VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Public Deer, Moose Hearings in March

 

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Hunters, landowners and anyone else interested in deer and moose should plan on attending the Vermont Fish and Wildlife public hearings being held in March.

 

The hearings will include results of Vermont’s 2019 deer seasons and prospects for hunting next fall as well as an opportunity for people to provide their observations and opinions regarding deer.  The hearings held March 19, 23 and 24 will also include information about the proposed moose hunt to improve the health of moose in Wildlife Management Unit E in the northeastern corner of Vermont.  

 

The hearings are scheduled for 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. as follows:

 

Thursday, March 19 – on deer and moose at St. Johnsbury Academy, Black Box Theater, 1000 Main St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

 

Monday, March 23 – on deer and moose at Middlebury Union Middle School, 48 Deerfield Lane, Middlebury, VT 05753

 

Tuesday, March 24 – on deer and moose at Williamstown Middle High School, 120 Hebert Road, Williamstown, VT 05679

 

Thursday, March 26 – on deer Putney Central School, 182 Westminster Road, Putney, Vt 05346

Paul Butski Inducted to NWTF Hall of Fame

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Paul Butski was inducted into the National Wild Turkey Federation's Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame. The induction took place during the 2020 NWTF Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, TN.

Butski is regarded as one of the country's top competitive turkey callers, having won three NWTF Grand Nationals, six U.S. Open Championships, and two Levi Garrett Opens. He has also won the Grand National and U.S. Open Owl Hooting Championships. Over the years, Butski developed his own line of box, mouth, and friction turkey calls. 25 of the turkey caller calls produced by Butski.

“Paul is such an icon in calling and our industry in general, ecstatic that the NWTF recognized his career of achievements as one of the most decorated callers in history with induction into NWTF Hall Of Fame 2020. To so many of us, Paul Butski is an idol, legend, and friend.” Said Eddie Castro, GSM Outdoors President and CEO. “Congratulations from all of us for a well deserved career accomplishment and thank you for all of the great memories and lessons you have given all of us over the years.”

Maryland Hunters Harvest nearly 80,000 Deer during 2019-2020 Season

Photo by Steve Edwards

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Final Harvest Numbers Higher than the Previous Season

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that deer hunters harvested 79,457 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 6, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2020.

The statewide harvest included 29,233 antlered and 46,777 antlerless white-tailed deer, plus 1,552 antlered and 1,895 antlerless sika deer. The harvest was 3% higher than the 2018-2019 total of 77,382 deer.

Hunters harvested more than 5,000 deer on Sundays. Hunting deer on Sunday is only permitted during certain weeks in 20 of Maryland’s 23 counties.

Many factors affect the annual deer harvest, including weather, the amount of natural food available to deer, and the economy as it relates to recreational time available.

“We are pleased with the results of this year’s overall deer harvest,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “Maryland’s deer population remains very healthy, and deer hunters continue to play the most critical role in the management of this important species.” 

The harvest in deer management Region A (Western Maryland) decreased 12%, from 9,705 deer last year to 8,534 this year. Poor weather conditions on key hunting days contributed to the region’s harvest decline. Hunters in the western counties reported 5,056 antlered and 3,478 antlerless deer.

Hunters in Region B — the remainder of the state — harvested 70,923 deer, up 5% from 67,677 deer harvested last year. A total of 25,729 antlered and 45,194 antlerless deer were reported in this region.

Frederick County led the harvest totals again this year with 6,358 deer, followed by Carroll County with 5,553 and Baltimore County at 4,969. Garrett and Washington counties rounded out the top five with 4,607 and 4,041 deer, respectively.

RECONSTRUCTION OF BOAT RAMP AT RI QUONNIE BREACHWAY UNDERWAY

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

New ramp and floating dock to ease launch and retrieval of boats at popular destination for boaters, anglers, and paddlers

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announce that construction of boat ramp improvements at Quonochontaug (Quonnie) Breachway in Charlestown is underway. The project will provide boaters and anglers with improved access to the coastal salt ponds, which are among Rhode Island’s most popular boating, fishing, and public recreation areas.

 

The existing ramp will be replaced by a new concrete boat ramp, measuring 24 feet in width. As an added amenity, DEM also will install a new, six-foot wide floating dock with cleats and rub rails for boaters to tie to when launching or retrieving their vessel. With the reconstruction, the boat ramp will be reoriented in a north-south direction so boaters can safely launch without having to fight the strong currents in the breachway channel. As part of the construction project, DEM hopes to receive a final permit to complete shoreline stabilization work to further protect the parking area from erosion. Originally installed in 1971, the existing boat ramp slabs at Quonnie will be removed and large flat stones will be put in their place, offering an additional fishing area. The boat ramp is expected to be completed by April 30, 2020. The floating docks are expected to be installed next fall. The project contractor will provide a temporary means to tie off vessels until the docks are installed.

 

“Increasing access to outdoor recreation in Rhode Island is a top priority of DEM,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Working with strong partners such as The Nature Conservancy to invest in providing better recreation opportunities to fishers, boaters, and paddlers at Quonnie – one of our state’s true treasures – will allow more people to connect with nature. This is a rewarding project that we are excited to announce.”

 

The boat ramp will be closed during construction, and for safety reasons, access to the site will be restricted during much of the project. Barriers will limit access to West Beach Road during construction hours beginning on Friday, February 14.

 

At over 700 acres, Quonnie Pond is Rhode Island’s deepest and most saline salt pond. It has more than 80 acres of salt marsh, which host vital fish and bird populations. Commonly caught fish species in the area include striped bass, black seabass, tautog, scup, summer flounder, and bluefish.

 

Recreational boating and fishing are ingrained in the culture of the Ocean State. They also are important economic drivers: 54,000 boats use Rhode Island waters each year, including more than 40,000 registered in Rhode Island. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, promoting health, and attracting tourism. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy each year. 

TNC, in partnership with DEM, contracted with Fuss & O’Neill for a boat ramp design that will provide safer access for boaters and improve users’ launch and retrieval efforts. TNC’s conservation engineer will oversee the management of the project, as part of DEM’s plan to improve access to Rhode Island’s natural resources. The improvements will complement the significant salt marsh restoration and enhancement at Quonnie Pond that was conducted by CRMC in late 2018 and early 2019.

 

Much of the funding for the project will be provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Program. The entire construction project is expected to cost approximately $475,000. The Sport Fish Restoration Program is a user-pay, user-benefit program that is derived from taxes on motorboat fuel, fishing equipment, and the purchase of some boats. A portion of the national funding is dedicated to DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, specifically for boating access. This project is an excellent example of how these taxes are used for direct public benefit to improve and increase boating access to the waters of the state. The required matching funds for the project will be provided by revenues from saltwater fishing licenses.

 

For a list of public boat launching sites in Rhode Island, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for more information on boating in Rhode Island as well as other timely updates.

 

Meridith NH Rotary Ice Derby Day 1

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Connecticut Early Trout Stocking......

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The following areas were stocked the week of 2/3 – 2/7  (updated 2/7/2020)

RIVERS AND STREAMS - Trout Management Areas:
   In eastern CT, the Hammonasset River TMA (490 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),
Hockanum River TMA (995 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

Willimantic River TMA (400 9-11” Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

 Moosup River TMA (250 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

Salmon River TMA (250 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, 295 12” and up Brown & Rainbow Trout and 15 broodstock trout) and the Yantic River TMA (695 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout).

In western CT,
 the Mianus River TMA (600 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

 Mill River TMA (Fairfield) (325 9-11” Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

Saugatuck River TMA (325 911” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),

Sleeping Giant TMA (Mill River, Hamden; 525 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 5 broodstock trout),
Naugatuck River TMA (280 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, and 405 12” and up Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 8 broodstock trout),
 Pequabuck River TMA (400 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 3 broodstock trout), the

 Farmington River TMA from the Goodwin Dam down to the upper boundary of the year-round catch-and-release area (405 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, 425 12 inch and up Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 10 broodstock trout) and the Farmington River TMA from the lower end of the year-round catch-and-release area at Route 219 to the Lower Collinsville Dam (560 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, 510 12 inch and up Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 10 broodstock trout) and from the lower Collinsville Dam to the Route 177 bridge in Unionville (405 9-11” Brook, Brown & Rainbow Trout, 390 12 inch and up Brown & Rainbow Trout, plus 10 broodstock trout).