NEW THIS YEAR-- SPORTFISHING AWARDS TO ADD YOUTH CATEGORY

 MassWildlife's Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program will feature a new category to honor youth anglers 17 years old and under. For the first time, youths who have caught exceptionally large fish in 2005 will receive gold pins and plaques at the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Ceremony to be held on Saturday, February 11 at 4 PM in the Worcester DCU Centre. Adult anglers will also receive their gold pins and the 2005 Angler of the Year will also be honored.  This is a great opportunity to see  some of the biggest freshwater fish caught in Massachusetts in 2005! Information about the 2005 youth and adult winners will be posted in the Fishing area of the MassWildlife website soon after the awards ceremony in February.  Program Coordinator Richard Hartley also wants anglers to know there are important changes coming to the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards in 2006. These will be detailed both on the agency website and through the MassWildlife News email list by the second week of February.

2006 BECOMING AN OUTDOORSWOMAN WORKSHOP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Prospective and experienced adult outdoorswomen are invited to sign up for a workshop on outdoor skills in which they can learn a new outdoor skill, meet like-minded women and have fun at the same time! The 2006 Becoming An Outdoorswoman (BOW) Program schedule of workshops is now available. All workshops are designed for beginners and are taught by experienced and friendly instructors.  The workshop schedule is posted in the Education area of the MassWildlife website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife) and will be updated as specific dates and registration materials become available for each workshop.  Below is an outline of the 2006 schedule:

• February 25 – Snowshoeing, Tracking and Reading Wildlife Signs, Holden—Registration materials to be available during the first week of February.
• March – A Potpourri of Shooting and Hunting Related Skills
• April and May – Turkey Hunting Workshop and Hunt
• June 9 - 11 – Lenox — 11^th Annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend--This weekend offers  25+ separate workshop options.
• July 8 – Springfield – Mini BOW--A one day event with 5-6 outdoor workshops to be held in an urban outdoor setting.
• July 22 – Wild Edible Plants – Join Russ Cohen for a day gathering and enjoying wild edibles.
• September 9–10 – Camping for Beginners. Never been camping before? Cooked on a wood fire or experienced a night hike?  Have you gone camping and were less than comfortable?   Learn to set up a simple, efficient and cozy camp with “Lost in the Woods” instructors Karen Nottonson and Bob Trapnell.
• October 14 – Mark smanship For Hunters – How to avoid missing your quarry.
• November/December – Deer Hunting Workshop and Deer Hunt

BOW in Massachusetts is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council, Safari Club-New England Chapter, Gun Owners Action League and other conservation minded organizations and businesses. To receive registration materials by email send an email to join-BOW-Massachusetts@listserv.state.ma.us.

ENTER THE JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CONTEST BEFORE MARCH 15

“The deadline to enter the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp contest is March 15,” advises MassWildlife Education Coordinator Pam Landry. “Any student, from kindergarden through grade 12, regardless of whether they attend public school, private school or are home-schooled, can submit original artwork for this fun and educational competition.”

The Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Progra m was launched in 1991 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to increase young people’s awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife watching. Entries are reviewed in four categories representing grades K - 3, grades 4 - 6, grades 7 - 9 and grades 10 - 12. All entrants are recognized for their efforts with the top 25 receiving prizes in each age category. The overall state winner represents Massachusetts at the National Competition in Ocean City , Maryland .

“JDS is really a lesson in conservation through the arts, so everyone who participates is a winner,” continues Landry. “Not only is it fun to create a drawing or painting, it’s interesting to learn about the species being drawn so it can be shown in its natural habitat. I’d love to hear from art teachers, science teachers, and parents who home-school to provide them with all the details. The packets contain materials to stimulate interest in wildlife and habitat protection and describe the incredibly successful story of the federal Duck Stamp program. Even if someone decides not to enter the art competition, the related information can be valuable in the classroom.” For more information, contact Pam Landry, 508/792-7270 x110, pam.landry@state.ma.us or the Education area at www.MassWildlife.org.

NEWS & NOTES —Preliminary Deer Totals, Turkey Tally, Sportsmen’s Show Season Begins, Upcoming Meetings, Calendar of Events

Preliminary Deer Totals — Preliminary records from MassWildlife District offices indicate that 2,113 deer were taken by muzzleloader enthusiasts statewide. The breakdown of harvest by district follows; 278 deer were checked in MassWildlife's Western District, 405 in the Valley District, 638 in Central District, 367 in the Northeast District, and 425 in the Southeast District.  Overall deer season preliminary figures include 3,001 deer taken in the archery season, 6,128 in the shotgun season, and 7 during the deer hunt MassWildlife hosts for paraplegic sportsmen.    Licensed Massachusetts deer hunters bagged 11,249 white-tails during the 2005 deer hunting seasons according to preliminary figures reported by MassWildlife.  The total harvest does not include the 117 deer taken during the controlled hunt at Quabbin. Final figures and analysis are expected in April.

Turkey Tally -- Final fall season figures for the turkey season have been compiled. Hunters harvested 163 turkeys during the six-day season compared to 212 in 2004. Seventy eight of these birds were toms (males) and 85 were hens (females). Breaking the figures down by county, 27 birds were taken in Berkshire County , 55 in Franklin County , 11 in Hampden, and 29 in Hampshire counties, 6 in Middlesex County , 1 in Norfolk County , and 34 in Worcester County .  Hunters from six states bagged turkeys during the fall hunt. MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader Jim Cardoza noted that fall turkey harvests have varied considerably over the years. Hunter effort and participation is important, and can vary with participation in other hunting activities. Weather conditions during the fall hunt and the survival success from the previous summer are also important factors in turkey hunter’s success rate. Overall poult production in 2005 seemed to be slightly less than in 2004, with most production coming from late hatches. 

Sportsmen’s Show Season Begins -- Come in out of the cold and start planning your 2006 fishing and hunting experiences at sportsmen's shows in February! The Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at the DCU Centre (formerly Centrum Centre) in Worcester will be held February 9-12. The Southeastern Massachusetts Sportsmen's Show at the Standish Sportsmen’s Association on Burr Lane in East Bridgewater is scheduled for February 26 and 27. The Springfield Sportsmen's Show at the Big E will run from February 24-27. MassWildlife’s exhibit will focus on youth opportunities, specifically the Young Adult Pheasant Hunt program and the new Youth Freshwater Sportfish Awards program. Hunter Education and Angler Education course information will also be available. Veteran sportsmen and women may purchase licenses, obtain information on outdoor skills training sessions and ask their fish and wildlife questions of staff biologists. For details about the Worcester show, visit www.sportshows.com or call 1/800-227-2067. For the Southeastern Sportsmen's Show information, contact Hugh Hurley at hrhurley@comcast.net or call 508/588-9327. For information on the Springfield show, visit www.osegsportsmens.com or call 413/467-2171.

Upcoming Meetings — The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on February 9 at 1:30PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. For directions, check the MassWildlife website in About MassWildlife (www.mass.gov/masswildlife) or call 508/792-7270. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board meeting is scheduled for February 14,  2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Richard Cronin Building , Field Headquarters, North Drive , Westborough.  Both meetings are open to the public.

Calendar of Events — Check www.mass.gov/masswildlife  for weekly updates to the MassWildlife Calendar

February 1 - February 25 – Quack, quack! Junior Duck Stamp Traveling Art Exhibit at the Holyoke Heritage State Park , Holyoke -- Bring your family to see top youth entries in the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The Duck Stamp contest is modeled after the adult versions of both the state and federal duck stamp competitions. Youth of all ages are encouraged to learn about waterfowl and the importance of wetlands through this conservation contest. Sponsored by MassWildlife, the Mass. Wildlife Federation, Mass. Waterfowler's Association Ducks Unlimited-Mass. Chapter, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Boston Duck Tours . The Holyoke Heritage State Park is handicapped accessible. For further information on the exhibit, contact: Charlie Lotspeich 413/534-1723.

February 8 and 11 – Basic Ice Fishing Clinic, Billerica -- Want to learn about "hard water" fishing? Beginning anglers of all ages are encouraged to attend this workshop taught by instructors from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program. This clinic is sponsored by the Billerica Recreation Department. Learn basic techniques and how to handle the equipment needed to go ice fishing. The second day will include an ice fishing excursion (weather and ice safety permitting). The course is free. Equipment will be provided, but anyone with equipment is welcome to bring it. Contact the Billerica Recreation Department for more information at 978/671-0921.

February 10 – Registration deadline for Mass. Environmental Education Society Annual Conference, Holy Cross College, Worcester -- This statewide conference to be held on March 10 attracts classroom teachers, youth group leaders, state and park naturalists and other environmental educators from not only Massachusetts but other New England states. This year's theme is: EE Crossings...Connecting with Art, History, Literature, Math and Science. Walk in registrations are not permiteed.

February 15 – Black Bears in Massachusetts , Springfield – Come to the Springfield Museum ’s Tolman Wing to hear Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife Bear Biologist, share information from decades of research on this interesting mammal.  This free presentation, sponsored by the Springfield Naturalists Club, begins at 7:30 PM and is open to the public. The facility is handicapped accessible. For more information, contact Dave Gallup, President, Springfield Naturalists’ Club, 413/525-4697.

February 17 — Snakes of Massachusetts , Princeton -- Peter Mirick, MassWildlife biologist and editor of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine will give a slide presentation identifying the snakes of Massachusetts . There will also be plenty of information about their natural history and current status in the state. Peter will bring along an eastern rat snake, one of our endangered species, for participants to meet.  This presentation is at 7:30-9:00 pm at MassAudubon’s Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary located on Goodnow Road . There is a fee and space is limited to the first 35 people who pre-register. Call the Sanctuary at 978/464-2712 for pre-registration and accommodations for handicapped accessibility.

February 18 — 1^st Merrimack River Eagle Festival, Amesbury and Newburyport – Celebrate the return of eagles to one of New England ’s larger rivers. Come to a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities in which MassWildlife will be participating. Learn more about these magnificent birds and the habitat they share with us. Festival sponsors include: US Fish and Wildlife Service Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and MassAudubon at Joppa Flats, Eagle-Tribune Publishing Company and the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank. All activities are free and include self-guided tours of birding spots, bus tours guided by expert birders, live eagle demonstrations, children's nature activities and ice sculptures. For information on the Merrimack River Eagle Festival events, contact http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Joppa_Flats/news.php or call Melissa Vokey, Mass Audubon, 978/462-9998.

February 18 – Basic Ice Fishing Clinic, Otter River (Templeton) -- Want to learn about "hard water" fishing? Beginning anglers of all ages are encouraged to attend this workshop taught by instructors from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program. This clinic is hosted by the Otter River Sportsmen's Club. Learn basic techniques and how to handle the equipment needed to go ice fishing. The clinic will include an ice fishing excursion (weather and ice safety permitting). The course is free. Equipment will be provided, but anyone with equipment is welcome to bring it. Contact the Jim Lagacy, MassWildlife Angler Education Coordinator at 508/792-7270 x109.