MISSISQUOI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Swanton, Vermont
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1999
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM INTRODUCTION
The Missisquoi NWR is located in Northwestern Vermont near the Canadian border. The 6600 acre refuge is the largest wetland complex in Vermont and provides migration habitat for nearly 200 species of birds and likewise provides a permanent home to another 50-60 species of birds, mammals and fish. Increasing interest in amphibians, reptiles and mussel species, has expanded refuge survey, research and monitoring responsibilities with these refuge populations especially numerous State threatened and endangered species found on the refuge.
In addition to its prominence as the principal component of the delta wetland community in the Missisquoi Bay, the refuge provides large emergent marshes rich in wild rice and numerous other food and cover plants, seasonally flooded riverine bottomland hardwoods, grassland and old field units, and the largest acidic bog community in Vermont. Together these varying habitats provide unmatched diversity for a maximum of wildlife species.
Expanding osprey nesting populations, diverse marsh and wading bird populations, and the largest great blue heron nesting colony in Vermont work in concert with waterfowl populations which peak at 15,000-25,000 in spring and fall to create spectacular wildlife richness. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. HIGHLIGHTS ············································· 1
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 1
C. LAND ACQlITSITION
1. Fee Title ...... NTR 2. Easements ...... NTR 3. Other ...... 2
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan ...... · ··· · · ··· · ·········· .... ·· ... ·· · .. ·· ··· · ·· ·· ·· ··· · ··· ...... · ·· ...... · · · ... · · ··· ..... · NTR 2. Management Plan ...... · ...... ···· · ····· ...... 4 3. Public Participation · · .... ·· .... · ·· ·· .... · · ...... · ... · · .... · · .. · · · · · · · ·· · · · · · · · · · · ··· · ...... ·· ·· ·· ... · · ·· · ·· .... · · 4 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates ·· ··· · · ·· ··· · ·· · ... ··· .... 7 5. Research and Investigations · ·...... ·.... ···· ··· ··· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· .... ·· .... ·· ...... ·· ···· ·· ·· .. ··· ··· ·· ·· 8 6. Other .... · ...... · · · · · ... · · · .. · ..... · ··· · · · ··· · ... · · · ··· · ·· · .. ··· · · · · · · · · · ·· ····· ·· · · · · ·· · ..... ·· ·· ...... · · ... · ·· · · ·· ... · NTR
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel ...... · ·· ··· · · · ··· · · ·· · ... ·· · · .. · ·· · .. · · ··· ·· ·· ·· ··· · · ·· ·· ···· ...... · ··· ·· · ·· · ·· · ····· · · · · ···· · · · ···· · ...... 9 2. Youth Programs ······· ·········· ·········· ...... ··········· 11 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... NTR 4. Volunteer Programs ...... 11 5. Funding ...... 12 6. Safety ···················································································································· 12 7. Technical Assistance ...... 13 8. Other NTR
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General ·················································································································· 13 2. Wetlands ...... 14 3. Forests ...... NTR 4. Croplands ...... NTR 5. Grasslands ·· ·· · ·· · · · ·· ·· · · · · ··· · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· · ·· ·· · · · · · · ·· · ··· · · ·· · · · · · · ·· · · · · · ··· ······· ··· · · · ·· · · · · ··· · · · ·· · ··· · ·· ··· · 16 6. Other Habitats ······································································································ NTR 7. Grazing ················ ················································· ················································ NTR 8. Haying ··················································································································· 16 9. Fire Management · · · ·· ·· ··· · · · ·· ··· · · ·· · · ··· · ·· · ···· · · ·· ·· ··· · · · · · ·· · · ·· ·· ·· · · ··· ·· ···· ·· ··· · · · · · ·· · ······· · ··· · ·· · · 16 10. Pest Control ·········································································································· 17 11 . Water Rights · · · · · ·· · · · · ·· ······ · · ·· · · · ·· · ··· · · ···· · · · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· · · · · · · ·· · · · · ····· · · ···· ····· · ·· ·· ··· · · · ··· · ·· · · ····· · NTR 12. Wilderness and Special Areas ···························· ···································· ················ 17 13. WP A Easement Monitoring ·················· ························ ········· ································ NTR
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity ························ ·············· ········ · ······ ·················· · ························· 18 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ············· ··························· ·························· 18 3. Waterfowl ···································· ········ ···················· ············· ································· 20 4. Marsh and Water Birds ·························································································· 20 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ·················· ·········································· 23 6. Raptors ·················································································································· 24 7. Other Migratory Birds · · ··· · ···· ··· · · ··· ··· · · · · · · ·· ·· ·· · ···· · ·· · ·· · · · ·· · · ·· · · ··· ···· ··· · · ···· ·· · · ·· · · · · · · ·· · ·· ··· 26 8. Game Animals ······································································································· 26 9. Marine Mammals ··································································································· NTR I 0. Other Resident Wildlife ························································································· 27 11. Fisheries Resources ··· ·· ··· ·· ···· ·· ·· ···· ·· ·· · · ·· · ·· ··· ··· ·· ·· · · ··· ···· ·· ··· ·· ·· ··· ··· ·· ·· ···· ·· ·· · ·· · · · ·· · · ·· · ··· NTR 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking ...... NTR 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ················· ··········· · ······································· ············ ······· NTR 14. Scientific Collections ·· · ··· · · · · · ···· · ·· ···· · · ·· · · ·· · · ···· ·· · · ·· · · ·· · · ··· · · ·· · · ·· · · ···· · · ·· · ····· · · · · · · ··· ·· ·· · ·· · · 27 15. Animal Control · · ·· · · ··· ····· ·· · ····· ···· ···· · · ·· · ···· ····· · ·· · ·· ···· · ··· ·· ···· · ··· · ···· ·· ···· ·· ·· ··· ·· ·· · ··· · ···· · ·· 28 16. Marking and Banding ····························································································· 28 17. Disease Prevention and Control · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· · ·· ·· · ·· · · ·· · · · · · · ·· · ·· ··· · ·· · · · ·· ··· · ·· · · ·· · ·· ·· · · · · · · · · ····· NTR
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General · · · ·· ··· ··· · · ·· · ·· · ·· ··· ·· ·· · · ··· · ··· ···· · ··· · · · · · ··· ·· ··· · ·· · · ··· · ·· · ··· ·· · ··· · · ·· · ·· ·· ·· · · · · ··· · ···· ·· ··· ·· · · ·· · 29 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students ·· ····································· ······································ 30 3. Outdoor Classrooms -Teachers ············································································· 30 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ················ ················· ········ ···· ····· ...... ················· 31 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... NTR 6. lnterpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ····································································· NTR 7. Other Interpretive Programs · ·· · ··· ·· ·· · ···· ··· · ··· · · ·· · · ·· · ····· ·· ·· ······· ··· ·· · ··· · ·· ···· · ··· ·········· ·· · · 31 8. Hunting ················································································································· 34 9. Fishing ··················································································································· 36 10. Trapping ················································································································ 37 11. Wildlife Observation · · ···· · ·· ·· · · · ··· ···· ·· ·· ·· ·· · · · ··· · ·· · ···· · · · · · ·· · · ·· · · ··· · · · · ······ · ··· · · ··· ···· · · · · · ··· · ·· · 3 7
11 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation ········································································ 38 13. Camping ··············· ····································· ········· ······· ···································· ········ NTR 14. Picnicking ············································································································· NTR 15. Off-Road Vehicling ·· · ··· ····· ·· · ·· ·· · · · ·· ···· · · ·· · · · · · ··· · · ·· · · ··· ·· ·· ···· ····· ···· · ····· · · ... · ····· ·· ·· · · ·· · ·· · · NTR 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ··································· ····························· NTR 17. Law Enforcement · · · ·· · · · · · · ······ · · · · · · · ·· · · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· · · · · · · ·· · · · · · ··· · ·· ·· · ·· ·· ··· · ·· ·· ·· · ·· ··· · · · ·· · ··· · · ·· · ·· · 3 8 18. Cooperating Associations ······················································································ NTR 19. Concessions ·········································································································· NTR
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction ································································································· 39 2. Rehabilitation ··· ········· ········································· ···· ···· ··········································· 40 3. Major Maintenance · ·· · · ·· ···· · · ···· · · · · · ··· · · ·· ···· · · ·· ·· ·· · · ·· ··· ·· ·· · ····· ··· ·· ····· · ····· · · · · ···· · ·· · ··· · · ·· ·· 40 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement ································································ 40 5. Communications Systems · · ··· · ·· · · ··· · · · · · ··· · · ·· · · ·· · · ··· · · · ·· ·· · ·· · ·· ·· · · · ··· · ···· · ·· · · ·· · · · ···· · · ·· ·· ·· · ·· · 41 6. Computer Systems ································································································ 41 7. Energy Conservation ·· · · ·· ·· · ·· · · ·· · · · · ··· · · · · · ·· · · · · · · · · · ·· ··· · · ·· · · · · ·· ··· · ··· · ·· ··· ·· ...... ·· .... · · · ·· ·· · · 41 8. Other · .... · · ·· · · · · · ·· · · ·· · · · · · · · ·· ·· ... · · · ·· · ·· · ·· · · ... · · · ·· ··· · · ·· · · · · · · · · · .. · ..... · · · · · · · ·· .. · ... ·· · · · .. · ·· ... · · · · · ·· · · NTR
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs .. ···· · ·· · ·· · ·· ····· · · · · · · · · ... ·· ··· ·· · ·· · ·· ·· · · · ·· · · .. ·· ... · · · · · .. · ··· · ·· · · · · · ··· · · · · · · ·· · 41 2. Other Economic Uses ...... NTR 3. Items of Interest ·················· ...... ····· ...... 42 4. Credits ...... 42
K . FEEDBACK ...... 43
L. INFORMATION PACKET --- (inside back cover)
111 A. HIGHLIGHTS
Site selected for construction of new refuge headquarters with visitor contact station and maintenance facility. (Section 0 .3.)
Refuge Friends Group hosted Open House at the Refuge. (Section H. l .)
Refuge designated an Important Bird Area in Vermont. (Section H. l .)
Vermont student takes third place nationally in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Competition. (Section H.7.)
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Weather conditions in 1999 were, as usual, rather variable. While 1998 recorded new record high water throughout the spring and summer, 1999 saw near record low water over the same period. Reduced spring precipitation combined with reduced winter runoff to provide a flood free spring and early summer in the Missisquoi delta. The entire summer period recorded very dry conditions in much of Vermont. Autumn rains returned water levels to near normal by mid-October. Water conditions were at or near normal throughout a very mild autumn and early winter. Most refuge impoundments were dry or nearly dry during much of the late summer and early autumn. Waterfowl use patterns were disrupted by the dry conditions and refuge impoundments were not used by as many species as would have used them under more normal conditions.
Low water conditions in Cranberry Pool - DJF TABLE 1 1999 Temperature and Precipitation Conditions
1999 Weather Conditions at Refuge Headquarters
Temperature (F) Precipitation (inches)
Month High Low Avg. Rain Snow
January 53 -23 15.0 .65" 21.2" February 58 - 3 27.5 . 3" 6.6" March 59 - 1 29.0 .79" 14.7" April 65 26 45 .5 .41" Trace May 88 37 62.5 2.1 June 91 51 71 1.86 July 90 53 71.5 3.06 August 86 47 66.5 .59 September 89 41 65 4.89 October 68 27 47.5 2.1 Trace November 71 19 45 1.26 3.25 December 58 2 30 .86 2.5
C. LAND ACQUISITION
3. Other
No lands were added to the refuge, either in fee or by easement, in 1999. Several parcels are in the works though.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been working with the Realty Division for about three years to acquire a 102-acre parcel adjacent to the southern boundary of the refuge (Tract 15b) known as the Hawley Tract. A questionable boundary location has held up acquisition of the tract for several years but was cleared up in 1999. We anticipate that TNC acquisition will be completed in 2000, with transfer from TNC to the Service soon thereafter. This parcel will fill in a gap between the refuge and a Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wildlife management area. It consists of wetland and cropland habitats and has been used for hunting and boating access.
Sweeny met with John Binhammer of TNC in May to discuss Service interest in potential acquisitions or easements ofland on the eastern side of the refuge in Highgate. TNC had been in discussion with neighboring farmers Terry Rice and Jacques Parent. Wetlands adjacent to
2 the current refuge boundary would be of interest to the Service. No agreements had been reached with either farmer by year's end to protect their wetland acreage adjacent to the refuge but TNC will continue to work with them on a willing seller basis. Several hundred acres of cropped, forested or emergent wetland are the focus.
It was brought to Sweeny's attention this year that the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) had a 10- year option to buy 39 acres of shrub-scrub wetland adjacent to the southwestern boundary of the refuge. The option was due to expire at years, end and it appeared that VLT did not intend to exercise the option. Sweeny contacted David Houghton of the New England office of the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and asked him to look into the possibility of acquiring the option and perhaps exercising it. Houghton's efforts resulted in VLT transferring the option to TPL in December. Houghton then got the landowner to agree to a one year extension on the option to allow time to figure out a way to purchase this land for eventual addition to the refuge. It would have been easy and cheap for TPL to exercise the option, but like it always seems to be with land deals, it was more complicated than that and would have caused hard feelings with the landowner which would undoubtedly have spread to the community. We are confident and hopeful that by the end of next year we can finish this story, that we will have added this parcel to the refuge and we will still have a happy neighbor and community.
The Trust for Public Lands asked us in November to look into the possibility of the Service playing a role in the preservation of the Isle La Motte Reef, an ancient Ordovician reef on the southern end of the island. The land is extremely important from a geological perspective and is about 10 miles southwest of the refuge by air. It is on an island in Lake Champlain. An initial visit in late December indicated that some wetlands exist within the boundary of the proposed reserve but further field visits will be necessary to further evaluate the potential of adding any of it to the refuge system. There are obvious questions that would need to be answered about the intended use or non-use of the land as well. With the onset of Comprehensive Conservation Planning in 2000, this will fit into our discussion and considerations of refuge expansion.
In the process of seeking a site for a new refuge headquarters complex, one adjacent landowner, Arnold Cheney, expressed willingness to discuss the sale of his land to the Service for that purpose. While his land did not meet the site selection criteria for ~he new facilities, we will consider acquisition of his land as wildlife habitat in 2000.
Rumors reached us this year that the families sharing ownership of Mudgett Island in the Missisquoi River, almost in the center of the refuge, were entertaining prospective buyers for their land. A few phone calls to the Vermont Attorney General, William Sorel, whose family is one of the landowners, determined that the rumor was in error but at least we were able to express our interest in the island when and if they are ready to divest themselves of it.
3 D. PLANNING
2. Management Plan
Preparations were made this year to launch the Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP) effort for the refuge early in 2000. Several staff (Sweeny, Frisque and J. Blaskowski) attended CCP training at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). mailing lists were compiled, and coordination meetings were held with Regional support staff (planners, mappers, supervisors, realty specialists, and resource experts). CCP will kick off in January 2000.
No management plans were completed or updated this year.
3. Public Participation
Headquarters Site Selection - An Environmental Assessment was completed to identify a site for the construction of new refuge headquarters facilities. Meetings held and opportunities for public participation in the planning process are listed below.
On December 17, 1998, the refuge staff met at the Regional Office in Hadley, MA with Refuges and Wildlife and Regional Engineering staff to discuss the availability of options for locating the new headquarters. Dick Dyer, Tony Leger, and Pam Rooney were present from the division of Refuges and Wildlife. David Washburn and Kurt Otting represented the Engineering division. It was agreed to have another meeting in Swanton, VT to establish site criteria and have an opportunity for an on-site visit of potential locations.
On February 3, 1999, a meeting was held at the Methodist Church in Swanton with the following Service staff in attendance: Pam Rooney, Regional Planner; Jackie Barnes, Outdoor Recreation Planner (ORP) at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) at Tinicum NEC; Mark Sweeny, Manager of Northern Maine NWR Complex; Dave Frisque, Missisquoi NWR Acting Refuge Manager; Al Zelley, Missisquoi NWR Wildlife Biologist; Juanita Blaskowski, Missisquoi NWR ORP; and Kurt Otting, Regional Engineering. A tour of potential locations along Tabor Road was provided. The group outlined site criteria, information needs, public involvement and scoping, and prepared a schedule and assignment of responsibilities.
In May and June, four public scoping meetings were held for the purpose of soliciting public input to determine a location for the new headquarters facility. The meeting schedule and locations were:
Thursday, May 20, 1999 - Swanton Public Library, Open House 3pm-7pm, Presentation 7pm-7:30pm, Public Comments 7:30pm-8pm
Wednesday, May 26, 1999 - Highgate Municipal Building, Open House 3pm-7pm,
4 Presentation 7pm-7:30pm, Public Comments 7:30pm-8pm
Thursday, June 3, 1999 - St. Albans City Hall, Open House 3pm-7pm, Presentation 7pm-7:30prn, Public Comments 7:30pm-8pm
Wednesday, June 9, 1999 - Alburg Elementary School, Open House 3pm-7pm, Presentation 7pm-7:30pm, Public Comments 7:30pm-8pm
Notices of the meetings were sent to local and state newspapers, radio stations, and television outlets. Coverage was supplied by several local newspapers including the St. Albans Messenger and the Burlington Free Press, and a local radio station. Notices were posted at many local businesses and gathering spots to help spread the word as well.
The Refuge Manager was present at all four meetings with the Assistant Manager and the Outdoor Recreation Planner present at some of the meetings as well. Attendance was low at all four meetings with very few visitors attending the Open House portion of the meetings. During the Open House, visitors were able to look at posters and photographs relative to the project. The posters were designed to inform the visitor about the objectives and mission of the Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge; the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act; the need for a new headquarters facility; the site selection criteria; the NEPA process relative to selecting a site; and the various alternatives in general detail.
The presentation portions of the meetings were slightly better attended but tum out was still lower than anticipated and hoped for. The most helpful exchange occurred at the Highgate meeting where approximately eight participants provided valuable insights and feedback into the project.
Questionnaires were available at all four meetings so that participants would have the option of providing their input in writing following the meeting. Several individuals took advantage of this. Input was also received by personal communication from a number of people when solicited by refuge staff
A general summary of comments and input received is available in the Environmental Assessment(EA) filed at refuge headquarters. The EA was written to reflect public input and was released for a 21-day comment period from August 30, 1999 to September 21, 1999. Three written comments were received and ten verbal comments were received either by phone or in person. Following a review of the comments, a decision was made to select the Donaldson site as proposed.
Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Program - Due to concerns expressed by refuge staff, state biologists and game wardens, and hunters; a meeting was held at the refuge on June 23, 1999 to discuss ways to boost interest and participation in the Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training
5 Program at the refuge. Attendance has been dwindling in recent years and some had expressed concern that the program is laboring. Participants included:
Juanita Blaskowski - Refuge Staff Bill Crenshaw - State Waterfowl Biologist Ken Eastman - Hunter Joe Eastman - Junior Hunter Dave Frisque - Refuge Staff Dick Hislop - State Game Warden John Kapusta - State Game Warden Brian Kelly - Hunter Rod Kerr - Hunter John Kerr - Junior Hunter Gary Nokes - Hunter Carl Pagel - Hunter Daniel Swainbank- State Game Warden Mark Sweeny - Refuge Staff Skip Thomas - Hunter
The Missisquoi Youth Waterfowl Hunt has the following characteristics. One or two youth are guided by an experienced, adult, waterfowl hunting '~mentor." The youth and mentors attend a one day training session at the refuge and the nearby trap range, where a host of instructors from the refuge, state agencies, and organizations teach them about the elements of successful waterfowl hunting. Part of the instruction takes place at the range where the youths pattern their shotguns and are instructed in shooting at flying targets. At the end of the day, blind sites are drawn to determine who will hunt where and when. The participants are given the most desirable hunting sites on the refuge and get to hunt these sites exclusively for the first five weekends of the waterfowl hunting season. Afterwards, adults may attempt to draw permits for these sites. Mentors and youths, with the assistance of instructors will then spend time building blinds at their assigned sites. Groups rotate through the sites during the youth hunt, but the first group to use a blind site is responsible for building the blind there. Each hunt is a half-day hunt, ending at 11 am. Each youth carries only 25 shells into the blind site. Mentors do not shoot, their job is to instruct, assist, and ensure a safe hunt.
At the June meeting, some of the reasons discussed for the apparent lack of interest in the program included: the facts that everyone, kids and adults, are too busy with life's other activities such as school sports programs in the fall; adults don't have the time or the knowledge to build blinds as has been traditionally done in concert with this program; some of the blind sites are too difficult to access and discourage participation ~ adults are reluctant to give up one or more of their hunting days to mentor a junior hunter; and the program has suffered from lack of, or poor, advertising.
A lot of discussion took place and many recommendations, if enacted, would require changes
6 to the refuge hunting plan and possibly changes to refuge-specific regulations in 50 CFR It was decided that some of the changes would have to wait until the 2000 season, but that other things could be done for the 1999 season such as assisting with blind construction, furnishing participants with blind building materials, getting more complete reports of success as required by the permit, and advertising the program better to attract greater participation from both youths and mentors. Some of the changes that would be considered for the 2000 season and beyond include: hunting from boat blinds instead of post and platform blinds for ease of use and access; allowing mentors some sort of an "incentive" hunt to compensate them for their efforts; reopening the Metcalfe Island portion of the refuge to junior hunting; organize an after-season dinner for the youths and their mentors with awards, stories, etc.; and improving the condition of the "Jeep Trail" access road to make access to blind sites easier.
As discussed in Section H.8., participation for the program was up in 1999 but additional efforts need to be made in 2000.
4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates
Two archaeological investigations were conducted on the refuge in 1999. The first was in conjunction with plans to extend a buried power line from Route 78 to our storage and maintenance building at Mac's Bend. A contract was established with the University of Vermont (UVM) to do the investigation and report. The investigation was conducted in July and results showed significant Native American resources extant in a portion of the area to be traversed by the buried power line. Due to the significance of the find, plans currently call for extending the line as planned from Route 78 about 1/4 mile to the perimeter of the sensitive area and then going above ground for the rest of the route which is about another l /4 mile. At years' end, we are awaiting the receipt of the UVM report, which is still within the contract time frame.
University of Vermont Archaeologist conduct an investigation along Mac' s Bend Road - DJF
7 The second investigation took place as a result of plans by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS) to improve Route 78, including the portion that passes through the refuge. One option under consideration by VTRANS and participating agencies, including the Service, is to move the existing centerline of the road away from the river between refuge headquarters and the Louie's Landing boat launch, a distance of approximately one mile. This would improve water quality and reduce riverbank impacts associated with the existing highway. VTRANS contracted with the University of Maine at Farmington for this investigation. The survey was conducted in September and again significant Native American artifacts were unearthed, most significantly from refuge headquarters and extending a little more than '12 mile north. While that report too, will not be final for some time, VTRANS has abandoned its plan to move the centerline of the highway in this area and is likely to not deviate until it is past the end of the sensitive area.
5. Research and Investigations
The refuge has been involved to varying degrees with on-going research and investigations of wildlife populations, plants and habitats.
Perhaps the most involved from a refuge time and equipment perspective in 1999 was eastern spiny soft shell turtle monitoring. This research is a continuation of research that was initiated in the mid 1990's by the Province of Quebec. The research is designed primarily to identify and define more clearly the habitats critical to the continued survival of this State threatened species. The work has provided answers and clues to areas required for feeding, loafing, nesting, and hibernation. The radio telemetry research has revealed that despite the very mobile nature of this turtle, the Missisquoi NWR and delta provide significant habitats essential to the annual requirements for this species. Planned road and bridge renovation projects in the Missisquoi delta will need to consider this species' needs as construction planning proceeds. ( Section G.2 )
An initial investigation of the great blue heron rookery on Shad Island within the Missisquoi NWR was generated in 1999. An agreement was secured with the University of Vermont to provide a graduate student for the period beginning in late spring and extending through July. The student would monitor great blue heron activity in the nesting colony and record the number of active nests, number of trees used for nesting, productivity, and great blue heron and double crested cormorant behavioral interactions during the nesting/brood rearing period. In addition a ground survey technique would be attempted and transects marked for future refuge use. Prior year refuge attempts were often conducted from adjacent river/lake delta areas and consistently underestimated the number of active nests. The 1999 work will provide a reasonably accurate baseline of information on this largest great blue heron colony in Vermont. Recording double-crested cormorant nesting activity will likewise provide a baseline nesting population using the refuge and allow the refuge to monitor this bird's impact on habitat and other wildlife species as double-crested cormorant numbers increase rapidly in the Lake Champlain basin. ( Section G.4 )
8 The refuge completed its second year of a cooperative investigation and baseline monitoring of marshbird and grassland bird species at the Missisquoi NWR. The cooperative endeavor with Green Mountain Audubon monitors marshbird species at four transects in the refuge and grassland species at two transects in the refuge. In addition, productivity of State endangered osprey populations nesting on the refuge and State threatened nesting black tern populations are also monitored under this cooperative study. Using standardized recordings, a conservation intern from Green Mountain Audubon records "call backs" from marsh species after sending a series of calls via a portable cassette player.
The grassland bird survey simply records singing grassland species along transects. Initiating this survey was prompted by region wide declines in grassland species numbers and concerns over the population status of numerous marshbird species on the refuge. The State of Vermont's Nongame and Natural Heritage Program also funds a person who assists the conservation intern with black tern, osprey and some marshbird work on the refuge.
The neotropical landbird survey continued in 1999. A new recorder, Zoe Richards, was commissioned this year and Biologist Robert (Al) Zelley provided orientation and a walk through of the point count routes on the refuge.
Post graduate student Amy Whipple continued her study of goldenrod species and gall formation in two or three different species of goldenrod. The purpose of her research is to follow and document the changes occurring in the relationship of goldenrod species and host herbivore insects and predatory insects which feed on the herbivore gall larvae. The research proposes more specifically to try to determine if a particular beetle inhabiting different goldenrod species at the plant stem and galls are separate races.
E. ADMlN1STRATION
1. Personnel
Mark Sweeny reported for duty as Refuge Manager on March 14, 1999. Mark transferred from the Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Refuge Operations Specialist Dave Frisque had been Acting Refuge Manager from January 1 until Sweeny arrived. No other personnel changes occurred in 1999.
9 1. 3. 4. 6. 2.
The Missisquoi Staff 5.
l. Mark W. Sweeny - Refuge Manager, GS-12, PFT. EOD 03/15/99
2. David J. Frisque - Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-1 l, PFT.
3. Robert A Zelley - Wildlife Biologist, GS-11 , PFT.
4. Juanita I. Blaskowski - Outdoor Recreation Planner, GS-9, PFT
5. Lisa M. Swainbank - Office Assistant, GS-5, PFT.
6. Norbert G. Blaskowski - Maintenance Worker, WG-7, PFT.
10 TABLE2 REFUGE STAFFING 1995-1999
Number of Employees Year Permanent Temporary Total FI'Es Used
FY99 6 0 5.45
FY98 5 0 5
FY97 5 0 5
FY96 5 0 5.1
FY95 5 0 4.88
2. Youth Programs
The refuge did not officially host any youth program in 1999. However, a crew of young people from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corp. (VTYCC) did spend one week on the refuge and was very helpful with a couple of projects requiring many hands. Brushing 1h mile of an abandoned railroad bed to provide walking access, and removing extensive downed trees and limbs along a shared fence line with an adjacent landowner were two projects completed by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. It's also worth noting that they waged an honorable battle against a beaver colony but lost the war. Beavers had built a dam in the Steven J. Young marsh management area that flooded timber on an upstream neighbor. The VTYCC attempted to breach the dam but the beavers were more persistent in plugging it back up. It was a great lesson for the kids though.
4. Volunteer Program
Volunteers donated 672 hours of manpower to the refuge this year. Some of the tasks worked on were waterfowl banding, brood surveys, trail clearing, painting, blind building and special events including International Migratory Bird Day, National Fishing Week Derby, the Greenwing Day, and an Open House sponsored by the Friends of Missisquoi Refuge. Members of the Community Action Team from Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Company assisted refuge staff in painting the maintenance building, old shop and storage building and clearing brush on the nature trail. Their efforts were greatly appreciated, as the painting and trail clearing would not have been completed this year without their contribution oflabor.
11 5. Funding
Funding for fiscal years, 1995 to 1999 are tabulated below.
TABLE3 Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Funding for FYs 1995-99
Fund Type FY99 FY98 FY97 FY96 FY95
Minimum Level 315, 100 255,200 239,100 215,534 203,121
M'MS Projects 20,000 25,000 17,500 22,700
MMS-Blazer 25,000
Fire 2,000 500
Wildlife Population 1,140
OtherO&M 38,600 20,800
Volunteers 600 500
Habitat Funds 11,000
TotaJs 338,240 305,200 256,600 265,734 247,621
6. Safety
The refuge did not conduct formal quarterly safety meetings in 1999. However numerous safety issues were identified, discussed and remedied during the year.
Asbestos-containing panels located in the ceiling of the headquarters garage were identified using self-adhesive vinyl placards. The panels were sealed and painted many years ago, but to insure that the panels were not disturbed, placards were installed per instruction of the 1997 Environmental Review Audit conducted at Missisquoi NWR Another project identified in the 1997 Environmental Audit review involved reinforcement of shelving in the refuge oil shed. The shelving supports heavy objects such as five gallon gasoline cans, boat gas cans and similar objects. Shelving thickness was doubled to a thickness of one inch to meet audit requirements. The shelving and panel labeling were the final items identified by the audit
12 review team needing correction. Missisquoi NWR needs to complete a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan and update its MSDS file to meet all elements of the Environmental Audit Review.
The refuge hosted the summer session of the Motorboat Operators Certification Course(MOCC) in Region 5. Two sessions were provided in July. The refuge assisted the Regional Course instructors with a variety of logistic and supply endeavors. The proximity of lake and river water sources greatly assisted timely completion of this course. More than forty students completed the MOCC during these sessions, including 3 refuge staff (Frisque, N. Blaskowski, and Zelley).
One accident involving a refuge staff person occurred in December. The accident involved free roaming dogs and resulted in a dog bite. The staff biologist involved in the incident had recently been inoculated with the rabies series, but received antibiotics in case of infection. The dogs were restrained by the Biologist and the local animal control officer took custody of the animals. The animal control officer was able to obtain verification from the dog' s owner that all canine vaccinations were current.
A second accident involving a refuge visitor occurred during the summer and involved a tripping incident which resulted in a fractured wrist. The incident occurred on the Maquam Creek Nature Trail. Exposed roots from numerous shallow rooted trees caused an elderly woman using the trail to trip and fall. Falling forward the visitor tried to catch herself using outstretched hands. The fracture occurred when her hands impacted the ground. The refuge administered first aid, after which a daughter who had been accompanying the elderly woman drove her to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Follow up calls to the refuge visitor indicated that the fracture was healing well and the pain had subsided significantly.
7. Technical Assistance
Refuge staff was not involved with any significant off-refuge habitat or wildlife population work in 1999. The station did assist 0th.er members of the Eastern Spiny Soft Shell Turtle monitoring group with observations and data collection throughout the delta.
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General
Missisquoi NWR has a total of 6,517 acres. This acreage is comprised primarily of palustrine wetlands (5876 acres), but grasslands, woodlands, brushlands, and croplands are also included.
The Missisquoi Delta usually supports large stands of wild rice, but wild rice growth in 1999
13 was outstanding! Due to the low water levels present throughout the refuge and delta, germination and growth conditions were excellent and wild rice greatly expanded its presence throughout the refuge.
Due to the extensive wetland habitat available and its importance to locally breeding and migrating waterfowl, management attention is given to these habitats. Management of other habitats, primarily grasslands, has been limited to haying, mowing and prescribed burning. Some early successional stage woodlands are rotationally cut to enhance habitat for species such as woodcock and songbird species requiring this type of habitat.
Waterfowl use and production have been primary goals of habitat management on the Refuge since its establishment in 1943. The extensive nest box program is one management effort used to increase production. Water level control in Cranberry Pool is aimed at providing increased feeding, breeding and resting areas for waterfowl.
However, the refuge is also providing habitat for a very diverse wildlife population. Significant populations of other migratory birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates benefit from the diversity of habitat and food and cover provided.
Areas such as the Maquam Bog are unique habitats on the Refuge used not only by waterfowl, but also by state endangered and threatened species and species of concern.
2. Wetlands
Wetland units within the Missisquoi NWR were affected significantly in 1999 by the lack of spring and summer precipitation and warm temperatures. Reduced winter runoff also contributed to low initial spring water levels in many wetland units because flooding recharge did not occur in these units. Cranberry Pool, the refuge's principal waterfowl feeding and resting wetland, and its only manageable unit, was especially impacted by these conditions. The planned management water elevations were achieved for only a very short period of time in April and early May. Beginning on May 12 water levels receded below planned levels and continued to recede due to evapotranspiration until Cranberry Pool was essentially dry on August 1. Emergent vegetation was dense and robust. The predominant emergent plant was wild rice. Wild rice occupies up to 75% of Cranberry pool and provides excellent food for waterfowl and other wetland species. Decaying wild rice plant material also provides an excellent substrate for macro invertebrate populations, important to breeding hen wetlands species and broods. Despite the low water levels in the Missisquoi delta in 1999, managed units like Cranberry Pool were able to provide better water conditions than most wetland units without water control capability. Wetland units in general, but Cranberry Pool in particular, did recover in late summer and fall when rainfall incidents increased and watershed flows elevated the flow in the Missisquoi River. Stoplogs were removed from the water control structure at Cranberry Pool allowing flow from the river into the pool. Water levels inside the pool recovered somewhat by the end of September, and achieved an elevation slightly below
14 planned levels by mid-October. Cranberry Pool did not achieve planned water elevation in the fall but enough water was retained to provide migratory birds, particularly waterfowl with an adequate feeding and resting area.
Other wetland units without management capability such as Big Marsh Slough and Goose Bay Pool were impacted more significantly by the dry conditions in 1999. These units have no functioning water control structures and are therefore entirely dependent on spring flooding and precipitation for their water supply. Incomplete dike structures are present on these units and recent beaver activity (dam construction) at other areas of these units help to retain, somewhat, water levels above the surrounding delta. Because these units are located immediately adjacent to Missisquoi Bay, water levels are susceptible to changes that occur in the Bay. Large areas of these units were dry by mid summer, limiting brood rearing and feeding areas for many species. Ever-expanding dense stands of wild rice and other emergent plants in concert with warmer than normal temperatures increased evapotranspiration rates which undoubtedly contributed to the rapid declines in available water. Numerous small ditches and "potholes,, retained water throughout the summer and were used by waterfowl broods and other species. These units however, like Cranberry Pool, were not as productive as they generally would have been in a normal precipitation year. Despite water recovery in the fall, waterfowl use declined.
Soil and vegetation exposed at the mouth of the delta due to low water - DJF
Marsh units directly connected to the Missisquoi Bay delta were the most negatively impacted by the dry conditions in 1999. Refuge units such as Long Marsh, Saxes Pothole, Burtons Pothole and Metcalfe Pothole completely or nearly completely dried up. The dry conditions in Long Marsh and Burtons pothole in particular may have impacted results of the refuge marshbird survey by limiting researcher access to some survey points. The difficult access
15 also makes accurate productivity surveys for osprey and black terns more difficult. Goose Bay and Gander Bay both experienced exposed mud flats extending out as far as 40 yards from the wooded delta shoreline. Again, emergent plant species took advantage of these environmental conditions to expand their coverage. Wild rice, soft stem bulrush and cattail were the most prevalent species.
S. Grasslands
Station grassland units did not require much management effort in 1999. Prescribed burning was limited to the Cranberry Pool dike and Goose Bay Pool dike. Grass response was significant on the slopes and tops of both dikes. A portion of a larger grassland unit was mowed late in the summer to stress woody plant encroachment. The grassland unit located on the island portion of the refuge will continue to receive treatment either by mowing or prescribed burning in 2000.
Much of the remaining grassland habitat on the refuge is part of the refuge haying program. These units function as grassland habitat through the critical migratory bird nesting and brood rearing season. Bobolinks, meadowlarks, Savannah sparrows, and lesser numbers of other species use these haying units for nesting and brood rearing because they are undisturbed through at least late July.
Grassland acreage on one refuge easement (Rock River) was also treated in 1999. The landowner, in lieu of payment for haying on 20 acres of the easement acreage, mowed approximately S acres of dense goldenrod and small woody vegetation adjacent to a Service wetland restoration site. The mowing treatment should encourage a greater variety of species hopefully with a good grass component.
8. Haying
Refuge haying units function much of the year as grassland units and are reliable habitat for a variety of migratory and resident species. Cooperative farmers are not allowed to cut the units until July 1S, providing ample time for most species to finish nesting and brood rearing. The herbaceous composition of most haying units is not particularly good from a livestock forage perspective and therefore most of our cooperative farmers wait until they finish a second cutting of their own fields before beginning refuge units.
One cooperator frost seeded a portion of one haying unit with a clover in 1999. The extremely dry conditions in the spring and summer limited germination despite a heavy seeding rate.
9. Fire Management
Prescribed fire was applied to the Goose Bay Dike and the Cranberry Pool Dike in 1999. The
16 dikes were burned in April to retard establishment of woody plants. The bum on the Cranberry Pool Dike was probably the best in terms of results obtained due to the lower lake level. This allowed the fire to burn down to the toe of the dike slopes. A small over achievement occurred on the north end of the impoundment where the fire spread into about 1 acre of marsh edge.
10. Pest Control
In early summer, 1999 Galerucella beetles were released on purple loosestrife plants in the Maquam Marsh portion of the refuge. The beetles dispersed into the purple loosestrife but little obvious feeding activity could be documented later in the summer. The extreme conditions which exist in the delta region of Lake Champlain seem to inhibit beetle activity for more than one season. High winds, ice jams, drifting snow, cold temperatures, and inundation, sometimes prolonged inundation of much of the refuge in the spring, and apparently prevents overwintering of Galerucella beetles and any meaningful growth of these beetle populations. Annual releases of beetles and/or weevils would be necessary to ever achieve any kind of biological control of purple loosestrife. It is questionable whether purple loosestrife, while wide spread in the refuge delta, is dense enough to sustain beetle or weevil populations even ifpopulations were able to successfully overwinter in the delta. Biological control of purple loosestrife was initiated in 1995 and has not produced any obvious reduction in purple loosestrife distribution or density. Observations of water levels in the delta and purple loosestrife response seem to indicate that water levels that are elevated above normal during the peak growing season (late spring/early summer) reduce purple loosestrife vigor significantly. Prolonged dry conditions over the same growing season period however, provide expanded vigor in this exotic plant species. Larger flowering spikes are obvious in dry years that will likely produce more seed dropped into excellent germinating conditions. The refuge may have to seek other control measures to insure that purple loosestrife does not colonize larger areas of the refuge delta.
The refuge is monitoring expanding populations of zebra mussels and water chestnut in Lake Champlain. Water chestnut is well established in southern portions of the Lake and has been observed moving north. No plants were recorded on the refuge. Likewise zebra mussels have not been observed in the refuge, but this species is present throughout the Lake Champlain area including some of the rivers. The sand/silt composition of the lake and river bottom in the delta provides a minimum of attachment sites for the zebra mussel veligers. So far, no freshwater bivalves have had attached zebra mussels in the Missisquoi River and delta areas.
J2 . Wilderness and Special Areas
The refuge has two designated Research Natural areas, Shad Island (114 acres) and Maquam Bog (890 acres). Shad Island was established in 1967 and is home to the largest great blue heron colony in Vermont. The Maquam bog is the largest acid, sphagnum bog in Vermont. The Maquam bog is home to the Virginia chain fem, a state threatened species and the largest
17 population of the shrub, Rhodora in Vermont. The morphology of the bog is similar to that found in bog communities in the coastal plains of the Northeastern U.S. from Maine to New Jersey.
Wilderness designation was re-visited in 1999. The Service sought to designate a 620-acre portion of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness. The proposed area is the same area proffered in the mid 1970's as a possible wilderness area. It includes the 114 acre Shad Island Research Natural Area and much of the delta between Shad Island and Goose Bay to the edge of the Missisquoi River. The 1999 Service effort, part of the Administration's Land Legacy Initiative sought to transmit to Congress proposals previously recommended by past Administrations with minimal changes. Local opposition to wilderness consideration was a primary impetus in the mid 1970's, curtailing any support by the Vermont Congressional delegation to move this measure forward. For many of the same reasons as existed in the initial initiatives as well as new environmental developments affecting this proposed wilderness, the refuge provided a proposal that did not support including the 620- acre area on the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge as part of the package that would be submitted to Congress. After some negotiations with the Region 5 Regional Office, the Washington Office, and Vermont's Congressional staff, the Service elected to support the refuge decision to remove the land from wilderness consideration at this time.
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity
Wildlife diversity was supported through the continued maintenance of blue bird nest boxes, erection of osprey nest platforms and protection of nest trees. One additional platform was erected in Big Marsh Slough for osprey. A second pole in Big Marsh Slough was erected but the platform was not added.
An intern was employed again in 1999 to monitor non-game species on the refuge. Surveys for marsh and water birds, ospreys, and grassland nesting songbirds were conducted. The internship was jointly funded by the Service and the Green Mountain Audubon Society.
Invertebrates are a class of wildlife not mentioned below. The Missisquoi River supports a significant diversity of fresh water mussels. Mussel populations are threatened around the Lake Champlain Basin due to the invasion of zebra mussels into Lake Champlain. To date, the zebra mussels have not appeared in the Missisquoi Bay or tributary rivers.
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
Federally-listed Species Several Bald Eagle sightings occurred during the year. These sightings were noted during the
18 first week of June when 3 eagles were in the area. Undocumented reports of eagles were received during the summer and fall.
State-listed Species Several state-listed species use the Refuge. Those with State endangered status are the osprey and common loon. Threatened status species observed on the Refuge are the common tern, upland sandpiper, Eastern spiny soft-shelled turtle and the Vrrginia chain-fem.
The refuge cooperated with the Vermont and the Province of Quebec with the collecting of information about the Eastern Spiny Soft Shell Turtle. Radio transmitters had been attached to several turtles in 1998. The movements of these turtles were monitored by personnel from the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office, the Missisquoi NWR, State of Vermont Non-game and Natural Heritage Program, and the Ministre de !'environment Province of Quebec.
The turtle tracking effort helped to confirm locations of breeding sites in Vermont. The old federal fish hatchery site on Sandy Point near the refuge is one of these sites.
The turtles are also using the deep water near the Swanton-Alburg bridge as their winter hibemaculum. This information may have some importance to plans to replace this antiquated bridge in the near future.
Vermont State Zoologist Mark Ferguson tracking the Eastern Spiny Softshell turtle with radio transmitters - DJF
Black Terns nest on the Missisquoi Delta wetlands. The wetlands of the Missisquoi Delta support the largest population of Black Terns in Vermont. (Part 5 below)
Invertebrates, particularly native mussels are a class of wildlife that until recently have not
19 been properly considered for protection. It is likely that contaminants, sedimentation, and other hannful human activities have adversely impacted these populations, the advance of zebra mussel infestation in the Lake Champlain Basin however, has severely impacted native mussels in portions of the basin prompting more immediate action. To promote and protect these imperiled native mussels the VT Agency of Natural Resources has listed seven of the fourteen species of native mussels in the Basin as endangered or threatened. Five of the seven listed species occur on the refuge, and are listed below ~
1. Giant Floater- Threatened 2. Pocketbook - Endangered 3. Black Sandshell - Endangered 4. Fragile Papershell- Endangered 5. Pink Heelsplitter-Endangered
3. Waterfowl
Waterfowl populations were impacted by the dry conditions which existed from late spring through early fall. Waterfowl composition and numbers were near normal in the spring and waterfowl production also seemed to be at or near normal for both cavity nesters and ground nesting species. The prolonged dry conditions did impact brood rearing habitats by reducing and, in a few small marsh units, completely eliminating water in preferred cover. It is likely that predation on waterfowl broods was elevated through the summer as broods concentrated in remaining habitat where water was available. Fall waterfowl migration was most impacted by dry conditions. Traditional daily migration patterns which have waterfowl using adjacent agricultural fields for feeding and refuge marsh units for loafing and resting were not realized as in past years. Reduced agricultural grain production in the Province of Quebec and in Franklin County, Vermont coupled with early harvest and early cultivation of some agricultural units, may have hastened the changes in daily movements of waterfowl. Extensive growth of emergent food plants in the delta may have also contributed to changes in fall migration. As normal precipitation returned in late September and October, increasing amounts of emergent food plants became available to waterfowl throughout the Missisquoi delta and Lake Champlain. Wild rice, beggars tick and various bulrush species all had excellent seed production in 1999. As water levels returned to normal, this food source became available to waterfowl, modifying again traditional use patterns. Not until mid to late November of the mild autumn did waterfowl seem to return to more traditional daily migration patterns.
4. Marsh and Water Birds
The refuge completed its second year of a cooperative agreement with Green Mountain Audubon. A conservation intern completed a series of transects through various marsh communities to document presence of various marsh/water birds in these habitats. Virginia rails, sora rails, moorhens, pied-billed grebes, American bitterns and marsh wrens were audibly
20 detected in the 1999 survey. The survey is a call back procedure using recorded marsh bird calls transmitted via cassette tape/player.
In addition to the marsh /wading bird survey the intern assisted Vennont Fish & Wild.life personnel and contract personnel with black tern breeding and osprey breeding surveys. The refuge provides excellent habitat for State threatened black terns and State endangered osprey. Black terns use a variety of marsh units for nesting depending on water conditions and emergent vegetation present. The majority (95+%) of black terns in Vermont nest on the refuge.
Great Blue Herons have nested on the Missisquoi NWR since the l 940's, at least, although there were some years when no mention was made of them in old narrative reports. The rookery has been regularly monitored since the late l 970's. Past population estimates have ranged from 200 to 300 nests. In January 1999, an exact count of all nests in the rookery was made by walking through the rookery. A total of 444 nests were counted. It was not possible to differentiate between Great Blue Heron nests and Cormorant nests on this count. However, this was still double the rough estimate of about 200 nests for Great Blue Herons that was based on observations during the onset of the nesting season from outside the colony.
Double-crested Connorants have been nesting among the Great Blue Herons since 1996. The cormorants first appeared at the rookery in 1994 but did not nest until 1996. Due to concerns that the cormorant population might grow and result in severe habitat degradation and possibly the displacement of the herons, more effort to accurately measure and monitor these populations was initiated in 1999. University of Vermont graduate student Michelle Hill worked throughout the nesting season and during the post nesting period to assess the populations of herons and cormorants, observe interspecific behavior, and survey nest trees and their condition. The following table summarizes Ms. Hill's nest count results during the 1999 nesting season.
TABLE4. 1999 Cormorant and Great Blue Heron Nests
Great Blue Herons Connorants Unknown 581 I 34 6 I
Every nest tree was tagged with a number and the number of nests in each tree was recorded during the nesting season. Since nest counts are easier and have been traditionally done at times when the trees are bare, the biologist recounted all nests in these trees in the fall to see how much variation would result from the exact count made in the Spring. A total of 586 nests were counted. It was not possible to differentiate with certainty between cormorant nests and heron nests that may have deteriorated since the Spring. The fall count represents 94 percent of what was observed during the nesting season. This indicates that a fall count of
21 nests could provide a reasonably accurate estimate of the size of the nesting population of herons and cormorants. Some counting in the rookery is necessary to differentiate between the species population sizes.
The Great Blue Heron Rookery fledged an average of 2.9 young per nest.
Double-crested Cormorant nests totaled 34 in 1999. The table below shows nesting population estimates from 1996 to present.
TABLES. Double-crested Cormorants 1996 to 1999
Year #nests
1999 34 1998 32 1997 22 1996 15
Of the 34 cormorant nests that were started in 1999, only one nest was successful and fledged four young. The reason for the low success rate of the cormorants on Shad Island in 1999 is unknown. It was a hot summer and the lake level was lower than usual. However, the wading birds such as the Great Blue Herons had a productive breeding season.
A complete count of nests on Shad Island was done in November to compare the number that would be found to the exact count that had been done in the Spring. A total of 586 nests were counted. This compares with the total of 621 nests counted in the Spring. Ifwe had to rely on a fall nest count we might count about 94 percent of the nests. It is not possible to discriminate with certainty between heron nests and cormorant nests after the breeding season.
22 5. Shorebirds. Gulls. Terns and Allied Species TABLE6. Breeding Pairs of Black Terns in Vermont 1990-1999
Year Missisquoi Memphremagog Dead Creek P opu 1a tion Popu If a ion p opu1 a ti. on 1990 37 4 17 1991 50 4 17 1992 75 4 16 1993 63 unk unk 1994 63 2 9 1995 56 5 3 1996 34 3 7
1997 53 5 I 1998 72 3 2 1999 97 3 0
The Missisquoi Population includes the Mud Creek Wildlife Management Area and First Creek in the Maquam Wildlife Management Area. These two areas are on State Lands. In 1999, there were three breeding pairs counted on these two areas. The other 94 breeding pairs were on marshes in the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.
The distribution of Black Tern breeding pairs in 1999 was as follows:
TABLE 7 L ocat1on B ree dmg. P.airs Charcoal Creek North 24
Charcoal Creek South 10
Cranbeny Pool 8 Big Marsh 33
Goose Bay 10 Long Marsh 9
23 With the help of our intern, Shiloh Schulte, the occurrence and relative abundance of several breeding marsh and water birds was monitored through a point count type of survey. Pied-billed Grebes were detected throughout the refuge. The greatest abundance of them seemed to be in Goose Bay and Cranberry Pool. Other species monitored on these marsh bird routes were Common Snipe, Common Moorhen, Sora Rails, Virginia Rails, and American Bitterns.
6. Raptors
Eagles One to three bald eagles may occur on the refuge at any time during the year. Reported sightings peaked in the late Spring with one adult and three immature bald eagles.
Osprey Since I 988, the refuge osprey population has gradually increased. A total of 13 nesting pairs were using the refuge in 1999. Of these, 5 nests were on platforms with the others being on trees. An effort to attach flashing for predator shields to the nest trees was made. However there were a few tree nests that were not protected during this nesting season.
TABLES Reproductive success of ospreys on the Missisquoi NWR and Maquam Wildlife Mana2ement Area from 1991-1999. ( Dashes indicate no data was available.• Nest Locations 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 First Creek (MWMA) ---- 2 3 3 -- 3 2 0 Charcoal Creek (South) ------0 3 Charcoal Creek (North) ------0 2 ? Cranberry Pool (West) -- 0 0 3 0 -- 2 2 2 Cranberry Pool (South) ------1 Dead Creek ------0 0 Goose Bay (Center) ------2 Goose Bay (West) ------2 0 Metcalfe Island (North) ------0 2 1 Long Marsh Center-East 3 2 1 3 I -- I 3 3 Long Marsh Center-West -- _,_ ------3 0 Long Marsh South-East ------0 -- 2 3 2 Long Marsh South ------0 Total Fledglings 3 2 3 9 4 -- 8 19 14
24 Osprey nest locations in 1999 are shown on the following map:
I L 4 ltF I l' AM ~LAIN I L A JtC I t I N I ~ ,. .... ·- !."rr.-,. '"!... ..--
0 ...:t.
M tSBISOUOI _.,.ct .... l • tl0'-1r1 •rrvor '1''
OPUtAT ING M AP •• ~-..":f.=-:• 0 _.t--,-=. -T=.:·· t-· -· -- .... ,., ... r-
Legend: 1. First Creek, MWMA (off refuge) 8. Goose Bay (West) 2. Charcoal Creek (South) 9. Metcalfe Island (North) 3. Charcoal Creek (North) 10. Long Marsh Center-East 4. Cranberry Pool (West) 11. Long Marsh Center-West 5. Cranberry Pool (South) 12. Long Marsh South-East 6. Dead Creek 13. Long Marsh South 7. Goose Bay Center 14. Saxes Creek
25 Other Hawks
The most common raptors using the Refuge are the northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, and great homed owl. These are present most of the year. Kestrels are viewed frequently on the utility lines along the hayfields of Tabor Road and Route 78. Red tailed hawks and harriers hunt the fields along the Missisquoi and around Cranberry Pool and Big Marsh Slough/Goose Bay Pool.
Year around residents that are not seen as often include Barred Owls, Great Homed Owls, Barn Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Red-shouldered Hawks. During the winter Rough-legged Hawks, Screech Owls, and Snowy Owls move onto the Refuge from further north. Screech Owls use duck nesting structures during the winter, as their pellets and small mammal carcasses testify. During migration, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Mertins, and Turkey Vultures are occasionally seen. Turkey Vultures have become common during most of the year.
Winter residents include Barred Owls, Great Homed Owls, and occasionally a Snowy Owl.
7. Other Migratory Birds
Two areas were sampled for grassland birds in 1999. A route of nine points was set up near State Highway 78. Another route consisting of 17 points was set up in the fields along Tabor Road. The most abundant species were Red-winged Blackbirds, Bobolinks, and Tree Swallows.
During the winter months songbird species such as brown creeper, white-breasted nuthatch, black-capped chickadee, and downy, hairy, and pileated woodpeckers search for food in the wooded swamps. Songbird activity increases in mid-February as a few species return from their wintering grounds.
Blue bird nest boxes are located around the borders of refuge fields. So far, no blue bird use has occurred. The boxes are mainly occupied by tree swallows.
The refuge fields support a breeding population of Bobolinks. The fields are not mowed until after July 15th to allow time for any nestlings to fledge.
8. Game Mammals
Approximately 15 beaver lodges were active on the refuge in 1999. Beaver populations seem to be stable to increasing slowly over the past few years. Beaver have been important as dam builders on numerous portions of the refuge, assisting with water retention and small marsh creation/restoration particularly in dry years. Damage to hiking trails and water control structures however has resulted in the removal of some nuisance animals in 1999.
26 Muskrat population were not recorded in 1999. Trapping harvest field checks and harvest reports from trappers indicate healthy populations are present on the refuge. No obvious signs of overpopulation (marsh vegetation damage) were observed.
River otters continue to do well on the refuge. While seldom observed, slides observed in the mud and snow indicate a small but stable population is present on the refuge. River otter are not trapped on the refuge.
Raccoon, coyote, and red fox are present and populations seem to be maintaining themselves at a stable level. Only raccoons can be legally harvested on portions of the refuge during the trapping season.
Whitetail deer populations remain stable on the refuge. Two separate areas on the refuge are known to serve as wintering areas harboring up 100 animals.
10. Other Resident Wildlife
The most common resident amphibian is the Northern Leopard Frog. The Missisquoi delta supports prolific populations of these ')olly jumpers" in normal years. Frog populations in general were reduced considerably in 1999 because of the near drought conditions. Shallow marshes often dried up before tadpoles had matured enough to migrate to more permanent water. Summer populations were down significantly because of these larval stage loses.
Snapping turtles are frequently encountered in June when females are found laying eggs near gravel roads, parking lots and on exposed gravel/sandbars along the river banks.
Spiny softshell turtles and map turtles are commonly observed basking on logs along the banks of the Missisquoi River.
Freshwater mussels are abundant in and adjacent to the refuge. Seven of the 14 different species found in the Lake Champlain Basin are State listed as threatened or endangered. Many individual mussels fell victim to the rapidly declining water levels through the summer, desiccating in the shallow pools as they dried up. Herring gulls and black backed gulls were observed picking up small individual mussels and dropping them 15-20 ft. onto exposed logs in an attempt to crack the shells.
14. Scientific Collections
Goldenrod galls were collected as part of a study by a Bucknell University student, Amy Whipple. Ms. Whipple is studying host shift phenomena in the insect species causing the gall formation.
27 15. Animal Control
The station did not engage in any specific animal control activities using refuge personnel. The refuge however did allow the New York and Vennont Health Departments to conduct a rabies bait drop in the refuge as part of a larger Franklin County and Northern Vermont, Northern New York rabies bait drop program. The province of Quebec, Canada, funded the aerial bait drop along prescribed routes in an attempt to curtail the northward movement of rabies into Quebec. The on-going rabies bait drop program began in 1997 in Vennont after a two-year trial in northern New York. The program has met with some limited success. Live trapping of raccoons, for which the rabies vaccine is designed, indicates a gradual increase in the number of raccoons which have been vaccinated after consuming the bait. It is still unclear however whether the bait drop program will provide enough vaccinated animals to prevent widespread rabies occurrence in Quebec.
16. Marking and Banding
Pre-season waterfowl banding was not as productive as normal. The extremely low water levels had a severe impact on our ability to position swim-in traps in habitat used by waterfowl. The exposed flats of the delta and shallow water made the traps susceptible to raccoon harassment. Trap re-location was necessary throughout the banding period. The cannon net site on the dike at Cranberry Pool was never successful deployed because of the lack of water in the pool. Even with a bumper crop of wild rice in this impoundment, waterfowl were not attracted because of the absence of water. Waterfowl activity had shifted already in August to other delta locations where conditions were more favorable.
TABLE9 l 999 Wate rn ow I B an din~ Tabl e Res ult s SPECIES AGE MALE FEMALp TOTAL American Black Duck HY 0 1 1 American Black Duck AHY 1 0 1
Mallard HY 3 10 13 Mallard AHY 11 9 20 Mall X Black Hybrid HY I 0 I Mall X Black Hybrid AHY 1 0 1 Wood Duck HY 4 2 6 Wood Duck AHY 0 1 I Total 21 23 44
28 H. PUBLIC USE
1. General
On September 251h , the Friends ofMissisquoi National Wildlife Refuge hosted an Open House at the Refuge. Approximately 100 people attended the event. The many participants included: The Green Mountain Audubon Society, State Office of National Audubon and Rutland Audubon Chapters, the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center, the Lake Champlain Walleye Association, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Missisquoi River Basin Program, Birds of Vermont Museum, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Swanton Historical Society, Vermont Non-Game and Natural Heritage Program, Lake Champlain Decoys, the St.Albans Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office. Ben Carlson, winner of the Best of Show for the State of Vermont and third place national winner in the Junior Duck Stamp Competition was recognized for his superb scratch board rendition of Greater Scaup. Ceramic tiles depicting his winning entry were presented to dedicated Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Program volunteers Bill Crenshaw and Dean Creps. Jim Shallow of Vermont Audubon presented Refuge Manager Sweeny with a plaque recognizing Missisquoi Refuge as an Important Bird Area. It was a great day to highlight the work of the Refuge and local conservation organizations and individuals. We were very fortunate to have many contributions of door prizes and refreshments for our guests. Local Boy Scouts and volunteers helped with leading nature hikes, a guided canoe trip, bird banding demonstration, popping popcorn, assisting youngsters with their arts and crafts projects, and cleaning up. The Open House was a great forum for the Friends of the Missisquoi Refuge to recruit new members and for Refuge Manager Sweeny to talk about the Refuge and the new headquarters.
Friends Display & Friend Chris Sweeny at Refuge Open House - FB
29 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students
The one and a half mile Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail was lightly used by local schools this year. Approximately 314 students toured the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail and 86 students used the Stephen J. Young Marsh for wetland education activities.
3. Outdoor Classrooms -Teachers
On April 23rd, Cub Scout Den #4 and their families enjoyed a woodcock walk. There were 25 people in attendance.
On May 14th, ORP Blaskowski spoke to 50 first and second grade students from St.Albans city Elementary School about the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System before they toured the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail as part of their study on birds and their habitats.
On May 20th, 23 fifth-grade students from the St.Albans City Elementary School used the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail to conduct a study on migratory birds and their habitats.
On May 25th, Grng Simard, a refuge volunteer, led a group of30 Swanton Elementary School students on a wildlife investigation along the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail.
On May 26th, Biologist Al Zelley led a field trip for 43 third grade students and conducted wetland investigation activities at the Stephen J. Young Marsh.
On June 2nd, ORP Blaskowski spoke to 50 kindergarten students from the Swanton Elementary School about the refuge and the upcoming National Fishing Week Derby before they toured the nature trail to explore a wetland habitat. They had a great time and went home with a Mark Trail coloring book.
On June 2nd, 45 fifth and sixth grade students from the Georgia Elementary School toured the nature trail as part of their study of wetlands.
On June 4th, Biologist Al Zelley conducted wetlands investigation activities at the Stephen J. Young Marsh for 43 fifth-grade students from the Fairfax Elementary School.
On August 23rc1, ORP Blaskowski spoke to eight students and three counselors from Shelburne Farms about wildlife management practices at Missisquoi Refuge prior to their tour of the nature trail. After they toured the trail, they canoed out to the great blue heron rookery at Shad Island.
On October 1", 15 preschool children and four chaperones from the All My Children Day
30 Care Center in St.Albans toured the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail and went home with great memories and a Mark Trail coloring book.
4. Interpretive Foot Trails
Approximately 3, 173 people used the interpretive foot trails during the year. The Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trail which is self-guided and has a brochure with a map has the most use. The Stephen J. Young Marsh is experiencing more public use and the Mac's Bend Road continues to get used for wildlife observation and people walking for exercise.
7. Other Interpretive Programs
On January 81h, ORP Blaskowski visited the "Voyager Wax Museum" at the Swanton Central School. Third grade students interviewed local merchants and town officials and ORP Blaskowski and then represented them as wax museum characters. Fred Grisgraber and Matt Underwood represented Juanita, the ORP. By standing on a button in front of the wax representative, the model became activated and told the story of the person they portrayed. They memorized their lines perfectly and had the prototype of"T.R.", America's Teddy Bear on display. It was "T.R.s" first public appearance and he was a big hit.
On February 2nd, ORP Blaskowski presented the video, "America's Wetlands" to 24 sixth grade students at the Highgate Elementary School. She held a discussion on the importance of wetlands and Missisquoi Refuge and then showed the video.
On March 8th, ORP Blaskowski presented the video "Wetland Homes" to 24 sixth-grade students at the Highgate Elementary School. The presentation of the video reinforced the importance of wetlands to wildlife and humans. Two videos, "Get Busy-How Kids Can Save the Planet" and "The Canada Goose Story'' were loaned to the school for viewing later in the month.
On March 15th, ORP Blaskowski presented the video ''Two Little Owls" to 22 fourth grade students in the St.Albans Educational Center. The videos, "Dolphins and Frogs," "Coyotes," ''In Praise of Wolves," and ''Reptiles and Amphibians" were loaned to the class for viewing later in the month.
Benjamin Carlson, 17 of West Burke and a junior at Lyndon Institute, placed third in the national judging of the 1999 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Competition. Ben's winning entry was a scratch board rendering of a Greater Scaup floating amongst the reeds. He was accompanied by his mother, Alia Thabit; art teacher, Barbarah Follette; and ORP Blaskowski on a trip to Washington, D.C. in November. Director Jamie Rappaport Clark presented Ben with a plaque prior to the judging of the Federal Duck Stamp contest. Margaret Wendy, Duck Stamp Marketing and Sales Manager, Terry Bell, Special Events Coordinator and Georgia Bednar, Program Manager Assistant did an outstanding job with the celebration
31 preparations. The attendees were very impressed and appreciative of their efforts and the winners surely deserved the honors.
Director Clark presenting Vermont Jr. Duck Stamp Contest winner Benjamin Carlson with a special award - JB
ORP Blaskowski is the Fish and Wildlife Service Program Manager for the Federal Women' s Program Council of Vermont. The Council sponsored a Women's History Month art contest open to students in grades 4-6 in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties. The subject was Mother Theresa, Rosa Parks, Joan of Arc and Rachel Carson. The winning images were made into trading cards. Each winner received a supply of the winning entries to share with their families and friends. The pastel drawing of Rachel Carson was matted and framed with the trading card displayed below the portrait. The artist, Rachel Cronin, sixth grade student at the Georgia Elementary School, was very proud of her artwork being put on display at the Rachel Carson Lodge at the National Conservation Training Center. Rachel Cronin was inspired to depict Rachel Carson after viewing the video, "Silent Spring."
32 RACHEL CARSON 1907 - 1964 Tlw'Ough Rac;llll c.rson·a wr~ng .n. helped alOp "'9 .... ol ~.,,. --ha
Women, s History Month art contest winner
During the month of March, 23 sixth-grade students at the Georgia Elementary School viewed the following videos borrowed from the Refuge, "The Wealth in Wetlands," "America's Wetlands," and "Silent Spring."
March 30th - The judging of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Competition was held at the Old Foundry Restaurant in St.Albans. There were 392 entries received, down 67 from 1998. The judges were Madeleine Lyttle, Chris Smith, Cherie Lasher, Marti Leech and Skip Thomas.
During the month of April, 48 third grade students at the Highgate Elementary School viewed the following Refuge loaner videos, ''Man of the Trees," "Do Your Part," ''The Lorax," and "Dolphins and Frogs."
On May 4th, eighth grade student, Autum Peche from Bellows Free Academy - Fairfax, shadowed ORP Blaskowski, assisting her in a program on amphibians presented to 24 first grade students at the Highgate Elementary.
On May 6th, ORP Blaskowski presented a program on the importance of wetlands to 18 sixth grade students at the Georgia Elementary School.
1 On May 8 \ Refuge Manager Sweeny and volunteer Jon Zurit led a canoe trip thru the Refuge for 25 people in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. One of the women participating in the trek was nine months pregnant and gave birth the following day. We were
33 all grateful that her "laboring" through the marsh did not induce delivery on the refuge. That would have been quite the stork story.
111 On May 15 , Nat Shambaugh led a canoe trip through the Refuge for 20 members of the Green Mountain Audubon Society.
111 On May 18 , ORP Blaskowski presented a program on reptiles and amphibians to 44 fifth and sixth grade students at the Georgia Elementary School.
111 On June 13 , winners in the 1999 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Competition accompanied by their families, a total of 80 persons, attended a celebration in their honor at the Refuge. Best of Show winner, Ben Carlson, was presented with a Vermont State Duck Stamp print donated by Ronald Regan, Commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and a "T.R" bear presented by Refuge Manager Sweeny.
111 On July 17 , 100 youngsters participated in the annual Greenwing Festival. The Greenwing Festival is hosted on the Refuge in cooperation with the Vermont Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. The Festival was established to recruit youngsters into the sport ofwaterfow\ing. It is an event-filled day consisting of duck box building, duck calling lessons>displays of working decoys, decoy carving, wildlife art, refuge exhibits, a retriever demo, use of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's Firearms Simulator Training System and a great picnic lunch. Each participant goes home with a goody bag filled with treasures such as a duck call, DU hat and pin, a copy of''Ducks at a Distance," Refuge week bookmarks, Mark Trail coloring books, pencils, candies, and other surprises.
111 On July 29 , ORP Blaskowski presented a program on mammals ofMissisquoi Refuge to six students enrolled in the summer reading program at the Swanton Library.
8. Hunting
Waterfowl, other migratory birds, upland game, small game and whitetail deer are hunted on the refuge. Waterfowl hunting is the most popular hunting activity on the refuge.
Waterfowl Hunting
The 1999 waterfowl hunting season was split, October 6-11 and October 23 to December15. An estimated 888 waterfowl hunting visits were made during the season. Reports of birds bagged from 212 hunters indicated that 315 birds were harvested. Hunter success averaged I .48 birds per hunter visit for the season. The primary species bagged were mallards - 40%, greenwinged teal - 22%, and black ducks - 16%.
The $10.00 hunter permit fee for the controlled hunts at Patrick Marsh/Charcoal Creek, Long Marsh Creek and Saxes Pothole and Creek and Shad Island Pothole generated $350.00 in
34 revenue for the 1999 season.
Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Program
1999 marked the twenty-third year of the Junior Waterfowl Hunter Training Program. The program, designed for youths 12 to 15 years of age, is a cooperative effort by the Refuge, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Central Vermont Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and volunteers. Eighteen youths (a record number of four female juniors) and 12 sponsors participated in this year's program.
A one-day training session was held on August 28, 1999. The morning session was held at the Old Shop on the Mac' s Bend Road and consisted of viewing the video, «Our Valuable Wetlands," waterfowl identification, waterfowl bag limits and other regulations, decoys and their uses, blind design, and duck and goose calling. The afternoon session, held at the Franklin County Sportsman's Club, included a retriever demonstration, shot patterning, hunter safety and ethics and the very popular Firearms Training System (F.A.T.S.). The Club makes the firing range available for program enrollees, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department provides the clay pigeons and shotgun shells.
VT Waterfowl Biologist Bill Crenshaw teaches the fine art of decoy layout to Jr. Waterfowl Hunters - MWS
Deer Hunting
One hundred and fifty-eight people registered for deer hunting on the refuge. Eight bucks and four does were harvested.
35 Upland Small Game Hunting
Fifty people registered for upland game hunting on the refuge. Grouse, woodcock, squirrels and rabbits were reported taken.
Hunting - Overall
Hunting activity was again, a strong element of public use in 1999. Waterfowl hunting provided the majority of visits, but deer hunting is also enjoyed by many people, especially local visitors. The Missisquoi controlled waterfowl hunt program remains popular especially early in the waterfowl season. The dry summer experienced in 1996 and again in 1999 have allowed emergent vegetation to become established in many of the open ''potholes" of these controlled hunt units. The emergent plants, primarily wild rice, provide very good food for a variety of wildlife, but these emergents have begun to encroach on the remaining open areas of the marshes reducing their attractiveness for waterfowl. Recreational hunting opportunities have been reduced where dense emergent vegetation has encroached into traditionally open portions of the controlled waterfowl hunt units. The extremely dry conditions throughout the spring and summer and into early autumn altered local migration patterns. Some marsh units such as Long Marsh, Patrick Marsh/Charcoal Creek and Metcalfe Island received very little waterfowl use until later in the season. Hunter harvest was fair to good depending on location. Hunters using boat blinds were able to access different portions of the delta and did fairly wetl. Mild weather through the end of the season provided hunting opportunities in the refuge delta and in adjacent agricultural fields.
Whitetail deer populations appeared to be at normal levels going into the various deer season. Archery and muzzleloader seasons continue to attract an increasing number of visitors. Participation in the regular deer hunt (rifle season) has been stable at around 150-200 permits for the past two or three years. The habitat open to deer hunting in the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is often difficult to access, requiring a boat to access areas on the east side of the refuge and hip boots to access areas on the west side. The heavy brush cover and troublesome access limit deer harvest to twelve to fifteen animals each year.
The dry spring and summer provided good nesting and brood rearing conditions for many upland species. Turkeys, ruffed grouse, and woodcock all benefitted from the dry conditions and had a generally successful season. Hunting visits are limited for upland game due to the limited habitat available to small game and the small game hunters.
9. Fishing
Fishing is a very popular activity along the Missisquoi River and surrounding waters for local residents and visitors. Fishing accounted for an estimated 6,875 visits during 1999. Lake Champlain, Charcoal Creek and the Missisquoi River provide excellent fishing opportunities for yellow perch, bass, northern pike, walleye, pickerel, crappie and bullhead.
36 National Fishing Week was celebrated on June 5t1t, with a kid's fishing derby. As is the annual tradition, local merchants provided the prizes and refreshments. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Co. provided the ice cream and. members of their Community Action Team assisted with the weighing and recording of the fish caught. There were 40 people in attendance.
A Happy Fisherman - NB
10. Trapping
Trapping is used primarily as a management tool to control wildlife that may impact refuge facilities and habitat management options. Low fur prices often impact interest in the refuge trapping program. Trapping interest in 1999 was limited to 2 individuals who were allowed to harvest muskrats along the ditch and dike in Cranberry Pool to remove burrowing muskrats. These same individuals were allowed to harvest beaver from along the Maquam and Black Creek Hiking Trail to protect this facility and better ensure public safety along this well traveled trail. Beaver were also removed from the Steven J. Young Marsh to alleviate flooding of the adjacent landowners property and free up a water control structure that was plugged by beaver activity. A total of 412 muskrats and 3 2 beaver were removed in l 999.
11. Wildlife Observation
The Maquam Creek and Black Creek Trail is the most commonly used site for wildlife observation, particularly for sighting songbirds and mammals. The Mac's Bend Road is used primarily by people interested in spotting waterfowl and great blue herons. On Tabor Road, the knoll is a popular spot for deer and hawk observation and the Stephen J. Young Marsh is gaining popularity for visitors observing wildlife and school classes conducting environmental education activities.
37 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation
The Blueberry Marsh, on the western side of the Maquam Swamp, annually attracts berry pickers hungering for the delicious fruit. The Maquam Creek portion of the nature trail was lush with berries this year.
17. Law Enforcement
The majority of the law enforcement (LE) work at the refuge focuses on the hunting programs, most significantly the waterfowl hunting program. Refuge Managers Sweeny and Frisque are both collateral duty refuge officers. Significant assistance to the refuge LE program is rendered by local Vermont State Game Warden Dan Swainbank, in whose patrol district the refuge lies. Missisquoi Refuge encompasses one of the finest waterfowl hunting areas in the State and is very popular with hunters as a result. High visibility compliance patrols are conducted during almost every weekend of the fall waterfowl hunting seasons along the refuge delta and within the controlled hunt areas. Spy blinds or other less obvious enforcement techniques are utilized with increasing frequency as the season progresses and compliance checks become redundant. Hunters seem to toe the line pretty well as long as they know we're around and checking, but their compliance slacks when we are less visible as evidenced by observations we've made from concealed observation points. No NOV's were issued in 1999 although a number of warnings were issued and hundreds of field contacts were made.
Deer hunting law enforcement activity is intended to protect closed areas from hunter incursion and to ensure compliance with State laws and refuge regulations. Refuge hunting regulations mirror State requirements but differ in that a permit (no cost) is required for all upland hunting, hunter safety orange is required to be worn on at least 400 square inches of the upper body. A portion of the area open to deer hunting is limited to shotguns and muzzleloaders, and use of bait or hunting over bait is not allowed. Interest in deer hunting on the refuge remains strong, but wet and difficult terrain limit the actual hunting activity to far fewer participants than the permit registration would indicate. As posted private property acreage increases however, the number of interested participants may increase on public lands including the refuge.
Other LE incidents throughout the year include vandalism, littering and dumping, illegal fires associated with spring bull pout fishing, theft of eggs from nest boxes, and deer poaching at night. These are random acts often committed under cover of darkness and are difficult to stop. Assistance from the Vermont Game Warden and information provided by local residents has helped reduce the number of incidents on the station.
LE assistance was provided to the new Nulhegan Basin Unit of the Silvio Conte NFWR in northeastern Vermont by Frisque for one day this fall. Refuge neighbors had complained to the Conte staff about an increase in the incidence of ATV and trespass problems since
38 establishment of the refuge at the end of September. The refuge was unstaffed at that time. Officer Frisque's assistance was requested and he responded by spending the day patrolling the refuge, meeting with local LE authorities and making field contacts. No NOV' s were issued and the problem seemed to diminish thereafter. It was our perception that it really wasn't a problem in the first place, rather that refuge neighbors wanted to see the Service react to their input and start being a good neighbor with a presence. The refuge will begin staffing with a refuge manager due to arrive shortly after the first of the new year.
Sweeny and Frisque both attended in-service training in Region 5 at the National Conservation Training Center in April of 1999. Sweeny continues to provide firearms instruction at in-service and during the 6-month requalification exercise in the fall.
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
New Refuge Pole Building near Cranberry Pool Dike - DJF
1. New Construction
The refuge finished construction of a thirty foot by thirty foot metal pole shed in 1999. The project was funded in 1998 and all materials were delivered to the refuge in 1998. The extremely wet conditions which prevailed throughout the spring and summer and the building location site which required barging aU materials and equipment across the Missisquoi River
39 delayed actual construction until June 1999. The very dry conditions of the spring/summer in 1999 allowed an early start to this storage building project and construction was completed by the end of June. Few problems were encountered once construction was begun and the building passed final inspection on July 7th. Some settling of the ground and gravel along the concrete foundation footing has occurred and will need to be addressed in 2000.
2. Rehabilitation
With assistance from a crew of volunteers from Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. the refuge staff completed painting all refuge buildings. In addition, rotting fascia boards were replaced, minor roof repairs were completed and window frames and .sashes were repaired and painted.
3. Major Maintenance
The refuge continued with numerous mowing operations to maintain grassland units and set back succession of woody plant encroachment. The Cranberry Pool dike was burned in April to stimulate grass species and to control woody vegetation so mowing was not needed in 1999. A thirty-acre portion of a field adjacent to the dike was mowed to remove encroaching alder. The dry conditions allowed easy access to the field and unencumbered mowing operations on this unit and along refuge trails and roads. Considerable time was spent maintaining refuge hiking trails. Numerous depressions were filled and brush removed from trail edges. Downed tree removal, particularly in the fall, was necessary to keep these public use areas safe and aesthetically pleasant.
4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement
A number of small pieces of equipment were replaced in 1999 including the station riding lawn mower, York rake, three personal computers and the refuge headquarters heating system. In addition, the 1988 Chevrolet blazer was excessed and sold through GSA. The Blazer was replaced by a Ford Expedition in 1998 as an MM:S project. The refuge acquired a 1986 Chevrolet Blazer through the military excess property process from the Westpoint Military Academy. The low mileage diesel unit will be used for local work especially where high clearance four wheel drive work is required. The station's aging vehicle fleet is gradually being upgraded with new vehicles, as is our limited "heavy" equipment inventory. The acquisition of the Blazer was a much needed extra vehicle for staff use. The six person staff ·had only two reliable vehicles prior to receiving the Blazer.
The newly constructed storage building was put to use shortly after final construction. Numerous pieces of equipment which had been stored outdoors were moved inside the building to protect them from the elements.
40 5. Communications Systems
The refuge low frequency radio system is in need of an upgrade. The required move to a 12.5KHZ narrowband channel has not been implemented at Missisquo~ as we like many other stations are on-hold, and we're not even sure why. The increased use of volunteers, interns, SCEPS, and other seasonally employed personnel has created a shortage (at times) of portable radio units. The refuge will replace the existing system as MMS funds are available for this purpose.
6. Computer Systems
We had a very successful year as far as upgrading our ADP capability. Thanks to the Regional Office and Y2K funds, we were able to acquire three new desktop computers and two new laptop computers. A Local Area Network and migration to Lotus Notes took place in September. So far it has been very useful to exchange information with each other in the office and access calendars for better communication. Dan Greeley, Region 5 RW ADP Coordinator and Office Assistant Swainbank were the workhorses and troubleshooters on the project. We were also able to purchase a new color printer for the system and a scanner. The printer replaced an old tractor feed Spinwriter printer. Everyone is now using Lotus Notes and Corel WordPerfect 8.
7. Energy Conservation
The refuge replaced the old heating system this year with a new H.B. Smith cast iron boiler. The old heating system was the original boiler which was installed in 1958 when the refuge headquarters building was constructed. This will save the refuge a considerable amount on heating costs. Other conservation measures included doing away with the Post Office box and installing a mailbox at the refuge headquarters building, thereby eliminating the daily trip to town for the mail.
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs
A Cooperative Agreement currently exist with Green Mountain Audubon to collect data on various species of marsh and water birds and grassland species. (D.5, Research and Investigation) A less formal agreement exists with the University of Vermont to provide a researcher to continue monitoring and data collection on the Shad Island great blue heron colony. This effort began in 1999 and we hope to continue it in the future. (D.5, Research and Investigation)
41 3. Items oflnterest
The refuge staff hosted the first ever refuge Christmas party. Many of the refuge,s Friends group members attended as well as other state and local agency members that interact with the refuge throughout the year. Each staff member contributed a special dish and a good time was had by all at this very informal gathering.
4. Credits
Refuge Manager: Section A, C, D, E, F, I, J.
Refuge Operations Specialist: Section A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J.
Outdoor Recreation Planner: Section D, E, H.
Refuge Biologist: Section F, G, H.
Office Assistant: E, I, J, Compiled and edited the report.
Photo Credits
MWS - Mark Sweeny DJF - David Frisque JB - Juanita Blaskowski AZ - Al Zelley LS - Lisa Swainbank FB - Fred Bushey (volunteer)
42 K. FEEDBACK
I've been an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since June of 1975, literally two weeks after I graduated from the University of Vermont. I got very lucky to get in then. I am proud to be an employee of this organization. An organization that I knew I wanted to be part of from the beginning, when I first found out about it in Dr. Fuller's Wildlife Management Seminar (details of that are starting to get a little foggy though), and I thank my lucky stars almost every day that I've been given this career with this agency.
I've been back and forth across the country, moving from one "dream job" to another, and with the exception of my first four years when I worked in the Division of Research, all of these jobs have been on refuges or in the Regional Division of Refuges. Over the years I, like so many of you, developed a strong sense of belonging, of family, for refuges and my refuge and FWS colleagues. In various positions over the years, I've seen the wonderful opportunities and personal considerations that are made for the benefit of our greatest resource, our people. I'm talking about placement or career decisions for things such as proximity to health care facilities for employees or their families, proximity to educational facilities, employment opportunities for spouses or other family members, proximity to family, adjusting work weeks or schedules to accommodate special needs or the pursuit of professional or academic excellence, etc. Often it's a delicate balancing act to do this, because most of the time when you give somebody special consideration, somebody else suffers a resultant disappointment. Most of the time too though, things work out ... for the good of the employee or employees, and the good of the Service. Happy, healthy, comfortable employees are productive and appreciative employees.
Fate has been good to me job-wise and career-wise. I've been given great opportunities for developing and gaining experience, although I've been greatly and sadly disappointed many times when I would apply for a job that I just "had to have'', only not to have it. Even with those though, it's always worked out for the better. I can sincerely say that every position I've held, without exception, has been a good one that I and my wife benefitted from immensely. The greatest move I've ever made though, and probably the greatest I ever will make, was the move I was afforded this year to Missisquoi.
In mid-November 1998, I learned that we were looking for a Refuge Manager for Missisquoi. At the time, I was in one of those dream jobs, the Complex Manager for the Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex which included Sunkhaze Meadows, Moosehorn, Aroostook, and Carlton Pond WPA. Maybe because I was in seventh heaven and still in a state of disbelief at my good fortune in Maine, I didn't really give Missisquoi much consideration. Even though my entire family - father, mother, 4 brothers, 1 sister, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and most cousins - were within 35 miles of the refuge (the Sweeny farm and my boyhood home is just 13 miles down the road), and my father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, I didn't give it much thought. After all, I was in my dream job. Going to Missisquoi would be a downgrade and after trying for years to get to Maine, why would I want to leave? My father seemed to be holding his own with the cancer and the six hour drive was a heck of a lot closer than I had been for a long time. Sure, we'd always missed our families and treasured those all too infrequent visits, but it seemed like we had gotten used to being away and had accepted that as just the way it has to be.
Then we made a trip to Vermont to be with my family for Thanksgiving. I saw a dramatic and disturbing change in my Dad. He hadn't looked like that just two months ago. The reality of what was happening finally started to sink in. On the long ride back to Maine, Chris and I talked the whole way, and by the time we arrived, we'd decided it was time to be with family, we needed to be home. We would see ifit would be possible for us to move to Missisquoi.
The very next day, I called my Refuge Supervisor Dick Dyer and made the proposal - a lateral transfer with downgrade to Missisquoi, and I told him why. Over the next couple days, I had long, sincere and frank discussions with both Dick and Tony Leger', the ARD for RW in Region 5. They asked many good questions, identified personal, professional and operational ramifications, expressed concerned for other applicants who had already applied through the merit promotion process and would be disappointed at a sudden and unexpected change of approach to filling the position, and expressed concern for me, needing assurance that this was the right thing for me. They even discussed with me the very delicate fact that even though I would be closer to my Dad, it was only going to be temporary. We all knew what was inevitable, that the cancer in this case would eventually accomplish its sad and oft-repeated mission. And then we moved.
They have probably heard it enough, but I am going to be forever grateful to those managers, and to the Service for being the kind of organization that allows its managers to make decisions like this for its employees. I got to spend a very high quality 6 months with my Dad before he left and I am with the rest of my family again after being the only one to "go away" for 24 years. And, I am working at a real gem of a refuge, one of the secrets of the Refuge System. I am happy to be working at home, with familiar· resources, and with people that I grew up with.
The benefits are tangible forthe Service in many ways too. We've turned the tide of public opinion in the community about the refuge, the Congressional delegation in Vermont is happier than it has been for a while, we're trying to put Missisquoi "on the map" both internally and externally, and the future looks bright. We'll start CCP early next year and start planning new refuge headquarters facilities soon with funds allocated this fiscal year and with the architect selected in September ... and all of this is riding and stoking on the wave that is talcing us to the 10011i anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System that was generated at Keystone last fall.
It's really good to be part of this great System! s F w s s F w U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • IUur Jn LL-1hnMrnJ 'lrc.:n \11:'.lfbltr • •.\~fRM Nxlt.u.nlln '/,'"""' • 0 r.lm"".arMcr 11.. ~1~1uoi u onC' of O\·cr 500 rdUgc:s in lhC' N.uion..11 TITMICE - NUTHATCHES - WRENS ,...,.f==J 11'.ubln M \\'1l.ll1fc Rclugc Sy>1
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I ~Jmlp1p. 1 .. • tf-1u-.- WouJrc1.l.rr k111r r1nknl l ,11.l ~.10..kt l1ns; . ···--... ~ • Nunhc:tn rlk-lct I\·to~ 1 lnrch an: migr.uorr. d11.:n:forc, their \t"..J.\on.al cx:curn:m.:c I Slt•UW~LLM.lrt LEGEND ••• Tnil Refuge HQ. ~ HSll 6 .....wtLDt.1111 ~ • ~ <:::::::::) forest ~ MISSISQUOI Refuge National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters f:I -- Ro•d UNffED STATES RMtSench ,...... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Swanton, Vermont • Goose Pen ~'-;.. _,__.,~.~;;;; .....- : U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ~ Ocrolx-r 19'>6 Welcome Points of Interest on the Trail Maquam Creek Trail Black C reekTrail srablishcd in 1943. pursuant to the Migr:11ory BirJ he fields leading to the nature trail provide ne>ring here arc two active beaver houses along Maqunm Creek. edges. mos.<, w1ltlnowcrs ~: EConservation Act, Missisquoi Refuge occupies most of T habit.Jt for small mammals such as mice and vok<, and T The first one is lou1cJ near the beginning ofthe trail and Sond ferns carpet the trails the Missisquoi River delta's mar;hcs, open water, old ficlds, for bird; ;uch as the rc: Introduction Missisquoi N ationaJ Wildlife Refuge is approximately 50 miles north of Bw·lington in Franklin County, Vermont. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain near the Canadian border with the headquarters on Highway 78, two miles northwest of Swanton. The 6,517-acre refuge encompasses nearly all of the Missisquoi River delta. About one-third of the area is swamp dominated by silver maple. The woodlands also contain red maple, American elm, white ash, and white oak. Bulrush, wild rice, sedge, spikerush,bWTeed,and pickerelweed ai·e the most common marsh plants, but many shrubs, such as willow, alder, sweet gale, hardhack, and buttonbush grow where the water is shallowest. Although the refuge was established primai".ily for waterfowl, many species of mammals are present. Among the most readily observed are white-tailed deer, muskrat, raccoon, and red and gray squirrels. Some, because of their size or habits, ai·e less likely to be seen. The following list of 35 mammals has been prepared by refuge personnel from observations made over the yeai·s. The hypothetical listing of bats based on reported range was submitted by Dr. Robert Fuller, University of Vermont. Shorttail Shrew Common over most of the Eastern Cottontail Present in small numbers in brushy (Blarina refuge. Digs tunnels and uses (Sylvilagus areas, old fields, woods, cultivated l>revicauda) burrows of other species, floridanus) areas, thickets, and brush piles. especially voles. Feeds mainly During cold weather \\ill take shelter on insects, plants, worms, snails, in abandoned woodchuck burrows. and small vertebrates. ... Feeds on green vegetation in summer, bark and twigs in winter. Starnose Mole Found throughout the area in (Condylura damp meadows and woods with cristata) moist soils. An excellent swimmer, its diet consists of aquatic insects, earthworms, crustaceans, snails, small fish, and small amounts of vegetable material. Its eyesight is poor Snowshoe Hare Present in small numbers in brush and the projections on its nose (Lepus and second growth hardwood stands are sensitive feelers, helping it americanus) on the mainland portion of the locate its prey. refuge. Feeds mainly at twilight and evening; in summer on clover, Bats This list is based on reported grasses and ferns; in winter on twigs, ranges. The following probably buds, and the bark of small trees and occur on Missisquoi National seedlings. Young are born with dense Wildlife Refuge. fur and open eyes. Little Brown Myotis Eastern Chipmunk Present in small numbers in the drier (Myotis lucifugus) (Ta mias striatus) woodlands that have dense Big Brown Bat undergrowth. Feeds on seeds, nuts, (Eptesicus fuscus) fruits, bulbs, and insects. Keen's Myotis (Myotis keenii) Gray Squirrel In small numbers where there is Small-footed Myotis (Sciwrus mast-producing timber. Tall trees are (Myotis leibii) cm·olinensis) used for dens or leaf nests. Their diet Silver-haired Bat consists of nuts, buds, seeds, grains, (Lasionycteris rwctivagans) fungi, fruits, bird eggs, and inner Red Bat bark of trees. (Lasiurus borealis) Hoary Bat Red Squirrel Found throughout most wooded (Lasiurus cinereus) (Tamiasciurus areas but not common. Prefers to Eastern Pipistrelle hiidsonict/,S) nest in natural cavity or abandoned (Pipistrellus subjlavus) woodpecker hole. They may construct globular leaf nests near and is particularly fond of swamp treetops or use ground burrows. white oak and birch. Food is stored They prefer a conifer woodland under the ice for winter use. because their diet is partially made up of seeds of conifer cones. They White-footed Common over much of the refuge. also eat nuts, buds, fruits, Mouse They feed on seeds, acorns, nuts, sap, flowers, fungi, 1 (Peromyscus fruits, tender green plants, insects, bird eggs, and leucopus) and small amounts of carrion. nestlings. l They are an .. Meadow Vole Very common in the meadows and important (Microtus fields. Diet consists of grasses, bulbs, food pennsylvanicus) seeds, grains, and small amounts of source carrion. Nests in sheltered areas for under rocks and logs and builds hawks extensive tunnel systems. Females and owls. are very prolific, capable of producing a hundred young within a year. They are an important food Northern Flying Present throughout wooded source for birds of prey and small Squirrel portions. Favors cool, heavily wooded carnivorous mammals. (Glaucomys conifer and deciduous forests. sabrinus) Summer nest may be on a limb next Muskrat Seen frequently in all water areas. to a tree trunk and winter nest is in a (Ondatra The muskrat uses cattails, burreed, cavity. They often use old zibethicus) arrowhead, wild rice, cutgrass, woodpecker holes. They eat nuts, bulrushes, pondweeds, water lilies, seeds, catkins, fruits, buds, insects, and other marsh plants for food and mushrooms, bird eggs, and nestlings. houses, creating openings in the dense marsh vegetation. The Woodchuck Very common in and around open openings provide habitat for (Marmota fields and agricultw·al lands. Digs waterfowl. Ducks and geese use the monax) extensive systems of burrows muskrat houses for nesting sites. including hibernation and nest Muskrats are mainly nocturnal, but chambers. Prefers green vegetation may be seen in daylight. They are such as herbs and grasses. active throughout the year. Beaver Common along streams bordering Norway Rat Present mainly along the Missisquoi (Castor and coursing through the refuge. (Rattus River, but occasionally found in canadensis) Beaver are most often observed norvegicus) marshes. They are omnivorous and dw'ing evening hours along the will consume fruits, grains, Missisquoi River, Dead Creek, and vegetables, carrion and fresh meats, the Black and Maquam Creek Trail. and garbage. Beaver build dams to flood areas ·1 where they feed and construct Porcupine The few porcupines present are lodges. The water areas created by confined to an area in the West ) (Erethizon beaver dams benefit waterfowl, dorsatum) Swanton section of the refuge where marsh birds, and other mammals. there are small, scattered hemlock The den is enclosed in a large lodge stands. Den sites are in protected made of mud and sticks and is used places such as rock ledges, trees, and for raising young and providing abandoned fox or beaver dens. They winter shelter. Burrows dug in banks eat herbaceous and woody are also used as dens. The beaver vegetation, grasses, leaves, twigs, consumes bark of deciduous trees mast and bark. Coyote A few present but seldom seen. Have Raccoon Common throughout the refuge. (Canis latran.c;) been seen along Tabor Road. Den is (Pt·ocyon lotor) Dens are usually located in trees but usually an excavated burrow, well culverts, abandoned woodchuck hidden by vegetation or rock. They bUITows, and other protected areas are omnivorous and will consume are also used. They are omnivorous carrion, small mammals, and and will consume fruits, insects, vegetation. crayfish,buds,seeds,grass,and garbage. Primarily nocturnal but may be seen in daylight. Fisher An occasional visitor. Dens in hollow (Martes pennanti) trees, logs, or abandoned porcupine dens. Fishers are one of the few predators that prey on porcupines. Shrews, mice, squirrels, toads, beriies, nuts, and cariion are also included in their diet. Shorttail Weasel Present in small (Mustela numbers in wooded erminea) ai·eas. Eats mice, ~- · chipmunks, moles, ]1·.. f- ··~\ f .... ,, shrews, and . 4, '· \ occasionally birds and \. insects. Molts to white . l ' '~ Red Fox Not numerous but may be seen in winter. l, (Vulpes vulpes) occasionally over most of the refuge 1 except where limited by water. Longtail Weasel Present in small ~~ ~1 Prefers to use existing burrows for (Mustela frenata) numbers in drier ''Ju, r.:; I rearing young and escaping from sections. Dens in · ! { predators, but will dig dens. Preys natural holes or . 1 t mainly on small mammals and birds, crevices or excavated ~ 1 \ insects, carrion, and fruits. burrows. Feeds &·~~. t"'-',~ primarily on small "~\~ I ··!l l mamma1 s, groun d ''/. .J nesting birds and . ':( insects. ·: · :<~· .. ~~·!'fl~;_ Mink Present but not numerous. (Mustela vison) Favors forested wetlands. Dens inside hollow logs, natural cavities under tree roots or in burrows along streams. They are excellent swimmers and prey on both aquatic and ten-estrial animals, including muskrats, fish, rabbits, and snakes. Striped Skunk Occasionally seen on drier areas of White-tailed Deer Frequently seen over entire refuge. (Mephitis the refuge. Dens may be in (Odocoil.eus Preferred habitat is forest edges, mephitis) abandoned bun-ows, stone walls, rock virginianus) swamp borders, areas interspersed crevices, and stumps. The diet of the with fields, and woodland openings. skunk includes small rodents, bird Deer browse on woody deciduous eggs, fruits, grains, nuts, grasses, plants, twigs, and young bark. They berries, insects, gru:bage and carrion. graze on grasses, herbs, berries, and mush.rooms. River Otter Frequently seen in the Missisquoi (Lutra River, Maquam Creek, and Charcoal canadensis) Creek. Den may be in an abandoned beaver lodge or muskrat house, dense thickets bordering water, or under fallen trees. Diet consists of Moose A rare visitor. Moose are found in fish, frogs, twtles, snakes, and birds. (Alces alces) forests with lakes and swamps. They feed primarily on aquatic vegetation Bobcat An occasional visitor. Prefers to den in summer and browse on many (Lynx rufus) in rock crevices, under fallen trees, woody plants in winter, including or in hollow logs. Most prey is taken twigs, barks and saplings. Since 1994, by stalking. Diet consists of small moose have been seen with increased mammals such as snowshoe hares, frequency on the refuge. cottontails, squirrels, mice, voles, birds and their eggs, snakes, fish, insects, and some vegetation. Will also eat dead animals if the meat is fresh. Woodcock and Snipe [u.s. Fish & Wildlirt Strvice l ,-...... - Areas open to hunting other migratory game birds ..... __, "-t... J~ •...:..-_ . r;.'1! :-.:: ""'..._ arc: ti ...... _.. 1!>~ -. .... "'"''..., .::~'--"0i\,!\~, ·~.#) ...... - Delta Lakcshorc Arca ...... ,....,... ""'- ~,~' ·~ .JI ..... Missisquoi , ,,,..... ~ Maquam Swamp Arca ...... '\.r>~"\1 . \~ f NaJional Oll ..... O* . ,r.::\ \ . c..M..a.n"' (retriever required) Cl ... ~ Wildlife Refuge i--u.-· I .. ~:)" \\~aI•1;..1 t:: f:'l -.,,_ CN>&.iocJ ,...·- , ( \ ,r---- • - ,_.'t DEPARTMENT OF 11IE INTERIOR ·,) l ' U.S. FISH AND Wil.DLIFE SERVICE t , ••=- ·~ General Refuge Bunting Regulations Blind staking. permanent blinds, and unatlCndcd Hunting must be within 100 feet of the Junior Waterfowl Hunting Program decoys arc prohibited. numbered stake for the area. All State and Federal regulations apply. Junior watcrfowlers (ages 12-IS) interested in No jump shooting is allowed within 200 yards of Jump shooting is not allowed. in Waterfowl a pany hunting from a blind or boat. participating the Junior Program Hunters arc required to usc nontoxic shot for all should refer to the Junior Watedowl Training waterfowl hunting on the Missisquoi Natiooal Eaob party or bunters mUSI ha\'C a retriever. Program brooburc. Wildlife Refuge. Hunters using boat blinds or temporary blinds Party size is limited to two hunters per party. are encouraged to maintain a 200-yard distaDc:c Charc.oal Creek/Patrick Marsh and It is illegal to possess lead shot loads while from Olhcr bunters. A boat is required. hunting waterfowl in a Nontoxic Sbot Zone. Long Manb Bay (Junior Waterfowl Maquam Swamp Area Hunters may DOI use or possess more than 25 Atta) Overnight camping is prohibited. shot shells. Access to this area is by foot from a pamng area The blinds arc nailable to the public by prc. The refuge will require that all hunters who ~ rrtile west of refuge headquarters. A minimum of six clcc:oys per party is required. regiSICrcd permit on the 8Cc:ood Wednesday draw a blind site during the prcseason Jottczy following the eecood weekend of the - As must provide the required $10.00 fee no later Each bunting party (up to two IJ(j)ple per party) Saxe's Pothole/Creek and Shad Island an inceotive to the ldult menlOrS in the .luoior than two days before the first day of the ICISOO must have a retriever to reduce crippling loss. Pothole Hunting Program, blinds will be made available or the pmnit "ill be cancclcd and made to mentors on the first Wednesday oCtbe-. Any blind areas not seleQed by~ will be available to sundby hunleB. No permanent blinds arc allowed. Hunting areas arc zoocd to allow live parties in Saxe's Pocholc/Crcck and one in Shad Wand available on a first come. first save basis. The use or possession of alcoholic ba'allges is Maquam Shore Area POlhole. (Up to two hunters per party.) prohibited. Tbaeallcr the blinds area available to the pW!ic on Wcdnaclay mornings and on the wcckcods The use of a retriever by each party is required. Ifyou possess a disabled hunting license or a Thirty ICl'CS along Maquam Shore arc open to after the i.st youth hunt. Hunting privileges will waterfowl hunting in aa:onlanoc with State and be lint lctYC lip up Golden Access Passport, you may qualify for Parties must bunt within I 00 feet oC a oumbcred on a come first basis with Fodera! i.ws. at the than special aocommodatioas. Contact the refuge stake corresponding to their assigned zone. mu,e beadqu&naos no more two manager for details. Zones arc numbered I through 5 in Saxe• s hours before lcp1 shooting time. Long Manb Chaand/Metcalfe Island Pocholc/Crcd: and nwobcr6 in Shad Island AU hunters bunting in a c:ontrolled area are PathoJc. Hunting areas are l.OllCd in Patrid: Manh aad required to complde a permit and c:any it with Hunting areas are zooed in Long Marsh OwcoaJ Creek. Tow parties will be pcrminal them while bunting each day. Pamits and Channel and Metcalfe Island. Tbrcc puties will Hunting is by pre-registered permit from to hunt in Patrick Marsh and four putics ia report cards DOI issued as a result of the prc be permitted to bunt Long Marsh Channel sites opening day through the first Suoday and during Charcoal Creek (to Coleman's DOrth'boundaly). sca50n lottezy will be available at refuge I. 2, 3. Three parties will be permitted to hunt the second ~'CCkeod of the duck hunting season. headquarters or the sign-in box at Mac's Bend Metcalfe Island sites 8,9, IO. Hunting is zoned in Long Marsh Bay to allow four parties. for self service. Hunters will have until one During the pre-registered hunt period, hunters hour after sunset to chcclc out by dropping their Hunting is limited to Tuesday, Thursday, and must sign in and out at Mac's Bend boat pcrmiu, with reports of hunt rcsulis, at refuge Saturday throughout the walerfowl lwnting launching area. After 7:00am, OChcr bunters A party consists ofup to two buoters. Parties headquarters. season. Pre-registration is required for the first may use 11DOOCUpied zones by signing in for the must bunt within 100 feet oftheir assigned blind. fh-c days of the season. Tbcreallcr, hunting vacant ?ODC. On days not requiring pn: Ddta Lake Shore Area privileges will be on a first come, first served regislration, bunters may use the staked zones basis with self permitting at the refuge on a first come first scn'C basis. One party per The lakcshore area from Martindale Point to bcadquarters no men than two hours before zone. Shooting is allowed until ll:OOam. Shad Island is open to Mlerfowl bunting in legal shooting time. may not than accordance with State and Peden.I Laws and the Hunters may not usc or possess more lhan 25 Hunters use or possess more 2.5 following regulations: Shooting is allowed until I I :OOam. shot shells. sbol shells. Stop ... U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issisquoi is one of over 500 refuges in the National ... the spread of Zebra Mussels and M Wildlife Refuge System administered by che U.S. Fish Eurasian Watermilfoil and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is Fishing ebra mussels have been found in norrhern Lake a network of lands and waters managed specifically for che Champlain. Adult z.cbra mussels can be found attached protection of wildlife and wildlife habicar and represents the Z most comprehensive wildlife management program in the to any firm surface in the water, including vegetacion, boars, On the Missisquoi world. Unirs of che system stretch across the United Stares and engines. Missisquoi River and Bay are excellent habitat for the mussels and for Eurasian Watermilfoil. Boch are from northern Alaska co che Florida Keys and include small harmful to freshwater systems and to recreational boating and islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The character of Delta the refuges is as diverse as the nation itself. fishing. To prevent possible contamination to ocher waters, please follow the seeps below. The Service also manages national fish hatcheries, and provides federal leadership in habirnt protection, technical assistance, and the conservation and protection of migratory birds, certain marine mammals and threatened and endan· gered species. For further information, please contact: Refuge Manager Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 163 Swancon, VT 05488 Telephone: (802) 868-478 l Hard of hearing or deaf visitors may call che Vermont Relay Center at 1-800-253-0191 TDD/1-800-253-0195 voice. • Remove any vegetation attached ro boat or rrailer. • Flush engine cooling syscem, bilge areas and li ve welJs wich cap water or leave boat out of water at least 48 hours. • Discard any old baic. "811. &~t~ 6l'.IJVICF. U.ii. tfj FISHAWu.DLIFE """"""' MISSISQUOI National Wildlife Refuge DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERJOR Swanron, Yermonr U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ~ Moy 1995 greac variety of fish abound in the waters in and Walleye Salmon A surrounding the Missisquoi Refuge. Walleye, northern Walleye, while closely related to yellow perch, grow An excellent place to fish for landlocked salmon in die pike, bullhead, and yellow perch arc che most sought after fish much larger and arc much sought afrer by fishermen. spring and fall is rhe Missisquoi River. Landlocked salmon on che delta. Ocher species caught are: burboc, carp, cacfish, Suggested baits are minnows, mayfly larvae, hellgrammiccs, scrike more ofcen on windy, cloudy days. Commonly used bowfin, white and rcdhorsc suckers, American eels, chain bucktail jigs trailing a pork rind, plastic worms, or baics consist of salmon eggs, minnows, and flashy red lures. pickerel, muskellunge, shcepshead, crappie, gar, pumpkin nighccrawlers. Work the jigs slow and deep. As a general rule, Bits of sponge can be substituted for salmon eggs. sced, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass and land you 'II find mosc walleye over sandy, rocky or gravel bortoms. locked Adanric salmon. In the Missisquoi River, try below the Swanton Dam, in The use offirearms to take fish is prohibited. For current rapids, and alongside eddies in che spring. The deep wacer regulations, contact the Refuge Manager, Missisquoi Na along undercur banks and pools is also a good location. Walleye cional Wildlife Refuge, Swanton, Vermonr 05488, (802) are active nighc feeders, often feeding in sballowwater near shore; 868-4781. rhus, evening ice fishing can be very prod.uccive. Vermont Annual Record and State Record Fish forms are available at Refuge Headquarters, local bait shops, and from Catfish ~ the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Deparcmenr, l&E Section, Nighc fishing is more productive. Use earthworms, Northern Pike Waterbury, Vermont 05676. minnows, leeches, bread balls, or chunks of beef or liver. Pike are one of rhe more popular sport fish in che area. Consult chc Vermom Fish and Wildlife regulations for Prime fishingspocs are coves with aquatic vegetation, edges of seasons and limics. Bullhead lily pads, shorelines with many fallen treesanddrifrwood., and The bullhead is mainly a bottom feeder, foraging mostly sudden drop-offs from shallow weed beds. In the river, deep While fishing in lakeshoreareas you may notice numerous ac nighc. It is omnivorous and a notorious scavenger, with still pools, eddies, backwaters, and shorelines wich cover such mecal and wooden boxes. These boxes provide nesting sites on as weeds and overhanging branches are favorice hauncs. the refuge for waterfowl. Waterfowl require solitude and crayfish rhe preferred food. Minnows, crayfish, corn kernels, Suggested baits are large minnows, weedless silver spoons seclusion to successfully hacch their eggs. To minimize nest hellgramrnites, bread balls and nightcrawlers are good bait. Bullheads usually bite best at night or during the day when the with pork rind, red-eye wigglers, or red and white spoons. abandonment, sportsmen should rry co ma.incain a distance of water is muddy afcer a heavy rain. Because of its good eating approximately 75 yards or more from nest boxes. qualities and lack of excessive bones, it is one of che prime Carp targets of fishermen in the area. Soft-shelled crayfish, bread balls, and whole kernel corn are good baits. le is best to fish for carp early in che morning Muskellunge or in the evening. Underwater vegetation beds, points of land, or islands which extend i.nro the water are good spocs co fish for Bass Date Time ______muskellunge. Spoons and plugs up to 7 or 8 inches will amact Smallmourh bass are frequently found in rocky areas. these big fish. Largemouth bass prefer weed beds, sunken trees, logs, and Afr Temperarure ------snags. Nighccrawlcrs, minnows, frogs, crayfish, surface pop Water Temperature------Pumpkinseed pers, and rubber or plasric worms are good baits. These panfish prefer quiet shallow waters. Bread balls, Cloud Cover ______worms, small lures, flies, and minnows are suggested bairs. Yellow Perch Wind ______Many perch are caught in Lake Champlain and in che Crappie slower movingseccionsof the Missisquoi River. Mayfly larvae Cacch ______Crappie are ofcen found in weed beds and around sunken or a small spinner wich a strip of pork or a worm on the hook brush and trees. Preferred baics are minnows, flies, jigs or are good baits. Ice fishing for perch is usually beccer towards spinners. evening. Champlain section of the Flyway. Refuge lands also protect the Shad Island great blue heron rookery, the largest colony in Vermont. Here, the Missisquoi River meanders through beds of wild rice and stands of wetland plants such as arrowhead, bulrush and wild celery. In addition to 500 acres of natural marsh, the refuge includes 1,800 acres of managed wetlands formed by three diked impoundments. These pools are a mix of open water and rich stands of emergent plants, shrubs, and wooded swamps that offer food and cover for waterfowl. Although refuge waters attract waterfowl most of the yeai~ Black duck Glen Smart/USFWS peak use is in the fall, when thousands of ring-necked ducks settle in to feed Welcome Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, with thousands of green-winged teal, established in 1943, is located on the black ducks, and mallards. More than eastern shore of Lake Champlain 20,000 ducks are anticipated annually. near the Canadian border in Franklin County, Vermont. The refuge headquarters is two miles northwest Making the Most The management objectives of of Swanton, on Route 78. of Wildlife Missisquoi Refuge are consistent with Habitat the objectives of the North American The 6,592-acre refuge includes most Waterfowl Management Plan, an of the Missisquoi River delta where it international agreement by federal flows into Missisquoi Bay. The refuge agencies, states, Canada, and private consists of quiet waters and wetlands groups to conserve, restore and which attract large flocks of enhance wetland habitat for waterfowl migratory birds. and other wetland-dependent migratory birds. Wood ducks Upland areas of the refuge are a .John and Karen Hollingsworlh/USFWS hardwood mix of American elm, white ash, white oak, silver and red maple, and open fields. Both provide habitat for migratory songbirds, resident mammals, and other wildlife. Wetlands Set Missisquoi Refuge is one link in a Aside as a chain of refuges for migratory birds Migratory that extends along the Atlantic Stopover Flyway between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. The refuge provides important feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for migratory birds, especially waterfowl, in the no1thern Lake MISSISQUOI Nationa l Wildlife Refuge Refuge Boundary Refuge Area ~ Refuge Headquarters D Nature Trail El Boat Launch l Giil Rest Rooms Dike Water Control Structure Canoe Route / rn u Parking Wetland 0 Miles 0 Kilometers 1 Swanton ® J A variety of habitat management woodchuck bm-rowing, and from practices are used at Missisquoi erosion due to beaver-induced Refuge to benefit wildlife. Examples floocling. are listed below. Enjoying the Recreational and educational activities Water levels in refuge impoundments Refuge consistent with the primary goals of ai·e manipulated to encom·age the protecting and managing wildlife gi·o\vth of waterfowl food and cover habitat are available at Missisquoi plants such as wild rice and Refuge throughout the yeai: The buttonbush, while also providing good refuge is open daily from dawn to gi·ound-nesting habitat for mallards, dusk. black ducks, and teal. Wildlife observation, photography, Neai·ly 200 nesting structm·es are and hiking located throughout the Missisquoi The Black Creek and Maquam Creek delta. These nestboxes, cones, and interpretive trails provide good cylinders ai·e helping wood ducks, opportunities for waterfowl and common goldeneyes, hooded wading bird observation and mergansers, and black ducks increase photogi·aphy as the trails pass through their numbers by supplementing 1112 miles of wooded lowland. Plan to natw·al nesting habitat. take along the trail guide and wildlife checklists, available in refuge leaflet Haying, mowing, and controlled boxes or upon request. Insect burning are methods used by wildlife repellent may be useful dwing the managers to keep open field areas waiwer months. VlSitors may also from changing back to woodland over observe wildlife by walking along time. Many wildlife species benefit Mac's Bend Road, next to the from these open field habitats. Missisquoi Rivei: Waterfowl may nest in the gi·assy cove1~ while bobolinks, songbirds, and Boating small mammals that use open fields Boats and canoes may be launched provide a food source for birds of prey Mallard from First Landing (Louie's Landing) such as rough-legged hawks, USFWS all season. A second boat ramp, on American kestrels, and red-tailed hawks. Maintaining a healthy diversity of habitats at Missisquoi Refuge requires the control of exotic pest plants such as pm'Ple loosest.rife and common reed gi·ass. If left unchecked, these non-native plants would outcompete native plants a11d reduce the value of refuge wildlife habitat for migi·atory birds. Limited raccoon trapping is used to control predation on wateifowl and other gi·ound-nesting birds. '11-apping also helps protect waterfowl impoundment dikes from muskrat and Cross-country skiing Refuge natw·e trails are open for this activity. Blueber·ry picking Berry picking is permitted in the bog off Tabor Road during July and August. Plan to wear boots and carry a compass and insect repellent. Frog picking This activity is permitted from July 15 to September 30 in the mowed refuge fields along Route 78 and Mac's Bend Road. To avoid overharvesting, the limit has been set at 12 frogs per person per day. A valid Vermont hunting license or a Recreational fishing combination hunting/fishing license is USFWS required. Mac's Bend Road, is only open from September 1 until the end of the To protect wildlife and visitors, the waterfowl hunting season in following are prohibited: December. Boating is permitted along • Camping the Missisquoi River and in Lake • Open fires Champlain where it borders the • Cutting firewood refuge. Portions of the refuge are • Removing plants or animals closed to boaters, howeve1; to protect • Littering (State fine: $500) wildlife habitat. Please watch for and • Snowmobiling respect "Closed Area" signs. • Off-road vehicles • Leaving vehicles overnight Fishing • Abandoning wild or domestic Refuge visitors may fish from the animals on the refuge banks of the Missisquoi River. Fishing Please note that dogs must be kept is also permitted from a boat on the and controlled on a leash no longer Missisquoi River and Lake Champlain than 10 feet. in areas that are not posted as closed to public access. A leaflet on fishing at We hope you enjoy your visit to Missisquoi Refuge is available on Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. request. If you have fuitber questions, please stop at the refuge office or write to: Hunting Portions of the refuge are open to Refuge Manager waterfowl, deer, and small game Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge hunting in accordance with state and 371 North River Street federal regulations. Current Swanton, VT 05488-8148 regulations are available from the Telephone: (802) 868-4781 refuge office. During the one day Youth Hunt hunters may hunt the Muzzle/oder December 2 to December 10 inclusive Long Marsh and Metcalfe area and east of the Season l .S. Fish & \\'ildlifr St.•n·kt.• Missisquoi river with a muzzleloader or shotgun. Youth hunters may hunt the remaining open hunting area with a rifle. Youths may hunt this day at no charge, but must The above rules supplement general hunting regulations obtain a for wildlife refuges as set forth in Title 50, Code of big game permit prior to the hunt and must return Federal Regulations, Part 32. completed harvest information to refuge headquarters. Missisquoi During the regular and muzzleloader seasons for deer, Please do no Litter National all hunters (Including bow hunters) must wear, in a There is a $500 fine for littering and it will be enforced. conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back, a Wildlife Refuge minimum of 400 square inches of solid-color hunter orange clothing or material. Permanent tree stands and ground blinds are prohibited. 1 Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge 2000 Upland Game/ Temporary tree stands and ground blinds are acceptable 371 North River Street in accordance with State regulations. Written notation Swanton, vr 05488 Big Game Hunting from the Refuge Manager is required on the big game Telephone: 802-868-4781 permit prior to leaving a temporary stand or blind Map and Regulations unattended. The Refuge Manager will note blind Hearing impaired visitors may call the Vermont locations and admonish permittees that this does not 1 - grant exclusive use of an area or site on the refuge. The Relay Center at 1-800-253-0191. use of nails, wire, screws, or bolts to attach a stand to a TD0/1-800-253-0195 voice. tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter is prohibited on U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife refuge areas. 1-800-344-wild http:/www.fws .gov Cutting or damaging of trees or their limbs is prohibited. September 2000 Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited in hunting areas. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited. Distribution of bait and hunting over bait is prohibited. Open season is as folJows: •• Archery Season October 7 to October 29, inclusive. December 2 to December I 0 inclusive. Regular Season November 11 to November 26 inclusive Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge ~ ' ""-·"""'-- -·---(~~ ·v;;tr .. ISh•lt•... -w••········--·-·---... • !.} ., Refuge Boundary Bunting Regulations --\ . ·-· fj Refuge Headquarters : ~~f ~~l~. ·-·k.·) All persons hunting upland or big game on Missisquoi Natipnal ~~q; ' :I\ .. ".~ / /• Wildlife Refuge must register and pay a $10.00 fee at refuge Primary Road "r headquarters prior to the hunting season, except permits issued to Unpaved Road ~~:~·M t'~r~.:j 1.7, ~)r • Youth Hunters for the one day special season which are free. ------Railroad Track V.(~~·.:!~~ \:'i l ·:Jf:r Old Railroad Grade 1. ·, ~:;-;. '\.: :· :/( / -~-·- ~ Ifyou possess a disabled hunting license or a Golden Access Passport, D Boat launch /: f?_~· i :.. .·;v/; fr · you may qualify for special accommodations by refuge staff. Contact Upland Game & Deer :11· .~:~-: · : : / ,/ refuge manager for details. EIJ Hunting Area ' · ·( , •. ', • t .' ; f'i J. (",,, "nrr 8~~;f~ Safety Zone (No Hunting) ·-, 1• • ~ • ( • / \ lln11 Manlnd Upland Game I . • • • • : . ~· rolnt Shotguns only will be permitted in the open area on the east side of the Missisquoi River. Hunting will be in acoordance with applicable State Youth Day Only • · • •• r1 .- ~· ;:? .. laws and regulations. Note: all other refuge. lands?a ••~ :·~: ~ · ·~ . : : ~· Closed to hu?tibg. <,• • • • : • • ... • ~ Only ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and gray squinels may be hunted. f --' ~Vi'1' -~ ~Jt·~... _d~~:ny r, ~.., ··~~~ .£~~ -- :/ '~ ~/ J Hunters will be required to make an annual report of the results of ~~~' 1 i .,;fK.c.• :::~~~;.·· ~-::-.·~ · their hunt by December 31 . Failure to do so will result in denial of @:-p:~°"~=:::::s=""=-~· ~\.-- lli-1tl111Af9\ j f7;:.':l..J('_1> ) '~ permit for the succeeding year only. ,....."'t:-..... --~~ _, .. . .) /'' ~ \ ~·x~ ) (/ L.v .. _·~ ~/ To protect waterfowl and other migratory birds form potential lead ~ :<~ .-·/" r:rr..' .l \~~_,) \ ~} ij_ f .... ;:,..... ~ .--_ I all species except for deer. .:~,~~~ '~~...... ~ :. ' .., ... ~-,.,~ ' .. ·.:--: ...... liiiiii~ ...... t.-.~k tf..•1) t , • ..._...... ,.. 1 \ ~~~~.~:~~~~:--~-:s·~~~\:-·:~.'~~~"\ •• •,.,~.,· .:~-·::":-··-:- · :\:',;".· : ~-.... ' ~m•I~ ~ :.•i ,*?JI Open season will be as follows: ~ .-::::~~~·~· · · ,':·~ ~:'.> '.~°'· ·-~.:~·~-.:·':.~.:.- ~ :~ \ .,.,p::;, I - ) o; ,, ~ ''"~··· :, ' . :,· ~·· ·...... ···\:- ,,,_.~.·~': ' ~ tr \ L/ -v- l '·'"~ -~, ,,, . ,, ~·· • '~..;;...... ··"' •\a: ....· ·.,_, .• ..,,,:-...... ·~··· ·"·..-....'' ...· ,,'- -.·.'····~ - ~ \ • J' ""·41_. .... • ' Ruffed Grouse Last Saturday in September to December 31. ·.. ~ '• •. ": "•' • •~: ~ ,'· ~· ,~ ~- :~·:,,~: • .._..:~"-''· '.',. ~ A • • ~ t ··~~ ~-:~\~~'.::--~·~~~:;~~%~·~:-.:-~,·"-~~~~ ,;' -?\ ' ~r,,.,. 'f~ ...... ~ ~ .., .. ,~\·'~"''''.. , ...... , ..... ,...... '·'.' . ' . ,. . ,. ~ • ,, . ...,, ..... • ... •',•:' .., ,,:· • ·,.· .:. • ...... ·, ·...... • ...... f • . .... ,, ...... '. :·' ...... ,, .. . ,...... :.,,·. ; ... --:...,-. SllttyZ... Gray Squi"e/ September 1, to December 31. l '\-:>:·:~~'..~.;:.'..~":'·~,··~:. :,, ~ .. >t..'-.~~.~·~~' <~~·. , ~ ,; ~ \": ~:-."~~~'.. :, ~~~~·~\~ .~. ·,~·:'§~~~~~%,' f ) Refuge Rabbit/Hare Last Saturday in September to Second Sunday in ·.,,{~,~~~~~~~~~*:';~~~~:~" --:~ :-~~-:''··>·:;.;·.... ~·~,::·. p'rfttit· ~ ..• ~l '·..-f,.be · 'Ji i· ~ '-.._Jf~Hdquarters March. [\, .· ,~~-~':~~...:,:::·:~·--: ..:' ·'. .. · ·0~~- ~·:~i fc ;... _..t ~i~:-· ,.., ) \J... ·~~~-~~:~~~~.~,..... ·' ,_.~:·~~ .' d~' \:._).-...-' .. .; r> ~ Big Game • . \ ., :._,~ ,.,~.: ,:: .. :.ll'riY9tt ~ ~I ,,,,.,.,., "~,~ Shotguns and muzzleloaders only will be permitted on the east side of 1: . ~··; .? . .:~ • . -·. ; r;:s·-· '-'1. the Missisquoi River during the regular deer season. /?;.;;;.... ;;....~~-~~~<,~::::~~~ -. ,,_,.. .-...., ...... , "~, •'( __. , /'( Vl'rmont Fi1