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Please share this edition of Wildlife Highlights with other outdoor enthusiasts
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Take some time to listen to this podcast that explores why some animal populations are on the rise in Connecticut. CT DEEP Supervising Wildlife Biologist Jenny Dickson is one of the guests, along with three other experts (Maxine Montello, Rescue Program Director, Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation; Dave Hudson, Research Scientist, Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk; and Bill Lucey, Long Island Soundkeeper).
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2019: Make a Difference for Wildlife
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There are plenty of simple ways people can help wildlife, and each month we will highlight an action everyone can take to benefit the species that call Connecticut home.
Help make a difference for wildlife in 2019! While they may seem harmless, cigarette butts can cause irreversible damage to our oceans and wildlife. The proper disposal of cigarette filters can make a huge difference, especially when visiting Connecticut beaches.
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Join Us at the 2019 Fishing and Hunting Show
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The DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources, including the Wildlife Division, Fisheries Division, and Environmental Conservation Police, will be at the 22nd Annual Northeast Fishing & Hunting Show from March 29-31, 2019 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. This expo provides classes, seminars, and demonstrations led by outdoor industry professionals and even features a 5,000 gallon fish tank! Pay us a visit and ask us your fish and wildlife questions or simply say hello. We hope to see you there!
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Donate to the Connecticut Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-off Fund to protect wildlife and habitat.
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Ticks, Deer, and Diseases
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The Wildlife Division, in cooperation with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), has been conducting research on Manresa Island and two surrounding communities following the June 2017 discovery of a breeding population of lone star ticks in south Norwalk. Lone star ticks have been known to carry at least fi
ve infectious diseases that affect people - three variations of Ehrlichia, Heartland virus, and Bourbon virus.
To learn more, read a detailed article
(PDF), with amazing photos, in our bimonthly magazine,
Connecticut Wildlife.
Connecticut Wildlife
is for anyone who wants to stay informed about fish, wildlife, and natural resource issues and events in our state. The magazine is published six times a year and is available by subscription (
more details
).
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Shorebird Monitoring Volunteers Needed
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Spend your summer days at the beach and help protect a federally threatened species! The Wildlife Division and the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds are seeking volunteers to monitor piping plovers and other shorebirds from early April until late August at beaches across our state.
In March, Atlantic Coast populations of piping plovers return to the Connecticut shoreline from their wintering grounds on the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. The camouflage nests of the piping plover are extremely susceptible to human disturbance, predation, and tidal wash outs.
To enhance the survival and productivity of birds breeding in Connecticut, volunteers work at locations across the shoreline to observe the shorebirds and record nesting data.
A training and orientation session will be held on Saturday, March 30, from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Audubon Connecticut Office at Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive, Stratford, CT 06615. For more information on the training session or for directions, email the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com.
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Tracking Wildlife in the Snow
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Bobcat tracks. |
With snow still on the ground in Connecticut, consider getting outside and practicing wildlife tracking! Many mammals are still active during cold, snowy, winter days. Snow serves as a blank palette that can be filled with tracks of passing wildlife. Wildlife tracking is also a great way to spend time with friends and family. See you outdoors!
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2018 Turkey Report Available
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The goal of the Connecticut Wild Turkey Management Program is to manage wild turkey populations at levels compatible with available habitat and various land uses and to allow for a sustained yield of turkeys for use by the people of Connecticut. With spring turkey season just around the corner, take a few minutes to review last year's report and gain valuable insight into one of our state's most popular hunting opportunities.
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Unsold Deer Lottery Permits Available
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Unsold Deer Lottery Permits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting March 15, 2019. Unsold lottery permits can be purchased online or at select DEEP offices until sold out or the season ends. All unsold lottery permits must be purchased at the end of the transaction. Effective for 2019: Area 61 (Roraback WMA) is no longer part of the deer lottery. This change is not reflected in the printed version of the 2019 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide. Roraback WMA will be a No-lottery area during the 2019 deer hunting season.
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Upcoming Hunter Education Courses for April 2019
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Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) courses are administered by the Wildlife Division and taught throughout the year by a dedicated corps of certified volunteer instructors. Certifications are offered in the disciplines of firearms hunting, bowhunting, and trapping. Following is a list of upcoming courses for the month of April.
These courses post for registration 30 days prior to their start date.
Please note:
Courses can be scheduled at any time, and this may not be a complete list of April's offerings.
Firearms
:
-Thomaston: April 2, 4, and 6
-Berlin: April 27, 28
Firearms (Self-Study):
-Wethersfield: April 13
-Bristol: April 13
Bow Hunting:
-Bridgewater: April 7
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Join us for March Mushroom Madness at Sessions Woods WMA
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The Connecticut Valley Mycological Society (CVMC) welcomes members and non-members to their annual meeting at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington for an enlightening indoor presentation on mushrooms. The meeting will take place Sunday, March 17 at 9:30 AM and provides an opportunity to talk with others interested in the field of mycology and view some of the resources available to learn more about mushrooms.
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Species of the Month: Gray Seal
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When thinking of Connecticut wildlife, the gray seal is not likely the first animal to come to mind. Capable of diving up to 1,500 feet underwater, gray seals often hunt in groups throughout the waters of Long Island Sound and New England. Once heavily hunted, gray seals have been protected since 1972 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Overall, the population is increasing, and winter tends to be the best time of year to view these marine mammals. Should you visit Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison or other prime coastal locations, be sure to keep an eye out for seals resting on the rocks offshore. However, observe seals from a safe distance of at least 50 yards (150 feet) to avoid disturbing or harassing the animals.
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Your Feedback Is Important to Us!
Send your comments or suggestions to deep.ctwildlife@ct.g
ov
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You are making a difference and we thank you for your support!
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You'll find each issue packed with information about wildlife, hunting, fishing, and natural resource-related issues in Connecticut.
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at 860-418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.
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