Worcester County League Of Sportsmen's Clubs
This Is What Worcester County League Is Doing For You
The Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs represents over 25,000 sportsmen from over 50 clubs in Worcester County and clubs in adjacent Counties. Since 1875 sportsmen in Worcester County have been committed to the 4 Point Action Program consisting of Public Relations, Legislation, Conservation and Education that promotes and protects interests of sportsmen and citizens in the areas of conservation, environment, farmer, landowners and sportsmen relations, hunting, fishing, and access to public waters.
MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife License Fee Hearings
Visit website https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masswildlife-funding for details, FAQ, etc. Look here for 3 additional dates in March
- Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. Join the Zoom session using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking this link with Passcode 5eVN5u, or you can join by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the Webinar ID: 812 2784 4202 and Passcode: 821502 when prompted.
- Wednesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. Join the Zoom session using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking this link with Passcode 2STLk1, or you can join by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the Webinar ID: 848 4842 1647 and Passcode: 856477when prompted.
- Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. Join the Zoom session using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking this link with Passcode 1WWptf, or you can join by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the Webinar ID: 834 6714 2939 and Passcode: 420963 when prompted.
COVID 19 UPDATE, October 4, 2020:
- The traditional month/location schedule of past years is disrupted. Though the league held the September delegate meeting at Otter River as in past years, the meeting was held outside. Future meeting locations will be announced as they become known. Not every club has a good outdoor all-weather option for outdoor meetings; COVID 19 has restrictions for group size indoors.
- Traditional events such as firearm shows and fishing expos are not scheduled by event organizers yet, due to indoor restrictions. League best projection is there will be no firearm shows through Spring 2021, no January NE Fishing Expo, nor no March Annual Banquet
- League is responding to inquiries, making club events posted to the league calendar, and maintaining the facebook page. Though the league is not 100%, outdoor hunting, fishing, trapping, trap&skeet shooting, archery ranges are open at clubs. MA Wildlife is stocking trout and pheasant this fall - so do go out and pursue your favorite outdoor endeavor - be safe, have a mask, and when possible maintain social distancing
WCLSC Monthly Newsletter has resumed in September 2020 to be print only, available at the beginning of each month as Jeds Hardware in Holden, select LGS in Worcester County, at clubs who delegates pickup copies for distribution, and for clubs whose members are subscribed to home delivery.
Special COVID-19 Related Alert
Any event listed in our Central MA Community Calendar should be cross-checked to the event holder's website to verify if the event is ON or OFF, due to COVID-19 ; if ON, what precautions are recommended beyond social distancing
New! - Find outdoor events and classes across Central MA
MA State Crossbow Bill Update - Voices Being Heard
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Look for WCLSC at NE Fishing Expo January 2020
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WCLSC will be at the January NE Fishing Expo with an informational table, Youth Conservation Camp applications and fundraising raffle tickets, popular youth archery experience, and free WCL monthly newspapers. https://nefishingexpo.com/
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WCLSC helps preserve Mahar Regional High School's Fish N Game Club fall pheasant hunting season
WCLSC rallied its member clubs to raise funds to provide pheasants to the Mahar Regional High School Fish N Game 40 member club. In late summer, the pheasant raising and stocking program serving Northern Worcester County was canceled on short notice, leaving a number of clubs including the school club without pheasants for their fall hunting program. A local pheasant raiser, Popple Camp Ringnecks based out of Petersham MA, volunteered to secure a portion of the reserved pheasant stock in PA and transport/raise/feed them, provided adequate funds were raised. WCLSC thanks its members clubs for making donations to make this pheasant program continue for our youth hunters: Spencer Fish & Game, Marlboro Fish & Game, Gardner Rifle & Pistol , Gardner Fish and Gun Club, Auburn Sportsmen's Club, Harvard Sportsmen's Club, Leominster Sportsmen's Club , North Brookfield Sportsmen's Club, North Grafton Fish, Game & Bird Club, Nimrod League of Holden, North Worcester Fox & Coon, Worcester Rifle and Pistol Club, and Norco Sportsman's Club. WCLSC will continue to work with MA DFW to find a solution for 2020 so all clubs can resume their fall pheasant hunting traditions.
MA Governor Proclaims May 22, 2019 Outdoor Heritage Day in Observation of Outdoorsmen and Women Ongoing Efforts to Manage Wildlife and Wildlife Resources
Governor Baker declares May 22, 2019 as MA Outdoor Heritage Day to observe and recognize the longstanding efforts of outdoorsmen and women for their volunteerism and effective use of resources to manage wildlife and wildlife resources. On hand to receive the Governor's Proclamation and Senate's Resolutions (far right) Joseph Afonso , Co-Chairman of Massachusetts Conservation Alliance and Vice President of Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Club; (second from right) Ronald Amidon, Commissioner of Mass Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife; David T. Vieira State Representative (second from left). and (far left) Paul Johnson, Co-Chairman of Massachusetts Conservation Alliance and President of Plymouth County League of Sportsmen.
Congrats to our league partners and league leaders for raising state-wide awareness of what we do and how important it is!
Congrats to our league partners and league leaders for raising state-wide awareness of what we do and how important it is!
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2019 Photo Album - click on picture to see album
The WCLSC Annual Awards Presented on March 23rd are as follows:
Wayne MacCallum - Sportsman of the Year Award :
In recognition of his/her work promoting the League for the sportsmen and sportswomen.
Gene Chague - Words of Wisdom Award :
In recognition of his/her efforts to inform, educate, and promote issues for sportsmen and sportswomen.
Astrid Huseby - Youth Mentor Award :
Recognizing his/her work providing information and education for the youth of Massachusetts.
Don Humason - Legislator of the Year Award :
In recognition of his/her support of issues concerning sportsmen and sportswomen in the State Legislature.
Will Rogers - Farmer/ Landowner of the Year:
In appreciation of his/her preservation of land, providing wildlife habitat and recreation to sportsmen and sportswomen.
Rosemary Charron - Hall of Fame:
A person who has had an important impact on our sportsman’s privileges in Massachusetts through their lifelong work for sporting issues.
The WCLSC Annual Awards Presented on March 23rd are as follows:
Wayne MacCallum - Sportsman of the Year Award :
In recognition of his/her work promoting the League for the sportsmen and sportswomen.
Gene Chague - Words of Wisdom Award :
In recognition of his/her efforts to inform, educate, and promote issues for sportsmen and sportswomen.
Astrid Huseby - Youth Mentor Award :
Recognizing his/her work providing information and education for the youth of Massachusetts.
Don Humason - Legislator of the Year Award :
In recognition of his/her support of issues concerning sportsmen and sportswomen in the State Legislature.
Will Rogers - Farmer/ Landowner of the Year:
In appreciation of his/her preservation of land, providing wildlife habitat and recreation to sportsmen and sportswomen.
Rosemary Charron - Hall of Fame:
A person who has had an important impact on our sportsman’s privileges in Massachusetts through their lifelong work for sporting issues.
2019 Activities are Underway
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Riding-on the Momentum from 2018
For 2019, WCLSC has been active on the legislative, regulation, policy, and program front.
Letters of support, endorsement, and speaking at public hearings for:
Growth Chart of WCL Youth Programs, 2016 to 2020 projection
Kids Day Programs 2019 held at these clubs: Norco, Nimrod, Century, Westminster, Auburn, Fox and Coon, Otter River, Spencer, and Uxbridge .
Young Guns Youth Trap Competition 2019: qualifying shoots start May 21st 5PM at Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club in Ashburnham. Finals set for August 11th. Check WCL Facebook for complete schedule and schedule updates. Program hats and raffle tickets for sale at WCL Delegate meetings and at each qualifier. Shooters receive hat and year pin compliments of the league.
William Tell 3D Youth Archery Shoot 2019: area shoots start in May and run through June. First shoot is at Norco May 18th 1PM . Check WCL Facebook for complete schedule and schedule updates
Three Junior Conservation Camp Scholarships have been awarded at the April WCLSC Meeting, for the August Program.
T&G WCLSC 2019 Annual Banquet news article from Mark Blazis
Berkshire Eagle WCLSC Words of Wisdom reflections from Gene Chague
Letters of support, endorsement, and speaking at public hearings for:
- Chaffen Pond appeal to retain water edge access, pond is in the town of Holden
- Scenic Waterways have been successfully designated for sections of the Nashua Watershed
- Advocate for the MA House Bill 846, the crossbow bill, to enable hunting by all ages and abilities, and regulated by MA Wildlife
Growth Chart of WCL Youth Programs, 2016 to 2020 projection
Kids Day Programs 2019 held at these clubs: Norco, Nimrod, Century, Westminster, Auburn, Fox and Coon, Otter River, Spencer, and Uxbridge .
Young Guns Youth Trap Competition 2019: qualifying shoots start May 21st 5PM at Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club in Ashburnham. Finals set for August 11th. Check WCL Facebook for complete schedule and schedule updates. Program hats and raffle tickets for sale at WCL Delegate meetings and at each qualifier. Shooters receive hat and year pin compliments of the league.
- 2019 Sponsorship Brochure
- 2018 Finals Photo Gallery ; 2018 Finals Summary Article
- 2018 Finals Brochure
William Tell 3D Youth Archery Shoot 2019: area shoots start in May and run through June. First shoot is at Norco May 18th 1PM . Check WCL Facebook for complete schedule and schedule updates
Three Junior Conservation Camp Scholarships have been awarded at the April WCLSC Meeting, for the August Program.
T&G WCLSC 2019 Annual Banquet news article from Mark Blazis
Berkshire Eagle WCLSC Words of Wisdom reflections from Gene Chague
Mel Crouse Appointed Honorary Board Director
The Board shall appoint Honorary Directors, individuals so selected shall be those who have served the League with distinction and are thus honored. This select group is to serve an unlimited term and is to be an advisory panel on call of the Board of Directors.
Mel started attending League meetings in the early 1960s.
Mel has a great knowledge of firearms that goes back to when he had his own firearm shop in the basement of his home in Shrewsbury. He served as League President Delegate to the MA State Council and was the chairman of the "Snowshoe Hare distribution Program". His ability to study the issues that came before the League, proved to be valuable and informative. He was justly able to convince his side of the issue and also earn respect from both sides of the issue. As a member of the Board of Directors, he attends virtually every community hearing or meeting pertaining to any sportsman issue that he did not attend and elegantly spoke. Mel was a long time member of the North Grafton Fish and Bird Club in Grafton and wrote their newsletter for publication in the WCL News.
Other WCL awards and distinctions include:
The Board shall appoint Honorary Directors, individuals so selected shall be those who have served the League with distinction and are thus honored. This select group is to serve an unlimited term and is to be an advisory panel on call of the Board of Directors.
Mel started attending League meetings in the early 1960s.
Mel has a great knowledge of firearms that goes back to when he had his own firearm shop in the basement of his home in Shrewsbury. He served as League President Delegate to the MA State Council and was the chairman of the "Snowshoe Hare distribution Program". His ability to study the issues that came before the League, proved to be valuable and informative. He was justly able to convince his side of the issue and also earn respect from both sides of the issue. As a member of the Board of Directors, he attends virtually every community hearing or meeting pertaining to any sportsman issue that he did not attend and elegantly spoke. Mel was a long time member of the North Grafton Fish and Bird Club in Grafton and wrote their newsletter for publication in the WCL News.
Other WCL awards and distinctions include:
- 2007 Inducted into WCL Hall of Fame
- 1996 WCLSC Words of Wisdom Award Recipient
- 1995 WCLSC Sportsman of the Year Award Recipient
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Mid-year 2018 Update
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As we are now in mid-summer, the WCLSC planned and delivered a series of youth programs across the county:
Scroll further down for photos for the programs in action - Check out the photo gallery and WCLSC facebook for more photos
- 5 William Tell 3D Youth Shoots led by Matt O'Leary
- 16 Young Guns Qualifiers and the upcoming finals led by Joseph Alphonso and dedicated program committee
- 5 Kids Days led by each hosting club, backed with the WCL providing youth project kits for bat houses, bird houses, and turkey calls
- Selected 3 applicants to receive the Junior Conservation Camp Scholarships (camp takes place in August), with funds raised by the annual raffle as part of the WCL Banquet and Silent Auction.
Scroll further down for photos for the programs in action - Check out the photo gallery and WCLSC facebook for more photos
During the same time-period, WCLSC has been active on the legislative, regulation, policy, and program front.
Letters of support, endorsement, and speaking at public hearings for:
Letters of support, endorsement, and speaking at public hearings for:
- increased archery hunting season for zones 10-14,
- WMA dog leash regulations for non-hunting dogs,
- changing MA Legislation for cross-bows to be used by all hunters,
- support of DCR opening up Wachusett reservoir lands for hunting east of I-190,
- support of rivers in the Nashua watershed to become part of federal Wild and Scenic River program, and
- support of DCR continuing access to Quabbin reservoir lands.
