September 2018
2018 fishing and hunting season summary
September issue of MassWildlife Monthly
September 5: Youth Fishing Clinic, Sudbury – This is a learn to fish clinic designed for beginners at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center (680 Hudson Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776) 5:30–7:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. *Open to the public and pre-registration is required. Please contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@state.ma.us or (508) 389-6309.
September 8: Harold Parker State Forest Family Fishing Festival, Andover – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) at Sudden Pond in the Harold Parker State Forest in Andover 10 a.m.–2 p.m. *Open to the public. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@state.ma.us or (508) 389-6309.
September 13: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough – This meeting has been canceled. The next Advisory Committee meeting will be on October 11.
September 16: Decoy placement for effective waterfowl hunting clinic, Berlin – MassWildlife is partnering with Cabela’s to provide a two-hour learn to hunt clinic teaching participants how to properly set out duck and goose decoys. This course will be 1–3 p.m. at Cabela’s in Berlin. For more information, contact Astrid Huseby at astrid.huseby@mass.gov or (508) 389-6305.
September 18: Family Fishing Clinic, Wakefield – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic, 3:30–5:30 p.m., at Lake Quannapowit (Playground area off of Lake Ave.). This event is in cooperation with the Reading Recreation Department. *Open to the public; pre-registration required. Please visit https://readingma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx to pre-register.
September 18: Coyotes De-Mystified, Saugus – The Department of Conservation and Recreation at Breakheart Reservation are hosting a talk on coyotes by Patricia Huckery, MassWildlife’s Northeast District Manager at Camp Nihan, 131 Walnut Street, Saugus beginning at 7 p.m. This free presentation will include information coyote behavior and life history. She will also discuss how to co-exist with coyotes in your community and tips to prevent conflicts. For more information contact Stacy Kilb, at DCR: stacy.kilb@state.ma.us or call (781) 233-0834.
September 19: Family Fishing Clinic, Shrewsbury – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic, 5–7 p.m., at Dean Park Pond in Shrewsbury (805 Main St.). This event is in cooperation with the Shrewsbury Recreation Department. *Open to the public; pre-registration required. Please contact the Shrewsbury Recreation Office at (508) 841-8503 or visit www.shrewsburyma.gov/parkrec for more information.
September 22: Bat Display at Wildlife Weekend, Shelburne – MassWildlife will be hosting a display on bats during Wildlife Weekend at Apex Orchards (225 Peckville Road, Shelburne). Various events for Wildlife Weekend will take place 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit MassWildlife's Bat Display from 1 to 3 p.m. to learn about bats in Massachusetts. Click here to learn more.
September 23: The Massachusetts Outdoor Expo, Sturbridge – Experience the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo "The Big MOE" at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge, MA on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine. For the past 20 years, this FREE, family-oriented event has celebrated outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. With over 45 activity stations, there’s something for everyone at The Big MOE! Stations include: target shooting, archery, fishing, mountain biking, and more. All stations are supervised and provide a unique, hands-on experience for people of all ages. For a complete listing of activity stations and more details, please visit www.FawnsExpo.com.
September 25: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Belchertown – The September meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at 11 a.m. at the Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Office (341 East Street, Belchertown, 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.
September 26: Family Fishing Clinic, Lexington – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic, 4–6 p.m., at Old Reservoir in Lexington (Parking area off of Rt. 2A). This event is in cooperation with the Lexington Recreation Department. *Open to the public; pre-registration required. Please contact the Lexington Recreation Department at www.lexingtonma.gov/recreation-community-programs or (781) 698-4800 for more information.
September 29: Fearing Pond Family Fishing Festival, Plymouth – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event at Fearing Pond in the Myles Standish State Forest, Plymouth, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) *Open to the public. Please contact Bill Vickstrom at wrvick@comcast.net for more information.
October 2018
October 18: Family Fishing Clinic, West Boylston – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Wachusett Reservoir (old stone church area - 180 Beaman St, West Boylston), 4:30–6:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Lancaster Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact the Lancaster Recreation Department at www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/recreation or (978) 365-3326 Ext. 1108 for more information.
October 22: Hunting head to toe: How to pick the right gear for deer season clinic – MassWildlife is partnering with Cabela’s to provide a two- hour learn to hunt clinic going over the types of equipment needed for deer hunting. This course will be 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Cabela’s in Berlin. For more information, contact Astrid Huseby at astrid.huseby@mass.gov or (508) 389-6305.
October 27: Cops and Bobbers, Hooks and Ladders Youth Fishing Program, Northampton – Join MassWildlife's Angler Education Program at Willow Pond in Look Park, Northampton, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., for a free, family friendly event designed to teach those aged 14 and under to fish, connect with the outdoors, and develop positive relationships with law enforcement and safety officials in their communities. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Northampton Police and Fire Departments, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, and the Rotary Club of Northampton. *Open to the public contact. Please contact Jennifer Lapis at (413) 835-5541 or Jennifer_lapis@fws.gov for more information.