Pheasants in MA??

1

1911fan

New member
Hi all. This is my first year hunting, and I'd like to attempt to get a pheasant or two. Can anyone recommend any areas in northeastern MA where it would be possible?? I've already checked out the state stocking areas, and have a few of them local to me, but would appreciate any advice from experienced folks in the area.

Thanks,

Mike
 
Mike, dosen't look like we have any locals other than you here.

I've gotten good advice from "Wildlife Officers/Game Wardens" (not sure what you call'em there) in new places.

Only advice as to hunting I can give is to use good loads. I've seen number 4s ball up in the feathers and will probably use 6s next time.

Giz
 
Mike,

I have been pheasant hunting at the Harold Parker WMA, North Andover, and to the Bolton Flats WMA. according to the MA Wildlife Web page, they stock these areas. I also hear they do additional releases later in the season. I did not have any luck, although on opening day, I hear some folks did fairly well in these places. They have dogs, I don't. I talked to one guy opening day, he had got one pheasant, and a quail at the Harold Parker WMA. This is my first year pheasant hunting, so I too am a rookie. My son and I went to the Harold Parker last Saturday for a few hours, saw nothing but a bunch of 'stupid' people walking and bike riding with out blaze orange hats. I got real nervous, and left. Too many non-hunters at the Harold Parker WMA. Bolton Flats is larger, and not so prone to pleasure walkers. Also looks like a great place for ducks and geese. Just my very unprofessional and very limited experience.
As far as private places, who knows, I am still looking. I am planning to join the local shooting club. Real nice club, trap, sporting clays courses, rifle range, indoor pistol range, stocked fishing pond. I understand that members stock their own birds, and that the hunting is limited to members, so I for one am going to practice, practice, practice, join the club soon, and look forward to next year. And if I stumble on a pheasant this year, well, I hope he ends up in my pot. Good luck, and keep some information posted here if you find anything good. Or e-mail me directly if you want. stevem_office@yahoo.com. I live in Chelmsford.
Steve
 
Steve,

Those are the two areas that I'd heard about from the guys that taught the Hunter Ed course. The problem that I run into is that I've only been in the area for a little over a year and don't know it very well yet. What club are you looking into?? I'm in Billerica and hadn't heard of any that stock their own land.

Do you have any plans to get to Bolton Flats?? If so, would you mind some company??

Mike
 
Mike,

why don't you e-mail me directly, or call me. My office # is 978-251-5100 x48.

Don't have any immediate plans to go to Bolton Flats, but if I make some plans, I'll let you know. I might try to go and try for some ducks in a week or so.

As far as directions to Bolton Flats.
Take 495 south, take exit 27, ????? I'm quessing on the exit number. If your familiar with the 495 belt, take 495 south, and there's the candy place (HEBERT CANDIES) take the exit immediately after the candy place. At the end of the ramp, take a left, drive about 3-4 miles till you hit Route 110. At this point you have two options. Take a right onto 110, go 1-2 miles till you see some red barns on the left. Drive behind the barns, down a hill, you'l see the entrance. This is one entry place. Second entry place, is at the 110 intersection, go straight for 1/2- 1 mile mile or so. Bolton Flats is on left and right, and a large off road parking spot on the left, hard to see spot right after you go past the large open fields. This is the place I pheasant hunted a week or two ago, with no luck.

As far as clubs...
There's quite a few around. Lowell Sportmans Club, Stony Brook Club. These are both in Chelmsford. I like the Westford Sportmen's Club. All depends on what you like. Westford has a web page. Go to www.westford.com, I believe there is a link there. I've shot trap there a few times, and all the folks I met over there were extremmely nice, and very helpful. You can shoot Trap over there, you do not have to be a member. $2.00/round. I shoot lousy, but now figure I had the wrong choke tube in my 870. I am in the process of buying a Beretta A390 Trap gun. Waiting for my LTC( more later). Have not done there sporting clays course, but planning to do so soon. I have not shot much all summer, due to waiting for the new MA Class A LTC to come. My old FID card expired, I found this out after moving back from Virginia. It's another very long story.....
Hope this helps. Contact me if interested. What and where do you work? Locally?, or are you a long commuter person? I have the advantage of living and working in Chelmsford, with fairly flexible hours.
Steve
 
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