In this Issue
October 2005

FIN, FUR & FEATHERS
Hunting season set to begin
By John T. O'Leary, Jr.

John T. O'Leary, Jr.

The signals were out there, and right on time. Lois loves the huge hydrangea near the front porch but knows when the white flower clusters turn pink summer vacation is over. In the past, it meant the days of merriment with the kids were to be curtailed, but now it means work at the school during the most chaotic time of the year. The plant that arouses me to imminent fall is the luscious odor of wild grapes. Driving home from Klem’s yesterday, I got a snootful, and it was heavenly. The old bird dog has seen 10 years come and go, but the cool weather the first week of September put enough extra spring in his step to warrant a special collar that lets him know where he cannot go without me. Pup doesn’t care. For her, every day is a new one, with about 19 new adventures.

Recently the cut weeds from North Pond were a problem for many, especially at South Pond, I’d guess. Closing the gate after an inch and a half of rain had pushed the weeds toward and into South Pond was a little like closing the barn door after the horse is gone. Re-opening it when North Pond was lower and the benefit of a south wind was at hand at least got all the waterborne trash out of South Pond. Hopefully, sometime in the near future an east wind with a little rain will push the decomposing mat of vegetation down the river toward West Brookfield, where it will disburse in better oxygenated water. Maybe if we circulate a rumor in Worcester and Springfield that North Pond has an aquatic weed, introduced by a foreigner a few years ago, with a watercress or wonderful nutty flavor, they’ll come and pull them out by the roots. I’m sure the Lakes Association is open to any suggestions. Chemicals and cutting are not the answer to our prayers. Mother Nature would say, “Leave it alone. Wildlife likes it, and eutrophication is part of my plan.”

The special early goose season, with its liberal bag limit, instituted to help remove the native geese that foul our lawns, golf courses and athletic fields, seems off to a slow start. Once the corn is cut and chopped golden grain litters the fields, they’ll move more and provide action for the gunners. For years, the northern breeding grounds had poor conditions for the nesting birds, and waterfowl managers cut both bag limits and seasons. A significant portion of the goose population stopped going so far north to breed, with more favorable conditions in the lower New England area, and under the restrictive laws at the time, their numbers exploded. Once Fish and Wildlife officials figured out that there were actually two very different flocks, they addressed them individually, and thence was born our modern goose management problems.

Dick Woodard is still out fishing with Paula at the Quabbin, especially early in the day. They’ve been taking salmon and rainbow trout with surprising regularity at this time with the fishing (catching) dropping off markedly once the full force of the sun is on the water. The fishery closes soon, so get into it while you can. Lures with chartreuse, blue, silver or natural minnow finishes fished 15 to 25 feet down should get you into the action. Have a ball.

Perhaps some of you know a sportsman by the name of Anthony Thurlow from Lakeview Avenue. He is currently engaged in basic training with the U.S. Army, seeking a sniper or marksmanship unit position. He’d love to hear from us locals and can be reached at: Pvt. Thurlow A #448, Cco/54 Inf, Ft. Benning GA 31905.

I hope the editors can use a photo that Anthony’s grandmother gave me of her cat Nick watching a Red Sox game on TV. He only watches the Red Sox and will watch it for up to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are down by six, at which time he gives up. I’m thinking that maybe cats aren’t so dumb after all.

Read previous columns by John T. O'Leary, Jr.