Annual Report 2011
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Annual Report 2011 Massachusetts Division of fisheries & WilDlife Wayne F. MacCallum Director Julie English, Administrative Assistant Jack Buckley Rob Deblinger, Ph.D. Deputy Director Deputy Director Administration Field Operations Laura Cooke (part-year) Debbie McGrath Administrative Assistant to the Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Director, Administration Deputy Director, Field Operations and Field Headquarters Clerical Supervisor An Agency of the Department of Fish & Game Table of Contents The Board Reports .............................................................................................4 Fisheries ...........................................................................................................11 Wildlife .............................................................................................................25 Habitat Management on Private Lands ...........................................................40 Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program .........................................45 Information & Education ................................................................................51 Hunter Education ............................................................................................57 District Reports ................................................................................................61 Wildlife Lands ..................................................................................................75 Federal Aid Program ........................................................................................82 Maintenance and Development ...................................................................... 84 Legislative Report ............................................................................................85 Personnel Report ..............................................................................................86 Financial Report ............................................................................................. 88 DFW Organizational Chart ..............................................................................93 About The Cover: Over 200 people participated in the Northern Red-bellied Cooter release event at the DFW’s Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in May, including many children and their families and home-schooler groups and representa- tives of some of the cooperating institutions in the year-long headstarting program. All photos © by Bill Byrne unless otherwise credited. Printed on Recycled Paper The Board reporTs George Darey Chairman Introduction were to key to the program’s success. Along with the Division’s Youth Turkey Hunt Program and the National The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board is a Wild Turkey Federation, a number of sportsmen’s clubs group of seven persons, each selected for a demonstrated have been involved. Mr. Scarpitti also reviewed the interest in wildlife. By law, the individuals appointed to youth hunt program elements, such as training; safety; the Board are volunteers, receiving no remuneration or instruction on hunting ethics and regulations; turkey- expenses for their service to the Commonwealth. Five hunting safety and behavior; and safe, supervised hunts of the seven are selected on a regional basis, with one with experienced adult mentors. Mr. Scarpitti reported member, by statute, representing agricultural interests. that staff had made the following recommendations: The two remaining seats are held by a professional wildlife Modify the 12-14-year-old Youth Turkey Hunt Program biologist or wildlife manager and one representative with permit to (1) allow permit/tag to be used throughout a specific interest in the management and restoration the spring turkey season, (2) provide two tags with 12- of wildlife populations not classified as game species. 14-year-old youth permit; and (3) make the required Each member is appointed by the Governor to a 5-year regulatory changes to 321 CMR 3.02 (9)(e) (youth bag term. The Board oversees operations of the Division limit) to incorporate the first two recommendations. of Fisheries and Wildlife, sets policy and regulations In summary, the expanded Youth turkey permit would pertinent to wildlife in the Commonwealth, and reviews enhance youth opportunity for 12-14-year-old youths, the agency’s programs. facilitate mentorship of youths, be consistent with all The Board has continued its tradition this year of spring turkey permits, consistent with youth opportuni- holding monthly meetings at locations around the ties in New England, and there would be no biological state, holding public hearings on proposed regulatory impact on the turkey resource. Mr. Scarpitti summarized changes, and addressing many issues of specific concern. these recommendations to the Board again in June, While many different matters and issues were brought when a public hearing was held to accept comment on before the Board this year, most of its time was spent in the proposed regulations. The results will be acted upon scrutiny and review of proposals for regulatory changes early in the next fiscal year. and agency programs. Among the items examined were Break-open Breech Vote the following. Assistant Director Tom O’Shea provided the Board Proposals for Regulatory Changes with a brief summary of the results of the break-open Youth Turkey Permit Review breech public hearing. He reported that 10 comments Last year the Board received a request from the Barre were received from various Massachusetts hunting Sportsmen’s Club to look at possible changes to the Youth and sporting organizations and individuals, and one Turkey Hunt program that would make the tag(s) that comment from a firearms industry representative. All are issued for the special permit hunt valid not only for were in favor of the proposed regulatory change to allow the Youth Hunt Day, but also the entire regular turkey break-open breech muzzleloaders during the primitive season. The Board voted to have staff conduct a review firearms portion of the deer hunting season; there were regarding the Youth Turkey Hunt Program and report no comments opposed. Following a brief discussion, back to the Board with their findings, and in December the Board voted unanimously to accept the regulatory Upland Game Bird Biologist Dave Scarpitti gave a review change to allow break-open breech muzzleloaders dur- of the Youth Turkey Hunt permit to the Board. ing the primitive firearms portion of the deer hunting season, starting this year. Mr. Scarpitti reviewed the program’s development, Massachusetts Endangered Species Act Review described the existing youth permits, and explained permit review requests and existing youth opportunities. The agency has been working on proposed Massachu- He stated that young people are losing their connec- setts Endangered Species Act (MESA) regulatory changes tion to the outdoors and there is less open space and for quite some time with its own staff and several part- more competing interests than ever before. The Youth ners, including The Nature Conservancy, MACC, NAIOP, Turkey Hunt Program was initiated in 2009 to provide the Mass. Homebuilders Association, and Mass Audu- additional opportunities to youths, ages 12-17, regard- bon. The proposed regulations are far too voluminous less of experience or access to outdoor activities. With a to relate here, but, in summary, there are two major structured curriculum and safety emphasized, mentors categories: Priority Habitat maps and permitting. The regulatory changes proposed would provide: 1) a more Massachusetts residents, possess a sporting or hunting transparent process for mapping Priority Habitat that license, receive a grade of 80% or higher on a falconry would give the public an opportunity to comment on exam, meet facility and equipment requirements, and proposed updates to the map; 2) a more holistic planning train their bird(s) to hunt. There are currently 52 approach to conserving selected Species of Special Con- permitted Falconers in Massachusetts. Mr. Huguenin cern on a statewide basis, providing a more streamlined addressed federal compliance and the need to clarify and approach to permitting takes of those species that occur liberalize specific regulations, and offered the following outside of designated Conservation Protection Zones; staff-recommended changes to 321 CMR 3.04: and 3) more regulatory flexibility to project proponents (through grandfathering, exemptions, and performance 1. Remove requirement for federal permit standards) particularly when proposed projects relate to 2. Address permit lapse requirements Species of Special Concern. A public hearing was held 3. Add definitions to solicit comments relative to the proposed regulations 4. Clarify MESA requirements in July, and, following consideration of all comments 5. Address new Massachusetts resident received, the Board voted unanimously in August to requirements accept the proposed changes. The Board still retains some reservations about these regulations, however, 6. Allow utilization of falconry birds for particularly in regard to the conservation of small but education potentially genetically-important populations of Special 7. Increase possession limit Concern species, but it is reassured by the fact that this 8. Allow non-resident take of raptors is a regulatory change rather than a legislative one; a 9. Extend raptor trapping season regulatory change is a dynamic process that allows us to try this solution, monitor its success, and make After