State Fish And Wildlife Habitat Protection Tops 4,000 Acres
More than 4,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat in 35 towns were protected through the efforts of MassWildlife and the state Department of Fish and Game in the past fiscal year, which ended June 30.
Properties ranged from a tenth of an acre in Wareham to 400 acres in Leyden. These lands will be added to the list of more than 160,000 acres currently under the care and control of MassWildlife, most of which are Wildlife Management Areas. Most properties were purchased outright while the agency purchased conservation easements on others, leaving the land held by the original landowner. A listing of the newly acquired properties by town can be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/land/land_acquisitions.htm All lands are open to fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife observation, boating, hiking and other passive wildlife related recreation.
The land acquisition program’s primary mission is to protect the ecological integrity of the commonwealth. The agency seeks to assure biological diversity by acquiring the most important fish and wildlife habitat and natural communities and to provide public access to the state's lands and waters. State WMAs include river corridors, wetlands, various type of forested upland, habitat for state-listed endangered and threatened species and species of special concern, and high-quality examples of other important habitat types. MassWildlife’s holdings stretch from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands. Maps for many WMAs are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/habitat_home.htm . Boating and fishing access ramp information may be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/pab/index.htm .
Support for the land acquisition program comes from several sources. The primary funding mechanism is the state's open space bond authorization. Fishing, hunting and trapping license buyers contribute a $5 fee to the Wildlands Fund for wildlife habitat acquisition as an additional revenue source. Some individuals and organizations make direct donations to the fund. A significant amount of funding is also leveraged or received through non-profit conservation organizations.
“Gifts or acreage acquired at no cost to MassWildlife were a major part of this year’s habitat protection efforts,†said Bill Minior, MassWildlife’s realty chief. “With the assistance of the environmental community, over 1,149 acres of habitat were protected, amounting to nearly one-third of the year’s total habitat protection effort.â€
The Massachusetts Land Conservation Trust gifted property while the Grafton Land Trust, Metacomet Land Trust and Essex County Greenbelt Association gifted conservation easements to MassWildlife. The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust acquired two properties and transferred them to MassWildlife. Other groups provided assistance with surveys, title searches, negotiations, and other administrative support activities.
Early goose season
The early Canada goose hunting season dates are Sept. 4 to Sept. 25, with hunters allowed a bag limit of five birds per day. Hunting hours begin a half hour before sunrise to sunset.
"Data collected from agency goose-banding activities this summer indicate the early goose hunting seasons have kept populations stable in the central and western parts of the state," said MassWildlife's Waterfowl Project leader H. Heusmann. "In the eastern part of the state, where there are more restrictions on hunting activities, goose flocks continue to grow."
Waterfowlers are reminded that state and federal waterfowl stamps are required for hunting waterfowl. Hunters planning to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock and other migratory birds must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program after purchasing a hunting license. This free registration number may be obtained by calling 1-800-WETLAND. Other migratory-bird season dates and bag limits will be set by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board immediately following a public hearing on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 448, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Permit updates on bear and antlerless deer
Antlerless-deer permit notification cards were mailed to deer hunters in mid-August. All applicants selected for their Wildlife Management Zone of choice were notified of their permit with a brown postcard. To ensure receipt of the permit by archery season, the postcard and $5 fee must be returned by Sept. 3 to "Deer Permit" MassWildlife FHQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.
Applicants not selected for their WMZ of choice were sent blue postcards to allow applicants to re-apply in WMZs where permit allocations exceeded applications. New for this year, re-applicants may circle and rank up to three WMZ choices. Because of a limited number of permits available in certain WMZs, re-applicants should send in their postcards as soon as possible; requests are on a first-come, first-served basis. As of Aug. 20, WMZ 3 and 8 have already sold out through the re-applicant process.
The final opportunity for obtaining an antlerless deer permit, or acquiring additional permits, will occur Oct. 9, when remaining permits will be available for sales over-the-counter. Specific information on WMZ availability will be posted on the agency Web site in late September. Each antlerless deer permit will come with an antlerless deer tag, increasing the hunter's bag limit for antlerless deer by the number of permits possessed. More details are posted as a link on the front page of the agency Web site.
Bear hunters who applied for a permit should have received their permits in the mail. Those who have not yet received a permit should contact MassWildlife permit specialist Lori Cookman at 508-389-6339. Bear-permit applications, which are on paper hunting and sporting licenses and also available on line for internet license buyers, may still be mailed in with the $5 fee. At the end of August, bear permits will issued for walk-ins at the MassWildlife Westborough Field Headquarters or MassWildlife district offices. The Southeast District office in Bourne will not be issuing permits.
Outdoors Expo Set for Families
Families, friends, Scouts and other youth groups are invited to the 11th annual Massachusetts Outdoor Expo on Sept. 30 from 9 to 4:30 at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds, off New Boston Road, in Sturbridge. The Big MOE, sponsored by Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society, is a free, family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art and animals. The all-day event is free thanks to sponsors including MassWildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, the Weatherby Foundation and a new media sponsor, 100 FM The Pike (WWFX, Worcester). A number of sportsmens clubs, locally based outdoor related businesses, and other conservation groups will sponsor a variety of skills stations, craft tables and other exhibits relating to wildlife and the outdoors.
New activities and exhibits this year include: map and compass skills, chainsaw wood sculpture demonstration, eating healthy with wild game, "Take a Hike" and boulder climbing for young people. There will be information booths from the Worcester and Hampden county leagues of sportsmen, New England Freshwater Guides and the Western Massachusetts DSS foster parent recruitment office.
As in the past, live birds of prey, snakes and turtles will be on display. Kids can try their hands at tomahawk throwing, fishing, building a bird house, wildlife crafts or testing marksmanship skills on the airgun, rifle, shotgun or archery target ranges under safe and expert supervision. They can also observe taxidermy and Jr. Olympic air gun demonstrations and visit a New England Pioneer Encampment. Offerings from MassWildlife include the Junior Duck Stamp drawing competition, forestry skills and fishing with the Angler Education Program. Admission and parking are free.
The Big MOE is also in need volunteers willing to assist or host skills stations, epecially for wildlife and nature crafts, bird box building and the safe firearms handling stations. Clubs and other conservation organizations wishing to host a skill station or assist others at an existing station are welcome, For more information: www.fawnsociety.com or contact Gary Zima, 508-389-6314.
In memoriam, Ray Whitaker
Raymond Whitaker of Winchendon, who served on the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board from 1982 to 1997, died in late June. Whitaker was an avid outdoorsman, trapper, fisherman and dairy farmer who made his living as an underwriter for New York Life Insurance Co. Born in New Salem in what is now the Quabbin Reservation, he grew up where his family had farmed for five generations. He joined the Marine Corps during World War II and saw action in the Pacific, where he was involved with the landing at Iwo Jima. Following his military service, he spent a year working at MassWildlife’s Palmer Hatchery.
In 1948, Whitaker became a full-time dairy farmer in Winchendon, where he and his wife, Phyllis, raised their seven children. In 1974, in recognition of his extensive knowledge and skill in trapping, Gov. Francis Sargent appointed him to the state’s trap study committee. In 1982, Whitaker was named by Gov. Edward King to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, bringing to the job a background in agriculture, an active interest in fish and wildlife, and a wealth of experience with furbearers.
A civic leader with many interests and skills, he was a founding member of the Massachusetts Trappers Association, president of the Winchendon Rod and Gun Club and a director with the Worcester County League of Sportmen’s Clubs. He served 27 consecutive years on the Winchendon Conservation Commission and was active in Toys for Tots (a Marine-based charitable association.) He also wrote two books that offered a glimpse of life during the waning years of the Quabbin Valley communities. Whitaker is survived by his seven children, 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom inherited his love of the outdoors.
Conway Habitat Management Event on Sept. 7
Landowners, sportsmen birders and other conservationists are invited to join MassWildlife and non-profit conservation partners to celebrate a habitat management partnership at the Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area on North Poland Road, Conway,on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. The project is designed to benefit a variety of wildlife - from woodcock and wild turkeys to wood turtles and mourning warblers. The event will feature a demonstration by a rubber-tracked tree mowing machine, or bullhog, that is helping to create the open habitats required for these types of wildlife. An adjoining grazing project on the WMA will also be acknowledged. Representatives from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Wildlife Management Institute and MassWildlife will be on hand to explain the details of the partnership.
Public Meetings and Hearings
Fisheries and Wildlife Board meeting, Pittsfield – The August meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 30, at 2 at VFW Post 448, 36 Linden St. A presentation on the proposed migratory bird regulations will be part of the agenda.
A public hearing will be held at the post home at 7 p.m. to establish rules and regulations relative to establishing seasons and bag limits for the 2007-08 migratory bird seasons. As part of the public hearing, a presentation on the proposed seasons and bag limits will be given. Immediately following the public hearing, the board will vote on the proposed regulations.
The next meeting of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be Thursday, Sept. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. All meetings are handicapped accessible and open to the public.
Calendar of Events -- For a complete listing: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/calendar/calendar.htm
August – Help Count Turkey Families – From now until Aug. 31, interested citizens are reminded to report any sightings of turkey families observed. A form to report this information may be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/facts/birds/turkey/turkey_brood_survey.htm .
Aug. 17-26 – MassWildlife at the Marshfield Fair - A historical display about MassWildlife’s Game Farm at Marshfield in the early 1900s will be featured along with information about local wildlife recreation opportunities. More information: www.marshfieldfair.org
Sept. 6-9 – MassWildlife at the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield – Exhibit includes taxidermy mounts of native wildlife, information about local wildlife recreation opportunities and staff from the Connecticut River Valley office. More information: www.fcas.com
Sept. 7 – MassWildlife at Arunah Hill Days in Cummington – Visit Arunah Hill, an educational facility for astronomy, science and nature, to learn more about MassWildlife’s wildlife and habitat management activities from agency forester Brian Hawthorne. Arunah Hill is located on Trouble Street. Registration is requested. For more information, contact Edward Faits at 413-569-6336 or efaits@comcast.net, or visit www.arunah.org/events/ahd.htm
Sept. 9 – Bowhunter Education Course, New Marlborough – The curriculum offered in this class by MassWildlife’s Hunter Education program was developed by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. The course is taught by volunteer certified bowhunter instructors. Course topics include the selection of equipment, safety, ethics, bowhunting methods, and care and handling of game. Students may bring their archery equipment to class to obtain advice on its use and care. Students should bring a pen and paper to take notes and dress for the weather outdoors. This course is accepted in other states and provinces that mandate the successful completion of a bowhunter education course for archery hunters. The course runs from 8 to 5. The course is free, but advance registration is required. Contact the program at 978-632-7648 to register. Other course offerings can be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/hed/hed_course_schedule.htm
Sept. 12-26 – 2008 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition and Decoy Art Exhibition in Salem – The Peabody Essex Museum is hosting an art exhibition featuring the entries submitted to the Stamp Competition, samples of award-winning work from the 2007 Junior Duck Stamp Competition and a selection of decoys from its collection. This exhibit is dedicated in memory of Jackson Parker, decoy authority and devoted friend of the Waterfowl Stamp Program. The Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp is the only waterfowl stamp series in the country requiring stamp designs to be of working decoys - ducks, geese or shorebirds – carved and painted by deceased Massachusetts decoy makers. The winning artist’s work will be featured as will all other qualifying entries in the contest. For more information on the exhibit, contact the Peabody Essex Museum at 978-745-9500. For information on the Waterfowl Stamp Competition, contact Ellie Horwitz at 508-389-6305.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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