The next page turned on the calendar will bring us to September. That means the change of seasons and fall is finally here!
For this writer, that is the best time of year as upland hunting and many other pursuits will be here soon. Starting things off will be early goose season, which opens this year on Sept. 1. This special season is focused on resident Canada geese, whose growing numbers have created issues as the geese move into grassy areas like golf courses and school athletic fields and leave behind their “calling cards.” Each goose deposits a significant amount of fecal matter, and the droppings are a mess that also create health challenges. The early season has a liberal limit of 15 geese a day, but few hunters are able to fill the limit. The season does help reduce the problem and the hunt tends to move the birds from problem areas where hunting is allowed.
This resident population is quite different from migratory populations that migrate from northern areas in Quebec and New Brunswick. That population is actually not flourishing and regular season bag limits reflect that, as the Berkshire Zone is one goose per day and the Central and Coastal Zone have two-bird-per-day limits. Duck seasons open in October with the Berkshire Zone opening Oct. 11, Central Zone (North Quabbin is in this zone) also opens Oct. 11 and the Coastal Zone starts Oct. 16.
Archery deer seasons kick off in Massachusetts in eastern Mass Zones 10-14 on Oct. 4. The rest of the state opens on Oct. 18. Shotgun hunting for deer begins the Monday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29, and Primitive Arms AKA Black Powder season opens Dec. 13.
Pheasant and ruffed grouse (AKA partridge) open on Oct. 16 and woodcock, a migratory species, open Oct. 1. Fall turkey season in Zones 10-13 opens Oct. 4 and the rest of the state runs from Oct. 18 to Nov. 27.
New Hampshire archery season begins Sept. 15. Muzzleloader opens Oct. 30, followed by rifle season on Nov. 10. Granite State upland hunting opens Oct. 1. Vermont deer archery kicks off Oct. 1 and upland bird hunting Sept. 25. Firearms deer opens Nov. 13.
At this time, this writer is trying to put together a fall upland schedule. It was my hope that an early Maine or northern New Hampshire trip could be arranged, but the lodges contacted to date are booked already. This week the effort will continue, and New York will be once again beckon in late September. Fisheries and Wildlife Board meetings are again remote so a trip back to attend will not be required. The dogs are getting some work as we prepare, and a new remote-control clay target thrower has been acquired. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any retailer who stocks clay pigeons. Any suggestions? It has been a struggle getting to Petersham Gun Club for Sunday morning sporting clays. Would really like to sharpen up the shooting eye so the dogs do not give me “the look” when I miss a bird they have pointed.
Thankfully, the Mount Grace region was spared the brunt of the impact of Hurricane Henri. We did not need another flooding episode! Other parts of the state were not so fortunate, and the Berkshires and southwest Mass got heavy rain and the flooding associated with it.
Those who applied for an Antlerless Deer Permit by the July 16 deadline should remember to check to see if you were awarded a permit. The easiest way to check is to log into MassFishHunt to check your permit status. If you need more assistance, you can go to the MassHuntFish site for help. The Instant Award Period began Aug. 1 and ends on Dec. 31. Your odds of being awarded a permit are the same regardless of when you check your permit status. If you are awarded an Antlerless Deer Permit, you must purchase it in order to use it. This writer was delighted to check this week and learn that I was among the lucky ones!
Beginning late September, surplus antlerless deer permits will be available for $5 in select zones until sold out. Surplus permits will be sold by Wildlife Management Zone on the following days:
Zone 11: Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.
Zone 10: Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m.
Zone 9 (if available), 13, and 14: Thursday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.
The music world was saddened this week to learn of the passing of legendary drummer Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones at age 80. He had never missed a performance and was the epitome of cool, classy composure as he laid down the beat flawlessly for the “greatest rock ’n’ roll band in the world” for over 50 years. RIP, Charlie!