MassWildlife Monthly April 2025

News from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

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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.

2025 Public trout stocking events:

• April 22: Little Pond, Plymouth— Meet at 11 a.m. at the Little Pond Boat Launch on Morton Park Road.
• April 22: Hampton Ponds, Westfield— Meet at 11 a.m. at Hampton Ponds Boat Ramp off Old Apremont Way.
• April 23: Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester— Meet at 11 a.m. at Regatta Point in Quinsigamond State Park at 10 Lake Avenue North.
• April 23: Chicopee Reservoir, Chicopee— Meet at 11 a.m. at Chicopee Reservoir on Johnny Cake Hollow Road.
• April 23: Onota Lake, Pittsfield— Meet at 1:30 p.m. at Burbank Park on Lakeway Drive.
• April 24: Lake Wyola, Shutesbury— Meet at 11 a.m. at Lake Wyola State Park.
• April 24: Hathaway’s Pond, Barnstable— Meet at 11 a.m. at Hathaway’s Pond Boat Ramp.
• April 24: Lake Saltonstall, Haverhill— Meet at noon at the Plug Pond Recreation Area.
• April 25: Colburn Pond, Leominster — Meet at 11 a.m. at Colburn Pond at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway.

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 hundreds of thousands of hatchery-raised brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout statewide this spring. Information about where trout have been stocked is updated daily at Mass.gov/Trout

How to minimize aggressive turkey encounters this spring

March through May is breeding season for wild turkeys and, as a result, there is an increase in turkey activity across the Commonwealth. Some turkeys may act aggressively by pecking, following, or exhibiting other intimidating behavior towards people. Males puff out their feathers, fan their tails, and strut 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 vehicles, interpreting their own reflection as an intruding turkey.

MassWildlife urges the public to never feed wild turkeys. Aggressive behavior towards people occurs when turkeys 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 which can ultimately lead to negative interactions with wildlife. For those who enjoy viewing songbirds, MassWildlife recommends landscaping with native plants or adding a water feature to attract birds.

“The most effective action people can take to prevent conflicts with turkeys is to stop feeding them,” says Dave Scarpitti, MassWildlife’s Turkey Biologist. “Providing food, whether intentional or not, can cause turkeys to act tame and may lead to bold or aggressive behavior, especially in the breeding season. 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. These techniques may not be as successful in areas where turkeys have become highly habituated to humans over months or years. Read more about preventing conflicts with wild turkeys.

MassWildlife also reminds the public that the wild turkey is the state's official game bird and that the 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Season begins Monday, April 28 and continues through Saturday, May 24. Licensed hunters with a turkey permit can harvest up to two bearded birds in the spring. Learn more about spring turkey hunting.

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 [phone]. 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.

2025 spring turkey season

The days are growing longer, the fields are greening up, and the start of spring turkey hunting is just around the corner and runs from April 28–May 24. Whether you're a beginner hunter or a seasoned pro, you can find resources on this page to help you prepare for a safe and successful spring turkey season.

Regulations and harvest reporting

• 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).
• Review turkey hunting regulations including hunting hours, bag limits, and allowable hunting implements.
  Note: Significant changes were recently made to Massachusetts firearms laws and are now in effect. If you're planning to hunt with a firearm, please review updated guidance.
• 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.

Hunting classes and learning resources

• Free turkey hunting skills classes are being offered this spring by MassWildlife and partners.
• The 2025 Youth Turkey Hunt is April 26. There is still time for Basic Hunter Education graduates to participate in the Youth Hunt. Learn about the Program and to register for an online or in-person seminar.
• Browse spring turkey hunting tips to learn more about pre-season scouting, using decoys, roosting birds, calls, and more.
• Make the most of your harvest with wild turkey meat preparation tips and recipes.

Turkey hunting safety

• 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.

Avian flu safety for hunters

An avian flu known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), has been detected in Massachusetts. While humans are rarely impacted, hunters are advised to take precautions. Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Birds may be infected without showing signs of illness. Humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected. The virus is shed from infected birds through bodily fluids, most commonly saliva, mucous, and feces. Inhaling those shed particles or contacting them and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth can allow the virus to pass to humans. Take the following precautions when hunting this spring:

• Reporting and handling birds: Hunters should avoid handling any birds that appear sick or have been found dead. Report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single location using this simple form at mass.gov/reportbirds.
• Processing and cooking: Dress game birds in the field when possible. While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, hunters can minimize risk from wildlife diseases by wearing gloves when dressing birds and washing hands with soap and water afterwards. Cook game meat to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses. Click here for more information on best practices for processing and cooking wild game.

Notes from the field: Protecting Bay State turtles

Turtle conservation is a big job and relies on the work of many individuals. Journey through the seasons with one of MassWildlife’s field biologists for an inside look at what it takes to research and protect our rare turtles.

Turtles are known for their shells, but a hard shell does little to protect them from threats like habitat loss, road mortality, pollution, and illegal collection. Six of the 10 native freshwater turtle species in the Commonwealth are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA).

For decades, MassWildlife has been a leader in rare turtle conservation—from successful species restoration and turtle habitat protection to regional conservation initiatives and public outreach. Collaborating with conservation partners, MassWildlife biologists work throughout the year to monitor populations, implement habitat management protocols, and protect vulnerable nests and hatchlings.

In this article, we’re tagging along with MassWildlife’s Freshwater Turtle Biologist, Michela Coury, to experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of working in the field through the changing seasons. 

Spring: A busy start to the field season

For a field biologist studying turtles, spring and summer are the busiest seasons. During winter, many reptiles in the region, including turtles, enter a state of slowed metabolism and minimal activity called brumation. Freshwater turtles shelter in deeper waters or muddy pond bottoms and re-emerge when the weather gets warmer in spring—this is when field season kicks into high gear. Michela spends her days locating potential overwintering sites where turtles have taken refuge. She carefully captures and tags these turtles (with permits) with radio transmitters, which allows the team to track turtle movements, study habitat preferences, and gather critical data on seasonal patterns.

Nesting season: A critical time for turtle conservation

Late spring marks the beginning of nesting season for many freshwater turtles in Massachusetts. During this time, Michela’s focus shifts to protecting turtles from a variety of threats. Field staff reinforce rare turtle nesting sties to protect eggs from predators such as racoons, skunks, and coyotes to help ensure the survival of hatchling turtles. Road mortality is a major threat to nesting females in spring as they often travel long distances, sometimes crossing roads to reach nesting sites. Michela works with the MassWildlife team as well as MassDOT to monitor turtle road mortalities and identify turtle crossing hotspots. She also collaborates with local towns to develop strategies to reduce turtle deaths.

One of MassWildlife’s most successful and longest-running conservation efforts is the headstart program for the federally endangered northern red-bellied cooter—a species at high risk of extinction. Biologists and cooperating partners give hatchlings a “head start” by raising them in a controlled environment during their first year. This allows the young turtles to grow large enough to avoid most predators once they are returned to the wild. This strategy significantly increases the turtles' chances of survival compared to wild hatchlings, which face numerous threats from the moment they emerge from their eggs.

As part of the headstart team, Michela works with landowners to protect nests of northern red-bellied cooters, carefully collects eggs, monitors the hatchlings, and helps support the volunteer groups that care for the turtles during the headstarting process.

Summer: Monitoring road mortality and habitat management

The summer heat brings less activity for the turtles, but that doesn’t mean the work stops for our Freshwater Turtle Biologist. Michela is out every day in the harsh terrain and riverine systems, conducting basking surveys, protecting nests, and recording movements of tagged turtles.

Part of the job of a wildlife biologist is working with people. For Michela, this means engaging with landowners to encourage turtle-friendly agricultural and landscaping practices. These practices include adjusting the timing and frequency of mowing, creating turtle-safe buffers, and marking areas on the landscape where turtles are likely to be found.

Final note from the field

Each season brings a new challenge and different opportunities to make a positive impact on turtle populations here in Massachusetts and even small actions can make a difference. Every turtle counts and is important for maintaining viable populations; every set of human hands is also vital. Through collaboration with local communities, landowners, and other conservation partners, dedicated biologists like Michela work to ensure the survival of endangered turtle species. Learn more about the turtles of Massachusetts and how you can help.

Fishing awards winners announced

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.

Congratulations to the 2024 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 each category.

Highlights from 2024:

• Cam Tucker of Gill is the Adult Catch and Keep Angler of the Year. He caught 15 of the 24 eligible species.
• Alice Christman of Pittsfield is the Youth Catch and Keep Angler of the Year. She caught 18 of the 24 eligible species.
• Andrew Langley of Peabody is the Adult Catch and Release Angler of the Year. He caught 22 of the 24 eligible species.
• Kyler Leslie and Ryker Leslie of Petersham are the Youth Catch and Release Anglers of the Year. They each caught 23 of the 24 eligible species.
• 2 new Catch and Keep state records were set and 5 new Catch and Release state records were set.
   

MassWildlife hosted an award ceremony to present gold pins and Angler of the Year awards to participants. Take a look at photos from this event.

Check out a complete list of the 2024 top catches by species.

Enter your catch and join the fun!

There is plenty of time to get involved in 2025. Learn more about the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program and submit your catch at mass.gov/dfw/sportfishing-awards. 

Public Hearing: 2025–2026 Migratory Game Bird Regulations

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at 1 p.m. via Zoom webinar.  Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device with Passcode: 879978. Or join by phone: [phone] with Webinar ID: 859 1099 8891 and Passcode: 879978. The hearing will establish rules and regulations relative to the 2025–2026 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 2025–2026 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 an online comment form. Written comments may also be submitted by mail, to MassWildlife, Attn: Susan Sacco, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Written public comments will be accepted until Monday, April 28, 2025, 4 p.m.

Full text of 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. Here is a summary of the proposed changes:

• Woodcock Season: October 2 – November 22
• Youth Waterfowl Hunts: September 20 and October 4
• Veteran’s Waterfowl Hunts: September 20 and October 4
• Early Goose Season (statewide): September 1 – September 19
• Regular Goose Season
  • Berkshire Zone: October 13 – November 15
  • Central Zone: October 11 – November 28 and December 15 – January 3
  • Coastal Zone: October 11 – October 18 and November 28 – January 28
• Late Goose Season
  • Berkshire Zone: December 15 – February 14
  • Central Zone: January 17 – February 14
  • North Coastal Zone: January 29 – February 14   
• Duck Season
  • Berkshire Zone: October 13 – November 28 and December 13 – January 3
  • Central Zone: October 11 – November 28 and December 15 – January 3
  • Coastal Zone: October 11 – October 18 and November 28 – January 28
• Falconry Season: October 18 – February 19

Date published:	April 3, 2025