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MassWildlife
News Release
All Media Inquiries: (508) 389-6300
MassWildlife News is published 1-2 times/month. If you are interested in receiving the MW News electronically, send an e-mail to the following address: Join-MassWildlife.news@listserv.state.ma.us
September 2008
- JULIUS SWEEPS 2009 MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION STAMP CONTESTS
- MIGRATORY GAME BIRD REGULATIONS SET
- COME TO THE 12th MASSACHUSETTS OUTDOOR EXPO FOR FAMILIES!
- 2008 ANTLERLESS DEER AND BEAR PERMIT UPDATES
- COASTAL FISHING EXCURSION FOR OUTDOORSWOMEN DEER HUNT REGISTRATION FOR CAMP EDWARDS, CAPE COD
- UPCOMING MEETINGS
- NEWS & NOTES-Squirrel Season Error in Abstracts; Wonders of Wetlands Workshops for Educators; Forest Management Site Walk in Peru; Deer Hunting Opportunity for Paraplegic Hunters
JULIUS SWEEPS 2009 MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION STAMP CONTESTS
Barry Julius' painting of a White-winged Scoter drake decoy has taken top honors in the 2009 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Contest. The decoy was crafted by Samuel A. Fabens, formerly of Marblehead. In winning this competition, Barry Julius completed a sweep of the 2009 Massachusetts Conservation Stamps, having previously won the competitions for the 2009 Archery stamp and 2009 Primitive Firearms stamp. This "stamp sweep" is a first in agency history according to Ellie Horwitz, MassWildlife Chief of Information and Education and coordinator of the stamp programs.
Julius, a Brockton resident, is a well known wildlife artist who enjoys participating in the state's art contests. An active sportsman since childhood, Barry Julius grew up in East Bridgewater. He studied graphics and design at Massasoit Community College and initially planned to pursue a career in advertising. He taught art for many years and now serves as a recreation officer for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. His art remains an active hobby. Julius had previously won the archery/primitive firearms stamp competition in 1995, the archery stamp competition in 2002 and the Massachusetts waterfowl stamp competition in 2001 with a painting of a resting Black Duck by A. Elmer Crowell. He has also placed high in wildlife art contests in other northeastern states.
The Massachusetts waterfowl stamp is the only waterfowl stamp series in the country requiring designs to be of working decoys - ducks, geese or shorebirds - made by deceased Massachusetts decoy makers. Julius' artwork will be reproduced on the Massachusetts 2009 waterfowl stamp which will go on sale in December of 2008. The $5.00 stamp is required of all waterfowl hunters. Revenues from the sale of the stamps fund waterfowl habitat enhancement projects in Massachusetts and in the Canadian Maritime Provinces, which provide critical breeding habitat for ducks and geese that winter in the Commonwealth. Stamp collectors and other conservationists also purchase these stamps for their beauty and to assist in wetlands conservation. The Massachusetts Waterfowl stamp series, which began with a Wood duck drake decoy in 1974, has raised over $1,000,000 for the conservation and management of key waterfowl lands. Arrangements for this cooperative international effort are handled through a partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Further awards designated by the judges were: Second Place-Jay B. Jones of Shreveport, LA, for his rendition of a Blackbellied Plover carved by Elisha Burr. Third Place-Jay B. Jones of Shreveport, LA, for a Bufflehead hen carved by John Winsor. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Racket Shreve of Salem, MA, for his Red Breasted Merganser carved by J. Thomas Wilson and to Edward Suthoff of Gardiner, MT, for his rendition of a Merganser drake by an unknown Massachusetts carver.
Barry Julius and other decoy artists who submitted art for the waterfowl stamp competition will be honored at an invitation-only reception at the Marblehead Museum on September 18. The reception will honor the winning artists and the memory of C.G. Rice of Wenham, author of The History of the Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamps and Prints (published by the Peabody Essex Museum) and long-time friend of the Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Program. The award winning entries will be on display at the Marblehead Museum and Historical Society from September 18 through October 23, 2008, in conjunction with its planned exhibit of Marblehead-made decoys scheduled for September through December.
More information on the Massachusetts
Waterfowl Stamp Competition (or call Ellie Horwitz at 508/389-6305).
For information on the 2009 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition
Art Exhibition, visit the Marblehead
Museum and Historical Society website or call 781/631-1768.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS SET
On Thursday, August 28, 2008, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board held a public hearing in Newburyport and then voted on regulations establishing the 2008-2009 migratory game bird seasons, bag limits and methods of take. Links to the migratory game bird regulations and a new map outlining waterfowl hunting zones are posted on the MassWildlife website. Hard copies of the Migratory Game Bird Abstracts will be available by mid-September. Hunters planning to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock and other migratory birds are reminded that they must obtain a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) by calling 1-800-WETLAND (938-5263). In order to be eligible for the free HIP number, hunters must possess a 2008 hunting license and complete a voice survey of any past migratory bird hunting activities. Online license buyers can complete the HIP survey on the MassOutdoors website. Anyone finding a banded bird should report the band information to the federal government at www.reportband.gov or call 1-800-327-BAND.
COME TO THE 12th MASSACHUSETTS OUTDOOR EXPO FOR FAMILIES!
Families, friends, Scouts (Boys and Girls) and other youth groups should mark their calendars for September 28, 2008 and join the fun at the 12th annual Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge from 9AM - 4:30 PM. The Big MOE, sponsored by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS), is a free, family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art and wildlife. This all-day family event is free, thanks to co-sponsors MassWildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, The Weatherby Foundation and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs. Sportsmen's clubs, locally based outdoor related businesses, and other conservation groups sponsor a variety of skills stations, craft tables and other exhibits relating to wildlife and the outdoors.The Big MOE is the perfect opportunity to introduce young and old to outdoor skills and activities.
New activities and information tables for 2008 include: Building Your Own Duck Call, Wood Carving & Burning, Tree Stand Safety, Traps & Trapping, Make a Simple Goose Decoy, Whitetails Unlimited and Jr. Shooting Clay Teams of Massachusetts Scholastic Clays.
As in the past, impressive live birds of prey, native snakes and turtles and a beekeeper's hive will be on display. There are opportunities to scale a rock climbing wall, paddle a kayak or canoe. Try your hand at tomahawk throwing, fishing, building a bird house, or testing marksmanship skills on the airgun, rifle, shotgun or archery target ranges under safe and expert supervision. At the Nature Crafts Tent, paint your face, create an animal bracelet, make a rainstick or a headband. Observe taxidermy and Jr. Olympic air gun demonstrations and visit a New England pioneer encampment. Offerings from MassWildlife include: modern wildlife management, forestry skills and fishing. There is something at the Big MOE for the whole family. Admission to all activities and parking are free.
The Big MOE is also in need of enthusiastic, outdoor oriented volunteers
willing to assist at several skills stations or to host a skill station.
Clubs and other conservation organizations wishing to host a skill station
or assist others at an existing station are welcome. For more information
visit the FAWNS website or
contact Gary Zima, 508/389-6314.
2008 ANTLERLESS DEER AND BEAR PERMIT UPDATES
Antlerless deer permit notification cards were mailed to deer hunters
in mid-August. All applicants selected for their Wildlife Management
Zone (WMZ) of choice were notified of their permit with a green postcard.
To ensure receipt of the permit by archery season, the postcard and
$5 fee must be returned by September 3, 2008 to: "Deer Permit"
MassWildlife FHQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
Applicants not selected for their WMZ of choice were sent white postcards
in mid-August to allow them to re-apply in WMZs where permit allocations
exceeded applications. Re-applicants may circle and rank up to three
choices for Wildlife Management Zones. Due to a limited number of permits
available in certain WMZs, re-applicants should send in their postcards
as soon as possible since re-applicant requests will be processed on
a first-come, first-served basis. WMZ's 3 and 9 permits have already
sold out and re-applicants may choose from WMZ's 10, 11, 13, and 14
only.
The final opportunity for obtaining an antlerless deer permit, or acquiring
additional permits, will occur October 6, 2008, when remaining permits
will be available for over-the-counter sales. The only zones for which
permits will be available for purchase will be WMZ 10, 11, 13 and 14.
More
details on antlerless deer permits.
Bear hunters who applied for a permit should have received their permits
in the mail. Bear hunters who have not yet received their permit should
contact MassWildlife Permit Specialist Lori Cookman at 508/389-6339.
Bear permit applications, located on the duplicate copy of the paper
hunting and sporting licenses, may still be mailed in with the $5 fee.
Only Online license holders may purchase a bear permit on line. Bear
permits are also available at the MassWildlife Westborough Field Headquarters
and the District Offices located in Pittsfield, Belchertown, W. Boylston
and Acton. Hunters must bring their hunting license and the $5.00 fee
to obtain an over-the-counter bear permit. MassWildlife's Southeast
District Office in Bourne will not be issuing permits.
COASTAL FISHING EXCURSION FOR OUTDOORSWOMEN
On Saturday, September 20, 2008, MassWildlife's Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program is offering a saltwater fishing excursion designed for adult women who want to try saltwater at an ideal time of year and in a prime location. September is a great time of year to fish and explore Massachusetts' coastal waters. This fishing adventure leaves from Plymouth Harbor in the late afternoon and concludes at 8 PM, giving participants plenty of time to learn how to use saltwater fishing gear. Limited to 35 people, the $65.00 registration fee includes fishing equipment, bait and a picnic meal on board. Deadline to register is September 12. Registration materials are posted. Lodging suggestions are also available for participants wishing to spend the weekend in the Plymouth area. For more information or to have coastal fishing registration materials faxed to a particular location, contact Sue Fritze at 508/389-6329.
DEER HUNT REGISTRATION FOR CAMP EDWARDS, CAPE COD
Deer hunters who want to hunt at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (also referred to as the MMR, Camp Edwards or Otis Air Force Base), on Cape Cod, must pre-register with the MassWildlife Southeast Wildlife District Office in Bourne by November 1. Hard copies of the registration forms along with more details on the hunt are available at the MassWildlife Southeast District Office in Bourne and the Field Headquarters in Westborough. The form is posted .
Deer hunting at the MMR will be allowed on the following dates: Archery: November 12 - 15; Shotgun: December 1-6; Muzzleloader: December 17-20. There is a limit of 600 hunters allowed on the base at any one time and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Deer hunters are reminded that a valid Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry is required by MMR to hunt Camp Edwards/Otis during the shotgun and muzzleloader seasons. A valid photo ID is required for the archery season. Permission to hunt at Camp Edwards is at the discretion of the Camp Commander.
About 14,000 acres of the MMR will be open to hunting. The hunting
area is dominated by pitch pine-scrub oak habitat and is separated into
sections by marked dirt roads. The topography has the many hills and
hollows typical of the terminal moraine. Hunting has been available
on the Camp Edwards section of the MMR since 1956 through a permit system
and controlled hunt managed by MassWildlife and cooperating agencies.
A controlled public hunt is necessary for managing the local deer population
density to protect the MMR's natural resources and to reduce both deer/vehicle
collisions and the incidence of Lyme disease.
UPCOMING MEETING & PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Natural Heritage
and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be meeting on Thursday
September 11 from 1:30 PM- 4:30 PM at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters
in Westboro. This meeting is open to the public and is handicapped accessible.
The September meeting of the Fisheries
and Wildlife Board will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, September 23
in the southeastern area of the state. Meeting location will be announced
when details are finalized. This meeting will be open to the public.
NEWS AND NOTES-Squirrel Season Error in Abstracts; Wonders of Wetlands Workshops for Educators; Forest Management Site Walk in Peru; Deer Hunting Opportunity for Paraplegic Hunters
- Squirrel Season Errors in Abstracts--Squirrel hunters are advised of a correction to the squirrel hunting dates listed in the 2008 Abstracts of Fish and Wildlife Regulations. Gray squirrel hunting season opens on September 8, 2008 in Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) 1- 9. Gray squirrel hunting season opens on October 18, 2008 in WMZs 10-14. The closing date for squirrel hunting statewide is January 2, 2009. These dates are correctly posted on the MassWildlife website and in the Calendar of Events.
- Wonders of Wetlands Workshops for Educators--MassWildlife and Environmental Concern, Inc., invite educators from classrooms, youth groups, parks and nature centers to sign up for one of three hands-on workshops focusing on wetlands. Topics covered include basic wetland ecology, soils, water, plants and wetland functions and values. Activities are relevant for K-12 students. Bring wetlands alive and into the classroom! Curriculm guide and other materials are included. Workshop locations and dates are as follows: October 21, 2008 in Easton; October 22, 2008 in Sudbury and October 23, 2008 in Northfield. Registration is $45.00 and registration deadline is October 7, 2008. Contact Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator at 508/389-6310 or email pam.landry@state.ma.us.
- Forest Management Site Walk, Peru--As part of a series of
Forest Management Site Walks offered by MassWildlife to the public,
agency foresters and biologists will lead a site walk on Peru
Wildlife Management Area
at 6PM on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, to see a 13-acre regeneration
harvest conducted by MassWildlife to regenerate a Norway spruce plantation
to a mixed, two-aged stand of northern hardwood, Norway spruce and
white pine forest. Visit open portions of the site, retention areas
of Norway spruce within the site, and an extensive un-cut stream filter
of Norway spruce at one edge of the harvest area. Discuss habitat
goals for the site, as well as recreational and aesthetic impacts
of the harvest. Take a short 0.5 mile drive down Middlefield Road
at the conclusion of the site visit to walk into Tracy Pond if your
schedule allows. The walk will take place rain or shine: Wear appropriate
clothing and sturdy footgear for walking in the woods and fields.
Bring insect repellant, binoculars and a camera. Meet at the WMA entrance
road on the south side of Middlefield Road opposite the intersection
with South Road in Peru, MA. Foresters are reminded that this public
site visit will be approved for 1 Continuing Forestry Education credit
in Category 1. The final 2008 Forest Management Site Walk will be
held in Phillipston on October 21. Details about this walk will be
posted on the website when finalized. A complete listing of the 2008
Forest Management Site Walks. - Deer Hunting Opportunity For Paraplegic Hunters--Every year,
MassWildlife offers the opportunity
for paraplegic sportsmen and sportswomen to hunt deer in several
locations across the state during a special three-day season. This
year's hunt dates are October 30 - Nov 1, 2008. Locations will include
Devens, Quabbin Park and two areas in Berkshire County. Paraplegic
sportsmen and women with an interest in participating in this hunt
should contact Trina Moruzzi at 508/389-6318 for more details.