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MassWildlife
News Release
All Media Inquiries: Contact (617) 626-1809
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 2009
- ARCHERY AND PRIMITIVE FIREARMS STAMP WINNERS SELECTED
- TREESTAND SAFETY COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE
- COME TO THE 13th MASSACHUSETTS OUTDOOR EXPO FOR FAMILIES!
- ANTLERLESS DEER AND BEAR PERMIT UPDATES
- MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS SET
- CONTROLLED DEER HUNT CHANGES FOR CAMP EDWARDS, CAPE COD
- UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
- NEWS AND NOTES: Regulatory Actions Taken By Fisheries And Wildlife Board; Shooting Sports Day for Outdoorswomen; Wetlands Workshops For Educators; Paddling a Kayak or Canoe? Wear Your Lifejacket!; Calendar of Events
ARCHERY AND PRIMITIVE FIREARMS STAMP WINNERS SELECTED
Winners of the 2010 Archery and Primitive Firearms Stamps were judged and selected in early August by a panel of judges who met at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. The 2010 Archery Stamp will feature a gouache painting of a bounding buck by Jeff Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana. An acrylic on hardboard image depicting a buck in a snowy landscape by Judy Yates of Liberal, Kansas, was selected for the 2010 Primitive Firearms Stamp. The images will be reproduced on the state's 2010 Archery and Primitive Firearms stamps and will be available for sale in December 2009.
All deer hunters who hunt in the archery or primitive firearms hunting seasons are required to purchase the respective stamps for those seasons. Each year, the sale of archery stamps and primitive firearms stamps generates over $250,000 for wildlife research, management, and restoration in the Commonwealth. Increasingly, these stamps are also being sought by philatelists and other collectors of wildlife art.
Jeff Klinefelter holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Indiana University. He loved drawing wildlife when he was young, then drifted away from that subject, but has successfully returned to wildlife art. He previously won the Massachusetts Archery Stamp contest in 1999 and in 2004. No stranger to conservation stamp art competitions, Klinefelter has won awards in Ohio, California, Colorado, Delaware, Oregon, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Indiana, and Nevada, and has placed in the top 25 artists for a federal duck stamp competition. Klinefelter enjoys oil painting, collecting stamps, bird-watching, and photography. His artwork is exhibited at two Indiana galleries, the Waterloo Gallery in Syracuse and Robin’s Nest, Bourbon.
Judy Yates is a self-taught professional artist and has been drawing since age 4. Yates took art classes, after competing with other prospective art students for the opportunity to enroll, at an Oklahoma school from 7th to 11th grade. About 30 years ago, Yates started to paint on stone, and then in 1979 began earning her living by painting pet portraits. An avid hunter who hunts with a .54 Thompson caplock, Yates confesses that painting wildlife is her love, though pet painting earns her a living. She will take commissions, and especially likes painting ducks. She has entered conservation stamp competitions in Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, as well as the federal duck stamp competition. Several Texas galleries feature her artwork and there is an extensive portfolio of her work on her website. She will be moving back to Texas in the near future.
TREESTAND SAFETY COURSE AVAILABLE ONLINE
Because treestand use is a common practice for hunters and some wildlife photographers, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Hunter Education Program has teamed up with Hunterexam.com to offer tips and an opportunity to take a voluntary, online treestand safety course. Information on the course and important treestand safety practices.
“Treestand safety has evolved over the years as new research and statistics become available,” said Susan Langlois, Hunter Education Administrator. “What were once considered to be 'safe' treestand safety practices 10 years ago are simply not considered 'safe' today. By reviewing this 15-minute interactive, narrated treestand safety course, a treestand owner or user will learn about the latest Treestand Manufacturers Association's safety standards and guidelines.”
Langlois noted that in recent years the Hunter Education Program has incorporated a fully up-to-date treestand safety segment into both the Basic Hunter Education course, required for all first-time license buyers regardless of age, and its voluntary Bowhunter Education course.
“One of the key messages is the importance of using a full-body fall restraint device or harness,” Langlois said. “Using a harness that only straps around the waist is no longer considered safe.” According to the Treestand Manufacturers Association, 82 percent of treestand-related deaths were attributed to the fact that the hunters were not using a full body fall-restraint device.
COME TO THE 13th MASSACHUSETTS OUTDOOR EXPO FOR FAMILIES!
Families, friends, Scouts (Boys and Girls), and other youth groups should mark their calendars for September 27, 2009, and join the fun at the 13th annual Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (The Big MOE), held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge, 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. 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 the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 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 such as fishing, kayaking, shooting, building a bird
box, geocaching, mountain biking, tree identification, nature arts and
crafts, New England Pioneer encampment, tomahawk throwing, and more!
See live birds of prey and native reptiles, and treestand safety demonstrations.
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 yellow postcard. To ensure receipt of the permit by archery season, the postcard and $5.00 fee must be returned by September 3, 2009, to: "Deer Permit" MassWildlife FHQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
Applicants not selected for their WMZ of choice were sent pink 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 9 permits are no longer available; re-applicants may only apply for WMZs 10, 11, 13, and 14.
The final opportunity for obtaining an antlerless deer permit, or acquiring additional permits, will begin October 5, 2009, when remaining permits will be made available for over-the-counter sales. More information on sales of antlerless deer permits will be posted later in September.
Bear hunters who applied for a permit should now be in receipt of their permits through 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 $5.00 fee. Only online license holders may purchase a bear permit online. Bear permits are also available at the MassWildlife Westborough Field Headquarters and the District Offices located in Pittsfield, Belchertown, West Boylston, and Acton; please note that MassWildlife's Southeast District Office in Bourne will not be issuing bear permits. Hunters must bring their hunting license and the $5.00 fee to obtain an over-the-counter bear permit.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD SEASONS SET
On Thursday, August 27, 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board held
a public hearing in Hubbardston and then voted on regulations establishing
the 2009-2010 migratory game bird seasons, bag limits, and methods of
take. Migratory game bird regulations and a map outlining waterfowl
hunting zones are posted on the Division
of Fisheries & Wildlife website. Hard copies of the Migratory
Game Bird regulations will be available by mid-September. Hunters planning
to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock, and other migratory game birds are reminded
that they must obtain a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) number
by calling 1-800-WETLAND (938-5263). In order to be eligible for the
free HIP number, hunters must possess a 2009 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.
CONTROLLED DEER HUNT CHANGES 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 in 2009 need to be aware of a change in the registration system for the controlled hunt. For the first time, hunters who have pre-registered for and/or participated in the controlled deer hunting program at Camp Edwards within the previous five calendar years (2004-2008) are not required to fill out and submit a pre-registration form to participate in the hunt. Hunters who have not pre-registered and/or participated during that time period (or those that are unsure if they have) must fill out the registration form and send it to the MassWildlife Southeast District Office by November 1, 2009.
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 online. Deer hunting at the MMR will be allowed on the following dates: Archery: November 18 (Wed.) – November 21 (Sat.); Shotgun: November 30 (Mon.) – December 5 (Sat.); Muzzleloader: December 16 (Wed.) – December 19 (Sat.). No more than 500 hunters are 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 Firearms 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 9,500 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 PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be meeting on September 10, 2009, at the Westborough Field Headquarters, from 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M . The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will hold its next meeting on September 22 at 11:00 A.M. at the New England Wildflower Society’s Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. Both meetings are open to the public.
NEWS AND NOTES: Regulatory Actions Taken By Fisheries And Wildlife Board; Shooting Sports Day for Outdoorswomen; Wetlands Workshops For Educators; Paddling a Kayak or Canoe? Wear Your Lifejacket!; Calendar of Events
REGULATORY ACTION TAKEN BY FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE BOARD--On August 27, 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted to change the length of the spring turkey hunting season in Wildlife Management Zones 11 and 12 (Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth counties) from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, consistent with other areas of Massachusetts that have been open to spring turkey hunting for 4 weeks. This regulation change will go into effect in 2010.
SHOOTING SPORTS DAY FOR OUTDOORSWOMEN--If you are an adult woman interested in learning how to shoot firearms such as rifles, shotguns, and handguns, the Shooting Sports Day for Outdoorswomen is a perfect opportunity to learn from friendly and experienced instructors. This all-day workshop will be held on September 19, 2009, at the Hanson Rod and Gun Club in Hanson and is designed for adult women who are new to firearms. Target shooting with all kinds of firearms will be a big part of the day. Attendees who are at the workshop and attend an optional Massachusetts Gun Law session at the end of the day will receive a certificate which will assist them in applying for a gun license. Cost is $45.00 and includes lunch, educational materials, and firearms instruction. Registration deadline is September 11 and the program is limited to 40 participants. Registration materials are posted.
WETLANDS WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS--The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and Environmental Concern invite educators to participate in a Wetlands Across America workshop in October. Three workshops will be offered in late October in Sudbury and Uxbridge.
A Wonders of Wetlands (WOW!) workshop will be offered on October 27, 2009, at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury.
Educators who wish to offer a WOW! workshop to other educators will want to enroll in the WOW! Facilitator’s workshop to be held October 28, 2009, at the River Bend Farm in Uxbridge (a WOW! workshop is a pre-requisite to the facilitator training).
Finally, educators who wish to explore the process of restoring or creating a wetland on school grounds may sign up for The Planning of Wetlands (POW!) workshop at River Bend Farm on October 29, 2009. Pre-registration is required by October 13, 2009. Information, costs, and registration or contact Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator, at pam.landry@state.ma.us or at (508) 389-6310.
PADDLING A KAYAK OR CANOE? WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!--People in kayaks and canoes are reminded that from September 15, 2009 to May 15, 2010, paddlers must wear their personal flotation devices (PFDs) while boating. According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, most boating fatalities in Massachusetts are due to boaters who fail to wear PFDs while in small craft in cold water or cold weather situations. Waterfowl hunters using canoes or kayaks are reminded that this law also applies to them.
September 10-13 -- MassWildlife at the Franklin County Fair, Greenfield. Visit the Fish and Game building and see what The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is doing for wildlife and for people in the region. Find out about fall trout stocking and about places to fish, hunt, bird-watch, hike, and paddle. Learn a little bit about your wild neighbors! More information about the Greenfield Fair is at www.fcas.com.
September 14 – Bird Habitat Protection and Restoration with MassWildlife, Amherst. The Hampshire Bird Club is kicking off its 2009-2010 monthly meetings with a presentation from the Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (Mass. DFW) titled: “Habitat Protection and Restoration in Massachusetts: It’s for [More Than Just] the Birds!” The public is invited to this free program at7:30 P.M., at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant Street, Amherst. For more details, contact Geoff LeBaron at programs@hampshirebirdclub.org.
September 20 – MassWildlife at Tower Hill Botanic Garden Celebration, Boylston. This is a celebration honoring John Trexler’s 25 years of service as Director of Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife and the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Watershed Supply Protection Division will be hosting display tables. See live Birds of Prey with Larry Keating and look at fantastic wildlife and nature photographs by Worcester County photographers Bill Byrne, Roger Leo, and Sheila Carrol. Information about the American Chestnut orchard, talks and presentations on the history of the Garden and the immediate environs, hawk watching, and historic photos are also in the mix. More details on this event are at www.towerhillbg.org.
Last Updated: 11/04/2009