Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Special return of Betty Mencucci from the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association.
Yes all about Bee's. Last time Betty was on the OUTDOOR SCENE the e-mails lit up like Christmas tree. E-mail waynewnri@yahoo.com from now through the broadcast with you Bee Questions.
Tides, Ski Reports, Ice Fishing Reports, Trade Shows and so much more.
Tune in at 9:00am on 1380 am or WNRI.COM OR Tune In radio, a free app.
Call in at 9:02am to 9:10 am at 1-401-766-1380 for pairs of two free admission to the 2016 New England Salt Water Fishing Show Providence,R.I. Feb.26, 27, 28
You can have my guns when I have a Gort on every doorway(R) Fishing,Ice, Salt Water& Fresh, Fly, Hunting,Canoe& Kayak, Hiking. Snow Shoe. Ski, Cross Country or Downhill, Trapping, Recipes and Instructional Tapes.Regulation updates. Tune in Radio, Free App Charter Info. Tides, Tournament and Event Calendar. Tides and Weather Forcasts Copyright(C)2011 All Rights Reserved
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Thursday, January 28, 2016
State proposing rattlesnake habitat for island at Quabbin Reservoir
State proposing rattlesnake habitat for island at Quabbin Reservoir
Click on above RED Highlight for a Video
The Quabbin Reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor activity, but it could become the future home for an endangered rattlesnake.
The states Department of Fisheries and Wildlife wants to create a rattlesnake island - a safe place and home to the venomous Timber rattlesnakes.
Timber rattlesnakes have lived in Massachusetts long before the arrival of the Pilgrims and could soon be making a home at the Quabbin
Yes the Timber Rattlesnakes have lived in Massachusetts long before the arrival of the Pilgrims and could soon be making a home at the Quabbin. Source :Mary Cate Mannion Western Mass News
Click on above RED Highlight for a Video
The Quabbin Reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor activity, but it could become the future home for an endangered rattlesnake.
The states Department of Fisheries and Wildlife wants to create a rattlesnake island - a safe place and home to the venomous Timber rattlesnakes.
Timber rattlesnakes have lived in Massachusetts long before the arrival of the Pilgrims and could soon be making a home at the Quabbin
"'[It] basically stems from our desire and we believe their need to have one place where the snakes are protected from people," said Thomas French, a specialist from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
French added that the state is looking at several possible sites in the Quabbin, one of those being Mount Zion. The island is off-limits to visitors, but there are areas for shoreline fishing and hiking trails located here.
"I'm not against this proposal. I want to know more about the details," said J.R. Greene.
J.R. Greene remembers when the state reintroducing bald eagles as an endangered species to the Quabbin Reservoir back in the 1980's. He said that the snakes are another story.
"It's the nature of the snakes themselves that causes concern because they do bite and have venomous capabilities," Greene explained.
While the island is off-limits, Greene said that the snakes can swim to shore or even crawl down causeways - something that French said is not in their nature.
"Any suggestion that they would get off the island and cause any form any level of public safety is nonsensical," French noted.
French said that he is surprised by the public's reaction to the proposed plan and maintains that these snakes have been treated unfairly since the arrival of the Pilgrims.
"It is interesting to me that there is any kind of objection or outcry because they are already close to people and the public doesn't know it, and if we did this, they would never see one," French explained.
"It would be considered another instance of the whole idea of the Quabbin - Boston pushing something on people out here, we are going to do this it doesn't matter if you like it or not," Greene said.
The plan is in the early stages. French said that they would need to start a population of these snakes and that it would take several years before that can take place
French added that the state is looking at several possible sites in the Quabbin, one of those being Mount Zion. The island is off-limits to visitors, but there are areas for shoreline fishing and hiking trails located here.
"I'm not against this proposal. I want to know more about the details," said J.R. Greene.
J.R. Greene remembers when the state reintroducing bald eagles as an endangered species to the Quabbin Reservoir back in the 1980's. He said that the snakes are another story.
"It's the nature of the snakes themselves that causes concern because they do bite and have venomous capabilities," Greene explained.
While the island is off-limits, Greene said that the snakes can swim to shore or even crawl down causeways - something that French said is not in their nature.
"Any suggestion that they would get off the island and cause any form any level of public safety is nonsensical," French noted.
French said that he is surprised by the public's reaction to the proposed plan and maintains that these snakes have been treated unfairly since the arrival of the Pilgrims.
"It is interesting to me that there is any kind of objection or outcry because they are already close to people and the public doesn't know it, and if we did this, they would never see one," French explained.
"It would be considered another instance of the whole idea of the Quabbin - Boston pushing something on people out here, we are going to do this it doesn't matter if you like it or not," Greene said.
The plan is in the early stages. French said that they would need to start a population of these snakes and that it would take several years before that can take place
Yes the Timber Rattlesnakes have lived in Massachusetts long before the arrival of the Pilgrims and could soon be making a home at the Quabbin. Source :Mary Cate Mannion Western Mass News
Gun Licensing Continues to Climb in Massachusetts
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Tens of thousands of new gun licenses were issued to Massachusetts residents in 2015, continuing a recent surge, according to state data.
There were 342,622 active Class A firearms licenses statewide, according to figures provided by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services earlier this month. That was up about 24,700, or 7.8 percent, from the same time a year ago.
A Class A license, the broadest license available under state law and by far the most popular, allows the holder to carry rifles, shotguns, or handguns. It also allows the holder to carry a concealed handgun.
The number of Class A licenses has increased by 104,150, or 44 percent, from five years ago.
A steady rise in the number of active Class A gun licenses in Massachusetts
Class A licenses are the broadest license type available under state law and by far the most popular.
The increase in the popularity of gun licenses in recent years has been attributed to fears that lawmakers might impose further restrictions on gun ownership, particularly in the wake of high-profile mass shootings.
“People are rightfully concerned that they won’t be able to exercise their civil rights,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of the Northborough-based Gun Owners’ Action League of Massachusetts, an affiliate of the National Rifle Association. “Especially in this state, [the push for new regulation] just seems to never stop.”
“There is certainly fear of overregulation,” he added.
Massachusetts is considered to have some of the tightest gun restrictions in the country. Wallace said there have been campaigns for even tighter restrictions within certain cities and towns.
“There have been a number of local efforts,” said Wallace. “It’s no longer just happening down in D.C. or on Beacon Hill, it’s happening in people’s backyards.”
He said he thought a few other factors might also be causing the increase in gun licenses.
An increasing number of women are obtaining licenses, he said.
He also said people who are between their mid-20s and mid-30s have become interested in gun ownership, more than previous generations.
Wallace said he thought the Internet had helped the trend because it has made it easier for people to find information.
“Now, if you say, ‘I want to get involved in clay [skeet] shooting. How do I do this?’ You just get online and everything is right at your fingertips,” he said.
Wallace said there’s also increased interest in gun ownership from “people coming into the hunting world because they want natural food.”
Source: Boston Globe Matt Rocheleau
2016 342,622
2015 317,927
2014 291,396
2013 262,116
2012 248,415
2011 238,470
SOURCE: Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
The increase in the popularity of gun licenses in recent years has been attributed to fears that lawmakers might impose further restrictions on gun ownership, particularly in the wake of high-profile mass shootings.
“People are rightfully concerned that they won’t be able to exercise their civil rights,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of the Northborough-based Gun Owners’ Action League of Massachusetts, an affiliate of the National Rifle Association. “Especially in this state, [the push for new regulation] just seems to never stop.”
“There is certainly fear of overregulation,” he added.
Massachusetts is considered to have some of the tightest gun restrictions in the country. Wallace said there have been campaigns for even tighter restrictions within certain cities and towns.
“There have been a number of local efforts,” said Wallace. “It’s no longer just happening down in D.C. or on Beacon Hill, it’s happening in people’s backyards.”
He said he thought a few other factors might also be causing the increase in gun licenses.
An increasing number of women are obtaining licenses, he said.
He also said people who are between their mid-20s and mid-30s have become interested in gun ownership, more than previous generations.
Wallace said he thought the Internet had helped the trend because it has made it easier for people to find information.
“Now, if you say, ‘I want to get involved in clay [skeet] shooting. How do I do this?’ You just get online and everything is right at your fingertips,” he said.
Wallace said there’s also increased interest in gun ownership from “people coming into the hunting world because they want natural food.”
Source: Boston Globe Matt Rocheleau
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Cabela's Considering Sale of Credit Card Business
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Cabela's (NYSE:CAB) is considering a sale of its credit card business before it puts the entire company up for sale, according to sources cited by The New York Post. The Post claims that Cabela's is looking for special conditions to a sale that would allow the retailer to maintain the profit stream from the credit card business and releasing Cabela's from regulatory oversight. Privately-owned Bass Pro Shops, which is interested in buying Cabela's 27 stores, will now have to wait until the credit card business is sold before making an acquisition offer. Shares are nearly 3% higher at $40.80 with a 52-week range of $33.03 to $58.90, snapping a seven-day losing streak.
The stock is up 3.52% or $1.4 after the news, hitting $41.19 per share. About 469,955 shares traded hands. Cabelas Inc (NYSE:CAB) has declined 23.45% since June 17, 2015 and is downtrending. It has underperformed by 12.43% the S&P500.
Cabela's Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer and direct marketer of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise. The company operates through three segments: Retail, Direct, and Financial Services. The Retail segment sells products and services through its retail stores. The Direct segment sells products through its e-commerce Websites, such as Cabelas.com and Cabelas.ca, as well as direct mail catalogs.Source: New York Post
Cabela's (NYSE:CAB) is considering a sale of its credit card business before it puts the entire company up for sale, according to sources cited by The New York Post. The Post claims that Cabela's is looking for special conditions to a sale that would allow the retailer to maintain the profit stream from the credit card business and releasing Cabela's from regulatory oversight. Privately-owned Bass Pro Shops, which is interested in buying Cabela's 27 stores, will now have to wait until the credit card business is sold before making an acquisition offer. Shares are nearly 3% higher at $40.80 with a 52-week range of $33.03 to $58.90, snapping a seven-day losing streak.
The stock is up 3.52% or $1.4 after the news, hitting $41.19 per share. About 469,955 shares traded hands. Cabelas Inc (NYSE:CAB) has declined 23.45% since June 17, 2015 and is downtrending. It has underperformed by 12.43% the S&P500.
Cabela's Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer and direct marketer of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise. The company operates through three segments: Retail, Direct, and Financial Services. The Retail segment sells products and services through its retail stores. The Direct segment sells products through its e-commerce Websites, such as Cabelas.com and Cabelas.ca, as well as direct mail catalogs.Source: New York Post
Thursday, January 21, 2016
2016 NH Moose Hunt Lottery Opens
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's 2016 moose hunt lottery is now open. Enter today to try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime -- hunting moose in the rugged woods of the Granite State. Entering the lottery costs $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents.
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's 2016 moose hunt lottery is now open. Enter today to try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime -- hunting moose in the rugged woods of the Granite State. Entering the lottery costs $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents.
To enter the N.H. moose hunt lottery, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html, where you can enter online or print out a mail-in application, or buy one in person from any Fish and Game license agent or at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord.
Moose hunt lottery applications for 2016 must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight Eastern Time on May 27, 2016, or delivered to the Licensing office at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord before 4:00 p.m. that day. Winners will be selected through a computerized random drawing on June 17 at the NH Fish and Game Department in Concord.
Each applicant can enter the moose hunt lottery once a year. A bonus point system improves the chances for unsuccessful applicants who apply each consecutive year. For example, last year the overall odds of a resident applicant being drawn were 1 in 63, while resident applicants with a total of 12 points had a 1 in 28 chance of being drawn. For nonresidents, the odds increased from 1 in 243 overall to 1 in 114 for applicants with 12 points.
Last year (2015), more than 9,500 people entered the lottery for the chance to win one of 105 permits. More than 1,400 people continued to accrue bonus points because they submitted an application for a point only. Hunters from ten different states won permits in the lottery.
While people travel from all over the country to take part in the New Hampshire moose hunt, the majority of permits (about 85%) go to New Hampshire residents. The number of permits available to nonresidents is capped, based on the prior year's sales of nonresident hunting licenses.
The exact number of moose hunt permits that will be offered for this fall's hunt has not yet been determined. While moose populations have grown in several regions of the state, the recent long, snow-free fall may result in increased tick mortality this spring. Therefore, permit reductions are possible in parts of the state, according to Wildlife Programs Supervisor Kent Gustafson.
While permit numbers may be reduced in 2016, your chance of being drawn and offered a permit in the lottery will be improved if you rank all wildlife management units on your application, Gustafson noted. You will have the option to decline a permit if drawn for a unit you prefer not to hunt.
New Hampshire's nine-day moose hunt starts the third Saturday in October. This year's hunt runs from October 15-23, 2016.
New Hampshire has had an annual moose hunt since 1988, when 75 permits were issued for a three-day hunt in the North Country. The state's current moose population is estimated at about 4,000 animals. The availability of moose hunting permits is made possible by careful management of moose populations. The resulting annual harvest of moose helps to regulate moose numbers, provides valuable information on the physical condition of moose and provides a unique recreational opportunity. Learn more about moose hunting in New Hampshire at www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html.
VT's 2016 Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Lawbook is Available
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
If you are going ice fishing soon, planning a family fishing trip next summer, or want to plan for deer season next fall – you will want to get a copy of the 2016 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide, available where licenses are sold and from Vt Fish & Wildlife offices statewide.
Also known as the "lawbook," it has all of the new regulations, 2016 season dates, two free fishing days, a state map showing Wildlife Management Units, the species of fish found in lakes and rivers, and a list of Fish & Wildlife personnel with their phone numbers, as well as lots of other helpful information.
A digital version can be found on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).
If you are going ice fishing soon, planning a family fishing trip next summer, or want to plan for deer season next fall – you will want to get a copy of the 2016 Vermont Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide, available where licenses are sold and from Vt Fish & Wildlife offices statewide.
Also known as the "lawbook," it has all of the new regulations, 2016 season dates, two free fishing days, a state map showing Wildlife Management Units, the species of fish found in lakes and rivers, and a list of Fish & Wildlife personnel with their phone numbers, as well as lots of other helpful information.
A digital version can be found on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
DEER HUNTING SEASON on BLACK ROCK on BLOCK ISLAND is now OPEN
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today deer hunting season at Black Rock/Rodman Hollow on Block Island is now open; the season runs through February 12.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today deer hunting season at Black Rock/Rodman Hollow on Block Island is now open; the season runs through February 12.
"We are proud to join the Town of New Shoreham to sponsor this annual hunt,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “It is both a tremendous hunting experience and a vital part of controlling Block Island’s abundant deer population. Hunting – whether for food, sport, or leisure – has a long tradition in Rhode Island, and this hunt, in particular, continues to be a popular draw. We are fortunate to have many outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities in the Ocean State that are powerful drivers of tourism and core to our quality of life as Rhode Islanders.”
Over the past three years, 41 deer have been harvested from the Black Rock property through the state land deer hunting program. Outdoor recreation such as hunting is a significant economic driver for Rhode Island. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, more than $18 million is contributed to the local economy each year as a result of hunting-related activities.
Hunting on the Black Rock property is allowed on weekdays (Tuesday through Friday), beginning one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Hunters taking part in this year's Black Rock hunt were selected by lottery. The public is urged to use caution while walking the trails on the property during the hunting season and must comply with the fluorescent orange safety requirement. For more information on hunting season requirements, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Ride Safe on Snowmobile Trails This Winter
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- As International Snowmobile Safety Week (January 16-24, 2016) nears, Major John Wimsatt of the N.H. Fish and Game Department reminds snowmobilers to think safety first when riding the trails this winter. Wimsatt coordinates snowmobile and Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle safety education, registration and enforcement in New Hampshire.
While most riding opportunities are currently limited to northern Coos County due to lack of sufficient snowfall, steady snow will likely arrive soon across most of the state.
Key safety guidelines presented by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers' Association (ISMA) are:
CONCORD, N.H. -- As International Snowmobile Safety Week (January 16-24, 2016) nears, Major John Wimsatt of the N.H. Fish and Game Department reminds snowmobilers to think safety first when riding the trails this winter. Wimsatt coordinates snowmobile and Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle safety education, registration and enforcement in New Hampshire.
While most riding opportunities are currently limited to northern Coos County due to lack of sufficient snowfall, steady snow will likely arrive soon across most of the state.
Key safety guidelines presented by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers' Association (ISMA) are:
- Smart riders are safe riders – take snowmobile safety training.
- Snowmobiling and alcohol don't mix – don't drink and ride.
- Ride safe, stay on the trail – and always respect private property.
- When night riding slow down – expect the unexpected.
- Ride smart, ride right – stay in control.
- Know before you go – always check local ice conditions.
- One is the loneliest number – never ride alone.
- Cross with care – don't become a statistic.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Second Location Set for Bobcat Season Hearing
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s public hearing on proposed rules to establish a bobcat hunting and trapping season in New Hampshire will take place in two locations:
CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s public hearing on proposed rules to establish a bobcat hunting and trapping season in New Hampshire will take place in two locations:
• The first part of the hearing will take place on Monday, February 1, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Representatives Hall in the N.H. State House in Concord, N.H.
• The public hearing will be continued on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Fish and Game’s Region 1 Office at 629B Main Street in Lancaster, N.H.
The hearing is being continued on the second day to ensure that North Country citizens have an adequate chance to participate.
The N.H. Fish and Game Commission is proposing to issue a total of 50 bobcat permits through a lottery process. The timing and attributes of the draft season would be similar to New Hampshire’s fisher season, with December trapping and January hunting. If adopted, the proposal would take effect in December of 2016.
States and provinces neighboring New Hampshire all have bobcat seasons, including Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Quebec, although none limit their take using a permit system as proposed by N.H. Fish and Game.
Following a multi-year collaborative bobcat research study carried out by Fish and Game with the University of New Hampshire, the N.H. Fish and Game Commission directed the Department to assess whether the state’s bobcat population could sustain harvest without adverse impact to the population. Fish and Game concluded that the population could sustain modest harvest while still accommodating slow growth. The Commission subsequently asked the Department to formulate a conservative season proposal consistent with those findings. A draft framework was presented to the Commission in April and a final proposal was adopted by the Commission in December of 2015.
The complete rulemaking notice, with proposed rule language for this proposal, can be viewed at www.wildnh.com/legislative/proposed-rules.html.
Written comments regarding this proposal must be received by the Department by February 10, 2016. Send comments to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov (use the rule name in your subject line”); or write to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax to 603-271-5829.Learn more about New Hampshire’s bobcat season proposal at www.wildnh.com/wildlife/bobcat-season-proposal.html#faqs.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Free Ice Fishing Talks at Fish and Game!
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. – Improve your ice fishing skills by taking advantage of two free ice fishing seminars with New Hampshire fishing guide Tim Moore. These talks are coming up soon at NH Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH. The talks begin at 7 p.m. No preregistration is necessary. See you there!
CONCORD, N.H. – Improve your ice fishing skills by taking advantage of two free ice fishing seminars with New Hampshire fishing guide Tim Moore. These talks are coming up soon at NH Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH. The talks begin at 7 p.m. No preregistration is necessary. See you there!
Catching Winter Panfish -- Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.: Few outdoor adventures offer more fun and action than catching panfish through the ice. Tim Moore will talk about the tools, tactics and techniques that he uses to pull hundreds of fish through the ice every winter. Learn the strategies you need to find and catch panfish like crappie, bluegill and white perch. Discover how to get the most out of the products that allow anglers to be more comfortable and more productive on the ice. "I've never met and angler who wasn’t interested in catching more fish," says Moore. "Most of today's ice-fishing products are designed to help you do just that."
Ice Fishing for Lake Trout on Winnipesaukee -- Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.: You, too, can catch lunker lakers! Tim Moore will cover the tools and techniques he uses to catch lake trout through the ice on Lake Winnipesaukee. He will focus on winter patterns of fish behavior, where to find lake trout, selecting equipment, using electronics, and choosing lures and baits. "You can fish for numbers or you can fish for big fish," says Moore. "I will shed some light on both." Whether you are new to ice fishing or have fished for years, this seminar will help you put lake trout on your grill.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Unseen, unheard – ghostly barn owls haunt nocturnal fields
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
We were headed back to our home town the another day in the section of Rhode Island that touches Massachusetts and Connecticut. The road was pitch black, wet with the rain that had pushed through the Ocean State earlier in the day. Dark shapes of leafless oaks and looming pines, pierced by our headlights, quickly reverted to silent sentinels on this moonless night. We finally reached bare farm fields, but the visibility was only marginally better.
We were driving slowly on the narrow road when a ghostly figure swooped through the beams of light. It was gone as suddenly as it had appeared.
Barn owls (Tyto alba) are nocturnal, and our fleeting encounter was typical of the way we humans see them: ghostly images in the night sky.
The barn owl is the most widely distributed raptor in the world. It lives on every continent except Antarctica. The barn owl is present throughout the Western Hemisphere, living wherever open fields serve as habitat for its prey. Its permanent range extends from Canada’s southern border all the way to Argentina’s southern tip.
Barn owls have large, rounded wings that carry them silently in their nightly searches for food. Just 15 inches tall, the barn owl’s wing span stretches out to 3.5 feet.
Unlike other North American owls, the barn owl has a heart–shaped white face. Its undersides are pale with streaks and dots of black. On top, the bird is a messy mix of reddish-browns, black, silver, and tan. Its tail is short and squared off.
Females are larger than males and tend to be darker overall.
Strictly nocturnal, the barn owl leaves the nest or roost in search of small mammals in open fields. Field mice, voles and similar species make up the majority of the barn owl’s diet.
Typically, these owls fly low over fields, watching and listening for any movement that could indicate a meal. At times they seem to hover, and they can be seen with their long feathered legs hanging below them. Other times they hunt from a perch, always at the ready.
Although their night vision is excellent, barn owls primarily use their sense of hearing to locate prey. The facial disk and feather patterns funnel sounds to their ears.
Barn owls kill with great efficiency. After they snatch up prey, they quickly consume the whole thing.
The stubby, bone-colored bill is not designed for ripping flesh from bone. A few hours after eating its meal, the barn owl regurgitates a pellet of indigestible parts: bones, fur and small amounts of viscera. These pellets are regularly found near favorite roosting sites and below nests. In fact, they are a great clue when birders are looking for these elusive creatures. Pellets also provide scientists with a record of what the birds are eating.
Barn owls get their name from their frequent use of the rafters of barns for their nests. If grain is present, a plentiful supply of mice is probably available, too.
In addition to the presence of pellets, tell-tale white streaks just below nesting sites are also useful in helping birders and scientists locate these birds year-round. The white is from the bird’s waste, which it unceremoniously deposits while perched on the nest’s edge.
We had lived on a farm in Rhode Island and a barn owl occupied the largely unused barn. Throughout most of the year, when the windows were open, we could hear the hissing shriek of the owl as it prowled the night sky. Months later, we discovered the bird’s nest, located in the hayloft. The white stain on the cross beams gave it away.
Barn owls usually mate for life. The female forms the nest out of her own regurgitated pellets. She pulls the pellets apart to form a shallow cup nest.
Clutch sizes vary widely with as few as two or as many as 18 eggs. Weather and availability of food dictate the frequency of breeding. Some pairs produce up to three broods in a year. Incubation takes about a month and the nestling period nearly two months more.
Although they can be prolific breeders, barn owls may be in decline. Population counts are exceedingly difficult because of the owl’s nocturnal habits and secretive roosts.
They certainly suffered from DDT poisoning and may be affected by poisons put out for rodents.
Habitat loss, as usual, is most likely the biggest contributor to the decline.
Barn owls are still widespread, but for most of us they exist as ghostly images, if we think of them at all. They are like those human night owls who clean our offices, mind our power plants and care for the sick.
They are out of sight and mind, but playing a vital role, either in the natural or human landscape. Learning more about them can be revealing and enriching, both of which they really deserve.
Source: Mike Burke is an amateur naturalist who lives in Cheverly, MD.
Bay Journal
We were headed back to our home town the another day in the section of Rhode Island that touches Massachusetts and Connecticut. The road was pitch black, wet with the rain that had pushed through the Ocean State earlier in the day. Dark shapes of leafless oaks and looming pines, pierced by our headlights, quickly reverted to silent sentinels on this moonless night. We finally reached bare farm fields, but the visibility was only marginally better.
We were driving slowly on the narrow road when a ghostly figure swooped through the beams of light. It was gone as suddenly as it had appeared.
Barn owls (Tyto alba) are nocturnal, and our fleeting encounter was typical of the way we humans see them: ghostly images in the night sky.
The barn owl is the most widely distributed raptor in the world. It lives on every continent except Antarctica. The barn owl is present throughout the Western Hemisphere, living wherever open fields serve as habitat for its prey. Its permanent range extends from Canada’s southern border all the way to Argentina’s southern tip.
Barn owls have large, rounded wings that carry them silently in their nightly searches for food. Just 15 inches tall, the barn owl’s wing span stretches out to 3.5 feet.
Unlike other North American owls, the barn owl has a heart–shaped white face. Its undersides are pale with streaks and dots of black. On top, the bird is a messy mix of reddish-browns, black, silver, and tan. Its tail is short and squared off.
Females are larger than males and tend to be darker overall.
Strictly nocturnal, the barn owl leaves the nest or roost in search of small mammals in open fields. Field mice, voles and similar species make up the majority of the barn owl’s diet.
Typically, these owls fly low over fields, watching and listening for any movement that could indicate a meal. At times they seem to hover, and they can be seen with their long feathered legs hanging below them. Other times they hunt from a perch, always at the ready.
Although their night vision is excellent, barn owls primarily use their sense of hearing to locate prey. The facial disk and feather patterns funnel sounds to their ears.
Barn owls kill with great efficiency. After they snatch up prey, they quickly consume the whole thing.
The stubby, bone-colored bill is not designed for ripping flesh from bone. A few hours after eating its meal, the barn owl regurgitates a pellet of indigestible parts: bones, fur and small amounts of viscera. These pellets are regularly found near favorite roosting sites and below nests. In fact, they are a great clue when birders are looking for these elusive creatures. Pellets also provide scientists with a record of what the birds are eating.
Barn owls get their name from their frequent use of the rafters of barns for their nests. If grain is present, a plentiful supply of mice is probably available, too.
In addition to the presence of pellets, tell-tale white streaks just below nesting sites are also useful in helping birders and scientists locate these birds year-round. The white is from the bird’s waste, which it unceremoniously deposits while perched on the nest’s edge.
We had lived on a farm in Rhode Island and a barn owl occupied the largely unused barn. Throughout most of the year, when the windows were open, we could hear the hissing shriek of the owl as it prowled the night sky. Months later, we discovered the bird’s nest, located in the hayloft. The white stain on the cross beams gave it away.
Barn owls usually mate for life. The female forms the nest out of her own regurgitated pellets. She pulls the pellets apart to form a shallow cup nest.
Clutch sizes vary widely with as few as two or as many as 18 eggs. Weather and availability of food dictate the frequency of breeding. Some pairs produce up to three broods in a year. Incubation takes about a month and the nestling period nearly two months more.
Although they can be prolific breeders, barn owls may be in decline. Population counts are exceedingly difficult because of the owl’s nocturnal habits and secretive roosts.
They certainly suffered from DDT poisoning and may be affected by poisons put out for rodents.
Habitat loss, as usual, is most likely the biggest contributor to the decline.
Barn owls are still widespread, but for most of us they exist as ghostly images, if we think of them at all. They are like those human night owls who clean our offices, mind our power plants and care for the sick.
They are out of sight and mind, but playing a vital role, either in the natural or human landscape. Learning more about them can be revealing and enriching, both of which they really deserve.
Source: Mike Burke is an amateur naturalist who lives in Cheverly, MD.
Bay Journal
NH Offers Variety of Courses for Women to Learn Outdoor Skills in 2016
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program (BOW) is offering an exciting lineup of courses in 2016 for women interested in learning outdoor skills. Application forms and brochures are published at nhbow.com when registration opens. Sign up as soon as possible after registration opens, as these courses fill quickly. New Hampshire Becoming an Outdoors-Woman programs are sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation. Participants must be age 18 or older.
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program (BOW) is offering an exciting lineup of courses in 2016 for women interested in learning outdoor skills. Application forms and brochures are published at nhbow.com when registration opens. Sign up as soon as possible after registration opens, as these courses fill quickly. New Hampshire Becoming an Outdoors-Woman programs are sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation. Participants must be age 18 or older.
Winter BOW – February 20, 2016 – Course full; registration is closed. Offered every year, this one-day workshop allows women to experience ice-fishing, snowshoeing and tracking, winter outdoor survival, or "Shoe and Shoot" (woodland target shooting on snowshoes).
BOW Wilderness Survival -- June 4, 2016, at Owl Brook HunterEducation Center in Holderness, NH. Learn how to handle an emergency and survive in the outdoors. You’ll gain tips on what to do if you are lost, how to build a shelter, make a fire, signal for help, and purify water, as well as what to take along in your survival kit. This course is taught by NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers. Cost: $55. Registration opens April 25, 2016.
BOW Intermediate Fly Fishing Weekend -- June 24-26, 2016, at Coleman Estates, Coleman State Park, Stewartstown, NH. This weekend is a chance for women who have basic fly-fishing skills to become independent fly-anglers. Learn the finer points of casting, reading the water, picking a fly and landing a fish. Participants bring their own fly-rod. Cost: $275 (includes 5 meals and 2 nights lodging). Registration opens May 9, 2016.
BOW Fall Weekend -- September 9-11, 2016, at Rockywold-Deephaven Camps in Holderness, NH. This is NH BOW’s biggest event of the year. Participants choose four workshops to take during the weekend. Topics include fishing, shooting sports, hiking, outdoor cooking, hunting, map and compass, kayaking and more. Cost: $335 (includes all meals and two nights lodging, plus instruction and equipment use). Registration opens June 6, 2016.
Deer Hunting Basics -- October 1, 2016, at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH. If you are a woman thinking about hunting the elusive whitetail deer, this introductory workshop is for you! Learn the seasonal habits of deer, hunting techniques, how to identify sign, game recovery, and choices of firearms. Cost: $55. Registration opens August 15, 2016.
Navigational Workshop -- October 15, 2016, at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH. Learn how to navigate in the woods, use a compass, read a topographic map and use the map and compass together. Also covers use of simple hand-held GPS unit. Compare the two methods of navigation on a moderate woods course. Cost: $55. Registration opens August 29, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
Vermont Turkey Hunters Had a Successful Year
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont wild turkey hunters had safe and successful spring and fall hunting seasons in 2015, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife also reports that no turkey hunting-related shooting incidents were reported for the fourth consecutive year.
For more information regarding Vermont’s wild turkeys visit Vermont Fish &Wildlife’s website at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
|
A total of 5,874 turkeys were taken by hunters during Vermont’s three hunting seasons – the spring youth hunt, the regular May spring season, and the fall hunt.
Young turkey hunters mentored by experienced hunters took 510 bearded turkeys, which are almost always males, during the youth turkey hunt on the weekend before the regular spring season.
Hunters took 4,460 bearded turkeys in the May 1-31 regular spring turkey season.
Fall turkey hunting during October and November produced 904 male and female turkeys.
“Although turkey reproduction was above average in 2015 and on par with the average in 2014, severe winters and wet springs over the past couple years may have contributed to a lower than average harvest this fall,” said wild turkey project leader Amy Alfieri. “In addition, a highly variable mast production year this fall may have made turkeys harder to finder in some areas.”
Vermont’s wild turkey population is estimated at 45,000 to 60,000 birds.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife also reports that no turkey hunting-related shooting incidents were reported for the fourth consecutive year.
For more information regarding Vermont’s wild turkeys visit Vermont Fish &Wildlife’s website at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)