AnnAnnualual ReportReport 20052005 MassachusettsMassachusetts DivisionDivision ofof FisheriesFisheries && WildlifeWildlife Annual Report 2005 Massachusetts Division of fisheries & WilDlife Wayne F. MacCallum Director Jack Buckley Rob Deblinger, Ph.D. Deputy Director Deputy Director Administration Field Operations Table of Contents The Board Reports.............................................................................................4 Fisheries.............................................................................................................8 Wildlife.............................................................................................................17 Landowner Incentive Program .......................................................................29 Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.........................................31 Information & Education................................................................................37 Hunter Education............................................................................................40 District Reports ...............................................................................................45 Wildlife Lands ..................................................................................................55 Federal Aid Program Administration..............................................................61 Maintenance and Development.......................................................................63 Legislative Report............................................................................................64 Personnel Report ............................................................................................65 Financial Report ..............................................................................................67 Appendix I: Fisheries Survey and Inventory Protocol....................................72 All photos by Bill Byrne unless otherwise credited. Printed on Recycled Paper Errata: The 2004 Annual Report cover photo of an American Bittern was taken by William Fournier The Board reporTs George Darey Chairman The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board is Aside from working to meet the many fiscaland per­ a group of seven persons, each selected for a dem­ sonnel challenges which greeted us at the start of the onstrated interest in wildlife. By law, the persons fiscal year, the Board has continued to hold monthly appointed to the Board are volunteers, receiving no meetings at locations around the state, hold public remuneration or expenses for their service to the hearings on proposed regulatory changes, and address Commonwealth. Five of the seven are selected on a re­ issues of specificconcern. While many different matters gional basis, with one member, by statute, representing and issues were brought before the Board this year, most agricultural interests. The two remaining seats are held of its time was spent in scrutiny and review of agency by a professional wildlife biologist or manager, and a programs and proposals for regulatory changes. Among representative with a specific interest in the management the items examined were: and restoration of those wildlife populations not classi­ fiedas game species. Each member is appointed by the Waterfowl Regulations Governor to a fiveyear term. The Board oversees opera­ The Board heard the annual presentation from Wa­ tions of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, reviews terfowl Project Leader H Heusmann on the framework the agency’s programs, and sets policy and regulations and proposed season dates, bag and possession limits for pertinent to wildlife in the Commonwealth. the 2004 waterfowl seasons. Following a public hear­ ing on these proposals, the Board voted unanimously At the start of this fiscal year the Board was deeply to accept them. concerned about the status of the agency, which was operating with 20% fewer staff than it had three years Endangered, Threatened and ago. This shortage had forced the Board to prioritize and Special Concern Species reduce the agency’s work to core activities. The agency The Board heard a summary of proposed changes to was fortunate to be able to keep all District officesand the list of endangered, threatened and special concern hatcheries operating with staff at the minimum level species. Four species were involved: three invertebrates necessary to keep the facilities open. Further, the state to be removed, and one plant to be added. A public hear­ budget, despite the agency’s surplus of fiscalresources ing was held to solicit public comment on the proposed in the Inland Fish and Game Fund, did not appropriate changes, and following discussion and consideration, sufficient funds for maintenance or equipment. This the Board voted to accept the changes as presented. was also of great concern, as the agency has been op­ erating on a deferred level of maintenance for the past Furbearer Issue fiveyears. In view of the agency’s long history of fiscal The Board heard a report from Deputy Director Rob responsibility, substantial treasury of surplus funds, and Deblinger on a management issue at the John C. Phil­ the increase in license fees that the state’s sportsmen lips Wildlife Sanctuary in Boxford. The issue involved supported for better services and more programs, the beaver-caused flooding that had inundated a dirt road situation was cause of great frustration. used occasionally for emergency access by the local Fortunately, after a great outpouring of support from firedepartment to extinguish brush fireson Bald Hill. the Board and the public (and particularly the sports­ Noting that this is a Sanctuary, with much more re­ men), the dedicated fund has been restored, a trust has strictive regulations than those which apply to Wildlife been established for operating the Natural Heritage and Management Areas, the Board voted to maintain the Endangered Species Program, and the land stamp mon­ beaver dam and current water levels as recommended ies have been appropriated. There was even more good by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory news when Governor Romney waived the assessment Committee, and to research the possibility of conduct­ of indirect fees for the trust fund. ing controlled burns at Bald Hill to reduce fuel levels and restore fire adapted plants. All core positions have now been filledand the Board is very optimistic about the FY06 budget, which should allow the agency to return to full operation and to start to tackle the deferred maintenance and equipment needs. We commend all of the agency’s staff who have worked so hard to keep core operations going through this difficultperiod, and hope that we can now put this behind us. Hunting Zone Regulation The Board also heard a review by Deer Project Leader After hearing a presentation from Wildlife Biologist Bill Woytek on the status of moose in the state. This Jim Cardoza, and following a public hearing on the mat­ presentation also included a review of the duties of the ter, the Board voted unanimously to change the zone Large Animal Response Team (LART). boundaries for all species still regulated by county zones MESA Review to zones compatible with existing Deer Management Zones. Further, in order to simplify public understand­ The Board heard a presentation on proposed regulations ing of the zones, which are based on ecological rather changes to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act than political boundaries, the Board voted to rename (MESA), with particular emphasis on information relative the Deer Management Zones, which will henceforth be to the delineation of priority habitat, and reviewed activi­ called Wildlife Management Zones. ties and projects within priority habitat. A public hearing on the proposed changes was held, and the Board, noting Deer Management Regulations the importance and potential impact of the regulations, After hearing a presentation from Deer Project Leader extended the comment period to 30 days. There were Bill Woytek covering the 2004 deer harvest, the Board 91 written comments and 45 people who testified on voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations the proposed regulations, which will set timelines and for antlerless permit allocations for the 2005 season. standards for environmental review of proposed develop­ The Board also heard a report on the status of Chronic ments in documented rare species habitats. After much Wasting Disease, and was alarmed to hear that CWD discussion and consideration, the Board voted to adopt the has now been detected in central New York. In view of proposed regulations. The Board is very grateful to Deputy the report, the Board voted unanimously to instruct Director Jack Buckley, Commissioner David Peters and the Director to implement emergency regulations to all MDFW staff involved in formulating and writing these prohibit any deer parts other than de-boned meat, ant­ regulations. It is very pleased that a funding mechanism lers, cleaned hides and skullcaps from being brought has now been put in place to insure adequate staffing for into Massachusetts from states in which CWD occurs. A environmental review. public hearing has been scheduled to consider perma­ Youth Pheasant Hunt nent regulations pertaining to the importation of deer carcasses from CWD-infected states, and to prohibit The Board heard a presentation by Dr. Mark Tisa on a the importation of any members of the deer family, proposal to establish a Massachusetts Young Adult Pheas­ including moose and elk.