Protect your back. Set up against a large tree or rock and make sure your view isn't obstructed. Don't hide in a place with an obstructed view.
  • Do not place decoys too close to where you set up. Never carry an exposed decoy or tail fan while hunting; put them in a bag when carrying them in or out of hunting locations.
  • Consider wearing hunter orange when entering or leaving your hunting area.
  • Regulation requires that all hunters place an official green Turkey Safety Sticker on their firearm positioned so it's visible when sighting down the barrel. If you need a new or replacement sticker for your firearm, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: MassWildlife, Attn: Turkey Safety Sticker, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. To ensure enough time to process and return mail safety stickers prior to opening day, please submit requests by April 14. Requests received after April 14 may not be fulfilled before opening day.

Youth Artist from Lexington Wins Junior Duck Stamp Contest

Jasmine Wang from Lexington won Best of Show in the 2023 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest. Her colored pencil drawing of a black-bellied whistling duck was selected from 185 entries. Wang’s award-winning work will represent Massachusetts at the National JDS Contest. 

Students from kindergarten through grade 12 from across the Commonwealth submitted original works of art depicting waterfowl in appropriate wetland habitat, demonstrating both artistic talent and a knowledge of the value of wetlands for wildlife. In March, MassWildlife held the judging, at which time the top winning artists were selected. Combinations of the top artworks will be exhibited throughout Massachusetts in the coming year (click here for the exhibit schedule)

The Massachusetts JDS Program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with support from the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council. Please support the JDS Program and wetland conservation by purchasing Junior Duck Stamps featuring national winners from previous years. Stamps can be purchased at duckstamp.com.

To learn more about the Massachusetts JDS Program, and to access the traveling exhibit schedule, visit mass.gov/dfw/jds.

Fishing Awards Program Announcements

MassWildlife’s Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program recognizes anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish from Massachusetts waters that are open to the public. Anglers who catch fish that meet a minimum weight or length can submit proof of their catch and receive a bronze pin. Gold pins are awarded to anglers who catch the largest fish in each species category.

New opportunities

Starting this April, Massachusetts anglers will have even more opportunities to test their fishing skills. MassWildlife is expanding the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program to include a new category and two new fish species.

A Youth Catch and Release category will be added to the Program so that anglers under 18 will have their own set of minimum lengths. “Young people are already participating in the Program,” says Program coordinator and Fisheries Biologist Steven Mattocks. “Over the last four years, we’ve seen a growing number of catch and release entries from youth anglers.” The Program already has a popular youth category for those who keep their fish.

Anglers of all ages can now be recognized for catching fallfish and white suckers. Minimum requirements for these new species have been added to each category. White suckers are common in many Massachusetts waterbodies. Along with carp, white suckers are the only species that may be taken with a spear or bow and arrow. Fallfish are the largest cyprinid (minnow) species native to eastern North America and can be found in medium and large-sized rivers and near inlets and outlets of some lakes in the Commonwealth. “Fallfish and white suckers are common, but often overlooked by anglers,” says Mattocks. “Both are known to strike lures or bait.” This addition to the program will offer anglers a new challenge, particularly for anglers seeking to catch all the species recognized by the Sportfishing Awards Program.

Congratulations to the 2022 winners

Angler of the Year awards are given to the person who catches the most species that meet the minimum weight or length requirements in a given category.

Highlights from 2022:

  • Matthew Power of Auburn is the Catch and Keep Adult Angler of the Year. He caught 4 of the 22 eligible species.
  • There was a 3-way tie for Catch and Keep Youth Angler of the Year; the winners were: Carter Flagg of Gill, Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield, and Gabriel Christman of Pittsfield. Each angler caught 9 of the 22 eligible species.
  • Andrew Langley of Peabody is the Catch and Release Angler of the Year. He caught 19 of the 22 eligible species.
  • 4 new Catch and Release state records were set.

Check out a complete list of the 2022 top catches by species.

Enter your catch and join the fun!

There is plenty of time to get involved in 2023. Learn more about the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program and submit your catch at mass.gov/dfw/sportfishing-awards

 

Public Hearing: 2023–2024 Migratory Game Bird Regulations

A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m., at the S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA to establish rules and regulations relative to the 2023–2024 migratory game bird hunting seasons.

Due to the migratory game bird season filing requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board must vote to finalize and approve the 2023–2024 migratory bird seasons at the close of the hearing. Therefore, please note: There will be no written comment period after this public hearing. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing via email to susan.sacco@mass.gov, Subject: Fisheries and Wildlife Board, or by mail to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Written public comments will be accepted until Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

Click here for a link to the full proposed rules and regulations. Interested persons can review the proposed changes and provide written comments prior to the hearing and oral comments during the public-comment portion of the hearing. 

MassWildlife's spring WMA cleanups

Wildlife Management Area cleanups are being planned for the spring. Save the date and join others in the outdoor community for some spring cleaning and to celebrate our public lands. Visit Mass.gov/WMAcleanup for information and to register.

Contact   for MassWildlife Monthly April 2023

Date published: March 8, 2023

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