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MassWildlife
News Release
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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.
October 2009
- FRANCIS W. SARGENT CONSERVATION AWARD PRESENTED
- ANTLERLESS DEER PERMITS ON SALE OCTOBER 5, 2009
- AUTUMN OUTDOOR SAFETY TIPS
- WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT EVENT, OCTOBER 7, 2009
- 2009 FALL TROUT ALLOCATIONS AND STOCKING
- CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE THROUGH DUCK STAMP ART
- UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS & PUBLIC HEARING
- NEWS & NOTES: Office Moves; Deer Hunting Opportunity For Paraplegic Hunters; Wetlands Workshops for Educators; Camp Edwards Archery Deer Hunt Cancelled
FRANCIS W. SARGENT CONSERVATION AWARD PRESENTED
Dr. Gwilym S. Jones Ph.D., mammalogist and professor of Biology at Northeastern University, was the recipient of the Governor Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award from the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for his contributions to conserving the Commonwealth's natural resources. Dr Jones, of Framingham, is the seventh recipient of the award established in 2000, by the Board to honor the former governor and noted conservationist who directed the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) in 1963 and '64. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board selected Jones after reviewing nominations from a selection committee.
Jones received the award - a hand-carved wooden loon decoy created by Geoff Walker of Hank Walker Decoys of Newbury - at a ceremony held on September 22, 2009, at the New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods in Framingham. Among the group of attendees was Undersecretary for Environment, Philip Griffiths, Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Mary Griffin, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, members of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, other Sargent award recipients, family members, former students and professional colleagues.
Jones was the first chairman of MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee when it formed in the early 1980's. This committee provides MassWildlife with advice on the conservation and protection of more than 400 species of wild plants and animals. During his tenure as chairman (1984 - 1999), Jones assisted in the establishment of the first Massachusetts endangered species list, prior to passage of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. He also served on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board from 1986 to 1999.
"We are very proud that we have an individual of Dr. Jones' caliber, who has dedicated his skills and talents to so many of the important wildlife protection policies and programs undertaken by our agency," said Commissioner Griffin, whose department includes the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
"No one is more qualified to receive this honor than Dr. Jones, a professional's professional," said MassWildlife Director MacCallum. "Dr. Jones has done great work for both the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and for an amazing array of international, national, regional, state and local conservation organizations and wildlife agencies."
Jones earned a doctoral degree from Indiana State University, a master's degree from Purdue University and a bachelor's degree from Hanover College. He served in the U. S. Naval Reserve as a mammalogist in Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland. In 1976, Jones came to Massachusetts to teach at Northeastern University, where he began as an associate professor of biology and served most recently as director of the university's Center for Vertebrate Studies Marine Science Center in Nahant.
Jones has served as a consultant for the federal and state agencies, municipalities and conservation organizations in Massachusetts. Jones has won several prestigious awards in the fields of teaching and biology and for his conservation efforts. In 1991, he received the Rocky Bridges Conservation Award from the Gun Owners' Action League, and in 1990 was named Conservationist of the Year by the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation. He received a special Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1998.
"Dr. Jones has made incredible contributions to wildlife conservation
in Massachusetts through his work on the Natural Heritage and Endangered
Species Advisory Committee, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, and with
his critical policy role regarding the importation and liberation of
wildlife in Massachusetts," said Fisheries and Wildlife Board Chairman
George Darey. "We appreciate his continued conservation efforts
on local and national levels."
ANTLERLESS DEER PERMITS ON SALE OCTOBER 5, 2009
Deer hunters are reminded that antlerless deer permit sales will begin October 5, 2009, for permits remaining in Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) 10, 11, 13, and 14. There are NO surplus permits available for any other Wildlife Management Zones this year. Hunters will be allowed to purchase one permit per zone per day. The cost is $5.00 per permit in cash or check. Sorry, but credit cards cannot be processed at agency offices. Hunters must present their original license to purchase permits; carbon copies or photocopies of licenses will not be accepted. A person may bring the original license(s) of another hunter and purchase permits for him or her.
Hunters who purchased their hunting/sporting license online may purchase only 1 antlerless deer permit per zone online at www.mass.gov/massoutdoors. All subsequent permit purchases by online license holders must be made at a MassWildlife District office or Field Headquarters.
Permits will be sold in MassWildlife's Westborough, Acton, West Boylston, Dalton, and Belchertown offices. Southeast District permit sales during the first week - October 5-9, 2009 - will be at the Myles Standish State Forest Interpretive Center, then sales will move to the MassWildlife Bourne office for the remainder of the season beginning October 13.
Once the quota is reached in a particular WMZ, permit sales for that
zone will end. MassWildlife encourages anyone who has not yet done so
to return their permit notification or reapplication card as soon as
possible. Re-applicant postcards will be processed on a first-come,
first-served basis.
AUTUMN OUTDOOR SAFETY TIPS
Fall is a wonderful time to be outdoors with its dazzling colors, crisp air, and wildlife activity galore. Whether your passion is hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, or just taking in the scenery, a few common sense safety reminders will add to your enjoyment during a day in the field.
- Know your limits. Don't take off on a long hike, hunt, or bike ride if you're not physically ready.
- Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
- Watch the weather. New England weather is notorious changeable. Be ready with extra clothing.
- Expect the unexpected. Carrying a fanny pack with a few first aid items, matches, water, pocket knife, cell phone, map, compass, whistle, extra food, and flashlight can help prevent small problems from becoming big ones.
- Wear blaze orange for visibility. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, birder or dog walker in rural areas, it's a good idea to wear a cap or vest of highly visible blaze orange clothing while you're enjoying the great outdoors.
- Respect the water. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets from September 15 to May 15, but all water enthusiasts, especially anglers who wade in larger rivers, would be wise to wear floatation devices now that water temperatures are cooling.
- Respect other outdoor users. Mountain biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, hunting, and hiking need not be and are not mutually exclusive activities. Know the seasons and who is likely to be sharing the woods and waters with you. Keep dogs under direct control and respect other outdoor users' rights to enjoy our open spaces.
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Finally, licensed sportsmen and women are reminded to take the basics of hunter safety to heart. Treat every firearm as it were loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Positively identify your target and what lies beyond it.
For other wildlife and outdoor safety information and tips, visit the new Outdoor Safety web page.
WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT EVENT, CHESHIRE
The public is invited to attend a reception and short walking tour
on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at the Stafford Hill Wildlife
Management Area (WMA), a Division of Fisheries and Wildlife property
in Cheshire, to celebrate a successful upland habitat management project
that was funded in partnership with the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage
Foundation (Mass. Outdoor Heritage). Monies provided by Mass. Outdoor
Heritage enabled the Division to extend the original project by removing
fencerows and creating a critical open connection to existing fields
on contiguous private lands. Please join members of the board of Mass.
Outdoor Heritage, state officials, and local conservation groups at
the Stafford Hill Wildlife Management Area on Stafford Hill Road in
Cheshire. A short tour of the property with Division forestry staff
will offer the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of fall foliage
and Mt. Greylock, and to learn how different kinds of wildlife will
benefit from the habitat enhancement work that has been completed. Dress
for the weather and wear sturdy footgear. Meet at the Stafford Hill
WMA parking area located on Stafford Hill Road, Cheshire. For directions,
contact Marion Larson at marion.larson@state.ma.us
or (508) 389-6311.
2009 FALL TROUT ALLOCATIONS AND STOCKING
Autumn anglers will be happy to learn that fall trout stocking is just getting underway. This fall, 64,000 rainbow trout and 8,000 brown trout will be allocated among the five wildlife management districts across the state. The rainbow trout will average over 12 inches in length and the brown trout will average over 11.5 inches in length. The fish are produced at MassWildlife hatcheries in Sandwich, Belchertown, and Montague. Water temperatures permitting, trout stocking will begin no earlier than the last full week of September and completed by mid-October. List of trout stocked waters. Waterbodies stocked in the fall are underlined. Anglers are advised to contact the District Office in their area to determine when stocking begins: Northeast (Acton): (978) 263-4347; Southeast (Bourne): (508) 759-3406; Central (W. Boylston): (508) 835-3607; Connecticut Valley (Belchertown): (413) 323-7632; Western (Dalton): (413) 684-1646.
CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE THROUGH DUCK STAMP ART
Registration information is now available for the 2010 Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Program; Connecting Children With Nature Through Science and Art. Artwork submissions are due by March 15, 2010. For official entry information, visit www.fws.gov/juniorduck.
Art and science may seem to be an unlikely combination, but when blended in the context of the JDS Program, art makes science come alive. This dynamic program links the study of wetlands and waterfowl conservation with a national waterfowl art project. Students in grades K-12 learn about the habitat requirements of various species of ducks and geese and then depict the birds in original artwork. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition.
"A great way to learn more about the program is to view the top
entries from the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest,"
said Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator. "A traveling
exhibit of the youth artwork will be on display through October at the
Alternatives' Red Brick Mill in Whitinsville (Northbridge), and the
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport." Complete
schedule of JDS art exhibitions throughout the school year, including
exact dates and contact information. go to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/jds/jds_schedule.htm.
Landry added that she welcomes suggestions for new exhibit venues for
the 2010 artwork. The Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Program is sponsored
by MassWildlife, the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts
Waterfowler's Association, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For other questions about JDS
or inquiries relating to hosting artwork in 2010, contact Education
Coordinator Pam Landry at (508) 389-6310 or Pam.Landry@state.ma.us.
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS & PUBLIC HEARING
The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will hold its next meeting on October 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton the new location for the Western District Office. Directions. A Public Hearing will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the same location (88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton), relative to rules and regulations pertaining to the bobcat harvest quota and the time period for sealing of harvested bobcats. Oral and written public comments are invited at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the Public Hearing.
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on October 8, 2009 at the Westborough Field Headquarters from 1:30pm - 4:30pm. Both meetings are open to the public and are handicapped accessible.
NEWS AND NOTES: Office Moves; Deer Hunting Opportunity For Paraplegic Hunters; Wetlands Workshops for Educators; Camp Edwards Archery Deer Hunt Cancelled
Office Moves-The Division's Western District office and the Hunter Education Program have both moved to new office locations. The Western District office is now located just off Route 8 in Dalton approximately three miles from the former facility in Pittsfield. The address for the office is: 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton, MA 01226. The office can be reached by phone at (413) 684-1646. Fax is (413) 684-1705. The Hunter Education Program has moved to the site of the Division's former pheasant farm in Ayer off Rte. 111 on Groton-Shirley Road. The Program's new address is 51 Groton-Shirley Road, Ayer, MA 01432. The office can be reached by phone at (978) 772-0693. Fax is (978) 772-0812.
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 29 - October 31, 2009. Locations will include Devens, Quabbin Park and two areas in Berkshire County. Licensed paraplegic sportsmen and women with an interest in participating in this hunt should contact Trina Moruzzi at (508) 389-6318 for more details.
Wetlands Workshops for Educators-Educators of all types are invited to participate in one or more "Wonders of Wetlands" workshops co-sponsored by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and Environmental Concern, Inc. Participants will be introduced to wetland ecology through a study of the three parameters of wetlands (vegetation, soils, & hydrology) as well as wetland functions and values by utilizing K-12 hands-on, inquiry-based, cross-curricular activities. Three 1-day workshops will be held October 27, 28 and 29 in Sudbury and Uxbridge. Pre-registration is required by October 13, 2009. More details and registration information.
Camp Edwards Archery Deer Hunt Cancelled-The controlled archery hunt at Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) on Cape Cod has been cancelled due to scheduled military training excercises. The shotgun deer season is still scheduled at the MMR for Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 and the muzzleloader deer season is: Dec. 16 - Dec. 19. Permission to hunt at Camp Edwards is at the discretion of the Base Commander. Hunters who have not pre-registered and/or participated during the past five years must fill out a registration form and send it to the MassWildlife Southeast District Office, 195 Bournedale Road, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 by November 1, 2009.
A Calendar of Wildlife & Outdoor Events is available
at www.mass.gov/masswildlife/calendar/calendar.htm
Last Updated: 10/06/2009