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MassWildlife Monthly November 2021

News from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Table of Contents

Improved MassFishHunt coming soon

 

MassFishHunt, the official licensing and harvest reporting system for Massachusetts, is getting an upgrade. The new system will be live starting December 1, 2021. As always, anglers, hunters, and trappers will be able to buy licenses and permits, report a harvest, and access account information. The new MassFishHunt’s secure, modern platform offers new features designed with the customer in mind. 

What’s changing? 

Setting up your account in the new MassFishHunt is simple. With just a few clicks, you’ll have access to new features, including:  

  • Upgraded log in with email and password to keep your account secure 

  • Linked accounts for families

  • Auto-renew option lets you set it and forget it to keep your licenses up-to-date 

  • Buy-it-again option saves your favorite products for quick checkout 

  • Improved mobile experience 

  • Registration for outdoor skills classes 

How do customers log in to the new system? 

Starting December 1, you will be able to access the new MassFishHunt system for the first time! IMPORTANTYou will need an email address to log into the new MassFishHunt. Requiring a unique email address and password is an important new feature to keep information safe and secure. If you do not have an email address or wish to provide one, you can still buy licenses or report harvests in-person (see question below).

  • Returning customers: If you have purchased a fishing or hunting license in the past, your account information, including customer ID, will automatically transfer to the new system. When you visit the new MassFishHunt site for the first time, you will be prompted to claim your account and add a unique email address and password. Once logged in, you will have access to your order history and any current licenses or permits. You will also be able to purchase new products and report harvests.  

  • New customers: If you've never had a license before, you can easily sign up for a new account by entering some simple information like your name, address, and email.  

How do hunters and trappers report a harvest online? 

  • Before December 1: If you want to report a harvest online before December 1, you will use the existing MassFishHunt system.  
  • Shotgun Deer Season: During the first week of the shotgun deer season (November 29–December 4), all harvested deer must be brought to a physical check station within 48 hours so MassWildlife biologists can collect biological data; online harvest reporting is NOT available during this time. Click here to find a check station near you that is open this fall.  
  • On or after December 1: The new MassFishHunt system will launch on December 1 during hunting season. Your license, permit, and harvest reporting information will transfer seamlessly to the new system. You can simply click “Report a Harvest” and enter your name and existing customer ID to report a harvest without logging in. To get full use of the new MassFishHunt system and purchase licenses online, you will need to claim your account and add an email and password (see question above with log-in instructions). You can claim your online account at any time after the new system launches in December. 

Can customers still buy licenses or report harvests in-person?  

Most licenses, permits, and stamps can be bought online using MassFishHunt with a computer, smartphone, or tablet. If you do not wish to purchase online, you can still visit a MassWildlife office, Division of Marine Fisheries office, or one of many authorized license vendor locations to buy in-person. Click here for a license agent map. If you wish to report your harvest in-person, you can find a check station map here.  

Understanding your bill 

All funds from freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses go directly into the Inland Fish and Game Fund, which can only be used to support MassWildlife’s programs and services. Depending on where you buy your license, additional transaction fees may apply that are not collected by MassWildlife. Administrative and convenience fees are collected by Kalkomey Enterprises, the company that operates the online MassFishHunt licensing system. Agent fees are collected by license vendors, such as sporting goods stores or town offices.  

Is the new system more expensive? Overall transaction fees are decreasing for online customers in the new system. The existing online system charges an administrative fee of $1.34 per license and 3% convenience fee on the total transaction. The new online system will charge an administrative fee of $1.45 per license and 2% convenience fee on the total transaction. Example: If you bought a sporting license online in 2021, transaction fees were $2.73; this will be lowered to $2.52 in 2022. 

Transaction fee summary 

  • If you buy online, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus a 2% convenience fee on the total transaction.  

  • If you buy at a license vendor, such as a sporting goods store or bait and tackle shop, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus an agent fee of up to $1.50.  

  • If you buy at a city or town clerk office, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus an agent fee of $1.00.   

  • There are no additional fees charged for licenses purchased at offices of MassWildlife or the Division of Marine Fisheries, where only cash or checks are accepted.  

License fee increases: Because a license price increase was recently approved for some freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses, you may notice your overall bill is higher than usual moving forward. Beginning in 2022, the fees for some licenses, permits, and stamps will gradually increase over the next 5 years. After 26 years without a fee increase, these changes were approved to help fund MassWildlife's programs and services. This change in license prices is not caused by the new licensing system. To learn more about how MassWildlife is funded and view the 5-year fee schedule, please visit Mass.gov/Masswildlife-Funding.  

What if customers need help using the new system?  

As we approach launch day on December 1, we will be adding tutorials and updates to make this transition as seamless as possible for all customers on Mass.gov/NewMassFishHunt. Once the new system launches, additional customer support resources will be provided.  

Fall hunting information

Hunting information

  • Rut activity peaks between November 6–20 in Massachusetts. Get tips for hunting the rut.

  • 2021 Massachusetts hunting season date summary
  • The 2021 Pheasant Hunting Season opens October 16 through November 27. MassWildlife will stock over 40,000 pheasant and quail on public and private lands that are open to hunting this fall.
  • All deer taken during the first week of shotgun season must be brought to a physical check station so that MassWildlife staff can collect biological data. Use MassWildlife's check station map to find locations that are open this fall.

All outdoor users: Wear blaze orange during hunting seasons

Hunting is a safe activity. The widespread use of blaze orange has helped dramatically reduce hunting-related firearms incidents in the field. While hunters are required to wear blaze orange during certain seasons, all outdoor users who are in the woods during hunting seasons should wear blaze orange clothing as a precaution. If you're curious about the effectiveness of blaze orange, watch the short video above for an eye-opening demonstration. If you plan to enjoy the outdoors during hunting season, review these tips:

Notes for non-hunters

  • Know when and where hunting is allowed. Review the 2021 Massachusetts hunting season dates. Hunting on Sunday is not permitted in Massachusetts. MassWildlife lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife Conservation Easements are open to hunting. Most state parks and forests are open to hunting, and many towns allow hunting on municipal lands. Learn about lands open to hunting in Massachusetts. Research the property you plan to visit beforehand to learn if hunting is allowed. If being in the woods during hunting season makes you uneasy, find a location where hunting is not allowed or plan your outing for a Sunday or another day outside of hunting season. 
  • Keep pets leashed and visible. Place a blaze orange vest or bandana on your pet to keep it visible.
  • Make your presence known. Talk loudly or whistle to identify yourself as a person. You may also consider wearing a bell. If you see someone hunting or hear shots, call out to them to identify your location. 
  • Be courteous. Once you've made your presence known, don't make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife or hunting. Hunter harassment is against state law. Avoid confrontations with hunters. If you think you've witnessed a fish or wildlife violation, report it to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

Tips for hunters

Wearing blaze orange is a legal requirement during some hunting seasons. 

  • All hunters during shotgun deer season and deer hunters during the primitive firearms season must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange material on their chest, back, and head. (Exception: coastal waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat.)
  • All hunters on Wildlife Management Areas during the pheasant or quail season on WMAs where pheasant or quail are stocked must wear a blaze orange cap or hat. (Exception: waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat, and raccoon and opossum hunters at night.)

Some hunters may worry that wearing blaze orange will hurt their chances of harvesting an animal. While deer are not colorblind, they lack the ability to detect colors like red and orange from green and brown. Wearing blaze orange will not matter to the deer, but may save your life. 

New peregrine falcon mural and nest box unveiled in Worcester

A new peregrine falcon mural was recently unveiled in downtown Worcester, alongside a new nesting box for a pair of resident falcons. We may not think of cities as a place for wildlife, especially rare species, but appearances can be deceiving. A few Massachusetts cities are currently home to peregrine falcons, a rare bird that at one time had vanished from the eastern United States. Peregrines, known as the fastest animal on the planet, have lived in Worcester since 2000. With an abundant bird population, the falcons’ main source of food, the city is a perfect home for these super-fast birds of prey. Through efforts by MassWildlife and other partners, this bird is considered a conservation success story.

Visitors can enjoy the new mural at 2 Mercantile Street in Worcester, and peregrine falcons will enjoy a new nesting box installed by MassWildlife nearby at 120 Front Street. “Our ultimate hope is the Mercantile Center Peregrine Falcon Mural and Nest Box project raise awareness and appreciation for the wildlife, particularly the rare wild neighbors in our cities and town,” said Chip Norton, Managing Director of Mercantile Center. “We have had numerous previous peregrine falcon nesting attempts at Mercantile Center and therefore partnered with MassWildlife to provide assistance. Those attempts and our new nest box inspired our Peregrine Falcon mural that was recently completed by local artist Sophy Tuttle. We were delighted to have commissioned Sophy to create this unique mural in downtown Worcester and to partner with MassWildlife on the peregrine falcon nesting box.”

Local artist Sophy Tuttle of Medford created the new peregrine falcon mural. Through her art, Sophy enjoys introducing human neighbors to their urban, wild neighbors. Sophy was inspired by researching the local flora and fauna of the City of Worcester. She learned falcons in the city were spending time specifically on or around this wall at Mercantile Center and thought they were the perfect subjects for this mural. “I wanted this mural to embody the spirit of the peregrine falcon. I hope the community will enjoy it and be encouraged to learn about urban wildlife and begin conversations within the community about environmental issues,” Tuttle said.

Working with Mercantile Center, MassWildlife staff recently installed a falcon nesting box at 120 Front Street, hoping that the current peregrine pair will use the box next spring and into the future. The simple wooden box provides the adults and chicks protection from the elements and predators. The box floor is lined with gravel, material falcons prefer for laying and incubating eggs and an attached wooden dowel provides a convenient perch.

The first Worcester nest in 2000 was at 120 Front Street on an 8th floor balcony in a pine bark and soil-filled planter. Since then, falcons have nested or attempted to nest at One Chestnut Place, 100 Front Street, the Bancroft and Denholm Buildings. In 2020, MassWildlife learned of an unsuccessful nesting attempt on 100 Front Street. The pair then shifted over to the Denholm Building in 2020. This year, 2021, the pair hatched and raised one fledgling chick.

Whenever possible, MassWildlife biologists place a metal ID leg band on falcon chicks to track reproduction, travel movement, and life span. Since 2000, 29 chicks successfully fledged from Worcester nests with 26 chicks banded. The female of the current adult pair is from a Worcester nest sporting band #96/AD that was attached by MassWildlife in 2013. The adult male is not banded.

“MassWildlife’s ability to collaborate with seemingly unlikely conservation partners, such as managers of tall, modern structures, has aided in the successful recovery of peregrine falcon here in Massachusetts,” said Dave Paulson, MassWildlife Senior Endangered Species Review Biologist. “Nest box sites like the one at 120 Front Street is a great way to educate and connect with the community about species conservation and how we all can make a difference. We are fortunate and grateful to partner, through the connection of art and science, with Mercantile Center on this particularly creative conservation initiative.” Paulson noted that he is actively seeking volunteers who would be willing to help MassWildlife monitor the Worcester pair’s activities beginning in 2022. Interested volunteers can contact David Paulson by email at david.paulson@mass.gov.

Volunteers help clean up Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area

MassWildlife manages over 226,000 acres of wildlife lands statewide open to the public for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife watching, and other outdoor recreation. These lands also provide important habitat for a variety of rare and common wildlife. Unfortunately, MassWildlife staff remove over 100,000 pounds of trash from Wildlife Management Areas every year, but we can't maintain these special places alone.

This fall, the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) coordinated with MassWildlife to organize and conduct a clean-up day at Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area with a group of member volunteers. Bolton Flats WMA is a beautiful 978-acre property located in Bolton, Harvard, and Lancaster. As the name implies, Bolton Flats is primarily a flood plain for the Nashua, Still, and Dead Rivers and is a popular destination for hunters, anglers, and birders. The mission of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. This clean-up was part of a broader national effort the organization did with their chapters. Despite high water levels on the property, these dedicated volunteers pushed through difficult conditions to remove over 20 bags of trash, tires, an old gas grill propane tank, and a car fender. After the clean-up, MassWildlife staff picked up the gathered trash for proper disposal. 

You can find Wildlife Management Areas to visit and explore near you using MassWildlife’s Lands Viewer. Anyone interested in organizing a volunteer clean-up on a WMA is encouraged to first contact the MassWildlife District Office nearest them. Click here for MassWildlife District Office contact information.

MassWildlife receives forestry awards

In late October, both MassWildlife and MassWildlife retiree John Scanlon were honored by the Massachusetts Forest Alliance (MFA) during its annual meeting. John Scanlon, former MassWildlife Habitat Program Manager, was the recipient of the MFA’s Lambert Award. This honor is periodically presented to individuals or organizations for their exemplary stewardship and conservation of forests in Massachusetts. MFA Board President Dicken Crane lauded Scanlon’s collaboration with MFA on grant projects which assists land trusts and other landowners to create wildlife habitat on private lands. Crane added, “During his 35-year career, John’s passionate advocacy for active forest management to increase habitat types that have been declining on both state-owned and private lands makes him a worthy recipient of the Lambert Award for forest stewardship.”

The MFA also honored MassWildlife with its Friends of Forestry Award recognizing the agency’s use of active forest management to create diversified habitats for rare and vulnerable wildlife, and for the agency’s efforts to defend and speak up for such management conducted by public and private landowners. MFA Board member and presenter of the award said, “During times of public criticism around forestry in climate discussions, MassWildlife has held fast in its commitment to forest management on public and private lands.”

Brian Hawthorne, Habitat Program Supervisor, accepted the award on behalf of the agency noting that MassWildlife relies on the efforts of important partners such as the Massachusetts Forest Alliance to provide habitat management for climate resilience on private lands. “MassWildlife continues its dedication to using forestry as a tool for active habitat management and restoration to conserve the full diversity of birds, mammals, fish, and other wildlife in Massachusetts.” He also noted that these efforts create forests that are more resilient to climate change and contribute to the Commonwealth’s commitment to net-zero carbon by 2050.

Help the animals and plants of Massachusetts thrive

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is the international day that celebrates generosity. It signifies the beginning of the charitable season as people, just like you, focus on the holidays and how they can give back to their communities. Giving Tuesday occurs annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, this year it falls on December 1.

You can get into the spirit of the season by supporting wildlife and nature in Massachusetts!

MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program needs your help on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year. NHESP works to conserve species protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. This happens through field surveys and research, regulations, habitat management, land protection, and education. This important work is funded by grants and donations from supporters like you. Show your support by making a donation that is meaningful to you or reporting rare species sightings.

MassWildlife is grateful for your passion for wildlife and nature. Thank you for making a difference and inspiring others to do the same.

Donate for conservation

All money donated to MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program goes towards conserving the rare animals and plants that call Massachusetts home. Your donation goes toward equipment and services needed to give these species a fighting chance.

There are a few 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.

Thank you for your support

Without your support, we would not be able to continue conservation work for the animals and plants—like the bald eagle, northern red-bellied cooter, and showy lady’s-slipper orchid—that need our help. Thank you. You can learn more about our work here: mass.gov/nhesp.

Contact   for MassWildlife Monthly November 2021

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