February 11, 2011 - Field Notes
Noteworthy News from the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources
Significant Notes
- December Monthly Highlights Available.
Take a look through our Division's December Monthly Highlights (PDF) (312 kb) and read about our latest research and survey activities. Topics highlighted in December's issue includes: a research survey on walleye stocking policies in Long Island, efforts on attacking the invasive Asian clam in Lake George, new and improved water and boat access to Lake Ontario, collaborative efforts to settle natural resource damage claims, water quality re-classification to open over 900 acres of shellfish harvesting areas, and much more! - Lifetime License Transfers Now Offered.
As of January 15, 2011, a new state law allows for a one-time transfer of a lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license to a qualified relative if the lifetime license holder passes away within one year of purchasing the license, or if the lifetime license holder passes away while in active United States military duty during a time of war. Review the DEC press release for detailed terms and conditions on lifetime license transfers. To apply for or request a lifetime license transfer, call DEC's License Sales Unit at 518-402-8843 or send an e-mail. Information on each of DEC's available lifetime sporting licenses can be found online.
This female moose was exhibiting signs
of brain worm infection in Rensselaer
County, NY. ~Photo courtesy of
DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit~ - Brain Worm in New York's Moose.
In mid-October 2010, the NYSDEC Wildlife Pathology Unit, which is responsible for diagnosing and monitoring causes of sickness and death in New York State's animals, examined a two and a half year old male moose exhibiting abnormal behavior in the Town of Steuben, Oneida County. The moose was lying down in a cow pasture and appeared blind; it could not stand when prodded by a DEC Biologist. The moose was subsequently euthanized and submitted to the Wildlife Pathology Unit for necropsy (animal autopsy) where it was diagnosed with brain worm infection (review the case report online). Brain worm is a nematode (roundworm) called Parelaphostrongylus tenuis that commonly parasitizes white-tailed deer (the definitive host) and typically causes the deer little to no harm. When P. tenuis infects moose, sheep, llamas, or elk it will result in abnormal behavior that leads to loss of body condition and eventual death. Over the years, several biologists have speculated that New York's large white-tailed deer population with its attendant P. tenuis infections would limit the population growth of moose in New York; however, this has yet to be seen. The Wildlife Pathology Unit has confirmed brain worm infections in six of 18 moose examined in 2009-2010, which were found in Clinton, Essex, Oneida, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties.
Upcoming Hunting & Trapping Season Reminders
Small Game/Furbearer
-- February 15, 2011 --
- Last Day for Several Hunting and/or Trapping Opportunities in Areas Across the State. View the appropriate Small Game Hunting, Furbearer Hunting and/or Furbearer Trapping season map to identify the boundaries of the following areas that will be closing:
- Hunting and/or trapping weasel, opossum, raccoon and fox in all areas of New York, except for Long Island.
- Hunting and/or trapping bobcat in all areas of New York.
- Trapping beaver in parts of central and western areas of the State (view map to identify area boundaries that will be closing).
- Trapping mink & muskrat in central and western areas of New York. (view map to identify area boundaries that will be closing).
-- February 25, 2011 --
- Last Day for Several Trapping and/or Hunting Opportunities on Long Island.
Waterfowl
-- February 15, 2011 --
- Last Day for the Canada Goose Special Late Hunting Season in the Central Long Island Hunting Area.
-- February 24, 2011 --
- Snow Goose Hunting Opens in the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone.
Did You Know...?
Wildlife-related recreation contributes significantly to local economies -- People spend 3.5 billion dollars enjoying New York's fish, wildlife and marine resources, including: 2 billion dollars spent on hunting and fishing, and 1.5 billion dollars spent on other wildlife-related activities.
