Connecticut Diadromous Fisheries Restoration

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

SPRING DIADROMOUS FISH RUNS:

  The spring fish runs ended in June with the following highlights:  American Shad in the Connecticut River experienced the third highest total in the 50-year history of the restoration program, with 543,896 fish passed over the Holyoke Dam in Massachusetts. This is higher than the 385,930 passed last year but significantly less than the record of 721,764 in 1992.  A fair run of American Shad in the Shetucket River with 1,912 fish passed at the Greeneville Dam, compared to 2,669 last year. American Shad counts at this facility tend to fluctuate from year to year and this year’s count ranks below both the long term average and the ten year average.    Twenty adult Atlantic Salmon returned to the Connecticut River this spring, up from last year’s total of five. All other states in the Connecticut River watershed discontinued stocking salmon in 2013. Starting in 2018 any adult salmon returning to the river will likely have originated from Connecticut.
 Runs of Alewife were better than the past two years in many locations. The run to Bride Brook had dropped for the third straight year prior to this year’s record return of 386,325 fish.    Runs of Blueback Herring were poor just about everywhere. In the Connecticut River, sampling in places like Wethersfield Cove and the lower Farmington River yielded low numbers. Passage numbers at the Holyoke Fish Lift were up slightly from recent years but do not compare to historic lift counts.
SEA

Biologists Seek Input on Snake Sightings

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Biologists are asking the public to report snake sightings this fall to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas to help document the extent of the state’s eleven snake species. 

 

“Fall is an ideal time to see snakes as they move to their winter den sites,” said Jim Andrews, coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas.  “Vermont’s snakes can be identified by their wide variety of patterns and markings, which can be quite beautiful.” 

 

The first hard frost each fall signals to snakes that it’s time to move to their winter denning sites.  On the first warm day after a frost when temperatures approach the 60s and the sun is out, many species of snakes will warm up enough to start moving uphill.  They are especially easy to spot on quiet back roads that separate overgrown wet fields or beaver meadows from a dry rocky hardwood forest.  

 

“Vermont’s snakes are generally harmless, and they play an important role in the ecosystem in addition to directly benefitting people,” said Doug Blodgett, wildlife biologist for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.  “Larger snakes eat rodents like mice or voles, which carry the ticks that spread Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, while some of our smaller snakes eat slugs and snails.” 

 

Cooler mountainous areas of the state and the Northeast Kingdom only have three known species of snakes – the common gartersnake, red-bellied snake, and ring-necked snake.  Warmer lowland areas have a wider variety of species including milksnakes, DeKay’s brownsnakes, and common watersnakes.  Timber rattlesnakes are Vermont’s one venomous species.  They are found only in isolated pockets of western Rutland County, and are generally secretive and docile. 

 

“Sadly, many snakes get hit while crossing the road or sunning themselves on the road during this fall migration,” said Andrews.  “If you find a crossing area, please photograph each species crossing and report them, making sure to be careful of traffic as you do.”

 

Snakes and other reptiles and amphibians can be reported via VtHerpAtlas.org or directly to Jim Andrews at jandrews@middlebury.edu.

Treestand Safety Tips

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photo by Tom Rogers

Treestand Safety Tips
Many states now report treestand accidents as the major cause of hunting related injuries. The proper use of treestand equipment will help to prevent these injuries or even death.

Before the hunt,
   Know your equipment. n Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings before you use your Treestand and Full-Body Harness (FBH). 
  Check stands (including straps and chains) every season and also before each use for signs of wear, fatigue, cracks, loose or missing nuts or bolts and replace as necessary. 
  Practice at ground level with your treestand and FBH with another person present before the hunt.
n  Learn how to properly use your FBH with a suspension release device.
    Note: Waist belts or upper-body-only designs of safety harnesses should never be used and can cause death or serious injury.
Select the right tree for your stand.  Select a healthy, straight tree that is the right size for your treestand. 
  Check the tree for insect nests or animal dens. 
  Avoid using climbing stands on smooth barked trees, especially during icy or wet conditions. 
  Clear debris from the base of the tree to minimize injury from a fall and to ensure a safe base if using a ladder stand.
Select an alternate ground blind.  Be prepared for changing weather conditions, such as rain, lighting, and high wind that might make it unsafe to hunt from an elevated stand. 
  Know your limitations. If you feel sleepy or unsure about the climb, a ground blind will provide you a safe alternative hunting option.
Have a hunt plan.  Let a reliable person know where you’ll be, when you will return and who’s with you. Plans and maps make it easier for others to find you in the event of a mishap.
During the hunt Wear a FBH!   Simply owning a FBH does not make you safe, you must take it out of your pack and wear it.
  Make sure your FBH is attached to the tree as soon as you begin to climb using climbing stands and/or climbing aids.
   In the case of ladder stands, attach the FBH before securing the platform to the tree or stepping onto it. Wear a FBH at all times while using any elevated stand. Don’t take chances.  When climbing a ladder, keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Both hands and a foot or both of your feet and one hand should be used to support your body weight when using a ladder.
  When using a platform stand, climb higher than the stand and then step down onto the platform.  Slowly put your weight onto your stand to be sure of your balance.
   Never carry equipment when climbing.  Use a haul line to raise and lower equipment.
roperly adjust your FBH n  Whether standing or sitting, keep the tether line distance (between you and the tree) as short as possible with no slack in the tether while in the seated position. This will minimize the distance in case of a fall
Use a haul line.  Always raise and lower your firearm, bow or other equipment with a haul line. 
   Make sure firearms are unloaded before attaching to a haul line and don’t attach the haul line near the trigger or trigger guard.
   Make sure broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering a bow with a haul line.
If you fall, stay calm.  By planning ahead, you can avoid additional problems.
  Have emergency equipment such as a knife, cell phone, flashlight, and/or whistle on your person.
Practice the 3 R’s: recover, relief and rescue.  Attempt to recover and return to your stand. If this is not possible, exercise your legs by pushing against the tree, using another form of motion or your suspension relief device until help arrives.
  Don’t take chances.
  Call for help immediately.
For more information on treestand safety and a list of products that have been independently tested and certified go to:
  Source; National Bowhunter Education Foundation: www.nbef.org or www.projectstand.net

Small Game Season.....

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that small game hunting season opens next month.
The season for pheasant, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, bobwhite quail, red and gray fox opens Saturday, October 21 – Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Season dates were misprinted on page 30 of the 2017-2018 Hunting & Trapping Guide that is available at license vendors; an insert listing the correct dates is being provided to vendors this week. The online Guide includes correct season dates.
The season for hunting raccoon runs from Sunday, October 1 – Wednesday, February 28, 2018. The season for coyote on state land runs from Sunday, October 1 – Wednesday, February 28, 2018 and during the spring turkey season: Thursday, April 26, 2018 – Sunday, May 20, 2018, provided the hunter has a valid spring turkey permit in his/her possession. There is no closed season for coyote on private land.
DEM's Division of Fish & Wildlife is stocking the Great Swamp, Durfee Hill, and Eight Rod Farm wildlife management areas for the Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend on October 14 and October 15. The hunt is open to youths aged 12 to 15 that have completed a hunter education class; hunters under age 15 must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter aged 21 or older. A hunting license and pheasant tags are required for all youth pheasant hunters. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by October 6. To register, please complete the registration form and send it to Jessica Pena at the DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife at jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov. Please see the registration form for more information.
As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in Rhode Island, hunting plays an important role in connecting people with nature, supporting quality of life and family traditions, and attracting tourism. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, hunting contributes more than $18 million annually to Rhode Island's economy. There are approximately 17,000 licensed hunters in Rhode Island. Hunter education is offered as part of DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife's Hunter Education Program. Safety training is required by law in Rhode Island for beginning hunters. To date, more than 40,000 people have completed a hunter safety course in Rhode Island, helping to dramatically reduce related accidents in the state and elsewhere. A complete schedule of hunter educational offerings is available at www.dem.ri.gov.
For more information about hunting in Rhode Island, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for

New Hampshire: High Schools Compete in Statewide Bass Fishing Tournament

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

N.H. High Schools Compete in Statewide Bass Fishing Tournament

CONCORD, NH -- Students from around New Hampshire will soon be competing for top honors in a high school bass fishing tournament. A qualifying tournament with 41 registered schools will take place on Thursday, September 21, out of Lee's Mills on Lake Winnipesaukee. The top third of the schools from the qualifying round will move on to the state finals on Saturday, September 30, on Pawtuckaway Lake.

At the final tournament, a State Champion will be honored and individual medals will be awarded for the largest total catch (eight fish maximum) and for the largest largemouth and smallmouth bass caught.

Since the student bass tournament started in New Hampshire in 2013, it has become a popular high school sports competition. Held in the fall of each year, the events are conducted by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA), with assistance from the N.H. Fish and Game Department and N.H. B.A.S.S. Nation.

The tournament includes a strong educational component. Teams have adult mentors who guide them through learning about New Hampshire's aquatic resources and the responsibility that goes along with being anglers. As a part of this process, N.H. Fish and Game recently conducted a High School Bass Fishing Education Seminar for participants.

"It is exciting to see how enthusiastic the students are about fishing. I hope that fishing becomes a lifelong activity for many of them," said Kyle Glencross, who coordinates the Fish and Game Department's Let's Go Fishing Program (www.fishnh.com/fishing/lets-go-fishing.html). Glencross serves on the NHIAA Bass Fishing Committee and provides logistical and volunteer support for the event.

Additional information about the tournament can be found on the NHIAA website at nhiaa.org.

The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association is a private not-for-profit organization that has served as the leader of high school athletics for its member schools in New Hampshire since 1947. The student bass fishing tournament is in keeping with the NHIAA goals of adding sports that will have lifelong appeal to student athletes, and providing more sports that are co-ed and inclusive to all populations within our schools.

DEEP Reports Small Die-off in Local White-tailed Deer Herd

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hemorrhagic disease suspected as cause but not confirmed

 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that a recently-discovered die-off of several deer in the Portland area may be due to hemorrhagic disease, which is one of the most important infectious diseases affecting white-tailed deer. The cause of death could not definitively be determined due to the condition of the dead animals, but the manner in which the deer were found led DEEP biologists to suspect that hemorrhagic disease may be the cause. The DEEP Wildlife Division is encouraging anyone who observes deer appearing emaciated, behaving strangely, or lying dead along the edge of waterbodies to report the information to the DEEP’s 24-hour emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333 or the DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-418-5921. The department is seeking to test other dead deer to confirm the suspicion that hemorrhagic disease is the cause.

In early September, a concerned hunter contacted the DEEP Wildlife Division about several dead deer found along a small waterbody adjacent to the Connecticut River near Sand Hill Road in Portland. The deer were in various stages of decay along the bank, while some were floating in the water. Several additional deer were found less than a mile from that location at another small waterbody. In total, over a dozen deer were found dead in the area.

Hemorrhagic disease is transmitted by biting midges (commonly referred to as sand gnats, sand flies, no-see-ums). First documented in New Jersey in 1955, the disease has been documented in many southeastern states and recently reported throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In 2007, over 20 deer were found dead due to hemorrhagic disease in the greater Voorheesville area of Albany County, New York, approximately 60 miles from the Connecticut border, and another outbreak in New York in 2011 killed nearly 100 deer. In addition to white-tailed deer, other species, such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and elk, have been documented with the disease in numerous other states.

There has not been a significant negative impact on the long-term health of deer herds in states where the disease has been detected because only localized pockets of animals tend to be infected within a geographic area.

All documented outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease tend to occur during late summer and early fall due to an increase in midge numbers and will cease with the onset of a hard frost, which kills the midges carrying the virus. Outbreaks can range from a few mild cases to high deer mortality.

There are several different forms of hemorrhagic disease, but usually in a new outbreak, the very rapid form occurs and kills the animal within one to three days of infection. Symptoms of hemorrhagic disease in deer include swollen head, neck, tongue, or eyelids with a bloody discharge from the nasal cavity; erosion of the dental pad or ulcers on the tongue; and hemorrhaging of the heart and lungs, causing respiratory distress. Additionally, the virus creates high feverish conditions, leading infected deer to sometimes be found near water sources. Not all symptoms are necessarily present in every infected deer.

Hemorrhagic disease does not infect humans, and people are not at risk by handling infected deer, eating venison from infected deer, or being bitten by infected midges. The disease rarely causes illness in domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and cats. Hunters should observe normal precautions around any sick or strange-acting animals.

September 28th Grand Opening of New Dead Creek Visitor Center

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

ADDISON, Vt. – On Thursday, September 28, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will celebrate the grand opening of the new Dead Creek Visitor Center, and share the new facility with the public and distinguished guests at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Addison.  The free event begins at 5 p.m.

Dead Creek WMA in Addison is beloved for its wildlife viewing and waterfowl hunting opportunities.  Thousands of people visit the WMA every year to watch the fall migration of snow geese and other birds, to enjoy an early morning duck hunt, or to find an elusive bald eagle for the perfect photograph. At the new center, visitors will find information about the WMA, as well as learn about conservation and management of Vermont’s natural resources.

 

“Dead Creek is a very popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, and the new visitor center will provide a helpful educational resource on everything from the geologic history of the Champlain Valley to the unique ecology and breadth of species found here,” said Amy Alfieri, manager of the Dead Creek WMA and visitor center.  “Visitors will have a place where they can ask questions and interact with experts on a regular basis.”

 

“We hope the visitor center will be a new education resource for the public, including schools, nature clubs, and other groups who want to learn about why and how we manage wildlife populations and habitat.  It will be a place where anyone who wants to better understand fish and wildlife can come explore the exhibits,” said Alison Thomas, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s education manager.

 

The grand opening celebration is scheduled for September 28 with a meet-and-greet starting at 5 p.m, followed by the ribbon cutting and exhibit room dedication.  In addition, part of a video about the Dead Creek WMA will be debuted.  The grand opening is free, and refreshments will be served.  The visitor center and celebration is located on Route 17 west of Route 22A.

 

For more information about the grand opening and the Dead Creek Visitor Center, visit Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and check under http://tinyurl.com/ybudzzrq .

Mentors Needed for National Hunting and Fishing Day

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Mentors Needed for National Hunting and Fishing Day.

What is your State doing ?

.
September 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF). Experienced sportsmen and women are encouraged to celebrate by passing on their love of field and stream sports to others. This year, those who accept the NHF Day Challenge by pledging to take someone fishing, hunting or shooting between now and September 23rd can enter to win prizes. New York State is celebrating with several fishing and hunting opportunities. Try a new hunting/angling spot or game species. Reinvigorate the interest of a lapsed hunter or angler. Go afield for squirrel, early bear or early goose. Take a 12-15 year-old out during Youth Pheasant Hunt in eastern zones, or Youth Waterfowl Weekend in northeastern and Lake Champlain zones (September 23-24). NHF Day is also a free fishing day, when all ages can fish without a license. Check DEC's NHF Day webpage for dates and details.

Restoring Loons in Massachusetts

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Restoring loons to Massachusetts
This summer marks the 3^rd year of Restore the Call, an initiative spearheaded by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) to study Common Loons and restore them to their former breeding ranges in New England. In partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine Audubon, and New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Restore the Call relocates loon chicks from Maine and New York into the Assawompset Pond Complex in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Historically, loons nested on these waterbodies before the species was extirpated as a breeding bird in Massachuse
tts in the late 1800s. As a result of this project, chicks translocated to southeastern Massachusetts are expected to return to that region to breed as adults in 4–6 years, thereby establishing a new breeding population in the state.
Massachusetts is currently home to approximately 45 territorial pairs of loons with the majority nesting on Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. Most of the other nesting loons are on waterbodies between the two reservoirs, and because loons are notoriously poor dispersers, it may take them decades or longer to recolonize the Assawompset Pond Complex. BRI and partners are hoping to jump start a population in southeastern Massachusetts, an area that could see dozens of nesting loons in the future.
Loons are brought from Maine and New York, where they have a robust population, and placed in pens at the new site for a time before release. In the pens (also known as hacking pens), the birds become acclimated to their new home but have limited contact with people while in the pens to ensure they don’t become dependent on people or associate them with food. Over the first two years of the project, 16 juvenile loons were translocated and released on the Assawompset Pond Complex. The goal this year is to bring in another 10 juvenile loons from Maine. So far this year, 3 juvenile loons have been translocated and placed in the hacking pens, and one of those birds has already been released onto the lake.
In an exciting development this summer, one of the translocated loon chicks from a prior year has recently been observed foraging on the release lake with two other juvenile loons. Sometimes juvenile loons return from wintering grounds to their natal lake or nearby lakes to socialize and feed as early as one year after fledging. “This is one of those cases,” says Lee Attix, BRI’s lead loon researcher in Massachusetts. “Although only one-year-old, this banded juvenile loon gives us confirmation that it has returned to the release lake versus the natal lake, and we hope it is the harbinger of a new breeding population for the area. In my 21 years of studying loons, this is the most significant finding.” The documentation that this bird has returned to the release area and is accompanied by other loons provides great hope that this species soon will be nesting again in southeastern Massachusetts, after an absence of over 115 years!

PHENOLOGY CALENDAR

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Second Week of September

Groundhogs are eating voraciously to fatten up quickly for winter. Too much fat earlier in the season would make them easy prey.

Mating season for moose begins.

The red blossoms of cardinal flower may still be seen in wet areas. The flowers produce a lot of nectar because their most important pollinators are hummingbirds, and they require a substantial reward.

Time to look for recipes that use green tomatoes.

A dry, windy day will send milkweed seeds flying.

Third Week of September

Jack-in-the-pulpit seeds have turned bright orange. Deer and some birds eat the berries but they have more oxalic acid than humans can manage.

Immature male turkeys, called jakes, are forming bachelor flocks.

A large common mullein plant can produce as many as 180,000 seeds.

Beechnuts are ripening. Many animals eat these small but nutritious nuts.

Toads are making their way underground, using a mix of their own digging and existing mammal excavations. Source: Virginia Barlow