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MassWildlife
News Release
All Media Inquiries: Contact (617) 626-1119
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
April 2010
- TROUT STOCKING BEGINS
- FROGS, TOADS AND SALAMANDERS ON THE HOP
- TURKEY HUNTING REMINDERS
- NEW BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED
- HELP STOCK SALMON FRY!
- ZEBRA MUSSEL MEETING SCHEDULED IN PITTSFIELD
- REGISTER FOR THE NORTHEAST FISH AND WILDLIFE CONFERENCE
- NEWS AND NOTES: Upcoming Meetings; Wildlife Editor And Biologist Honored; Volunteer For Envirothon 2010!; April Is Rabies Awareness Month, April Events Summary
TROUT STOCKING BEGINS
Anglers with cabin fever (and fishing licenses) who have been impatiently waiting for open water will be cheered to learn that trout stocking began in mid-March in the eastern part of the state and now is occurring throughout the Commonwealth. Because of high flood waters, Division staff are refraining from stocking streams and rivers. Weekly trout stocking reports are posted and updated each Friday at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/trout/trout_stocking_schedule.htm. All schedules are subject to alteration or cancellation due to equipment failure, inclement weather, high water, or other unforeseen circumstances. Anglers without Internet access may also call the nearest District office for information: Western (413) 684-1646; Valley (413) 323-7632; Central (508) 835-3607; Northeast (978) 772-2145; or Southeast (508) 759-3406. Don't forget to try to "hook" a new angler of any age, especially a youngster; be sure to share the joys and challenges of fishing!
FROGS, TOADS AND SALAMANDERS ON THE HOP
'Tis the season for amphibians on the move, especially on warm, rainy nights. Salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs, and toads will be hopping and crawling across Bay State roadways on warm wet nights, heading to vernal pools and other wetlands to mate and lay their eggs. Reports of amphibians chorusing and on the move have already come in to Division of Fisheries and Wildlife during the heavy rains of March.
The height of spring amphibian activity comes during rainy nights when spring peepers are heard calling. Thousands of frogs, salamanders, and toads are moving across roadways on warm rainy nights, and many are squashed by vehicles traveling after dark. Some local communities and conservation groups host salamander crossings where traffic is slowed to allow for safe progress of amphibians. Other local conservation groups meet at known "Big Night" crossings to share this seasonal phenomenon with the public or look for new road crossings to document the presence of nearby vernal pools. Consider doing your daily errands before dark or during dry evenings as a way to reduce amphibian traffic mortality.
Vernal pools are unique wildlife habitats best known for the amphibians and invertebrate animals that use the pools to breed. Also known as ephemeral pools, autumnal pools, and temporary woodland ponds, vernal pools typically fill with water in the autumn or winter due to rising ground water and rainfall and remain full through the spring and into summer. Vernal pools dry completely by the middle or end of summer each year, or at least every few years. Occasional drying prevents fish that eat eggs or tadpoles from establishing permanent populations. Many amphibian and invertebrate species rely on this unique breeding habitat free of fish predators.
Find out much more about what vernal pools are, what they look like,
and what creatures use them in Massachusetts! Consider ordering a Field
Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools, published by the Division's
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Vernal Pool
Association. Beautiful photographs and descriptive text are combined
to aid in the identification and study of amphibians, reptiles and many
invertebrates. The Field Guide may be ordered by calling the Natural
Heritage and Endangered Species Program at (508) 389-6360. Visit the
Division's
website at for other information about ways to certify and protect
vernal pools. Another useful website with information on vernal pools,
crossing signs, and other educational materials can be found at the
Vernal Pool Association at www.vernalpool.org.
TURKEY HUNTING REMINDERS
The Massachusetts spring turkey hunting season will begin on April 26, 2010. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has some important reminders for turkey hunters to consider before the season begins.
Permit Applications-Although the turkey hunting permit application
deadline has passed, hunters may still send in their permit application
to the Westborough office; however, MassWildlife cannot guarantee that
late applicants will receive their turkey permit before opening day.
Hunters who bought their hunting/sporting license over the counter will
find the application on the duplicate certificate. Hunters who purchased
their license online through MassOutdoors must go to www.mass.gov/massoutdoors,
go to "Buy New License" and then choose "Add Permits"
to apply for their turkey permit. If the turkey application option does
not appear, it means you already applied for the permit. MassWildlife
District offices and the Westborough Field Headquarters will be selling
turkey permits over the counter beginning April 20, 2010. Hunters must
present their 2010 hunting or sporting license to those offices to purchase
a permit.
Safety Stickers Required --An official turkey safety sticker
is required to be affixed to the firearm in such a way as to be visible
when sighting down the barrel. To obtain safety stickers, stop by a
district office or send a self-addressed stamped envelope, including
a note requesting the stickers, to any District office or the Field
Headquarters in Westborough.
Turkey Check Stations --An updated
list of turkey check stations has been posted on the MassWildlife
website. Turkey hunters are encouraged to check this list before going
into the field as there are new check stations, and some stations from
past seasons may no longer be checking turkeys.
Turkey Hunting Safety Tips--Lastly, MassWildlife encourages all turkey hunters to hunt safely. To avoid an accident, the following safety tips should be followed:
- Don't stalk turkeys; sit or stand and call the birds to you. Do not sneak up to the sound of a turkey calling, as you may find yourself stalking another hunter, not a bird.
- Don't wear red, white, blue, or black anywhere on your body where the colors might be seen during your hunt. These colors are found on the head and feathers of tom (male) turkeys during the breeding and nesting season.
- Don't set up in a place where your view is obstructed or where another hunter may not see you. Some turkey hunters tie some bright orange surveyor's ribbon above their stand so that other hunters know there is a person in the area.
- Be sure you have properly identified your target and what is beyond
it before you shoot.
By using common sense and safe hunting practices, turkey hunters will have a safe and memorable experience. With some skill and luck, successful hunters will bring home a tasty meal for the dinner table to share with friends and family.
NEW BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED
Bonita (Bonnie) Booth of Spencer was recently appointed to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board by Governor Deval Patrick to represent the Central District (Worcester County). Booth grew up on a family dairy farm and is still actively involved in farming. Her 20 years of natural resources training and experience began in 1987 when she was employed with the Worcester County Conservation District in Holden as the district administrator for Worcester County and the Buck Hill Conservation Education Center in Spencer. In 1992, she joined the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) staff in Holden. During that time Booth worked with Worcester County farmers and landowners to implement Best Management Practices mitigating environmental concerns and helping landowners develop conservation and forest management plans for their property. She was involved in implementing USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Programs to address soil erosion, non-point source pollution programs, and administered other Farm Bill programs. Booth conducted Soils Evaluator workshops and partnered with the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition to provide outreach and education to landowners and communities about water quality issues. She also served on the Massachusetts Envirothon Steering Committee, a natural resource team competition for high school age students.
Retired in 2005, Bonnie Booth is an active volunteer as a Supervisor
with the Worcester County Conservation District, a Steering Committee
Member and Instructor for the Massachusetts Becoming an Outdoorswoman
Program and an Instructor in both the state Basic and Bowhunter Education
Programs. Booth and her family have been active with the Spencer Agricultural
Association and 4-H for over 30 years. Prior to her employment with
the USDA, Booth was the Vice President of Investments for Dean Witter
Reynolds, an investment firm. She also served on the Finance Committee
and Personnel Board for the Town of Spencer. Booth actively engages
in hunting, scuba diving, hiking, and golfing, as well as wildlife and
underwater photography.
HELP STOCK SALMON FRY!
Volunteers from high schools, sporting clubs, civic groups, colleges,
and individuals with a passion for rivers, fish, or fishing are needed
to assist Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
personnel in stocking 1.5 million salmon fry (juvenile fish) as part
of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon restoration program. According
to Dr. Caleb Slater, MassWildlife's Anadromous Fish Project Leader,
at least 20 stocking dates are planned in April and early May to release
salmon fry into dozens of Connecticut River tributaries. The fry will
come from MassWildlife's Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer and the White
River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vermont. Fry will be trucked
to meeting sites where volunteers will gather and caravan to release
sites. The tiny fish will then be moved from truck to water by bucket
using volunteer man- and womanpower. Fry
Stocking Schedule and details on meeting locations and stocking tips.
Here are some tips for potential volunteers from Dr. Slater: "You
may get wet! A change of clothes is a good idea. You will be walking
in slippery stream and river beds, so waders or other waterproof footgear
is useful." There are a few waders to loan, but please bring your
own if you have them. Volunteers need to be in good physical condition
as they will also be climbing up and down steep stream banks, and wading
through rushing waters. MassWildlife aids anadromous (migratory) fish
in a number of ways: stocking fry in tributaries of the Connecticut
River; monitoring fish passage at dams on the Connecticut, Westfield,
and Merrimack Rivers; trapping salmon and shad for transport to hatcheries
and/or upstream release locations; working with federal agencies to
ensure safe upstream and downstream fish passage at hydroelectric dams;
and working with local watershed groups to improve freshwater habitat
for fish. For more information, use the above link or contact Dr. Slater
at (508) 389-6331.
ZEBRA MUSSEL MEETING SCHEDULED IN PITTSFIELD
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is sponsoring a public forum on April 7, 2010 from 6-8 pm at the Crosby Elementary School, 517 West St, Pittsfield, to discuss recommendations by the Zebra Mussel Task Force (ZMTF) for reducing the risk of zebra mussel infestations in bodies of water at risk for infestation. This forum will also be an opportunity for interested members of the public to ask questions about implementation and next steps.
The Zebra Mussel Task Force was created by EEA following the 2009 discovery
of zebra mussels in Laurel Lake, Laurel Brook and the Housatonic River
in western Massachusetts. The ten-member ZMTF included representatives
of the Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds Program,
Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access, Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Office of Law Enforcement,
sportsmen's, fishing, lakes and ponds associations, and a freshwater
wetlands scientist. The Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution and
Public Collaboration (MODR) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston,
was engaged to interview stakeholders in preparation of meetings and
to help facilitate the discussions and the public information session.
The recommendations are posted on the EEA website, www.mass.gov/eea.
The public is encouraged to review the recommendations and provide implementation
feedback by email to ZMTF@umb.edu.
REGISTER FOR THE NORTHEAST FISH AND WILDLIFE CONFERENCE
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will be hosting
the 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference at the Newton-Boston
Marriot Hotel, April 25-27, 2010. This event is a gathering of natural
resource professionals from Maryland to the Canadian provinces designed
to provide opportunities for education, discussion, and exchanging of
ideas. This year's theme is "Climate Change and Wildlife Conservation-Adaptation
and Mitigation". Sessions include a Climate Change Forum, a Striped
Bass Symposium and a Wildlife Damage Workshop. Technical papers and
poster sessions on topics relating to wildlife, fresh water and marine
fisheries, mapping systems, habitat management, wildlife information
and education and conservation law enforcement will be presented. Fish
and wildlife related vendors will be exhibiting throughout the meeting,
and professional fish and wildlife groups will be meeting. Registration
materials and session information is on the conference
website or contact Delaney Meeting and Event Management at (802)
865-5202.
NEWS AND NOTES
Upcoming Meetings -- The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Field Headquarters located off North Drive in Westborough on Thursday, April 9, 2010 from 1:30- 4:30 PM. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will meet on April 29, 2010 at 2 PM at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Field Headquarters located off North Drive in Westborough. Both meetings are open to the public and the building is handicapped accessible.
Wildlife Editor And Biologist Honored -- For his dedication to youth and conservation, Peter Mirick of West Boylston, state wildlife biologist and editor of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, was recently honored by the Mahar Regional High School Fish'N Game Club as Conservationist of the Year. "Two things are critical to conservation in Massachusetts," said Mike Roche, Mahar Fish N Game Club Advisor. "One is involving youth and the second is getting the word out to the public about conservation. Peter Mirick excels at both. He is a tremendous influence on young people." Roche cited Mirick's work with youth at the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp and founding of FAWNS (Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society) and its signature event, the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) as examples of his work with young people. For his efforts in promoting the conservation message, Roche praised Mirick's writing and editorial skills in the producing Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's flagship publication.
Please Volunteer For Envirothon 2010!-Approximately 500 students, in teams representing high schools across the state, will be participating in the 23rd Annual MA Envirothon on May 13, 2010, at Otter River State Forest in Baldwinville (Templeton). This statewide natural resources competition engages student-teams with real-life environmental questions in their communities and introduces them to major environmental topics during the academic year. On May 13, student teams will come together to test their knowledge of forests, wildlife, soil, and water resources. They will also give short presentations about how this year's Current Issue, "Groundwater Protection," is and could be addressed in their community, then answer questions from a panel of judges about the team's recommendations.
"The annual exploration of environment and community that is Envirothon is only possible because of the people who volunteer their time or give other kinds of support," said Volunteer Coordinator Susan Benoit. Benoit estimates the Massachusetts Envirothon committee needs 200 volunteers to help administer the different aspects of the day: registration, escorting teams, preparing and serving lunch and judging to name a few needs. "Even if you cannot commit to the entire day or every type of task, but are confident you could help with some portion of the event, please connect with us," said Benoit. She also encouraged people to contact friends, colleagues, and other conservation-minded people who might have an interest in fostering advocacy and a concern for the environment in high school students.
Visit the Envirothon Volunteer page, click on and fill out the "Volunteer Contact Sheet", and then copy and paste the text of that form into an email to Volunteer Coordinator Susan Benoit. To learn more, visit the Envirothon website, or contact: Susan Benoit, Envirothon Volunteer Coordinator by phone at (508) 389-6393; or email her at: susan.benoit@state.ma.us.
April Is Rabies Awareness Month--The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) reminds all Bay State residents about the importance vaccinating their pets against rabies and about ways to reduce the risk of animal bites and other potential rabies exposures. Rabies is a fatal disease for all mammals. According to Department of Public Health reports 128 raccoons, 21 skunks, 21 bats, 11 foxes, 9 cats, and 5 woodchucks tested positive for rabies in 2009.
Keeping vaccinations current on dogs, ferrets, and cats (including indoor cats) is crucial to rabies prevention and it's also the law. Pets can act as a bridge between a rabid wild animal and a person, acquiring the virus through a bite and then bringing the virus into the household. The Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), as well as other animal, veterinary and public health organizations, are coordinating rabies vaccination clinics this spring in communities across the Commonwealth. Vaccination costs vary, but all clinics strive to be affordable.
Rabies testing occurs when there is contact between a potentially rabid animal and a person or pet. Rabies has been documented in the majority of Massachusetts cities and towns, including Cape Cod. No part of the state is free from the risk of rabies. Prevention and avoidance are important when dealing with wildlife. Raccoons and skunks are attracted to residential areas across the Commonwealth and capitalize on artificial food sources such as garbage, compost, gardens, bird feed and pet food. Skunks are particularly fond of white lawn grubs, the larvae of Japanese beetles. Many animals also take advantage of man-made shelter such as crawl spaces under garden sheds or decks, with raccoons frequently denning in chimneys and attics that are not capped or sealed. Refrain from using or installing pet doors as they also provide entry for wildlife. "Critter proof" your home by repairing screens, vents, capping chimneys and other areas where wildlife may gain access. By eliminating both artificial food sources and shelter, the chances of encountering raccoons and skunks around the home and yard will be greatly reduced.
If an animal inflicts a bite or scratch, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and call a physician. If possible, capture the suspected animal with care and/or call your local Board of Health and Animal Control Officer for details on testing protocol. Use caution with a pet you suspect may have been in a fight with a wild animal. Handle the pet with gloves and contact a veterinarian. If you find a bat inside your house in a room with a sleeping person, a previously unattended young child, someone who is mentally incapacitated, or a pet, capture the animal in a large coffee can and call your doctor and local public health officials. "A Homeowners Guide To Bats" pamphlet is available at District offices located in Dalton, Belchertown, West Boylston, Ayer and Bourne. For more information on rabies, visit the DPH website.
April Events Summary--The month of April is filled with fish
and wildlife events, workshops and recreation opportunities: an insect
signs and tracks presentation in Amherst (tonight!), opening fishing
days at Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs, Growing Up WILD workshops
for pre-school educators in Buckland and Sandwich, a moose talk in Groton,
a fly-tying and fly fishing workshop for Outdoorswomen in Belchertown,
and a Kids Casting Event in Springfield. For more information click
on the Calendar of Events.
This calendar is continually updated with events for people and natural
history tidbits.
Last Updated: 03/16/2011