F&W to Hold Public Meetings About Coyotes

John Hall Photo

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is holding public informational meetings about Eastern coyotes which the department says have become well-established throughout Vermont and other northeastern states. 

 

“Eastern coyotes first appeared in Vermont in the 1940s after breeding with Eastern wolves in Canada,” said Mark Scott, Vermont’s director of wildlife.  “They are larger than their western cousins, and they are adaptable opportunists, living in areas that are well-settled by humans as well as in remote wild areas.” 

 

“Vermont’s coyotes now occupy a role as natural predators in our ecosystem, but they also have become highly controversial.  We want to help people understand them from an objective, scientific perspective, and we want to help people learn how to live with them because they are here to stay.”

 

Vermont’s Furbearer Project Leader Kimberly Royar and Wildlife Ecologist Dr. David Person will hold the meetings as follows:

 

• Tuesday, October 22 – 7:00 p.m. at the Weathersfield Conservation Commission, Weathersfield Community Center Road in Weathersfield.

 

• Tuesday, December 17 -- 6:30 p.m. at the Barre Fish and Game Club, Gun Club Road, Barre.

 

During her 33 years with Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Kim Royar helped landowners improve wildlife habitat, she did extensive research on bobcats, coyotes and other furbearers, she worked to restore Vermont’s population of American martens, and she worked in Fish and Wildlife’s central office as a special assistant to the Commissioner.   

 

Dr. Person did research on coyotes in Vermont for his UVM Master’s Degree as well as research on wolves, deer and predator-prey dynamics for 22 years in Alaska.  He has authored more than 40 scientific journal papers, as well as reports on the ecology of coyotes, wolves, deer, flying squirrels, predator-prey theory, quantitative ecology, and subsistence hunting.  University of Alaska students now carry on his research on wolves, deer, moose, caribou, subsistence hunting, habitat selection, predator-prey dynamics, and the effects of disturbance and global heating on ecological systems and the human use of those systems.  He currently resides in Braintree, Vermont.

Colonel Joel Wilkinson To Retire From The Maine Warden Service

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

AUGUSTA, Maine – Colonel Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Warden Service, who was appointed colonel in 2008, is retiring on September 20. Commissioner Judy Camuso has placed Lieutenant Dan Scott in the position of acting colonel.

“Colonel Wilkinson served the Department and the state for more than two decades,” said Commissioner Camuso. “I want to thank him for his service, and wish him nothing but the best as he enters his next chapter.”

Wilkinson was hired full time as a district game warden in 1995, after beginning his career in 1992 as a deputy game warden. In addition to serving as colonel, Joel has served in multiple roles in the Maine Warden Service including captain, sergeant, investigator, and district game warden. He also served as acting major (2008) and later acting commissioner during the Governor Baldacci/Governor LePage transition.

“We all work for the very best fish and wildlife agency in the country and may Maine be proud of the collective work this Department provides. I feel like I have worked with, for and beside the greatest professionals in conservation,” said Wilkinson.

Photo credit: John Clarke Russ

Cape Cod: Bourne Plans to Buys Land to Benefit Box Turtle

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

BOURNE – The Town of Bourne plans to buy 12 acres of land for the benefit of the Eastern Box Turtle.

The purchase of the land factors into the expansion of the town landfill. The endangered turtles currently reside on 12 acres south of the landfill.

The two parcels of land in consideration are located south of the Otis rotary and east of Route 28.

The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Massachusetts Natural Heritage And Endangered Species Act require the town to replace the habitat for the turtles currently living on the 12 acres of land south of the landfill.

“That’s prime habitat all the way to Falmouth, these are real good pieces of land for us to look at,” said Daniel Barret, general manager of the towns integrated Solid Waste Management Department regarding the prospective land acquisitions. 

The extension of the landfill would extend its expected lifespan to the mid 2040’s.

“Landfill capacity in Massachusetts is very short, so The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act provide opportunities for mitigation.” said Barett.

Real estate transactions require a two thirds majority approval by residents at town meeting. An article on the issue will be presented on October 21^st.

There is not yet an estimate on how much it would cost the town to purchase the properties.

Phenology Calendar for Late September

I would have to make it to 98 to see this again.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Third Week of September

Outbreak of EEE Reported in all New England States, Be Careful 
8 Confirmed Cases in Massachusetts.
1 on Block Island

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

Blue jays eat insect-infested acorns first, caching the rest for later. Weevils in acorns are a welcome source of protein.

Red admiral butterflies are heading south for the winter. They’ll be back in May.

The air outside is crisp, but it’s July-hot in the kitchen if the canning pot is in use.

Bucks are beginning to rub their antlers.

Fourth Week of September

Chipmunks will store as much food as they can, sometimes much, much more than they possibly could use. They don’t have a stop button.

Meadow jumping mice go into hibernation. These tiny animals will be even tinier when they emerge in late April.

Hungry skunks may be making a bunch of small holes in the lawn as they forage for June bug larvae and other insects.

Good time to look for chicken of the woods, a sometimes large shelf fungus that is delicious.. Source: Virginia Barlow Northern Woodlands

Big family fun at the Big MOE – September 22

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
With over 45 outdoor activities, there's something for everyone!

Experience the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (The Big MOE) at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge, MA on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. In its 22nd year, this FREE, family-friendly event celebrates outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. With over 45 activity stations, there’s something for everyone at The Big MOE. Stations include:

• Shotgun, air gun, and rifle shooting
• Fishing and fly tying
• Kayaking
• Archery
• Tomahawk throwing
• Birds of prey
• Petting zoo
• Birdhouse building and other crafts
• Mountain biking
• Kids disc golf