The first Massachusetts hunting season of fall 2023 began Sept. 1 when the early goose season opened. This special season, designed to deal with the overabundance of resident Canada geese, closes Sept. 22. The first segment of the black bear season is also underway having opened on Sept. 5 and concludes Sept. 23. The second segment starts Nov. 6 and runs until Nov. 25. Black bears are also open during the Massachusetts shotgun season for deer and a special permit is required for all bear seasons.

The Bay State archery season for deer opens in Zones 1-9 on Oct. 16 and goes until Nov. 25. The proposal to extend the archery season in the western zones had a period of input and a hearing and should be voted on by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board at the September meeting. The shotgun season deer season is from Nov. 27 for two weeks until Dec. 9 and the primitive arms season follows and goes until Dec. 30. Fall turkey season in Massachusetts this year begins on Oct. 16 and concludes Nov. 25.

As for migratory birds, woodcock season is from Oct. 2 to Nov. 22. Central Zone waterfowl hunting for ducks and geese opens on Oct. 14 for a segment that ends Nov. 25 and reopens Dec. 12 until Jan. 6. The migratory regulations are complex and every waterfowl hunter should closely examine the regulations before heading out. Upland birds including pheasants and ruffed grouse start Oct. 14. A special stamp is required in Massachusetts for pheasant hunting.

New Hampshire archery deer season is from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15 and muzzleloader deer hunting in the Granite State starts Oct. 30 and ends Nov. 9 with firearms season opening the following day and continuing to Dec. 5. New Hampshire upland season, which includes pheasant and grouse, opens Oct. 1.

Please check the complete regulations in any state you hunt for specific regulations and dates. My plans at the moment are still not final with a couple variables still unresolved. Regardless of when the dogs join me in pursuit of woodcock and grouse, we are all ready and raring to go!

My summer at the pond has ended and it seems like it just started! This space has been used to profess my opinion that “November is the new October” but doesn’t it seem like September, at least this year, is the new August! This week’s heat wave must be brutal at the local schools and this former high school teacher and soccer coach would not have enjoyed this at all! Running the dogs this week was a challenge with lush vegetation thicker than ever and heat and humidity sucking the life out of both me and the dogs. It should break next week, and real conditioning should be possible.

Fall also means fall trout stocking and around the middle of September, governed by water temperature, 61,000 beautiful trout will be stocked in Massachusetts waters. Sporting bright spawning colors, these brook, brown and rainbow trout will be a pleasure to catch as you enjoy the foliage. You can get real-time trout stocking info at the MassWildlife web site.

Habitat management

MassWildlife recently released an analysis of the Muddy Brook WMA in Hardwick as an example of a significant response by the ecosystem to MassWildlife’s habitat restoration work done on the site. Notable findings included the emergence of 28 fire-influenced plants not observed prior to restoration, including four that were endangered, one threatened species, one of special concern, and five watchlist species. Very neat was the return of the eastern whip-poor-will to the site following a documented 30-year absence. Also noted was a significant increase in early successional breeding birds, including the American woodcock (my favorite), prairie warbler, field sparrow, and eastern towhee. Pollinators are a real issue and there was an increase in bee species from 36 to 150 species and other insects including a list of specialized moths and butterflies that includes several state-listed species. Having visited that WMA before and during the work it seems like a visit during bird season should be undertaken.

You can make a difference on your open space land and the Habitat Grant Program from Mass Wildlife for next year opened Sept. 1. Private and municipal landowners of conserved lands can apply for grant funding to support active habitat management projects that benefit wildlife and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP) provides financial assistance for projects that improve habitat for game species (species that are hunted, fished, and trapped), manage for State Wildlife Action Plan species (Species of Greatest Conservation Need), with an emphasis on state endangered, threatened, and special concern species, and enhance habitat in ecological communities disproportionally susceptible to climate change.

Contact MassWildlife for information on the grants.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.

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