Outdoor Scene line-up for Easter Sunday 4-1-18

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Tides, Moon Phases, Solunar Table, Fish Stocking reports, Hunting Season results, Scouting for Wild Turkey and a special guest today, Author Todd McLeish will un-veil his latest gem, Return of the Sea Otter. We take live E-Mail from now thru the show at waynewnri@yahoo.com Happy Easter to all.

FREE TREES AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS THIS SPRING

Posted by Wayne G. Barber &  Photo by Wayne G. Barber

Registration for popular program that helps

Rhode Islanders save energy, money opens April 2^nd

 

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up once again with the Arbor Day Foundation, Rhode Island Tree Council, and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association to give away 1,000 trees as part of the State’s Energy-Saving Trees Program. The Program, now in its sixth season, helps homeowners conserve energy and reduce utility costs while beautifying their neighborhood. 

 

"We’re excited to join with the Arbor Day Foundation and our local partners this spring to offer free trees to Rhode Islanders,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Be sure to register early, because this program is extremely popular and most trees are spoken for within days of registration opening.  Planting a tree is a great way for homeowners to reduce their monthly expenses while promoting a healthier environment and creating a beautiful memory with their families.”   

 

Trees play an important role in cooling streets and homes, filtering air, and reducing stormwater pollution. The trees distributed under the Energy-Saving Trees Program are approximately four to six feet tall and will be distributed in three-gallon containers for easy transport.  The Rhode Island Tree Council will provide planting and care instruction to homeowners – as well as guidance on how to maximize energy-savings.  When planted properly, a single mature tree can save $30 annually in heating and cooling costs. 

 

Registration opens on Monday, April 2 and is required in order to reserve a tree. Supplies go fast, so early registration is recommended.  For more information and/or to register for the program, visit www.arborday.org/RIDEM.  Trees can be picked up during one of the following pick-up events:

 

Saturday, April 28 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)  

Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown

 

Saturday, May 5 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)  

Roger Williams Botanical Center, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence

 

Saturday, May 12 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick

 

Saturday, May 19 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

RI Tree Council Headquarters, 2953 Hartford Avenue, Johnston

 

For questions about the Energy-Saving Trees Program, contact Tee Jay Boudreau, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Forest Environment, at 222-2445 ext. 2059 or email him at TeeJay.Boudreau@dem.ri.gov.

Community Fly Tying Program- Cross Mills Public Library

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Come in from the cold and prepare for the spring fly fishing season. DEM Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Aquatic Resource Education program invites participants to learn how to make their own fresh water flies over several weeks to then use them at a private fly fishing event. No experience is necessary, and no fishing license is required to participate in this program. Families with children 10 and older are encouraged to attend. Equipment will be provided or you may bring your own. Registration is required.

Location: Cross Mills Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown
Dates: March 15, 22, 29 (Fishing date TBA)
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

For more information and to pre-register, please contact Scott Travers at 401-539-0016 or Scott.Travers@dem.ri.gov.
Source: RI DEM Fish and Wildlife Media Press Release and Photo 

Rhode and Hancock Earn Back-to-Back Wins

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Rhode and Hancock Earn Back-to-Back Wins

(Accokeek, MD)   Olympic champions and Team Beretta shooters Kim Rhode and Vincent Hancock have recently won back-to-back competitions as they begin to work their way towards earning a spot on the 2020 Olympic team.

Both Rhode and Hancock topped the podium at the 2018 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico and the 2018 Spring Shotgun Selection Match for the World Championship U.S. Skeet Team in Tucson, Arizona.

At the 2018 ISSF World Cup, Hancock returned to international competition for the first time since his appearance at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

After the qualification round, Hancock finished in first place after dropping two birds for a score of 123 out of 125. During the finals, Hancock continued his stellar performance as he hit 59 out of 60 birds, which tied him for the finals World Record with Australian competitor Paul Adams.

Forced into a gold medal match, Hancock won the shoot-off 6 to 5 and secured his eighth World Cup gold medal and his 12th medal overall.

Rhode had an equally exceptional performance during the 2018 ISSF World Cup as she won her 11th World Cup gold medal.  After dropping only 3 targets out of 125 in the qualification round, she went on to equal her own World Record and secure the gold medal with a score of 56 out of 60 birds.

Both Rhode and Hancock continued their winning streak the next week with the 2018 Spring Shotgun Selection Match. Their scores from this match would be combined with those from the Fall 2017 Selection Match for a combined 500 targets.

The top twelve competitors were selected for the U.S. Skeet Team to compete at the upcoming 2018 World Championships.

Rhode dropped 11 targets out of 500 total between the two selection matches and another six during the finals round, eclipsing her nearest competitor by a total of 13 hits to secure a position on her 14th World Championship Team.

Hancock missed only two targets during the Spring Selection match and three targets during the final rounds. Between the Fall and Spring Selection match, he dropped a total of five birds out of 500 to secure the top spot by 11 targets.

“Beretta is very proud to have such accomplished athletes as Kim Rhode and Vincent Hancock as a part of Team Beretta. Their accolades speak for themselves and we are looking forward with great anticipation to the ISSF World Cup in July and the ISSF World Championships in September,” Brenda Morgal, Marketing Operations and Event Manager at Beretta USA, said.

Hancock and Rhode will be competing at the 2018 ISSF World Championships in Changwon, South Korea from August 31 to September 1, 2018.

Source: Beretta Press Release and Beretta Photo Credit

Massachusetts: Public hearing set for migratory game bird hunting

Posted by Wayne G. Barber &  Photo Wayne G. Barber Library

Massachusetts: Public hearing set for migratory game bird hunting

The Fisheries and Wildlife Board has scheduled a public hearing to establish rules and regulations for the 2018-2019 migratory game bird hunting seasons on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 3 p.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA). Due to federal requirements for migratory game bird season selections, the Board will vote on the proposal on the same day immediately following the public hearing. 

The proposed seasons, hunting hours, and bag limits are similar to last year except for increasing the September goose bag limit to 15 birds and adding 5 days to the woodcock season. The proposed woodcock season dates are October 4 - November 24, 2018. The woodcock bag limit will remain at 3 birds. More information about the public hearing and proposed season dates can be found on MassWildlife's website.

The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will accept written public comment on the proposal at any time prior to the public hearing. Written and oral comments are accepted at the public hearing. Comments (both oral and written) must focus on the proposed regulation. Public comments by e-mail can be sent to Susan.Sacco@state.ma.us, Attn: Fisheries & Wildlife Board. Written comments can be mailed to:

Chairman, Fisheries and Wildlife Board, c/o MassWildlife Director
Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

Upcoming Events

Apr. 4: Adult Learn to Fish Class, Westborough

Apr. 5: Scituate Science Spectacular, Scituate

Apr. 9: Bird Conservation in Massachusetts, Brewster

Apr. 10: Fisheries and Wildlife April Board Meeting (2 p.m.), Westborough

Apr. 10: Public Hearing for Migratory Game Bird Hunting (3 p.m.), Westborough

Apr. 10: Public Hearing to Extend the Archery Deer Season (7 p.m.), Westborough

Apr. 11: Natural History and Conservation of Freshwater Mussels, Athol

Apr. 12: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough

Apr. 12: Learn to Hunt Turkey Calling Clinic, Westborough

Apr. 17-19: Earth Week Trout Stocking Events, Multiple locations statewide

Apr. 21: Growing Up WILD, East Longmeadow

Apr. 22: Learn to Cast, Springfield

Apr. 25: Adult Learn to Fish Class, Westborough

Apr. 28: Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival, Springfield

May 6: Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline

Source: Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Press Release Photo Credit Wayne G. Barber 

"Live Free And Trap" is now Furbearer Conservation.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

"Live Free And Trap" is now Furbearer Conservation.

Jeff Traynor has been our guest on the Outdoor Scene weekly radio program to explain the NH Bobcat bills and decisions and answered every question and e-mail very professionally.

Since the summer of 2014, "Live Free And Trap" has blossomed into a household name in New Hampshire, and the greater Northeast with regard to advocating for Sportsmen's rights, the regulated activity of trapping, and the essential partnership between wildlife managers (state agencies and biologists) and sustainable-use conservationists (hunters, anglers, and trappers). Read more about the site's re-brand and the new website layout.

What's in a name? You'll notice the pages and navigation have changed slightly, with new resources and concepts added. I hope to include a broader sense of support for the important role trapping plays on today's ever-changing landscape: More in-depth commentary. Broader audience and advocacy. Accountability for support of conservation efforts from hunters and trappers. Furbearer Conservation™: Sustainable Use. Protect The Resource.

Find Out More

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day April 21 in Concord

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day April 21 in Concord

CONCORD, N.H. -- Bring the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's biggest community event of the year!  The event is set for Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. Admission is free!
 

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is a fun way for the whole family to explore New Hampshire’s wildlife resources and outdoor traditions. See live animals, big fish, trained falcons, and retriever dogs in action.  More than 60 outdoor and conservation organizations from around the state will be on hand with exhibits and demonstrations. Check out the latest hunting and fishing gear in the Expo tent.  Kids will love arts and crafts, plus hands-on activities such as archery, casting, fly-tying, and air rifle.
 

This event is your chance to explore new ways to get outdoors and be active. Tie a fly with members of Trout Unlimited. Explore new trends in recycling and environmental protection with the NH Department of Environmental Services. Enjoy live animal presentations throughout the day. Test your casting skills at the Bass Pro Shops boat. Admire the big trout in the Fish and Game stocking truck, and see how many warmwater fish you can identify in the demo tank.
 

Don’t miss the giant raffle of outdoor gear and other great prizes, plus a sale of used hunting and fishing gear, at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire tent; all proceeds benefit the Foundation, NH Fish and Game’s nonprofit partner.
 

Demonstrations of Conservation Officer K-9 teams will be conducted on the half-hour, starting at 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  At 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m., New Hampshire Audubon will be on hand with live owls.  There will also be live animal demonstrations at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
 

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is held rain or shine. Fishing and hunting licenses will be sold.  Food concessions will be available all day. 

Please note that no dogs, except service and working animals, will be permitted at the event. This rule will be strictly enforced.  Please leave your pets at home.
 

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day began in New Hampshire in 1989 as an observance of Earth Day and a celebration of the state's wealth of natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities. The event is hosted by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www.wildnh.com) and sponsored by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire (nhwildlifeheritage.org), and media sponsor Binnie Media/NH1 News.