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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.

February 2009

Released February 2, 2009

EAGLE-EYED EFFORT PAYS OFF WITH RECORD SIGHTINGS

A one-day concentrated survey of wintering bald eagles conducted throughout the Commonwealth on January 9, 2009, yielded sightings of a record 80 individual birds. The previous record one-day count was 76 eagles in 1998. Wildlife officials from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), volunteers, and interested citizens braved chilly temperatures and biting winds to observe birds from the ground and from the air during the event, which is part of an annual national survey. State data are pooled with national data and used by wildlife officials to track the progress of the recovery of the bald eagle, which was delisted from federal threatened status in 2007.

Highlights of the one-day count included 17 adult and 9 juvenile eagles spotted by the National Grid helicopter crew at the Quabbin Reservoir, followed by their count of a record 14 adults and 3 juvenile eagles along the Massachusetts stretch of the Connecticut River. One pair of adult eagles was spotted at the Wachusett Reservoir by a hardy boat crew of MassWildlife and Department of Conservation and Recreation staff. Other MassWildlife staff and volunteers observed 2 juvenile eagles on the Mashpee River, 5 adult and 3 juvenile eagles in the Lakeville area, and 3 adults and 1 juvenile eagle at the Merrimack River. Eagles were also reported in Natick, Wayland, Wrentham, New Bedford, Taunton, Wareham, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, and Sheffield.

Statewide, the number of birds surveyed has trended upward from 8 birds counted in 1979 to this year's record count. "These survey numbers are a testament to eagle restoration efforts both in Massachusetts and in our neighboring states," said Dr. Tom French, Assistant Director for Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. "This past year has been a banner year for eagles in Massachusetts, as reflected in the midwinter survey as well as in that this past nesting season pushed the total number of eaglets fledging in the state to 300 since the first nesting year in 1989."

An aerial survey of the Quabbin Reservoir and Connecticut Valley was flown by helicopter supplied by National Grid, a partner since 1982 in the state's bald eagle restoration efforts. "As always, we are very appreciative of National Grid's continuing commitment to participating in the eagle survey," said French. "We're also grateful to the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, which for the second time in three years flew agency biologists by helicopter to survey the Merrimack and Nashua Rivers." French also noted that citizen interest in the eagle survey has been very valuable. "With higher numbers of eagles dispersing throughout their range, we can't possibly cover the entire state. Citizen spotters play an increasingly important role in our survey efforts. This year, we received 59 emails from people who spotted eagles during the 2-week survey period, with the majority of those reports coming in from people who spotted eagles during our one-day effort."

An additional highlight of the count day was the discovery of a new eagle nest in Hadley, on the Connecticut River. In 2008, 26 bald eagle pairs were nesting in territories including the Quabbin Reservoir, the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, and areas in Plymouth, Berkshire, and Worcester Counties.

The annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey is a nationwide event coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Each year, the number of states participating ranges from 25 to 41 states, according to the USGS. The nationwide total of bald eagles counted during this annual event ranges from 13,000 to 16,000 birds. A fact sheet about bald eagles in Massachusetts.


Released February 2, 2009

TROPHY ANGLERS TO BE HONORED FEBRUARY 7, 2009

Anglers of all ages are invited to attend the 2008 Freshwater Sportfishing Awards ceremony for the 2008 Angler of the Year and the 2008 Gold Pin Winners. The ceremony takes place at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at 4:00 PM at the DCU Centre in Worcester where Massachusetts Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin will join with Division Director Wayne MacCallum and other Division staff to present the annual Freshwater Sportfishing Awards. For over 40 years MassWildlife has sponsored the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program designed to recognize anglers who have caught exceptional freshwater fish from waterbodies that are open to the public. Bronze pins are sent to anglers who catch fish meeting certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species. Gold pins and a plaque are awarded at the Sportfishing Awards ceremony to adult and youth anglers catching the largest fish in 22 species categories. A list of 2008 Gold Pin Award winners.

The Angler of the Year award recognizes the angler who demonstrates the skills necessary to catch trophy fish in a wide variety of categories. The 2008 Angler of the Year is Roger Pyzocha of Ludlow, a veteran of the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program and first recipient of the Angler of the Year Award in 2002. Pyzocha caught 16 different species of pin-sized fish during 2008. During his busy year of angling, Roger caught 20 trophy fish including brook trout and tiger trout in the Swift River; bullhead and chain pickerel at Quaboag Pond in Brookfield; carp, channel catfish, shad and walleye in the Connecticut River and crappie, landlocked salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, white perch and yellow perch at Quabbin Reservoir. Over the years, Pyzocha has been a Gold Pin Winner for a number of years and a number of species. He has received over 300 bronze pins in 19 of the 22 categories and only needs lake trout, rainbow trout and the elusive tiger muskie to have received pins in all 22 categories of the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program. Pyzocha is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and puts his knowledge of how to catch trophy fish to good work by running his own fish taxidermy shop and by attending seminars and shows for anglers.

Two state records broken by anglers in 2008 will also be acknowledged. A bullhead weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces was caught in Forest Lake, Methuen by Roger Aziz, Jr. of Methuen and a brook trout was caught in Ashfield Lake, Ashfield by Peter Harand of Easthampton. For details and directions to the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition, go to www.sportshows.com. Show discount information is also available at the Take Me Fishing Events Calendar.

Released February 2, 2009

REMEMBER ENDANGERED SPECIES ON YOUR STATE TAX FORM

Want to know how to raise birds, hatch turtles, and grow flowers with nothing but paper and ink? Join the thousands of "in-the-know" people who use their state tax form to make a big difference for rare species in Massachusetts!

Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers of Form 1 have had the option of donating to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund when filing their state income tax (Line 32a: "Endangered Wildlife Conservation"), and tens of thousands of people have done so over the years. All contributions go directly into the Fund, currently the source of a significant portion of the annual operating budget of MassWildlife's Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which conserves and protects endangered species and their habitats in Massachusetts.

Over 20,000 tax filers support the program with almost $200,000 in critically-important donations each year. Won't you join them? With your contributions to the Fund, you directly help to study, protect, and restore rare and endangered animals and plants and their habitats. If you have made contributions in this manner, thank you for supporting the Program and its conservation efforts! Past donations have helped restore populations and conserve and maintain habitat for Bald Eagles, Hessel's Hairstreak butterflies, Northern Red-bellied Cooters, and the beautiful Eastern Silvery Aster. You can also make contributions directly to the Fund by sending a check payable to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund to: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581.

Released February 2, 2009

CONNECT STUDENTS WITH NATURE THROUGH JUNIOR DUCK STAMPS

Teachers and other educators looking to connect their students with nature through science and art should consider the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Program. Any student, from kindergarten through grade 12, regardless of whether they attend public school, private school, or are home-schooled, can submit original artwork for this fun and educational competition. The entry deadline is March 15, 2009. Official entry information is posted at the US Fish & Wildlife Service website. "JDS is really a lesson in conservation through the arts, so everyone who participates is a winner," says Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator. "Not only is it fun to create a drawing or painting, it's interesting to learn about the species being drawn so it can be depicted in a natural habitat."

The Junior Duck Stamp Program was launched in 1991 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to increase young people's awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and introduce children to the delights of wildlife watching. Entries are judged in four categories representing grades K - 3, grades 4 - 6, grades 7 - 9 and grades 10 - 12. All entrants are recognized for their efforts, with the top 25 receiving prizes in each age category. The overall state winner represents Massachusetts at the National Competition.

Opportunities for aspiring artists to see winning artwork from 2008 are available at two locations in the state during February. Bring family and friends to see these terrific works of art by children of all ages! In New Bedford, the Buttonwood Park Zoo is hosting a traveling exhibit of Massachusetts JDS winners through February 26. Information about the exhibit can be found at the Zoo website at www.bpzoo.org or call Gail Janeczek at (508) 991-6178. Young artists in the western part of the state can visit the Holyoke Heritage State Park from February 1-25, 2009, to view another award-winning JDS art exhibition. For more information about JDS Program or call Pam Landry at (508) 389-6310.

Released February 2, 2009

NEWS AND NOTES--Public Meetings Scheduled; 2009 Becoming An Outdoorswoman Workshop Scheduled Posted; Winter Broodstock Salmon Stocking; 2008 Preliminary Deer Season Results; 2008 Bear Season Figures, Conservation Conferences

PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED--The following meetings will be held at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. Both meetings are open to the public and the building is handicapped accessible. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on February 12 at 1:30PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will be meeting on February 17 at 1PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough off North Drive. For directions, check the MassWildlife website or call 508/389-6300.

2009 BECOMING AN OUTDOORSWOMAN WORKSHOP SCHEDULE POSTED--The 2009 Becoming An Outdoorswoman tentative schedule of workshops is posted in the Education area of the MassWildlife website. All workshops are designed for adult women outdoor novices and are taught by experienced and friendly instructors. On February 21, a Fly-Tying workshop is scheduled in Belchertown. A Woodlot Management workshop is scheduled for March 7 and a Hunting 101 session is scheduled for March 21. Consider giving the gift of outdoor learning and experiences to the woman in your life!

WINTER BROODSTOCK SALMON STOCKING - - More than 2,700 retired broodstock salmon from the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program were released into lakes and ponds across the Commonwealth in January. A list of the waters stocked with these huge fish. The majority of fish come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's White River National Fish Hatchery in Vermont and the remainder from MassWildlife's Roger Reed Salmon Hatchery in Palmer. Fish were evenly distributed to each District. Stocking operations were considerably delayed this winter due to ice and snow storms in December and early January in both Massachusetts and Vermont. Dr. Ken Simmons, Chief of Hatcheries, expressed appreciation to MassWildlife district and hatchery staff in getting the fish out in some difficult weather conditions. "Anglers may not realize this but our people put in many hours and miles to get the fish from Vermont and stock them in Massachusetts."

2008 PRELIMINARY DEER SEASON RESULTS--A preliminary total of 11,206 deer were taken during the 2008 deer seasons. Some check stations results have yet to be compiled. Paraplegic hunters took eight deer during the three-day hunt. For the 2008 archery deer season, a preliminary total of 3,581deer were checked in at official deer check stations. The Western District office tallied 377 deer while Connecticut Valley District office reported 416. Central District stations had 666 deer checked; Northeast District, 830; and Southeast District checked 1,162. In 2007, the final archery total was 3,303.

Preliminary figures for deer checked in for the statewide shotgun season totaled 5,324. Deer checked by District were: Western District, 776; Connecticut Valley District, 1,028; Central District, 1,229; Northeast District, 729 and Southeast District with 1,562. In addition to the above total, 79 deer were taken during the controlled hunt at Quabbin Reservation. The second day of the Hardwick and Petersham hunts, December 12, was cancelled due to impassable roads and hazardous conditions created by the ice storm.

During the muzzleloader season, a preliminary total of 2,087deer were checked. By district, the numbers of deer checked in are as follows: Western District, 259; Connecticut Valley District, 315; Central District, 467; Northeast District, 503 and Southeast District with 543. Final numbers will not be available until later in the year, after the data from check stations has been entered and analyzed.

2008 BEAR SEASON FIGURES -- During the September and November bear seasons, licensed hunters took a total of 100 black bears. During the 17-day September season 78 bears were taken, and 22 more were taken in the 18-day November season. Last year, the total number of bears taken was 143. The breakdown of figures by county is as follows: 41 bears taken in Berkshire County, 24 in Franklin, 9 in Hampden, 23 in Hampshire and 3 in Worcester County. No bears were taken in Middlesex County. The largest bear weighed 350 pounds and was taken in Hawley. The second largest bear weighed 331 pounds and was taken in Westhampton. Both animals were taken by rifle. The largest bear taken by archery equipment was 285 pounds. Bear hunters are reminded that their 2009 bear permit application and $5 application fee are due July 16, 2009. Hunters with paper licenses will find their permit application on their hunting /sporting licenses. The application and fee must be sent in to MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. Online license holders must apply and pay for their bear permit application by going through the MassOutdoors system at www.mass.gov/massoutdoors.

CONSERVATION CONFERENCES --Several environmental conferences are taking place that conservation commissioners, educators, youth group leaders and bird enthusiasts may find of interest.

February 28-Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commission Conference, Worcester - The 2009 MACC Annual Environmental Conference will be held at the Hogan Campus Center, College of the Holy Cross. Registration information can be found at http://www.maccweb.org/edu_aec.html or by calling MACC at (617)489-3930.

March 4-State Environmental Education Conference, Worcester-The Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) will be holding its annual conference at the Hogan Campus , College of the Holy Cross Center. Pre-registration is required. More details at www.massmees.org.

March 7-Annual Massachusetts Birds Conference, Worcester-This year, MassAudubon and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are co-sponsoring the 17th Annual Bird Conference with the theme of "Birds and Birders on our National Wildlife Refuges". Program details and registration information can be found at: www.massaudubon.org or call Linda Cocca at (781)259-2151 or e-mail: birdersmeeting@massaudubon.org.

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Last Updated: 03/06/2009