Last Saturday was a day with a lot going on. Locally, the sporting event of the year in the North Quabbin region took place again after a COVID-19 hiatus. Once again, canoes filled the Millers River as paddlers launched over 180 canoes as the cannon roared and the 57th running of the River Rat Race took place.
This writer had two events Saturday as the New England Outdoor Writers Association was able to resume holding the annual meeting in person. That event was held at the Singletary Rod and Gun Club in Oxford. The Singletary Club was always considered one of the best trap venues in Massachusetts when that shooting sport reigned supreme. It is an excellent club with good fields and ranges as well as a very nice on-site trout pond. What has impressed our organization for several years is the excellent facility for a meeting and the outstanding food. Our agenda includes a Board of Directors meeting and then a membership meeting. A highlight always is the awarding of the scholarship checks to the students from the six New England state universities. It is always great to hear what interesting work the students are working on, and one really got my attention. University of Rhode Island grad student Colby Slezak is working towards his doctorate and is studying the breeding ecology and habitat use of the American woodcock, a bird this writer has more than passing interest in and has followed all my adult life.
Right now, he is working with hunting dog handlers whose pointing dogs locate birds that are then netted, aged and sexed, and tagged. The data gathered is entered to find patterns that help those researching woodcock gain insight into what the birds are doing. The bigger picture now includes woodcock that have been fitted with radio transmitters. It is amazing the degree of miniaturization that has taken place and woodcock migration, both in the spring and fall, is being monitored to get accurate information which is beginning to provide a data base that will give a clearer picture as to how migrating woodcock travel. This past winter, the transmitters showed that more than one woodcock actually wintered over in Rhode Island! Can’t wait to see what the future holds and what the data will be able to provide to help the future management of the “timberdoodles.” Locally, there have been a lot of woodcock reported and who knows how many will stick around and nest?
Speaking of upland birds, this writer was stunned earlier this week when a ruffed grouse showed up in the backyard. The brown-phase bird fed around the yews and then an apple tree, flew up into an apple tree and ate some buds, walked across the lawn and eventually flew off after my many attempts to take both pictures and videos. My phone does not have enough magnification to get a good picture but I did send one to my editor to see it was newspaper quality. Very exciting to see this bird back and hopefully there may be a partner around as well.
Twenty years ago, when we bought this house, there was always a brood on both sides of the street. For over 10 years we have not moved a bird, but this is exciting! Others have indicated that grouse, known by many as partridge, sightings are up as well. The key is weather in May and June when broods are susceptible to cold, wet weather. Fingers crossed.
Saturday night, the Massachusetts Sportsman’s Council held their annual event with many legislators among those in in attendance. State Sen. Anne Gobi was among those participating. She had just dried out and thawed out from the River Rat Race. The lady senator is a trooper and deserves credit for being able to conquer the mighty Millers each year. She also deserves kudus for her work on behalf of the sportsmen and women of her district and the Commonwealth. Believe me, as a member of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for over 30 years, I have observed the work of a lot of representatives and senators in the Great and General Court of Massachusetts. Sen. Gobi, like her predecessors Steve Brewer and Bob Wetmore, is a tireless worker both in sessions and behind the scenes with conservation and sporting issues a priority. She continues to make a difference!
April gives us a lot to do. The trout have been stocked locally, including some real bruisers in Lake Mattawa. Now is the time to get out fishing as insects are just beginning to hatch (observed a mosquito hatch Monday) and that drives a lot of activity both on and below the surface. Turkeys are well into the breeding season and hens are responding to gobblers and the flocks are breaking up. Time to get your turkey gear in order and sight in your gun. The heavier than lead loads like TSS are super expensive but it is easy to get your gun sighted in without burning the expensive (up to $15 per round) shells. Shoot your gun at a paper target at close range. Ten yards will tell you if you are on. Then fire one round of the “gold loads” at 30 yards. In my opinion, 35 yards is where you want to get the turkey and shots over 40 yards are not to be attempted. Call them in close or let them go. “It is the gobble not the gobbler that is the real treasure,” Rob Keck, longtime leader of the National Wild Turkey Federation, said.