Three Barnet Men Arrested in Deer Poaching Incident

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Three Barnet Men Arrested in Deer Poaching Incident

One Man Previously Convicted of Two Dozen Fish and Wildlife Crimes

 

DANVILLE, Vt. – Three Barnet men were recently arrested and charged with multiple counts related to a nighttime deer poaching incident. 

 

Carl Sanborn, 47, and his son Jonathan Sanborn, 20, allegedly shot with a bow and arrow at a deer decoy on the night of Saturday, October 21.  The decoy was placed by Vermont State Game Wardens in an area in Danville with a strong history of poaching activity.  The vehicle, a convertible driven by a juvenile, aged 16, then led wardens on a high-speed pursuit.  Another 13-year-old juvenile was also in the vehicle and is not being charged. 

 

During the pursuit, a bow and rangefinder were thrown from the vehicle and recovered by wardens.  An official Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department emblem, owned by the State of Vermont, was found affixed to the front of the vehicle at the time it was stopped. 

 

Carl Sanborn is being charged with seven counts, including taking big game by illegal means, hunting while under revocation, failure to stop for a game warden, and contributing to juvenile delinquency.  He faces more than two years in prison and $14,000 in fines.  Sanborn has previously been convicted of 24 fish and wildlife crimes dating back to 1993, and was sentenced to 81 days and fined $6,800 because of the convictions. 

 

Jonathan Sanborn was charged with six counts and faces more than two years in prison and $8,000 in fines. 

 

The 16-year-old will be processed as a juvenile.  He was charged with eight counts, including a felony charge for attempting to elude police, and faces more than eight years in prison and $12,000 in fines.

 

The car, registered to Carl Sanborn, along with the bow, rangefinder, and light were all seized and stand to be forfeited to the state upon conviction.  All three men also stand to lose their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. 

 

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking anyone with information about any poaching activity to call their local warden through their nearest state police dispatch, or they may leave an anonymous tip to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378).  

 

Return for a fifth time, our special guest, Maine Guide Lorenda DayCoombs.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

News, Fish Stockings, Abstract Changes, Solunar Tables, Community and Event Calendar and interviews too !

Today taking a day off from guiding and her ever growing real estate business will be Lorenda DayCoombs of     www.southernmaineguideservice.com

Thank You, to our listeners and quality E-mails on todays program

Maine Fisherman Sentenced for Illegally Trafficking American Eels

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Richard D. Austin was sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment yesterday for trafficking juvenile American eels (also called "elvers" or "glass eels") in violation of the Lacey Act, following a hearing in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia. The sentence was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dana J. Boente.

In April 2017, Austin, who has several previous wildlife-related convictions, pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act by selling elvers in interstate commerce that he had harvested illegally in Virginia and Massachusetts. Court documents indicate that Austin trafficked at least 147 pounds of elvers, which is approximately 300,000 individual eels, and worth more than $162,000. Austin sold these eels to exporters, who then exported them from the United States to international markets.

"Illegal harvesting and trafficking of wildlife represents a dire threat to our critical ecosystems," said U.S. Attorney Boente. "This case reaffirms our commitment to protecting Virginia's natural resources for future generations."

"Today's sentencing sends a strong message to those who choose to exploit and illegally traffic our native wildlife," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Chief of Law Enforcement, Ed Grace. "We appreciate the dedication of the Department of Justice, and our partners involved in this case, and will continue to work with federal, state, and local conservation law enforcement officials to combat the illegal wildlife trade."

Eels are highly valued in east Asia for human consumption. Historically, Japanese and European eels were harvested to meet this demand; however, overfishing has led to a decline in these populations. As a result, harvesters have turned to the American eel to fill the void. American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean bounded on all sides by ocean currents. They then travel as larvae from the Sargasso to the coastal waters of the eastern United States, where they enter a juvenile or elver stage, swim upriver and grow to adulthood in fresh water. Elvers are exported for aquaculture in East Asia, where they are raised to adult size and sold for food. Harvesters and exporters of American eels in the United States can sell elvers to East Asia for more than $2,000 per pound.

Because of the threat of overfishing, Atlantic Coast states have cooperatively prohibited elver harvesting in all but two states: Maine and South Carolina. Maine and South Carolina heavily regulate elver fisheries, requiring that individuals be licensed and report all quantities of harvested eels to state authorities. Other Atlantic coast states, including Virginia, have commercial fisheries for adult or "yellow" eels.

This case was the result of "Operation Broken Glass," a multi-jurisdiction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation into the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the investigation has resulted in guilty pleas for 18 individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $5 million worth of elvers.

"In this operation, we are actively partnering with state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to protect our nation's marine resources from further exploitation." said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wood.

Operation Broken Glass was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section in collaboration with the Maine Marine Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police, USFWS Refuge Law Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Law Enforcement, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game Division of Law Enforcement, Maryland Natural Resources Police, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Division of Natural Resources, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Habitat Restoration Project Underway in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

A multi-dam removal and habitat restoration project is underway at Hamant Brook in Sturbridge, MA.

Sturbridge — A multi-dam removal and habitat restoration project is underway at Hamant Brook in Sturbridge, MA. Hamant Brook is a coldwater stream running through 880 acres of protected municipal conservation land named the Leadmine Conservation Area. To restore ¾ of a mile of coldwater stream, three consecutive dams will be removed on Hamant Brook: the Upper and Middle Pond Dams, owned by the Town of Sturbridge, and the Lower Dam, owned by Old Sturbridge Village. The dam removals will eliminate a public safety hazard, improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, and restore habitat for native trout, endangered turtles, and other wildlife. Additionally, the project will improve parking and public access to a popular town conservation area with the installation of educational and trail kiosks. Public access to this site is prohibited while construction is underway.
 “Investments in projects like this not only enhances ecological and safety values but also recreational value,” said Ron Amidon, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Commissioner. “Restoring the coldwater habitat here will furnish an exceptional opportunity for anglers to catch native brook trout.”
"This habitat restoration project enhances ongoing habitat management efforts by MassWildlife and other conservation-minded public and private landowners," said Jack Buckley, MassWildlife Director. "It also complements the state's collaborative land protection efforts in the Sturbridge area."
In 2006, MassWildlife obtained a Conservation Restriction from the Town of Sturbridge on the Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area. This effort nearly doubled the size of protected open space adjacent to MassWildlife’s own Leadmine Wildlife Management Area. This land conservation collaborative contributed nearly 2,000 acres of protected land open to the public in the southern part of Sturbridge.
The Hamant Brook Project also affords opportunities for scientists to document the effects of dam removal on a coldwater stream. Following the completion of the project, MassWildlife fisheries biologists will conduct surveys on a periodic basis to monitor the fish communities living in this important habitat over time. “These dam removals will improve water quality within Hamant Brook, reduce stream temperatures and improve the resiliency of the stream to the impacts of climate change,” said Todd Richards, MassWildlife Assistant Director of Fisheries. “The broader goal of the work is to improve water quality and habitat in the Quinebaug River.”
“The Hamant Brook restoration project is a success thanks to the great efforts of many partners. With the removal of these three dams, we not only permanently reconnect the stream habitat, but also multiply the public land conservation efforts and restore the former impoundments to improve water quality and restore coldwater habitat within a protected conservation area,” said Amy Singler, Project Manager at American Rivers.
Funding for the Hamant Brook Restoration Project is provided by Millennium Power and many other project partners, including the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture.

Connecticut; DEEP Reports Small Die-off in Local White-tailed Deer Herd Hemorrhagic disease confirmed in Middletown deer

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

DEEP Reports Small Die-off in Local White-tailed Deer Herd
Hemorrhagic disease confirmed in Middletown deer.

Since early September, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division has documented in more than 50 white-tailed deer exhibiting symptoms associated with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHDV-6), primarily in the towns of Middletown and Portland, with a few in Chester, Haddam, and Lyme.

EHDV-6 is transmitted to deer by tiny biting flies (midges). Although the virus has also been detected in other mammals, including mule deer, elk, and domestic cattle, white-tailed deer represent 95% of the affected animals. Once infected, the disease progresses rapidly with deer exhibiting symptoms that include swollen head, neck, tongue, or eyelids with a bloody discharge from the nasal cavity; ulcers on the tongue; and hemorrhaging of the heart and lungs followed by death within three to five days. The virus also creates high feverish conditions, causing infected deer to sometimes be found in or near water sources.

Concern over hemorrhagic disease should not limit hunter willingness to harvest deer during the hunting season. The disease does not infect humans, and people are not at risk by eating venison from or handling infected deer, or by being bitten by infected midges. The disease rarely causes illness in domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and cats. However, hunters are advised to exercise caution if they observe a deer that is behaving abnormally or appears sick and avoid shooting, handling, or consuming that animal. When field dressing deer, hunters should wear latex or rubber gloves and disinfect any instruments that come in contact with the animal.

The DEEP Wildlife Division first learned of several dead deer in the Portland/Middletown area from a concerned hunter. The reported deer were in various stages of decay with some lying along the river bank, while others were floating in the water. On October 15, 2017, the DEEP received confirmation from the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study group that a deer from Middletown tested positive for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 6 (EHDV-6).

Prior to 2004, only two subtypes of Hemorrhagic Disease were documented in North America (EHDV-1, 2). EHDV-6 was first detected in 2006 in Indiana and Illinois, and has since been reported throughout the Midwest, and from Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland.
Outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease routinely occur during late summer and early fall as the number of midges increase, and ceases with the onset of a hard frost, which kills the midges carrying the virus. Although temperatures have dipped into the upper 30’s along the Connecticut River in recent days, a hard frost has not occurred.

The DEEP is encouraging anyone who observes deer appearing emaciated, behaving strangely, or lying dead along the edge of waterbodies to report the information, along with the closest address, to the DEEP’s 24-hour Emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333, the DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-418-5921, or send an email to Andrew.labonte@ct.gov.

State experts predict uptick in tick-borne diseases will continue

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

A blacklegged tick, commonly known as a deer tick. Photo courtesy of Vermont Department of Health

Health officials fear that record numbers of Vermonters will acquire tick-borne diseases this fall after a record-setting summer.

It’s not clear what’s causing the increased number of tick-borne diseases, but the trend doesn’t appear to be solely the result of better testing or greater awareness, said Bradley Tompkins, an infectious disease epidemiologist with the Vermont Health Department.
Health workers have already seen a record number of anaplasmosis cases, Tompkins said, and there are indications that pattern will continue through the fall.
Tick-borne illnesses will continue to be a concern at least through Thanksgiving, Tompkins said. While mosquito-borne illnesses are generally a problem only until the first hard frost, ticks don’t respond to seasonal weather in the same way, he said.
Anaplasmosis is spread by the blacklegged tick, the same species that transmits Lyme disease, babesiosis, Powassan virus and the bacteria Borrelia miyamotoi, which also cause disease.
In rare instances anaplasmosis may prove fatal. The most common symptoms are fever, malaise, muscle aches and headaches. Research in recent years by Lyndon State College faculty and state scientists suggests that about 7 percent to 10 percent of Vermont ticks carry the bacteria that cause it.
During those studies, ticks carrying anaplasmosis were found almost exclusively in the southern half of the state.
More than half the ticks tested across the state carried the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Ticks with this bacteria were found throughout the state.
The incidence of tick-borne diseases in Vermont has steadily increased since at least 2010, Tompkins said.
This rise can’t be explained by better testing methods, or by greater numbers of Vermonters alerting health professionals after they’ve been bitten, he said.
But it’s not clear what is driving the increase, he said.
Climate change is likely a contributing factor, but it’s hard to say to what degree, said Jared Ulmer, the climate and health program coordinator at the Vermont Department of Health.
Establishing links between climate change and certain ailments, such as heat illnesses, is a pretty straightforward task, Ulmer said. It’s much more difficult to find what relation exists between the Earth’s warming and things like Lyme disease, he said.
An example Tompkins related might illustrate why.
Research in New York has shown that trees like oak, walnut and beech undergo yearslong cycles of seed production, Tompkins said. Some years bring more nuts than others, he said.
Years with heavy nut production tend to encourage larger populations of white-footed mice in the following year, Tompkins said. This species of mouse is a particularly well-suited vector for Lyme disease, he said.
The year after these white-footed mice populations expand, Tompkins said, Lyme disease incidence in humans is typically greater than normal.
A number of other natural and artificial factors influence the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses, Tompkins said. Human development, for instance, creates good habitat for white-footed mice, he said.
Ticks also prefer warm, moist areas, he said. Research indicates that global temperature increases are likely to bring both these conditions to New England, Ulmer said.
White-footed mice, shrews and Eastern chipmunks are all known “reservoirs” for tick-borne diseases, Tompkins said. This is in part because these animals don’t mount an immune response to the Lyme disease bacteria, he said, which allows the bacteria to thrive as long as their host survives.
Ticks born in the spring typically feed on small mammals that spring or summer, and over the following year they mature into nymphs, Tompkins said. These nymphs typically feed again — this time on a variety of animals, including humans — the spring or summer following their first birthday.
Adult female ticks often feed again in the fall, as do a few nymphs and males, in preparation for the winter, Tompkins said.
This fall “blood meal” is the one Vermont authorities are concerned could break records again this year, he said.
The high number of anaplasmosis cases Vermont health workers encountered this summer is an early indication that high numbers of tick-borne diseases are likely in the fall, Tompkins said.
It’s important to note that the most common tick-borne disease, Lyme disease, is curable, he said.
A popular misconception exists that people who contract Lyme disease will carry it for the remainder of their lives, he said.
“That’s simply not true,” Tompkins said.
Existing antibiotics can cure Lyme disease, he said, although some of the effects of the disease may linger for months afterward.
Nevertheless, Tompkins said, early treatment is important, as this reduces the likelihood of lingering symptoms.
Vermonters bitten by ticks can contribute to a state database at a Health Department tick tracker, found here.

Karl Meyer: Fish futures on a broken river

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

It’s been decades since migratory fish on New England’s great river got a break — bleak since deregulation came to federally licensed electricity plants on the Connecticut beginning in 1998.
Deregulation turned a regional market into a venture capital free-for-all, opening the door to speculators and foreign interests controlling public resources. In less than 20 years the Vernon hydro station changed hands three times. The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant next door is currently courting a third owner. Downstream the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station and Turners Falls hydro complex flipped four times between investors. Further south, the Holyoke hydro station sold only once, in 2002.
None of this proved healthy for an ecosystem.
The post-deregulation decade saw a steep slide in American shad passing Holyoke Dam. After two decades of averages well above 300,000 fish, yearly numbers plunged to near half that — a far cry from the 720,000 passed in 1992. Things were even more desperate at Turners Falls Dam. There, impacted by the massive water appetite and violent, peaking flows sent downstream by the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station, passage dropped below 1 percent some years. For a decade, just three or four migrating shad in 100 were tallied emerging alive upstream. Today’s numbers languish near 1980s’ levels.
The federal license signed by Holyoke Gas & Electric in 2002 required they complete lift improvements at Holyoke by 2008 to pass endangered shortnose sturgeon upriver. Sturgeon were literally unable to spawn — blocked at that dam from reaching their only documented natural spawning site, a fail-safe refuge known as the Rock Dam Pool at Turners Falls. Year in, year out, that mandate went unenforced. It was finally met last year.
In 2004 federal fish biologist Boyd Kynard handed results of 15 years of Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon research to the National Marine Fisheries Service. He and colleagues had documented that that Rock Dam spawning site for the only federally endangered migratory fish on the river was being decimated by industrial practices. Yearly gatherings failed for the few dozen spawning-ready sturgeon surviving upstream of Holyoke — as they attempted to continue a tenuous 200 million-year-old genetic line. But National Marine Fisheries Service didn’t come to their aid; no watchdog intervened.
Ultimately, decades of research by Kynard and company was compiled into “Life History and Behaviour of Connecticut River Shortnose and other Sturgeons,” published by the World Sturgeon Conservation Society. After experts at the Europe-based society published the book in early 2012, the U.S. Geological Service (where Kynard retired as a federal fish scientist) began making belated objections, halting all publication for a time. Their objections caused a de facto embargo of its sale in the U.S. through that spring.
The USGS cited editorial and style concerns in “recalling” three chapters on sturgeon biology and spawning — including the data and text showing industrial flows caused spawning failure at Turners Falls. Nearly a dozen state, federal and university contributors to the book cried foul, citing censorship and the public’s right to government information. In June, concurrent with press inquiries and a letter from Congressman John Olver questioning the withholding of public science, the USGS suddenly withdrew all its objections — days before an article highlighting the issues appeared in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Federal agencies now had the facts. Yet despite the Endangered Species Act, none took action.
In spring 2014, a popular beer, Shortnose Stout, debuted in the region. Its label displayed Kynard’s website and highlighted spawning conditions at Turners Falls. The Connecticut River Watershed Council soon stepped up to accept donated profits from its sale, but those sturgeon were again left hanging. Today conditions at Rock Dam remain as ruinous as when the first 2004 findings were released.
In 2015 the controversial chapters from Kynard’s book got entered into the public record in the current Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s relicensing process for Northfield Mountain and Turners Falls. With that science on the record, things changed at federal proceedings. Sturgeon spawning became a key factor in flow discussions for a future FERC licenses there mandating river conditions. This June, new restoration targets to meet failed 50-year-old federal Anadramous Fish Conservation Act requirements were released by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. With passage failed for half a century at Turners Falls, new shad targets mandate 397,000 fish passing annually. New owner, Canada Public Pension Investments, will be on the hook to build lifts and safeguard sturgeon spawning.
In August a fisherman near Vernon landed an endangered shortnose sturgeon — a fish thought not to exist above Turners Falls. He took a photo and released the fish, sending the picture to officials who confirmed it, then forwarded it to the National Marine Fisheries Service. There is reason to believe that landing may not be an isolated occurrence. The fisheries service is taking the confirmed capture seriously. Is a remnant shortnose population clinging to life in Vermont and New Hampshire waters? Did someone release them there? Either way, federal law requires owners at Vernon Dam, Vermont Yankee and Northfield Mountain to protect the migratory fish of the United States as a public trust. After decades of speculation, it’s high time our fish had their day.Source: Karl Meyer VT Digger

Fur Trapping Today...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Time to get out and do your scouting now for your trap lines. Use your daily trapping journal and make notes on special landscape items to guide you after the leaves fall and the days are shorter or water tables get a little lower with our earthen dam man made ponds water levels are lowered for the many docks and beach cleanings. Freeze some remains from your fall fishing and other hunts to use for baits and scents.

Animal activists have no sense of proportion. Each year, North Americans use about 7 million animals for fur. That’s one sixteenth of one percent of the 12 billion animals they use for food. Yet animal activists focus more attention on the fur trade than on all other livestock industries combined. Go figure!

Canada’s beaver population has never been bigger. The national animal of Canada has been prized for its luxuriant fur for hundreds of years, yet wildlife biologists believe there are as many today as there were before Europeans arrived. They also believe coyotes, foxes and raccoons are more populous now than ever. Truly modern trapping, regulated to allow only the removal of nature’s surplus, is a perfect example of the sustainable use of renewable natural resources!

Rhode Island Trapping 2017/ 2018

Species Dates
Season Bag Limit 0
Pelt Tagging 0
Mink, Muskrat, Skunk, Raccoon, Opossum, Weasel, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Rabbit
November 1 -  January 31, 2018
Coyote- Private no closed season: Bag Limit 0  Pelt Tagging 0
none no
Coyote- State Land November 1 -  January 31,

2018 Beaver- Private* November 1 - March 14, 2018
20 yes
Beaver- State Land*
December 1 -  February 28, 2018 Fisher* December 1 - 24 4 yes * Special permit required in addition to RI trapping license, which may be obtained at Fish and Wildlife’s Great Swamp Field Headquarters (401) 789-0281 or email DEM.DFW@dem.ri.gov
General Regulations • No person shall set, maintain, or tend any trap without first obtaining a trapping license from the Department of Environmental Management. A resident of this state may set traps on property which they own and on which they are domiciled without obtaining a trapping license. (RIGL 20-16-7) • Every holder of a trapping license will be provided with a trapping harvest report card that must be returned to the Division of Fish and Wildlife within 30 days of the end of the trapping season. Failure to return the card will result in denial of trapping license renewal. (RIGL 20-16-12) • Traps may not be set, staked, or placed prior to 8:00 AM opening day. • All traps must have at a minimum the trapper’s current RI trapping license number attached by a metal tag or embedded or cut into the trap. (RIGL 20-6-7) • Written landowner permission is required to trap on private land. (RIGL 20-16-9) • All traps must be checked at least once in every 24-hour period. (RIGL 20-6-9) • There is no open season on bobcat (Lynx rufus) or river otter (Lontra canadensis). Types of Traps Permitted Furbearers for which there is an open season may be taken in: box (a.k.a. “cage”) traps, body-grip (a.k.a. “conibear”) traps, or species specific traps, with the following restrictions: Body-grip traps Private land: Body-grip (a.k.a. smooth wire or “conibear”) type traps up to 6 ½” jaw spread (i.e. “110, 120, 160” or equivalent) are permitted on land or in water on private land. Body-grip type traps greater than 6 ½” but not exceeding 8” jaw spread (“220”) may only be set if completely submerged in water or set no less than six (6) feet above the surface of the ground. Body-grip traps greater than 8” but not exceeding 10” jaw spread (“330”) may only be set completely submerged in water.
State land: Body-grip traps up to 6 ½” jaw spread are only permitted in water sets (i.e. all or a portion of the trap in water) or if placed six (6) feet above the ground. Body-grip traps with a jaw spread greater than 6 ½” but not exceeding 10” (“220-330”) may only be set if completely submerged in water. Box traps The use of box traps is permitted on private and state lands. Species specific traps The use of species specific traps is permitted on private and state land. A species specific trap is characterized by all of the following: triggering and restraining mechanisms are enclosed within a housing; triggering and restraining mechanisms are only accessible through a single opening when set; access opening does not exceed 2 inches in diameter; triggering mechanism can only be activated by a pulling force; has a swivel mounted anchoring system. Permit to trap state lands All trappers harvesting furbearers from state management areas must obtain a special permit (no fee), issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Great Swamp Field Headquarters in addition to their current RI trapping license. Prohibitions • The use of poisons or snares (RIGL 20-16-6). • The use of steel-jawed leghold traps (RIGL 20-16-8). • No person shall disturb, tend, or possess a trap of another, or take an animal from the traps of another unless specifically authorized to do so. (RIGL 20-16-12). • The setting of traps within ten feet of a beaver lodge or bank den or within eight feet of a muskrat lodge unless authorized by special permit. • The taking or possession of a road-killed furbearer (RIGL 20-16-1), unless with a current RI trapping license and during the open season for that species or as provided for under a current RI Scientific Collectors Permit (RIGL 20-1-18) or otherwise permitted by the Division. • The relocation of beaver. • The use of deadfalls, pitfalls, fish hooks, treble hooks, or other similarly sharpened instruments to catch, capture, or injure furbearers is prohibited

Brown Leads Team USA in Qualification

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - With a personal best in tough wind this morning, Mackenzie Brown's (Flint, Texas) second half of qualification at the World Archery Championships catapulted her into 9th for the U.S. recurve women with a 663.

"I learned a lot - I had a strong start but then had some ups and downs through the first half, but that helped me solidify my mental process and make sure it was really strong, and that's how my second half went," shared Brown. The Olympian is making her senior world championship debut this week and added: "I really enjoy getting to wear USA on my back any chance I get, and World Championships is just one of those stages that's unlike any other, so it's fantastic to be here."

Also making her World Archery Championship debut with Team USA this weekend is National Women's Head Coach Songi Woo, who has been working with Brown at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. Brown commented: "Things are really awesome with Coach Woo; I really appreciate her in terms of the support she brings. It's also great to have not only a familiar face and someone I train with constantly, but also a friend behind me."

Sandwiched by teammates of varying experience, five-time Olympian Khatuna Lorig (Denver, Colorado) scored a 650 to put her 17th, and Eliana Claps (Everett, Washington) qualified 80th. While the trio finished 20th as a team, Brown earned Team USA a 6th place seed for the mixed team event with Brady Ellison's (Globe, Arizona) high finish yesterday.

On the mixed team competition, which was recently added to the Olympic program for 2020, Brown added: "I really enjoy the mixed team event and I've medaled at every mixed team event I've competed in on the world cup stage so I look forward to repeating that here at World Championships. Brady brings a lot of experience to the team, but he's also a really mellow person to shoot with. It's a lot easier to focus on my shot when the other person on my team is really relaxed and encouraging."

Later in the afternoon, the recurve men's team took on the team elimination matches. Opening in a tough match against higher seed, India, USA posted a 52 to India's 54, but came back with strong wins over the next two sets. With just one set to go, India staged a comeback and forced a shoot-off. USA's 29/30 to India's 28 took the win to advance to the quarterfinals.

There, Team USA faced a familiar opponent in the team from Italy. Evenly matched, Ellison, Jake Kaminski (Gainesville, Florida) and Tom Stanwood (Raynham, Massachusetts) went toe to toe, posting 54, 55, 54 over three sets to Italy's identical scores for a 3-3 tie. Six arrows left in the quiver, each team scored four perfect tens on their first four shots. With an 8 and a 9 to Italy's two 9s, USA exited the competition, but as Kaminski commented: "We went out fighting."

Competition resumes tomorrow with early individual elimination matches to get all categories to the 1/16th round. Results throughout the competition are available at www.worldarchery.org. The medal matches this weekend will stream live on the Olympic Channel. For more, follow USA Archery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About USA Archery
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, as well as developing archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more information, visit www.usarchery.org.

Vermont Bald Eagles Nest in Record Numbers in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Peregrine falcons, common terns, and loons also have nesting success

 

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont’s bald eagle population continued its recovery in 2017.   Twenty-one pairs of adult bald eagles successfully produced 35 young in Vermont in 2017, a modern-day record in the state according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.  The species remains on Vermont’s endangered species list, but another strong year of growth has biologists hopeful for their continued recovery.   

 

Bald eagles typically nest along significant water bodies where fish and other aquatic foods are readily available.  In Vermont, most bald eagle nests are found along the Connecticut River, Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, and some other large inland bodies of water. 

 

In 2002, the first Vermont eagle nest was discovered after a 60-year absence. However, it wasn’t until 2008 when the first eagle fledgling successfully left its nest. Eagle numbers have been steadily increasing since then, giving hope to their full recovery in the near future.

 

“Vermont’s bald eagles continue to recover thanks to improved habitat conditions, especially water quality and forested shorelines. These conservation efforts would not be successful without the interest and support of the public for these nesting areas by maintaining a respectful distance from the nests,” said John Buck, bird biologist for Vermont Fish & Wildlife.  “People have reported seeing large numbers of bald eagles migrating through the state, including many juvenile eagles that have remained in Vermont and may someday nest here.”

 

Peregrine falcons successfully raised at least 63 young birds in 2017, according to Audubon Vermont who monitors nesting peregrine falcons in partnership with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.  This is similar to nesting success from previous years, though down slightly from a record high in 2016. 

 

Peregrine falcons and bald eagles declined in the 20^th Century nationwide due to loss of habitat, disturbance to nests, and the effects of the pesticide DDT. Laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and a ban on DDT have aided in the recovery of these birds. Loons similarly faced dramatic declines as a result of shoreline development and human disturbance of their habitat. 

 

In 2005, peregrine falcons, loons, and osprey were removed from Vermont’s state endangered species list following years of conservation effort.  Bald eagles have recovered in most of the U.S., but remain on Vermont’s state endangered species list as they continue to recover locally. 

 

“Vermonters have played a huge role in the recovery of these species,” said Margaret Fowle, biologist with Audubon Vermont.  “We work with a large number of citizen volunteers who help monitor nests, while the general public has aided in recovery efforts by maintaining a respectful distance from these birds during the critical nesting season.  Paddlers have been keeping away from nesting loons, and the climbing community has been helpful by respecting peregrine falcon nesting cliff closures and getting the word out about where the birds are.”

 

Common terns, another state endangered bird species being monitored by biologists, fledged 71 chicks in 2017. Predation and erratic weather during the hatching period probably accounts for the average nesting result.

 

Vermont also welcomed 93 newly fledged birds to the state’s loon population, breaking the previous record of 81. 

 

Vermonters can help researchers in their effort to conserve birds by donating online to the nongame wildlife fund at www.vtfishandwildlife.com or by purchasing a conservation license plate, including the loon design plate. 

Connecticut Fall Trout Stocking

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The following areas were stocked on 10/4 & 10/5   (updated 10/5/2017)

LAKES AND PONDS:  

In Eastern CT, Bigelow Pond (200 Rainbow Trout), Mashapaug Lake (600 Rainbow Trout), Black Pond (Woodstock, 200 Rainbow Trout), Crystal Lake (500 Rainbow Trout), Wauregan Reservoir (200 Rainbow Trout), Gardner Lake (500 Rainbow Trout), Rogers Lake (200 Rainbow Trout), Coventry Lake (500 Rainbow Trout), Long Pond (200 Rainbow Trout), Amos Lake (200 Rainbow Trout), Beach Pond (600 Rainbow Trout), Quonnipaug Lake (200 Rainbow Trout), Cedar Lake (200 Rainbow Trout) and Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden, 200 Rainbow Trout).

RIVERS AND STREAMS:  
In Eastern CT, the Willimantic River TMA (300 standard size Rainbow Trout and 300 12 inch and up Rainbow Trout),

TROUT PARKS:
In Eastern CT, the Mohegan Park Pond (300 Rainbow Trout), Valley Falls Park Pond (300 Rainbow Trout), Day Pond (300 Rainbow Trout) and Chatfield Hollow (Schreeder Pond only, 300 Rainbow Trout) Trout Parks have been stocked.
Note, all Rainbow Trout stocked are standard size (9-11 inch) fish unless otherwise noted.

The Changing Face of Fall Turkey Hunting

THEN AND NOW
The NWTF’s conservation efforts to trap, transfer and restore wild turkey populations throughout the country began in 1973. Then, fall turkey hunting ruled.
I first turkey hunted my native Pennsylvania in the early 1970s. Spring hunting was fairly new (1968 in Pennsylvania). Some turkey hunters who mentored me viewed the spring season with skepticism, claiming it was too easy because hunters made good on a gobbler’s intense breeding desire.
My late father, a longtime fall turkey hunter, used to joke, “I like spring turkey hunting now that we can, but it feels like I’m breaking the law.”
He wasn’t. Times have changed. Now many people spring turkey hunt.
Younger or newer turkey hunters who now enjoy the NWTF’s steady, continuing effort to maintain wild turkey populations might think spring is the longtime tradition, and that’s true in some ways, but just for much of the late 20^th century and early 21^st century.
Despite the trending spring turkey tradition, fall and winter turkey hunting opportunities have increased in some states. In others, wildlife officials unapologetically manage for spring turkey hunting and offer no “second seasons.”
MANAGEMENT FACTORS
Turkey hunting management is based on many factors. Wildlife managers consider overall turkey kill data for spring and fall and much more, including public opinion, seasonal hunter participation and pressure to use resources differently. Whether we like it, fall turkey hunting management can be a political topic, too, with varying viewpoints.
Regulations for fall turkey hunting opportunities include season date expansion or reduction. Wildlife managers enact seasons based on kill data from spring and fall and varying geographical opportunities based on zones and regions. They also use method-of-take laws for archery and firearms.
 Rhode Island has a fall turkey season for 2017  from Oct. 1 to Oct.14th one bird either sex by archery only, No crossbows Source: Outdoor Scene
Fall turkey hunting management approaches vary nationwide. Iowa fall turkey hunts are limited to residents, for example. New York implements sunrise-to-sunset shooting hours with roosted turkeys in mind rather than the half-hour-before-sunrise/half-hour-after-sunset rule.
STATES THAT DO
True, some states have increased fall and winter turkey hunting opportunities during the past 10 years. In fact, 42 states and even some Canadian provinces will hold fall seasons in 2017.
Maine, for example, offers a lengthy fall turkey season from early October to early November, and a two-bird limit. The latter phase of this opportunity even coincides with the firearms deer firearms season — a debatable topic.
Nebraska and Kansas, where it’s common to see huge winter flocks in the hundreds, offer fall and winter turkey seasons from early autumn to the end of January. Both states, obviously, should be on your spring destination list, too.
And yes, things have changed in my native Pennsylvania since I was a teenager.
In their report, Pennsylvania Turkey Hunting, Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist Mary Joe Casalena and NWTF Conservation Field Supervisor Bob Eriksen wrote: “We are privileged to be able to enjoy both spring and fall hunting in this state. To continue to have the outstanding hunting we have come to expect, fall harvests are carefully monitored, and trends in spring harvests are watched.”
That’s true in many states.
Wisconsin, as in spring, offers a lengthy and generous fall turkey season based on zones and a permit system.
New Hampshire has a longtime archery fall turkey season that runs concurrently with the deer archery deal (from mid-September to mid-December, ending a week sooner in Wildlife Management Unit A). Some opportunists there take a bird while sitting in a tree stand or pop-up blind for deer.
Places, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania, even offer fall turkey hunting on Thanksgiving, an American tradition.
Kentucky might have the most diverse fall and winter turkey seasons. A range of shotgun, archery and even crossbow opportunities are included in the mix.
STATES THAT DON’T
Georgia manages for spring turkey hunting and offers no fall season. This is also true for South Carolina, home of the NWTF.
New York, which once offered a generous statewide fall turkey season, recently cut back on season days and the bag limit.
According to Doug Little, NWTF conservation field supervisor for the Northeast, the decline in New York’s wild turkey numbers has been largely attributed to poor weather during the nesting and brood-rearing seasons during the past 10-plus years.
“Habitat has been lost to a host of land-use changes,” he said. “The remaining habitat is also maturing and becoming less than ideal from a landscape-level perspective. We have realized significant declines in young forest habitat in the Northeast, which may be negatively impacting hen nesting success.”
Alaska is the only state without a wild turkey population, so no turkey hunting opportunities exist there.
VARIATIONS
Other states are ambivalent on the deal, letting licensed hunters choose, offering one turkey per calendar year (Arizona, fall or spring) or tipped deliberately toward gobblers or bearded turkeys only (Florida, fall and spring).
Others — and this is fairly common ­— offer either-sex fall turkey limits.
As always, study your state regulations closely for any year-to-year changes in turkey hunting laws.

Team USA Wins Two Compound Junior Bronze Finals and Going for Three Golds

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

ROSARIO, Argentina - In yesterday's qualification round at the World Archery Youth Championships, many U.S. athletes poised themselves high in the brackets individually, and three of the four compound teams set new world records putting Team USA high on top of the rankings. Today's competition featured the second round of individual eliminations and team eliminations through the bronze finals.

The recurve cadet men's team, led by Jack Williams (Irvine, California) and teammates Andrew Park (Marana, Arizona) and Adam Heidt (Springfield, Georgia), took an early first round lead and clinched the win 6-2 over Kazakhstan. The 4th seeded team continued to the quarterfinals where they faced a matchup with 12th seed, India. The two split the first set before climbing the scoreboard to shut India out 5-1. Meanwhile, the 8th seeded team from Italy upset No. 1, Korea to go head to head with the U.S. in the semifinals.

Holding strong, the U.S. was tied 2-2 after two sets, but sealed the deal with incredible scores of 57 and 56 to ensure a spot in the gold final this weekend.

With all U.S. compound teams sitting in first in the rankings, all had byes into the quarterfinals and the compound junior women soared straight through to the semifinals.

The compound cadet women, defending their stronghold on the gold in this event since it was added to the program in 2006, picked up a 215-212 quarterfinal win over Australia on their way to the semifinals. The U.S. trio of Sachiko Keane (Staten Island, New York), Breanna Theodore (Hibbing, Minnesota) and Savannah Vanderwier (Sheffield, Texas) continued to dominate, taking a 13 point-advantage to win their semifinal match 217-204 over India, sealing their spot in the gold final.

After setting a new world record by an unbelievable 49 points yesterday, the compound cadet men took a 226-219 victory over Denmark in the quarterfinals.Dane Johnson (Laotto, Indiana), Ethan Merrill (Manchester, New Hampshire) and Anthony Ferraro (Scranton, Pennsylvania) pulled out another decisive semifinal win over Canada with a 231-220 match in their favor on their quest for gold.

Top ranked compound junior men's team, Jesse Clayton (Powell Butte, Oregon), Curtis Broadnax (Social Circle, Georgia) and Kolby Hanley (Cambridge, Vermont) had a bye through to the quarterfinals where they took a knockout win by 30 points over India to advance to the semifinals. Facing tough opponents in the team from Mexico, they took an initial 58-57 lead, but dropped a few points over the next few arrows. While they made a comeback in the final end, Mexico held their lead for a 229-228 victory, sending USA to the bronze final.

The U.S. team faced Great Britain for the bronze, and dropping just one arrow out of the 10-ring, USA took an early lead that grew another two points in the second end and another two with a near perfect 59 in the third. Six points up with six arrows to go, the path to the podium was clear. With a perfect 60, the USA claimed the win.

The compound junior women's team of Alexis Ruiz (Glendale, Arizona), Cassidy Cox (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and Sophia Strachan (Frederick, Maryland)made their debut of the day in the semifinal round against Great Britain. The team from across the pond opened strong with a three-point lead, and by the time there were three arrows to go, they had a nine-point advantage. A 6 opened the door for the U.S. women to close the gap, but it was not enough to turn the tides and a 217-212 decision led the U.S. squad to the bronze match.

Going head to head with Italy, the U.S. ladies opened up 55-54, but by the half, they were down 111-110. Not to be denied the win, they came back strong, keeping all arrows in the gold to secure the bronze in a strong 226-218 win.
The recurve cadet women, ranked 11th, faced a first-round exit despite a strong initial lead. Russia's team posted higher scores over the next two sets and while the two tied on the final three arrows, Russia took the win 5-3.

In the morning's individual eliminations, recurve junior Mattew Nofel (Colorado Springs, Colorado), ranked 72nd continued to shake the brackets, taking a 6-4 win to upset the 24th seed from Turkey, while teammate Joony Kim (Boise, Idaho)fell 6-0. On the cadet field, Williams' bye carried him through to the 1/16th match later in the competition - teammate Heidt will join him after a shoot-off win led the 52nd seed to upset No. 13 from Japan. Park exited in a 7-3 loss.

Recurve junior women Anna Miscione (Ramona, California) and Meghan Collins (High Springs, Florida) were also knocked out in today's match, along with cadet, Casey Kaufhold (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). Cadet Inga Pever (Houston, Texas) pulled a 6-0 victory to advance.

For the compound junior men, Hanley, ranked 20th faced an early upset in a shoot-off loss to El Salvador's Nolasco Carias.
Competition resumes tomorrow with individual and mixed team elimination matches through the bronze finals. Live results are available atwww.worldarchery.org. Stay tuned for updates on a stream of the finals. For more, follow USA Archery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About USA Archery
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, as well as developing archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more information, visit www.usarchery.org.

Media Contact

Study finds Vermont wild brook trout populations stable since 1950’s

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Fisheries biologists from Vermont Fish & Wildlife recently completed a decade-long survey of wild brook trout throughout the state and have found that present day populations of the species are comparable to those of over five decades ago.

 

“Based on the results of recent sampling, compared to data from past sampling work, we’ve found that wild brook trout populations in Vermont have remained stable since the 1950’s,” said Rich Kirn, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “This is an encouraging conclusion for Vermont given that populations of wild brook trout have declined significantly across much of the species’ historic range.”

 

The survey, which is summarized in the full report “Evaluation of Wild Brook Trout Populations in Vermont Streams,” included sampling of 138 streams within 17 watersheds between 2005 and 2016, each of which were originally sampled between 1952 and 1960 by former biologist James MacMartin.

 

The watersheds include: Batten Kill, Black River, Connecticut, Deerfield River, Lamoille, Memphremagog, Missisquoi, Nulhegan, Opmompanoosuc, Ottauquechee, Otter Creek, Passumpsic, Poultney, Waits, Wells, White and Winooski.

 

Wild brook trout, which are most often found in small upland streams at higher elevations, require cool, clean water and are a direct indicator of high quality aquatic habitat and optimal environmental conditions.  The official state cold water fish, brook trout are also a favorite of Vermont anglers and were rated as their most preferred fish species in angler surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2010.

 

Sampling of the 17 watersheds has shown present-day brook trout populations throughout Vermont to be highlighted by abundant natural reproduction and multiple age-classes, including the contribution of older, larger fish.

 

Kirn says the survey results may also show a potential correlation to past water quality and aquatic habitat initiatives.

 

“While most population measures have shown to be consistent between the two time periods, significantly higher densities of young brook trout were observed in current populations which may reflect improved environmental protections put in place since the 1950’s, particularly legislation and programs focusing on water quality and aquatic habitat protection,” Kirn said.

 

Kirn emphasized that continuing these protections will help to ensure that wild brook trout populations remain strong in Vermont.

 

“The long-term health of Vermont’s wild brook trout populations will depend on the health of their habitat,” said Kirn. “In addition to the work of state, federal and private natural resource organizations, Vermont landowners can help to keep brook trout populations strong by maintaining trees and other vegetation along streambanks which provide shade, food and cover, as well as stabilize streambanks and filter pollutants. It will take the help of all Vermonters to make sure our native trout thrives into the future.”

Phenology Calendar for Oct.1

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

First Week of October

The lovely pale-yellow flowers of witch hazel are opening at about the same time the seeds from last year's flowers are popping out of their capsules.

Trees drain their leaves of nutrients before they are shed - it is an active process; the trees are not really "losing" their leaves.

Red-backed salamanders are looking for winter quarters. Burrows made by other animals enable them to get to a frost-free zone.

Second Week of October

Wild cranberries begin to ripen in September but they become sweeter in October after a few not-too-hard frosts.

It's still migration time for hermit thrushes. They are late to depart and return early in spring, before most other migrants.

The bright orange, seed-filled capsules of wild roses have a lot of vitamin C. Best to avoid the tasteless seeds and eat the fleshy part when fresh, as much of the vitamin C is lost during processing and storage.