NEWS AND NOTES

Massachusetts Turtle Symposium--Don’t miss the Massachusetts Turtle Symposium to be held on February 23 & 24 at the UMass Amherst Campus Center.  Of special interest to landowners and managers, teachers, and naturalists; this symposium is designed to provide information for the novice and expert alike.  The keynote speaker on Friday evening February 23 will be David Carroll, author, artist and MacArthur Award Winner. Experts from across the state, including staff from MassWildlife, will share current information on turtle biology, conservation and management issues. Find out more about turtles and what can be done to help turtles in the classroom, on conservation property or your own land.  Professional credits available.  Funding for this symposium was made possible in part by MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Registration deadline is February 16, registrations received after the 16^th will require an additional fee. Further information and registration materials are available on line at the Athol Bird and Nature Club website: www.millersriver.net/turtles.

Deadline for Forest Plan Comments – February 16 is the deadline for written comments concerning the first draft of the Taconic Mountains and Marble Valley Forest Management Zone (FMZ) plan, and the second draft of the Berkshire Highlands FMZ plan are due. Plans are posted at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/draft_fmps.htm Write: John Scanlon, MassWildlife Forest Project Leader, MassWildlife Field HQ, Westborough, MA 01581 or by e-mail at john.scanlon@state.ma.us, by February 16, 2007.

Fall Turkey Tally--Final fall season figures for the 2006 turkey season have been compiled. Hunters harvested 107 turkeys during the six-day season. 51 of these birds were toms (males) and 56 were hens (females). Breaking the figures down by county, 20 turkeys were taken in Berkshire, 24 in Franklin, 7 in Hampden, 25 in Hampshire, 3 in Middlesex, and 28 in Worcester. MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader Jim Cardoza noted that fall turkey harvests have varied considerably over the years. “This harvest is not particularly surprising,” said Jim Cardoza, Turkey Project Leader, “Due to the prolonged and repeated rainfall in the spring, hatch and poult survival was very low.” Hunter effort and participation is important, and can vary with participation in other hunting activities. Weather conditions during the fall hunt and the survival success from the previous summer are also important factors in turkey hunter's success rate.

Upcoming Public Meetings -- The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will be meeting on January 30 at 10AM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough off North Drive. Open to all, these public meetings provide Board members with information on wildlife and related topics and issues across the state.  For directions, check the MassWildlife website in About MassWildlife (www.mass.gov/masswildlife ) or call 508/389-6360.

The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on February 8 at 1:30PM at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough. For directions, check the MassWildlife website in About MassWildlife (www.mass.gov/masswildlife ) or call 508/389-6360. This meeting is also open to the public.

Calendar of Events

Feb. 3 & 4 -- 28^th Annual Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Show at the Standish Sportsmen’s Association, East Bridgewater. Located at 1 Burr Lane this show features many exhibitors. MassWildlife will be selling licenses, providing maps, hunting and fishing laws and other wildlife related material. For more information about the show, contact Hugh Hurley 508/588-9327 or John Fabroski 508/378-7696.

Feb. 8–Basic Ice Fishing Clinic, Billerica -- Want to learn about "hard water" fishing? Beginning anglers of all ages are encouraged to attend this workshop which will be taught by instructors from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program. This clinic is sponsored by the Billerica Recreation Department. Learn basic techniques and how to handle the equipment needed to go ice fishing. A second day may be scheduled to include an ice fishing excursion (weather and ice safety permitting). Equipment will be provided, but anyone with equipment is welcome to bring it. The course is free, but pre-registration is required.Contact the Billerica Parks and Recreation Department to register at 978/671-0921.

Feb. 8 - 11 – 31^st Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition, Worcester--Held at the Centrum Centre, MassWildlife will be hosting booths for the Hunter and Angler Education Programs as well as selling licenses and providing other hunting and fishing information to sportsmen and women. For specific information about the Worcester show, visit www.sportshows.com or call 603/431-4315.

Feb. 9--Registration deadline for registering for Mass. Environmental Education Society Annual Conference, Holy Cross College, Worcester This statewide conference to be held on March 7 attracts classroom teachers, youth group leaders, state and park naturalists and other environmental educators New England. No walk in registrations are accepted. This year's theme is: MEES @30; Exploring Past, Present & Future.

Feb. 15 – Basic Ice Fishing Course, Turners Falls (Montague) – Want to learn about "hard water" fishing? For beginning anglers of all ages the clinic is taught by instructors from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program at the Great Falls Discovery Center and is co-sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn basic techniques and how to handle the equipment needed to go ice fishing. The course is free, but pre-registration is required. Equipment is provided. Contact the Great Falls Discovery Center for more information at 413/ 863.3221.

Feb. 16-19 – Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show – MassWildlife is teaming up with the Department of Conservation and Recreation with an informational booth about wildlife related recreational opportunities in Massachusetts. For more information, call 413/781-CAMP or visit www.springfieldrvcampingshow.com.

Feb. 17 – 2nd Merrimack River Eagle Festival, Newburyport – Join MassWildlife District Manager Patricia Huckery at Deer Island, Newburyport as part of  this eagle festival organized by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with sponsorship from the Newburyport 5 Cents Savings Bank and the Eagle Tribune Publishing Company.  Free indoor and outdoor events will be held at sponsor sites throughout the Newburyport/Amesbury/Salisbury area including self-guided tours of eagle-spotting locations with on-site guides, children's nature activities, live eagle demonstrations and guided bus tours. For more information and bus reservations, call 978-462-9998.

Feb. 22 - 25 – Springfield Sportsmen’s Show at the Big E,  West Springfield. MassWildlife will be hosting selling licenses and providing other hunting and fishing information to sportsmen and women. For specific information about this show, visit www.osegsportsmens.com or call 413/467-