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DFW FOREST CERTIFICATION PUBLIC COMMENTS AND AGENCY RESPONSES ONLINE

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:59:03 -0500

As part of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) forest re-certification efforts, a summary of the public comments received and the agency’s responses to those comments have been posted on the agency’s website at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/management/bdi/forest_mgt/response_public_comment.htm.

TROPHY ANGLERS TO BE HONORED FEBRUARY 13, 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:58:24 -0500

Anglers of all ages are invited to attend the Division’s Freshwater Sportfishing Awards ceremony honoring the 2009 Angler of the Year and the 2009 Gold Pin Winners. The ceremony takes place at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition February 13, 2010 at 4:00 PM at the DCU Centre in Worcester where Massachusetts Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin will join with Division Director Wayne MacCallum and other Division staff to present the annual Freshwater Sportfishing Awards. For over 40 years MassWildlife has sponsored the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program designed to recognize anglers who have caught exceptional freshwater fish from waterbodies which are open to the public. Bronze pins are sent to anglers who catch fish meeting certain minimum weight requirements for 22 types of fish. Gold pins and a plaque are awarded at the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards ceremony to adult and youth anglers catching the largest fish in 22 species categories. 2009 Gold Pin Award winners are posted at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/awards/2009_sportfish_winners.htm.

SALTWATER ANGLERS MUST REGISTER IN 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:57:45 -0500

The Division of Marine Fisheries is alerting saltwater anglers to new saltwater fishing registration requirements that are occurring in 2010 and 2011. A new federal law that took effect January 1, 2010 requires most Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishermen 16 years old and older to register with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) either online via www.countmyfish.noaa.gov or by calling (888) MRIP-411 [(888) 674-7411]. There is no fee for federal registration in 2010. People fishing on saltwater charter or head-boats will not be required to register. Private boat or family registrations are not available. This year, non-residents planning saltwater fishing trips in Massachusetts must possess a saltwater fishing permit from any state or from the federal saltwater registration system.

245-ACRE LAND ACQUISITION IN WAREHAM AND

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:57:03 -0500

Recently, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles announced the purchase of 245 acres of land on Red Brook in Wareham and Plymouth that will protect one of the most diverse fish and wildlife habitats in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) acquired the land, known as Century Bog, from A.D. Makepeace Company for $3 million. The acquisition – through conservation and ongoing ecological restoration – will protect the Red Brook watershed and protect habitat for 11 rare species, several kinds of fish and other wildlife.

DCR SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON DRAFT RECCOMENDATIONS ON FOREST STEWARDSHIP

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:51:31 -0500

As part of DCR’s Forest Futures Visioning Process, a Technical Steering Committee (TSC) has met over a period of ten months to arrive at a draft version of recommendations that they will make to DCR on forest stewardship. Both the TSC and DCR encourage interested stakeholders to review the recommendations and provide comment. The public comment period closes on February 22. The TSC draft recommendations are located on the DCR website at http://dcr.env.govt.state.ma.us:81/news/publicmeetings/tsc_draft_recommendations.htm.

MASSACHUSETTS MAN KILLED IN PITTSBURG, N.H., SNOWMOBILE CRASH

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:40:24 -0500

CONCORD, N.H. -- Wayne W. Armstrong, 60, of Tyngsborough, Mass., was killed last night (January 4, 2010) when the snowmobile he was operating crashed into several trees off Indian Stream Road in the town of Pittsburg, N.H.

DCR Forest Forum in Leominster, Public Invited

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:16:28 -0400

The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites interested sportsmen and women, foresters, land trust and watershed association members and other conservationists to participate in their Forest Futures Visioning Process at a two-part public forum in Leominster on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, from 4 – 8 p.m. The first part of the forum will be a Walk-in-the-Woods at Leominster State Forest off Rte 31 in Leominster, the second part of the form will be held at the Doyle Conservation Center on Abbot Avenue in Leominster.

Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:09:12 -0500

WHAT: Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey

WHEN: Friday, January 9, 2009, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: STATEWIDE – Wildlife staff will be available in the field for media and interested birdwatchers in several locations. See “Contacts Information” below to find out where staff will be and when. The best areas for eagle viewing are listed below.

OUTDOOR SHOW SCHEDULE

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:48:08 -0500

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is participating in a number of outdoor oriented shows in January and February. At most of these venues, licenses will be sold and sporting information and wildlife recreation opportunities will be made available to show attendees. This is a great opportunity for families, youth groups and other outdoor oriented people to meet agency staff and pick up some of the latest outdoor and sporting information.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE ICE!

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:47:18 -0500

Winter has made its appearance in Massachusetts, but the variable temperatures that have been experienced in the state so far this season mean the condition of ice on the Bay State's water bodies is unpredictable and could be treacherous. There have already been several instances in the state where people have fallen through the ice. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife urges outdoor enthusiasts to play it safe and check ice carefully before venturing onto ice-covered waters. Foot traffic on a layer of 4” ice is a good safe thickness. An ice strength table is posted on the agency website at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm.

UPCOMING MEETING & PUBLIC HEARINGS--The August meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:57:01 -0400

The August meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held Thursday, August 28, at 1PM at the Newburyport Elks Lodge, 25 Low Street in Newburyport. This meeting is open to the public and is handicapped accessible.

REMEMBERING DENNIS MCNAMARA

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:54:49 -0400

The land conservation community in northeastern Massachusetts lost a valuable resource with the recent death of Dennis McNamara, Land Protection Specialist for the Department of Fish and Game and MassWildlife. In 2006, McNamara was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Hired in the summer of 1989, McNamara worked for the Commonwealth for 19 years overseeing land protection efforts in MassWildlife’s Northeast District, a region that comprises Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties and has some of the highest land values in the state. During his tenure, nearly 5,000 acres of valuable wildlife habitat in the region were protected and are now open to recreation such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

2009 ARCHERY AND PRIMITIVE FIREARMS STAMP WINNER SELECTED

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:54:03 -0400

Massachusetts’ annual art competitions for Archery and Primitive Firearms Stamps were held at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters and this year, one artist has won both contests. Barry Julius of Brockton was selected in independent blind judging contests. When the identity of the winning artist was revealed, judges were surprised that the two winning entries had been painted by the same artist.

FRANCIS W. SARGENT CONSERVATION AWARD PRESENTED

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:53:19 -0400

Michael Yacino, a long-time champion of Massachusetts sportsmen and women, recently received the Governor Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award from the Fisheries and Wildlife Board for his contributions to conserving the Commonwealth’s natural resources. Yacino, of Douglas, 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.

OVER 6,100 ACRES WILDLIFE LANDS PROTECTED IN FY 2008

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:51:08 -0400

6,197 acres of key fish and wildlife habitat in 41 towns were protected in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008) through the efforts of the Department of Fish and Game and MassWildlife. These protected properties ranged in size from a .5-acre public recreation access point in Orange, to a 2,300-acre conservation easement (CE) in Montgomery and Westfield. These lands will be added to the list over 164,000 acres currently under the care and control of MassWildlife, most of which are Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Most properties were purchased outright (in fee) but, on some properties, the agency purchased conservation easements (development rights), with the land held by the original landowner. A listing of the newly acquired FY 2008 properties is on the web at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/land/land_acquisitions.htm. With the exception of a gifted CE, all lands are open to fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife observation, hiking, and other passive wildlife related recreation.