MassWildlife Monthly March 2023

News from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Spring trout stocking has begun!

MassWildlife will stock nearly 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout across Massachusetts this year—nearly 470,000 will be stocked during the early spring. Visit Mass.gov/trout to get daily stocking updates and find a fishing spot near you. Stocking in southeastern waters started March 6 and other regions of the state will begin as soon as weather conditions allow. MassWildlife raises trout that are both fun to catch and delicious to eat at its five hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague.

"Anglers can look forward to another outstanding trout fishing season. Thanks to the year-round work of our dedicated staff, the quality and size of the fish we are stocking this spring is exceptional," said Dr. Caleb Slater, MassWildlife's Chief of Hatcheries. "MassWildlife stocks these trout in more than 220 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, which helps make great fishing opportunities more accessible to anyone who enjoys the outdoors."

2023 spring trout stocking stats:

• Most of the trout will be over 12 inches
• More than 175,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches
• More than 51,000 brook trout will be over 12 inches, including 300 18”+ retired brood fish
• 50,000 brown trout will be over 12 inches, including nearly 700 18”+ retired brood fish
• More than 2,500 tiger trout will be over 14 inches

Remember to buy your freshwater fishing license before you hit the water. Buy online at MassFishHunt or by visiting a license vendor location.

Black bears are active and searching for food: take precautions

MassWildlife officials are reminding the public that March is the month when hungry bears emerge from their winter dens and seek out food. If you live in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County, western Massachusetts, or other areas where bears have been spotted, it's time to take down your bird feeders. Natural foods such as acorns and other nuts are usually available on the ground, but last year’s fall hard mast crop was meager. Bears will often ignore seasonally available natural foods including skunk cabbage in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species including wild turkeys and coyotes may also frequent bird feeders leading to a variety of nuisance issues. To avoid these problems, MassWildlife asks property owners to be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources including garbage or open compost. If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature, growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears. Taking these actions may prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.

There are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and their range is expanding eastward. Take action by educating yourself and your neighbors about proactive measures to avoid conflicts with bears. For more information about black bears in Massachusetts, visit mass.gov/bears.

Watch for amphibians on the road

For many Massachusetts residents, spring rain is a reminder of the changing seasons. For smaller Massachusetts natives, like amphibians, spring rains signal it’s time to emerge from winter retreats and migrate to breeding sites or disperse to new areas. Unfortunately, many of those animals will face the daunting task of having to cross roads to reach their destinations. Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, blue-spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, American toads, spring peepers, four-toed salamanders, northern leopard frogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders are frequently encountered on roads during early spring rains. With little to no snow cover and the ground thawed in many areas, we expect migrations in milder, lower-elevation parts of Massachusetts to commence with the next warm, rainy night.

These animals can be difficult to see, as they are generally small-bodied and move under the cover of dark. This spring, please be mindful of our amphibians and our natural heritage.

How you can help:

• Please drive cautiously and carefully.
• Whenever possible over the next 2 months, please consider not driving on rainy nights when air temperatures are 40°F or higher. If you must travel during such conditions, delaying beyond the first 2 hours after sunset is recommended.
• Travel on larger highways rather than small, wooded roads if possible. Plan routes that minimize the number of wetlands or vernal pools passed.
• If observing amphibian migrations, consider arriving at your destination prior to sunset, and then conduct your monitoring on foot.
• If assisting amphibians across roadways or handling them for other reasons, be sure your hands are free of lotions, bug repellent, or other chemicals.
• Report high levels of amphibian activity or mortality to the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife initiative, which compiles data to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on problem roadways.
• If you encounter any of our state-listed rare amphibian species (eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and marbled salamander), please take a clear photograph of the animal, carefully record the location, and submit an observation report to MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
• Go the extra mile to help preserve amphibian habitat by certifying vernal pools on your property. The data you collect is used to help MassWildlife and local conservation organizations better understand habitat resources for our native amphibians.

Director Tisa Honored

During their annual convention in February, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) presented MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa with its new Innovation Award. The award recognizes MassWildlife’s use of creative strategies to address conservation issues and declining hunting participation.

"I am honored to receive NWTF’s Innovation Award,” Tisa said. “MassWildlife and NWTF continue to grow our important partnership, collaborating on mentorship and learn-to-hunt programs, as well as habitat and access improvement projects. Through sound wildlife management and the support of conservation partners like NWTF, MassWildlife is proud to continue expanding turkey hunting opportunities in Massachusetts by increasing the annual bag limit, expanding opportunities for youth, and extending the fall season in recent years.”  

MassWildlife has partnered with the NWTF Massachusetts State Chapter to provide learning and mentorship opportunities for hunters and to promote habitat management and wildlife conservation. “This partnership has only strengthened under the leadership of Director Tisa,” says Keith Fritze, NWTF Massachusetts State Chapter President. “We share goals for implementing science-based species and habitat management, expanding hunting opportunities, and enhancing learn-to-hunt offerings for youth and adults. We appreciate the support and increased opportunities that Director Tisa’s guidance has afforded the sportsmen and women of Massachusetts.”

When presenting Tisa’s award, NWTF cited multiple regulation changes and initiatives made by MassWildlife that have improved hunting opportunities and wildlife habitat, including:

• Increasing the annual turkey season limit from two to three birds to incentivize participation in the fall hunting season.
• Expanding the archery-only fall turkey season to create more overlap with the fall archery deer season.
• Eliminating smaller shot size restrictions to allow turkey hunters to take advantage of the new advances in heavier-than-lead ammunition, such as TSS.
• Creating a late-season pheasant and quail season so hunters can pursue any previously stocked birds through Dec. 31, and simplifying regulations across Wildlife Management Areas during pheasant and deer seasons.
• Promoting participation in turkey hunting through MassWildlife’s Youth Turkey Hunting Program. With help from NWTF and sporting clubs, MassWildlife’s Youth Turkey Hunting Program has been providing a mentored spring turkey hunt since 2009. Tisa was a key figure in getting this program off the ground.
• With Tisa’s support, MassWildlife is also a critical partner to NWTF and the Ruffed Grouse Society on the USDA Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration grant that seeks to improve forest health on approximately 2,000 acres of public and private forestlands in western Massachusetts.

“We are proud to present Director Tisa with the Innovation Award,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “To say the director utilized an innovative approach to conservation and hunter recruitment would be an understatement. Director Tisa has gone above and beyond to ensure both turkeys and turkey hunting are alive and well in the Bay State.”

2023 Youth Turkey Hunt Program

The Youth Turkey Hunt Program introduces youth (ages 12-17) to the world of hunting. This safe and fun program is offered by MassWildlife, the Massachusetts State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and participating Sportsmen's Clubs. After completing program requirements, youth hunters can hunt on a special day with a licensed adult hunter. This year, the mentored hunt will be on April 22, 2023.

All first-time participants must complete a seminar before the day of the hunt. You can choose to complete the seminar in-person or at your own pace through online learning. Learn about all the Youth Turkey Hunt Program requirements and get started.

Report winter fish kills

Ice cover on ponds can decrease oxygen levels and cause a natural fish kill. While many areas of Massachusetts experienced relatively mild winter conditions this year, fish kills are still possible.

During winter, thick ice and heavy snow cover can result in low dissolved oxygen levels in ponds. With increasing ice and snow packs, there is less light penetration through the water column. This alters chemical and biological processes, often resulting in a winter fish kill. 

The vast majority of fish kills turn out to be caused by a natural event. However, it’s important for biologists to rule out other causes including pollution. Natural fish kills are generally the result of low dissolved oxygen levels (anoxia), spawning stress or fish diseases. Dissolved oxygen depletion is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills. Weedy ponds that are less than 15 feet deep are particularly vulnerable. This can be the case at any time of the year but generally occurs during severe winters or late spring/early summer.

Ice anglers may encounter signs of a low oxygen environment when they drill through the ice and notice the smell of rotten egg or observe sluggish or dying shiners. The odor is hydrogen sulfide gas which is a natural byproduct of low dissolved oxygen environments, and is not likely the result of pollution. Oxygen levels will be return to normal shortly after the ice melts in the spring.

If you observe dead fish, contact the Environmental Police's 24-hour radio room at 1 [phone]. A MassWildlife biologist will review each situation to determine whether the kill is natural or requires a site investigation.  

 

Support endangered species at tax time

More than 430 plants and animals are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. These rare species play an important role in keeping the Commonwealth's natural communities thriving. You can make a difference by supporting endangered species conservation while filing your taxes this year. Simply look for Line 33A for Endangered Wildlife Conservation on your state tax form and write in any amount. Your meaningful donation will go to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund which is dedicated specifically to the conservation of rare species in the Commonwealth.

 

Already filed your taxes, but still want to donate? There are a few other ways you can donate:

• Online with a credit card or electronic check*
• Through your MassFishHunt account
• By check made payable to "Comm. of MA—NHESP" and mailed to: MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

_{*You will be redirected to our payment portal with nCourt, LLC.}

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.

Date published:	March 8, 2023