NEWS AND NOTES 

Tisa Honored by Worcester County Sportsmen-Dr. Mark Tisa, Assistant Director of Fisheries, was recently honored by the Worcester County League of Sportsmen as Mentor of the Year. The WCLS recognized Tisa's efforts in the establishment of the Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program which provides interested young adults with an opportunity to practice skills in a program that includes shotgun shooting, pre-hunt field practicum and culminating in a pheasant hunt while supervised by responsible, licensed adult hunters in an enjoyable environment.

Sign Up for Young Adult Pheasant Hunt! - Speaking of the Young Adult Pheasant Hunt, young women and men ages 12-17 years old interested in pheasant hunting and who are successful graduates from a Basic Hunter Education course should contact sportsmen's clubs offering the Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program. The Young Adult Pheasant Hunt Program was developed by MassWildlife to provide an opportunity for young adults to practice firearms safety, develop shooting skills, and participate in a special pheasant hunt with a safe, experienced hunter in a friendly environment. The program is run by participating sportsmen's clubs in the following towns: Ashburnham, Carver, Concord, Harvard, Hopkinton, Lee, Middleton, Millis, Oxford, Princeton, Salisbury, Sturbridge, West Granville, Williamstown, and Worthington. For more details, visit the Education area of the MassWildlife website at www.mass.gov/masswildlife.

Fall Outdoorswoman Workshops - Adult women who want to be learn some new outdoor skills can sign up now for two different outdoor learning opportunities. The first workshop is Camping for Beginners in Townsend on the weekend of September 16 and 17. Never been camping before? Cooked on a wood fire? This is a great time to try it. Maybe you have gone camping and been less than comfortable. At this workshop you will learn to set up a simple, efficient and cozy camp, spend a night, eat (and cook a few) meals. Some equipment is available by pre-arrangement. As with other Outdoorswoman workshops, no previous experience necessary! Seesion limited to 20 participants.

The second workshop in Harvard on October 15 with an optional second day of shooting practice focuses on Marksmanship and will be held at the Harvard Sportsmen's Club. This workshop is designed to assist adult women who want to improve their marksmanship on the range or in the field. Learn how the body, shooting equipment and environment affect shooting performance, particularly in a hunting situation. Participants may opt for both weekend days or just the first day. Session limited to 12 participants.

Registration materials for both workshops are posted at MassWildlife's website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife) or available by fax by calling 508/792-7270 x131.

Upcoming Board Meeting and Migratory Bird Hearing -The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will be meeting on August 31, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, Low Street, Newburyport. At 7 p.m. in the same location, a Public Hearing will be held to establish rules and regulations relative to the 2006-2007 migratory game bird seasons and methods of take. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will vote on the migratory game bird season immediately following the public hearing.

MassWildlife Calendar of Events - Check www.mass.gov/masswildlife for weekly updates

August 31-Access Dedication Honoring Newbury Sportsman, Salisbury-The Gun Owner's Action League (GOAL) with MassWildlife will be hosting a Wildlife Management Access dedication in the name of Geoffrey Walker of Newbury. Walker is a well known local sportsman, conservation advocate and wildlife artist. The dedication will take place at 4:30 pm at the Salisbury Wildlife Management Area; friends and colleagues of Geoff Walker who wish to attend should contact GOAL at 508/393-5333 for more details.

September 7-10 -- MassWildlife at Franklin County Fair, Greenfield -- Visit the MassWildlife display area, featuring a full body mount of an 80 pound snapping turtle. Visit with MassWildlife staff and pick up new informational materials during the fair. More fair information is available at www.fcas.com

September 12, 19, 26, Oct 3-- Basic Freshwater Fishing Class, Hadley-- Enjoy the great outdoor activity of fishing with family and friends! Open to beginning anglers of all ages, this free class is co-sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and will be taking place at the Great Falls Discovery Center from 6:00- 8:00 PM. Equipment is already provided. MassWildlife's Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be teaching this free class. To pre-register, contact Great Falls Discovery Center at 413/863-3676.

September 13 -- Eagles in Southeastern Massachusetts, South Dartmouth--Our national symbol, the American bald eagle has returned to nest in the region. Learn more about this successful wildlife restoration project from Jason Zimmer, MassWildlife Southeast District Supervisor as he talks about eagles nesting in the area. Hosted by the Paskamansett Bird Club, this program is open to the public and will begin at 7:30 at the Community Hall of Friends Meeting, 739 Horseneck Road.

September 15--CANOEING? KAYAKING? YOU MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET Between September 15 of this year and May 15 of next year, ALL persons in canoes and kayaks must be WEARING lifejackets. Wearing of lifejackets applies to waterfowl hunters in these craft as well. Most boating fatalities in Massachusetts are due to accidents in small craft when boaters fail to wear life jackets in cold water and/or cold weather situations.

September 15 - October 15-2007 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition Art Exhibition, Springfield - The Springfield Science Museum is hosting an art exhibition featuring the art entries submitted to the 2007 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition. The Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp is the only waterfowl stamp series in the country requiring stamp designs to be of working decoys - ducks, geese or shorebirds - made by deceased Massachusetts decoy makers. See the winning artist's work as well as all other qualifying entries in the contest. For more information on the exhibit, contact the Springfield Science Museum at 413/263-6800 x325. For information on the Waterfowl Stamp Competition, contact MassWildlife at 508/792-7270.

September 16 --Harold Parker State Forest Family Fishing Festival, Andover-- This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. On the shores of the pond, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. MassWildlife Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be on hand to assist.  Equipment is provided, but if you have your own, bring it along! 10AM - 2:30 PM. The festival is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation. For more information contact the Harold Parker State Forest at 978/698-1802.