Trout fishing and cooking tips
Take advantage of fall trout stocking! Learn where to find trout, tips for catching them, what time of day to head out, and how to prep your catch to eat. Read fishing tips, watch a filleting video, and get a delicious recipe.
All outdoor users: Wear blaze orange this fall
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 2022 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.
Watch for wildlife on the road this fall
Because fall is the breeding season for both moose and white-tailed deer, MassWildlife reminds motorists to be mindful of increased deer and moose activity, especially during early morning and evening hours. Moose, found in central and western parts of Massachusetts, breed in September and October. White-tailed deer breed from late October to early December.
Moose on the road are especially hazardous. The dark color and height of moose make them difficult to see in low light; moose eyes rarely shine like deer eyes because their eyes are above headlight level. In addition, long legs and heavy top bodies make moose very dangerous to motorists when struck. Observe road signs for moose and deer crossings and slow down. Do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer because it may lead to more risk and damage than hitting the deer. Moose are less likely to move from the road than deer, so stay alert and brake when you see a moose in or near the road.
Deer and moose/vehicle collisions should be reported to the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. In the event of a deer/vehicle collision, the driver or passengers of the vehicle involved (MA residents only) may salvage the deer by bringing it to a MassWildlife Office to be officially tagged.
Land Protected at Mount Watatic
MassWildlife is pleased to announce the permanent protection of 186 acres of land on the south slope of Mount Watatic. Located in the towns of Ashby and Ashburnham, the new property will be managed by MassWildlife as part of the 1,036-acre Ashby Wildlife Management Area. The property is centrally located within an extensive network of more than 3,650 acres of conservation land, including the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) 2,200-acre Ashburnham State Forest, the 280-acre Mount Watatic Reservation, and MassWildlife’s 140-acre Watatic Mountain Sanctuary.
The acquisition benefits people by increasing access to outdoor recreation and conserves habitat for wildlife. “It’s also important to note that the Mount Watatic acquisition protects land that is critical for climate change adaptation and resiliency. The forested landscape and topography of the property provide water filtration, carbon sequestration, and opportunities for local species to migrate to higher elevations,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card.
The Department of Fish and Game acquired the 186 acres of land from the North County Land Trust (NCLT) for $995,000 in July 2022, with half of the funding from state open space bond funds and half from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. In 2020, with an imminent threat of sale and development of the property, the NCLT coordinated fundraising and agreed to pre-acquire the property to allow the state time to secure funding sources. In January 2021, NCLT purchased 201 acres for $1.3 million from the Thomas L. Mikes Family Trust. This included the 186-acre property and 15 acres of adjacent land with an existing farmhouse. NCLT will use the farmhouse property for conservation education programs and will grant MassWildlife a conservation restriction on the 15 acres to preclude further development.
“I want to thank the North County Land Trust and the people of the region who contributed their time, money, and energy to complete the acquisition and permanent protection of this incredible property,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “The property and the larger network of protected open space in the region support all types of wildlife and recreational opportunities, such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation.”
“The Mikes Trust property was the last major piece of land needed to conserve the entirety of Mt. Watatic. North County Land Trust was intent on using all our resources, tools, partnerships, local relationships, and abilities as a private land conservation organization to see that it was permanently protected,” said Anna Wilkins, Executive Director of the North County Land Trust. “The dedicated staff at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife were phenomenal to work with. We are thrilled to have seen this accomplishment through and look forward to continued collaboration and partnership with the state.”
“MassWildlife manages nearly 230,000 acres of land for all wildlife to thrive and for all people to enjoy,” said MassWildlife’s Director Mark Tisa. “The variety of habitats in this beautiful new addition include mature and young forests, grasslands, ponds, and wetlands that support deer, wild turkey, black bear, and several species of conservation concern.” Go to mass.gov/wildlife-lands to view all MassWildlife properties.
As part of the Ashby Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the property is now open to the public for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, hiking, wildlife observation, and environmental education. The property includes the south peak of Mount Watatic and provides important and improved connections to the Wapack Trail and Mid-State Trail located on the abutting Mount Watatic Reservation. The Ashby WMA offers excellent fishing opportunity on the upper portion of Watatic Pond, Bennetts Brook, and the South Branch of the Souhegan River. Opportunities for hunting on the WMA include waterfowl, furbearers, deer, wild turkey, and stocked pheasant. The area is also popular with bird watchers, particularly during the hawk migration season from the peak of Mt. Watatic.
Public hearing: Field trials for dogs on WMAs
A public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 11 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough) on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 2.01 Retriever or Bird Dog Trials in Massachusetts.
Field trials test a dog's training and hunting abilities and have been permitted on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for decades. The proposed regulatory amendments would:
- Eliminate named properties. Current regulations restrict which WMAs field trials may occur on. The proposed change would allow field trials to occur on any WMA with prior authorization from MassWildlife's Director or their agent.
- Clarify language for use of horses in field trials.
- Eliminate outdated language regarding Herman J. Covey WMA and High Ridge WMA. The proposed change would allow field trials to occur on both properties with the Director's permission, and removes a regulation that currently restricts overnight camping at Herman Covey WMA.
The full hearing notice, including the text of the proposed regulations, is available on MassWildlife’s Public Hearings page. Written comments will be accepted until November 3, 2022 at 5 p.m. To submit written comments, please email susan.sacco@mass.gov to the attention of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, or mail comments to Chairman, Fisheries and Wildlife Board, c/o Director of MassWildlife, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
Celebrate Bat Week this October
Bat week starts October 24 and is designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation and to celebrate the role of bats in nature. Bats are often misunderstood or even feared. But these fascinating flying mammals play a critical role in our environment and many bat species are in decline. Massachusetts is home to nine species of bats, five of which are considered endangered. One of the greatest threats to bats is White-nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that has devastated populations of bats that spend their winters hibernating in caves and mines. Other threats include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.
Despite the threats, there are ways to help bats. Get ready to celebrate Bat Week at the end of the month by learning about what you can do to protect the bats in your backyard!
How you can help bats
One of the best ways you can support bat conservation is to put up an artificial roost, like a bat house. Bat houses give females a safe, warm place to raise their young. Since most female bats only have one pup each year, bat populations grow very slowly. Habitat loss and degradation is making it more difficult for bats to locate natural roost sites. Installing a bat house on your property can provide a safe environment for bats, while ridding your yard of pest insects, like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Bat houses can be purchased or you can build your own. MassWildlife offers instructions for building and installing a bar house.
Other ways to help:
- Educate yourself and others to help dispel myths and fears about bats. Read the Massachusetts Wildlife magazine article Bat Myths Debunked, to learn more about the fascinating and beneficial features of bats.
- Be a citizen scientist. If there is a colony of 10 or more bats on your property, please report it here. Colonies may be found in trees, buildings, attics, barns, sheds, or other outbuildings. This information will be used to help conserve the state’s endangered population of little brown bats.
- Protect habitat for bats. If you have old, dead, or dying trees on your property, leave them standing as potential roost sites for bats.
- If you must exclude or evict bats from your home, ensure the process is safe and humane by following MassWildlife’s recommendations found in the Massachusetts Homeowner's Guide to Bats.
- Reduce pesticide use to ensure there are plenty of insects for bats to feed on.
- Create a bat-friendly landscape in your backyard by adding water features, such as a pond, and night-scented flowers.