McClory: State environmental officials map out opportunities outdoors

On July 1, at Walden Pond, Massachusetts environmental officials displayed a new “Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Map” packed with information for residents and visitors looking for places to enjoy outdoor activities across the Bay State, such as fishing, boating, hunting, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming. The newly revised and updated Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Map shows conservation lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It also identifies all boat access, sport fishing piers, and shore fishing areas built by DFG’s Office of Fishing and Boating Access. There is additional information about outdoor safety and ethics, licensing requirements for fishing and hunting, and Web links to further information regarding recreational opportunities on state properties. The Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Map will be available for free at the DFG and Office of Fishing and Boating offices in Boston, all MassWildlife offices and hatcheries, DCR properties across the state, and selected highway information centers. To obtain a map by postal mail, send a self-addressed 59-cent stamped business-sized envelope to: Outdoor Recreation Map, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westboro, MA 01581.Here’s an interesting statistic. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, recreational anglers in Massachusetts, both residents and non-residents, spent more than $769 million in 2006, while hunters spent more than $70 million and people who enjoy wildlife-watching spent another $755 million. The USFWS estimates that 1.9 million people participated in wildlife watching in Massachusetts in 2006, about 500,000 people enjoyed fishing, and 73,000 hunted. According to the DCR, more than 14 million people visit Massachusetts state forests and parks annually. The DCR reports that reservations at state campgrounds are up nearly 14 percent from last year.The Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt will occur during the statewide deer shotgun season in four areas of the Quabbin Reservation: Pelham and New Salem on Dec. 4 and 5, and Hardwick and Petersham on Dec. 11 and 12. Approximately 1,100 permits will be drawn on Sept. 3, based upon hunters’ license numbers. Applications for the 2008 Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt are now available through the mail by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to: Quabbin Visitor Center, 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. Applications are also available from MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters in Boston, Westboro, and District Offices. This will be the second year that black-powder firearms will be allowed for use during the Controlled Deer Hunt. Water Supply Division staff reminds prospective applicants that regardless of the type of firearm used, all applicants must have a valid FID card to be eligible to apply for this hunting opportunity. Successful applicants will receive written notification from the DCR by late September. For further information, contact the Quabbin Visitor’s Center at (413) 323-7221.While on the subject of hunting, prospective hunters of all ages are reminded that it is never too early to plan and sign up for a Basic Hunter Education Course. Basic courses are available across the state, and many will begin in August and September. Many veteran and new hunters fail to consider enrolling in a course until the weather turns cool in late September, when most courses have either begun or are full and the opportunity to hunt during the fall may disappear. Courses are scheduled through much of the calendar year, but most are offered in the spring and early fall. The 12-15-hour course is taught by volunteer instructors, and is usually scheduled over five or six weekday evenings. Occasionally, courses are conducted on weekends. Students must attend all scheduled sessions