January 2019
Read the January issue of MassWildlife Monthly
2019 fishing and hunting season summary
January 10: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough – The January meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Thursday, January 10 at 10 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, MA). If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak must notify the Board 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342.
January 10: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough – The January meeting of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters Office located at 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 1:30–4:30 p.m., in the Southwest Meeting Room, Room #103.
January 12: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Chesterfield – **THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY 9 DUE TO POOR ICE CONDITIONS!** See new listing below.
January 12, Bald Eagle Biology & Behavior, Harwich -- Bald eagles have recently been observed in Harwich, Brewster, and other areas on Cape Cod. Learn about bald eagle’s natural history, the story of their decline, this raptor’s listing with the federal Endangered Species Act, and subsequent recovery as well as monitoring efforts both across the country and in Massachusetts. Jason Zimmer, MassWildlife Southeast District Manager will be presenting the program. Jason will also highlight conservation efforts in the Southeast District and talk about current and potential nesting locations. Hosted by the Harwich Conservation Trust The program begins at 2PM at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street in Harwich. Suggested donation of $5.
January 15 & 17: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Sudbury – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course offered at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center (680 Hudson Rd. in Sudbury), 6:30–8:30 p.m. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration mandatory. Please contact Jim Lagacy to register at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309.
January 25–27: New England Fishing Expo, Boxborough – Stop by MassWildlife's booth at the Expo to purchase your hunting/fishing licenses or ask questions about wildlife and the great outdoors. Click here for more information, including expo hours and directions.
January 29 & 31: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Belchertown– Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course offered at MassWildlife's Connecticut Valley District Office (341 East Street, Belchertown), 6:30–8:30 p.m. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration mandatory. Please contact Jim Lagacy to register at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309.
February 2019
2019 fishing and hunting season summary
February 2: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Pittsfield – This is a free learn to ice fish event at Pontoosuc Lake (81 Narragansett Avenue) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Please park on the street around the park and walk onto the lake from there.) Bring your ice fishing equipment, or borrow ours; equipment and bait will be available on a first come, first served basis. This event is in cooperation with the Western Massachusetts Boy Scout Council. *Open to the public, no pre-registration required. For more information contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309. *PLEASE NOTE: Less than 6" of safe ice, rain, or heavy snow will cancel this event.
February 5: Living with Coyotes Presentation, Swampscott – Join MassWildlife's Northeast District Supervisor, Pat Huckery, to learn about coyote natural history and get your questions answered about how to prevent conflicts with coyotes in your neighborhood. This event will be held in partnership with the Swampscott Conservancy, 6:30–8 p.m., at the Swampscott Public Library (61 Burrill Street, Swampscott).
February 5 & 7: Beginner Fly Tying Class, Charlton – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on, two-session course offered at the US Army Corps of Engineers Buffumville Dam Field Office (48 Old Oxford Rd., Charlton), 7–9 p.m. All tools and tying materials provided. This event is in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers Buffumville and the Charlton Conservation Department. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory. Please contact Todd Girard to register at todd.girard@townofcharlton.net or (508) 248-2247.
February 9: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Chesterfield – This is a free learn to ice fish event at Scout Pond – Tolgy Wood (the old Chesterfield Scout Reservation at Sugar Hill Road in Chesterfield) from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your ice fishing equipment, or borrow ours; equipment and bait will be available on a first come, first served basis. This event is in cooperation with the Western Massachusetts Boy Scout Council. *Open to the public, no pre-registration required. For more information contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309. *PLEASE NOTE: Less than 6" of safe ice, rain, or heavy snow will cancel this event.
February 9: Family Ice Fishing Festival, Oxford – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to ice fish event at Hodges Village Dam (Augettaback Pond at 30 Howarth Rd., Oxford), 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your ice fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers Buffumville Lake and the Charlton Conservation Department. *Open to the public, no pre-registration required. For more information contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309. *PLEASE NOTE: Less than 6" of safe ice, rain, or heavy snow will cancel this event.
February 10: MacGyver “Ed” Peary Ice Fishing Derby, Billerica – Join MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Billerica Recreation Department at Nuttings Lake in Billerica, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. The derby is open to the public and registration is on-site the day of the event; the registration fee is a gift for a child so that everyone goes home with a prize. Please RSVP to (978) 987-3487 to let the Billerica Recreation Department know you intend on coming and to check if there is safe ice. Parking will be available at Micozzi Beach in Billerica – enter lake through Turnpike Market parking lot. If you have extra ice traps (tip-ups), please bring them to share. Bait will be available onsite for a minimum charge, but please bring a bait bucket. For more detailed information call the Billerica Recreation Department at (978) 671-0921.
February 14: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough – The February meeting of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters Office located at 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 1:30–4:30 p.m., in the Southwest Meeting Room, Room #103.
February 21: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough – The February meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Thursday, February 21 at 1 p.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, MA). If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak must notify the Board 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342.
February 22–24: Springfield Sportsmen's Show, West Springfield – Stop by MassWildlife's booth to purchase your hunting/fishing licenses or ask questions about wildlife and the great outdoors. Click here for more information about the show, including hours and directions.
February 27: Family Ice Fishing Clinic, Sudbury – This is a free family friendly learn to ice fish event at Puffer Pond in the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (Winterberry Way, Sudbury), 4–6 p.m. Bring your ice fishing equipment, or borrow ours, equipment and bait will be provided. This event is co-sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Open to the public, pre-registration is mandatory. Please contact Jim Lagacy to register at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309.