Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council: News

On the hunt for deer control in state

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:50:00 GMT

When people think hunting in Massachusetts, they think westward - the deep woods and wide open space of the Berkshires lures thousands of eager hunters each season.

For the second year in a row, according to reports from MassWildlife this July, the highest numbers of deer taken in during the 2007 hunting season were in Zones 10 and 11 - which together include all the towns in The Sun Chronicle area.

And despite having led the state in the number of deer sacked, MassWildlife said it's not enough.

George B. Hartzog Jr, passed away at 88

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:08:00 GMT

Boston Globe

WASHINGTON - George B. Hartzog Jr., a former director of the National Park Service, who led an unprecedented expansion of the nation's system of parks, wildlife refuges, and historic sites and who helped secure passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, died June 27 at Virginia Hospital Center of complications from diabetes and kidney disease. He was 88 and lived in McLean, Va.

National Parks report: C

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:38:00 GMT

Boston Herald

A report card for national parks gave them an average grade of 70 out of 100 for natural resources such as air and water quality, wildlife and ecosystems.

Deer plague suburban communities

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:03:00 GMT

The Patriot Ledger reports: QUINCY — The deer population on the South Shore has more than doubled in the past decade, wildlife officials say, and it is showing up in nibbled shrubs, chewed-up vegetable gardens and more close calls and collisions for motorists.
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Overall, deer populations are down from the all-time highs reached in 2005, state officials say, but development, fewer hunters and more restrictions on hunting are keeping the number of deer up in many local communities.

Owl found in illegal leg trap prompts warning

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:14:00 GMT

AMESBURY — The town's animal control officer is trying to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of animal leg traps after a great horned owl was found in a Main Street backyard with one secured to its leg this past weekend.

Newbury Port News

Cougar killed in Chicago may have journeyed from South Dakota

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:12:00 GMT

CHICAGO - The voyage may sound improbable, but wildlife officials say that a DNA test should reveal whether a cougar killed Monday in Chicago took a 1,000-mile trip from the Black Hills of South Dakota through Wisconsin before being shot by police in the Roscoe Village neighborhood.

Chicago Tribune / Boston Herald

Tests show animal killed in western Mass. was gray wolf

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:53:00 GMT

SHELBURNE - Wildlife officials say an animal killed in Shelburne last fall was an endangered eastern gray wolf, a species long extinct in the region.

Boston Herald

Joint Committee On Public Safety & Homeland Security Hearing January 23, 2008

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:25:00 GMT

The Joint Committee On Public Safety & Homeland Security will be holding a public hearing on bills pertaining to "Gun Trafficking and Gang Violence". The hearing is scheduled to take place at 1:00 PM in room A-1. The following list of bills is set to be heard:

H2293 An Act Establishing a System of Ballistic Identification
H2340 An Act to Improve the Tracing of Guns Used in Crimes
H2342 An Act Protecting Children and Adults from Unsafe Handguns
H2343 An Act to Close a Loophole in the Assault Weapons Ban and Further Reduce Gun Violence in the Commonwealth
S1354 An Act Regarding the Prevention of Illegal Gun Trafficking and Gun Violence Among Youth in the Commonwealth
S1383 An Act Preventing Illegal Trafficking of Firearms

http://www.mass.gov/legis/comm/dljan23.htm

The Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council, County Leagues of Sportsmen's Clubs, and GOAL all stand in OPPOSITION to each of these bills. Please take the time to write your Representative and Senator today.

Proposed Bill Could Ban Lead Ammunition in Massachusetts!

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Please Contact Your State Legislator Today!

House Bill 783 and Senate Bill 558 introduced by State Representative Jay Kaufman (D-15th Middlesex) and State Senator Steven Tolman (D-2nd Suffolk & Middlesex) would create a more restrictive policy regarding the use of "toxic chemicals" in the Commonwealth. Hidden within the proposal from environmental and anti-gun extremists is what amounts to a ban on all common rifle and handgun ammunition.

"The Safer Alternatives Proposals" will create a program to replace ten "chemicals" with what proponents claim are safer alternatives. On the top of the list of targeted substances is lead, the common element used to make virtually all bullets. As proposed, this legislation could virtually shut down all shooting ranges as well as ban the sale and use of lead ammunition for self-defense, hunting and target practice in Massachusetts. Non-lead alternatives exist for ammunition but are significantly more expensive and, in many instances, have sub-standard performance characteristics. Shooting ranges already fall under federal EPA regulations concerning environmental impact and recent science and EPA guidelines show that lead ammunition on shooting ranges can be managed without detrimentally affecting the environment. Predictably, this legislation does not account for the serious impacts on shooting ranges and the sportsmen and gun owners who use them.

Please call or write your State Legislator and respectfully request that the lead ammunition be completely excluded from the scope of the legislation. This step is essential in order to protect the future availability of ammunition commonly used for self-defense, hunting and the shooting sports in the Commonwealth! Contact information for your State Legislator can be found at http://www.mass.gov/legis/.

Please note, that both of these bills look like they're being rolled into Senate Bill 2406.

MassWildlife Eagle Count Postponed

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Due to inclement weather, today’s Eagle Count has been postponed until Wednesday, January 16.

Bald Eagle Count Scheduled For Friday, January 11, 2007

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Friday marks the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife’s annual eagle count. Part of an annual national survey, the department is looking to account for all the bald eagles wintering in Massachusetts and urging people who spot bald eagles to report when and where they saw them. Ground teams will be covering known eagle territories around the state during the day. In 2007, 48 bald eagles were documented in Massachusetts during the one-day event. (Friday, various known bald eagle locations)

Restoring The Lower Neponset River, Wednesday, January 9, 2007

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:47:00 GMT

The Massachusetts Riverways Program, a division of the Department of Fish and Game, presents results of studies relative to restoring the lower Neponset River and cleansing it of harmful pollutants. The meeting will begin a public process to discuss options for cleaning the river, a habitat for herring and shad, and making it fit for recreational use. (Wednesday, January, 9th, 7 pm, St. Gregory’s School Auditorium, 2214 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester)

Department of Fish and Game Land Purchase Ties Together 8,000 Acres On MA-RI Border

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The state in late December closed on its $2.5 million purchase of wildlife habitat in Webster that had been slated for an 83-lot subdivision but which will instead help knit together an 8,000-acre block of conservation land straddling the Massachusetts and Rhode Island borders. The 240-acre deal, announced Friday by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles, permanently prevents development of the former Webster Sheet Metal property. It adds to the Mine Brook Wildlife Management Area, which connects to the 5,000-acre Douglas State Forest, which itself is linked to the 2,000-acre Buck Hill Management Area in Rhode Island.

George Darey reappointed to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, Ceremony December 18, 2007

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:47:00 GMT

Please join EOEEA Secretary Ian Bowles, Dept. of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director Wayne MacCallum, Members of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, legislators and other officials and friends to the swearing in of George Darey to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony @

Please RSVP Marion Larson at marion.larson@state.ma.us or 508/389-6311 or Bob Greco, Department of Fish & Game at 617/626-1556 or bob.greco@state.ma.us by December 17 for a head count.

Directions:

Shakespeare & Company (Phone: 413-637-1199)

From Boston and points east: take Exit 2 off the Mass Pike (Rt. 90) on to Rt. 20 W through Lee for 3.1 miles, then turn left on Plunkett Street - watch for the blue highway sign on the right. Travel for 1.7 miles (through Rt. 7 traffic light) to S&Co on the lefthand side on Kemble Street.

From Albany and points west: take the NY State Thruway extension into Massachusetts (I-90/Mass Pike) and take Exit 2 into Lee and Lenox. Follow the directions from Boston (above). From Pittsfield and points north: take Rt. 7 S to Rt. 7A/Kemble Street (watch for the blue highway sign on left). Turn right at the light. S&Co is 0.9 miles.

From Stockbridge and points south: take Rt. 7 N for 5 miles to the first traffic signal, Rt. 7A/Kemble Street (watch for the blue highway sign on right). Turn left at the Rt. 7A/Kemble Street traffic signal. S&Co is 0.9 miles.

Don't mess with the sportsmen

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 02:56:00 GMT

Posted by Scott L. Bach, Esq. November 08, 2007 1:26PM

A hard lesson was learned on election day in New Jersey's 12th legislative district, when incumbent State Senator Ellen Karcher (D-12) and incumbent Assemblyman Mike Panter (D-12) were retired from public service despite the infusion of millions of campaign dollars to save their seats.

That lesson can be summed up this way: don't mess with the sportsmen.

Massachusetts: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to Consider Over 20 Firearms Bills!

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, November 7, 2007; 1 pm, Room B-2

The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold a hearing, rescheduled from last week, on Wednesday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m. at the State House in Hearing Room B-2. The hearing will focus on a list of over 20 firearms-related bills, including legislation to prohibit gun confiscations and to allow hunting on Sundays.

Bills are drawing support from both sides of the aisle and one bill permitting hunting on Sundays (H 2315) are likely to command the most attention. Sen. Michael Morrissey has a bill that would prohibit the use of paint ball guns (S 1408). Increased access to non-lethal defense sprays is called for in another bill (H 2385). Rep. Smitty Pignatelli's (D-Lenox) bill (H 2364) would exempt certain elderly people and law enforcement agents from fees on firearm license renewals. An executive session will follow the hearing.

Information on these bills can be found on both the NRAILA website here.

State and Local Officials Join Conservation Community to Announce Land Acquisition in Orange!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director Wayne MacCallum, Members of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, Legislators and local officials, representatives of Sportsmen’s groups and the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust are please to announce:

Tully Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Mountain Road, North Orange is a 41-acre land acquisition in the Franklin County community of Orange. Wildlands Stamp funding from Division of Fisheries and Wildlife hunting and fishing licenses paid for by Sportsmen and Women went toward purchasing this land. Dedication will occur on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 2:00PM. The 41-acre parcel was aquired at a cost of $415,000.00 and was solely funded by the Sportsmen and Women of Massachusetts through the Wildlands Stamp affixed to every hunting/sporting license sold.

The Sportsmen and Women of Massachusetts are proud to be an integral part of MassWildlife's wildlife conservation and habitat preservation efforts and track record of success in the Commonwealth.

From the East and Downtown Athol – Take Route 2 West to Exit 18, Rte. 2A West toward Athol. Turn left off exit ramp onto Route 2A West (Templeton Road). Follow 2A West about 2.5 miles toward Athol Center and turn right onto Route 32 North (Chestnut Hill Avenue). Follow short distance over Millers River and take first left onto Crescent Street, staying on Route 32 North. Follow a very short distance and turn right onto Silver Lake Street (still Route 32 North). Follow Silver Lake Street about 1.2 miles and turn left onto Pinedale Road. Follow Pinedale Road about ½ mile to end and turn right onto Pinedale Avenue, which soon becomes Tully Road after crossing the town line into Orange. Follow Tully Road about 1.8 miles and turn right onto Royalston Road. Take immediate left onto Mountain Road and follow to end of road.

From the West and Downtown Orange - Take Route 2 East to Exit 15, Rte. 122 North (South Main Street). Follow 122 North to second set of lights in downtown Orange and turn right onto Rte. 2A West (East Main Street). Follow East Main Street about one mile and turn left onto Wheeler Avenue. Follow Wheeler Avenue about three miles to end and turn right onto Main Street in North Orange. Follow Main Street about ½ mile and bear left onto Royalston Road. Follow Royalston Road about ¾ of a mile, cross Tully Road and take immediate left onto Mountain Road. Follow to end of Mountain Road.

Massachusetts: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to Consider Over 20 Firearms Bills!

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Due to the Red Sox winning the World Series, this hearing has been postponed.

The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold a hearing on Tuesday, October 30, at 1:00 p.m. at the State House in Hearing Room A-1. The hearing will focus on a list of over 20 firearms-related bills, including legislation to prohibit gun confiscations and to allow hunting on Sundays.

Information on these bills can be found on both the NRAILA website here and also on the The 185th General Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts website. The link to the Massachusetts site will most likey disappear after the hearing date, so please review the NRAILA website after October 30th.

Hunting saves lives

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Which animal, besides man, kills more humans in the U.S. each year than any other?

Bears?

Alligators?

Cougars?

El chupacabra?

Try white-tailed deer.

The News & Observer

Sportsmen Settle Suit, Protect Trapping in Maine

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Litigious anti's fail at their attempt to ban trapping

October 5, 2007 (Maine) (Columbus) - Sportsmen have reached a legal settlement in a lawsuit that threatened to ban trapping in Maine. The decision will allow trapping to continue in the state.

On Oct. 4, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIFW) agreed to restrict trap sizes in areas where Canada lynx exist. The action is part of a settlement between the state and the Animal Protection Institute (API), an anti-trapping organization that filed suit in 2006 to ban trapping. The group argued that all trapping should be prohibited to prevent the inadvertent catch of federally-protected Canada lynx.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation joined the case as a defendant intervenor to represent sportsmen’s interests. It’s legal arm, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund, worked along with the Maine Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, National Trappers Association and individual sportsmen Oscar Cronk, Donald Dudley, Alvin Theriault and Brian Cogill.

“We will get to continue trapping in Maine with minimal restrictions,” said Skip Trask, executive director of the Maine Trappers Association. “The attorneys for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation did an outstanding job. Without them, we would have been in serious trouble.”

The DIFW has filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to receive an Incidental Take Permit. The permits are distributed by the FWS for activities that could possibly result in "take" of threatened or endangered species. If the agency grants the permit, the settlement and its restrictions will expire.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who often have little or no background in wildlife law.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protect the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.