May MassWildlife News: Don't Disturb Young Wildlife
Leave Young Wildlife Alone!
The arrival of spring means the arrival of newborn and just-hatched wildlife. These youngsters soon venture into the world on shaky legs or fragile wings and are discovered by people living and working nearby. Every year, the lives of many young wild creatures are disturbed by people who take young wildlife from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to "save" them. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offices are already receiving calls about young wildlife that were picked up by people.These well-meant acts of kindness tend to have the opposite result. Instead of being left to learn their place in the world, young wildlife removed from the wild are denied important natural learning experiences which help them survive on their own.
Most people quickly find that they can't really care for young wildlife, and many of the animals soon die in the hands of well-meaning people. Young wildlife that does survive human "assistance" miss experiences that teach them to fend for themselves. If these animals are released back into the wild, their chances of survival are reduced. Often, the care given to young wildlife results in some attachment to humans and the animals may return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or hit by cars. Some animals become nuisances and people have even been injured by once-tamed wildlife.
Avoid these problems by following one simple rule when coming upon young wildlife: If You Care, Leave Them There! It may be difficult to do, but this is a real act of compassion. The young are quite safe when left alone because their color patterns and lack of scent help them remain undetected. Generally the parent will visit their young only a few times a day to avoid leaving traces that attract predators. Wildlife parents are not disturbed by human scent.
Baby birds found on the ground may be safely picked up and placed in a nearby bush or tree. Wildlife parents are not disturbed by human scent. Avoid nest and den areas of young wildlife and restrain all pets.
Leave fawns where they are found. Fawns are safest when left alone because their camouflaging color helps them remain undetected until the doe returns. Unlike deer, newborn moose calves remain in close proximity to their mothers who, in contrast to a white-tailed doe, will actively defend calves against danger. An adult cow moose weighing over 600 pounds will chase, kick and stomp a potential predator, people included.
Only when young wildlife are found injured or with their dead mother may the young be assisted, but must then be delivered immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Because of the difficulty in properly caring for them there are no rehabilitators licensed to care of fawns. It is illegal to possess most wildlife in Massachusetts.
Information on young wildlife has been posted at www.mass.gov/masswildlife and a list of wildlife rehabilitators at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/rehab/wildlife_rehab_index.htm.
Family Fishing Opportunities
L
ooking for a way to spend some quality time with your family in the great outdoors and learn a new skill or brush up on your technique? Try a free fishing clinic or family fishing festival near you! MassWildlife's Angler Education Program has teamed up with other agencies, municipalities, organizations and businesses to provide free fishing opportunities and loaner equipment for beginning anglers of all ages. Updated listings of fishing events can be found here.May 17: Five Mile Pond Family Fishing Festival, Springfield. On the shores of Five Mile Pond, cast a line and learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. MassWildlife is participating in this event in cooperation with the Pine Point Community Council and the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department at Five Mile Pond, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Jim Lagacy, program coordinator, for more details at 508-389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
May 30: Great Falls Discovery Center Family Fishing Day, Turners Falls. This family event includes the opportunity to visit a fish ladder used by anadromous (migrating) fish, tying your own fly, casting fly-lines and spin-casting practice, as well as dropping a line in the Connecticut River at Barton Cove from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. MassWildlife is participating in this event in cooperation with the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Contact Sarah Bevilacqua at 413-863-3676.
New Location For Outdoorswoman Weekend
This year, the 13th annual Massachusetts Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program will be held at a new location, the Chimney Corners YMCA Camp in Becket on the weekend of June 5-7. This beautiful facility is situated on the banks of two lakes which offer wonderful fishing, boating and other outdoor activities.
The weekend workshop is open to women 18 and older who want to try new outdoor skills in a supportive environment. Engage in activities such as archery, kayaking, wild edible plants, nature photography, fly fishing, shooting, and more. This weekend experience could be a gift for Mother's Day or for any special woman. Registration materials are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/ .
Wildlife Stamp Artwork Deadlines Loom
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife reminds artists who wish to submit entries for three 2009 wildlife stamp competitions to be aware of the deadlines. Both the archery and primitive firearms stamp entries are due May 15, 2009. Waterfowl stamp entries are due June 1, 2009.
For details and rules regarding the stamp competitions, hard copies of contest regulations may be obtained from the Westborough Field Headquarters by calling 508-389-6300 or at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/stamp_info.htm.
MassWildlife Asked For Boxes, Conservationists Answered
Following a wood duck nest box appeal in early February by MassWildlife, Boy Scouts, sportsmen, school groups, lumber companies, and other conservationists generously answered the call by building nest boxes, donating or discounting lumber, and contributing cash.
As of late April, at least 310 wood duck nest boxes have been built and delivered to MassWildlife facilities across the state. Some offices report that more deliveries will be made over the next few weeks. Cash donations of $820 from 18 donors were sent to the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation. These donations were used to purchase materials needed for building, placing or replacing nest boxes in suitable habitat across the state.
H. Heusmann, Waterfowl Project Leader expressed appreciation for the generous response.
"This was a productive endeavor on the part of many people across the state. The immediate and enthusiastic reaction was very gratifying," he said. "Clearly, people are listening and willing to help out when a need like this is reported. The response has allowed MassWildlife to meet nest box needs for 2009 and gives us a major head start going into 2010. We also appreciate the efforts of other groups and individuals who are still building boxes."
Heusmann noted that the agency heard from people who indicated that after seeing the nest box request, they built and put out boxes on their own properties.
Local sawmills and lumber companies donating lumber for boxes, much of it from local forests, included: Cowls Sawmill of Amherst, Heyes Forest Products, Inc. of Orange, Bellingham Lumber of Bellingham and Gurney's Sawmill Inc. of Freetown. Other companies that were reported offering lumber at a discount to interested groups included Delano Sawmill Inc. of Dartmouth and Joe's Sawmill in Stoughton.
The Western District office received 23 boxes, the results of efforts by students in Monument Mountain Middle School’s Technical Education Club, Webelos Pack 1 in Lanesborough and a private citizen who also donated two kestrel nest boxes. A lumber donation of 250 board feet was also made by a Lee Sportsmen's Club member.
Division Biologists Honored By Conservationists
Several biologists from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife were honored by conservation groups in April.
Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife biologist, was also honored by the MSC with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Cardoza was also honored by the New England Chapter of The Wildlife Society with a Professional Achievement Award at the annual meeting and workshop held in Hadley.
Andrew Madden, Western District Office supervisor, was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, acknowledging his efforts to serve the interests of sportsmen, conserve wildlife and the lands and waters of the Berkshires.
Peter Mirick, MassWildlife biologist and editor of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, was honored by the New England Outdoor Writers Association with the Dick Cronin 2009 Sportsman of the Year Award.
Ellie Horwitz, MassWildlife information and education chief, received a photography award from the New England Outdoor Writers Association in the fauna category with her image of a leopard.
Dick Turner, MassWildlife Biologist at the Southeast District Office, was awarded an Excellence in Service Award, acknowledging his 60 years of service to the commonwealth by the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council.
Upcoming Events
May 9: Taunton River Conference, Dighton
The Taunton River Watershed Alliance will hold its annual conference with the theme "Retaining and Reviving Local Agriculture: Strategies for Preserving Farmland and the Activity of Farming" at Bristol County Agricultural High School from 9 to noon. Eve Schluter, endangered species review biologist, will be presenting information about the procedures implemented by Natural Heritage environmental review staff regarding the state Endangered Species Act at this conference. This conference will also include a wide range of workshops.
This event is free and includes complementary morning refreshments and lunch. RSVP director@savethetaunton.org or 508-828-1101. Conference information is posted at www.savethetaunton.org/programs/localagriculture.htm.
May 14: The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, May 14, at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough from 1:30 to 4:30. The meeting is open to the public. For directions, 508-389-6360 or www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/westboro.htm.
May 26: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting and Public Hearing, Westborough
The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will meet on Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, (off North Drive), Westborough. For specifics or to get on the agenda, contact Julie Delaney at 508-389-6342.
The public hearing begins at 2 p.m. on rules and regulations regarding the dates of the archery deer hunting season and the length of the shotgun deer season in Wildlife Management Zone 12. Oral and written public comments are invited at this hearing and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the hearing. For directions, www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/westboro.htm or 508-389-6300.
