Granite State Stuff : Concord

Deer Hunting Season Going Well; Bear Harvest High

AskLisa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer hunting is going well, as hunters look forward to time afield during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Through November 15, 2009, hunters had taken an estimated 7,220 deer in New Hampshire. That number is about 8% below last year’s take of 7,886 deer by this same point in the season, but comparable to the average harvest during the years from 2001 through 2006.

“Thanksgiving week should continue to provide good firearm and archery hunting opportunities as breeding activity is peaking,” said Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for Fish and Game. “For many families, this is a traditional time to get out and enjoy the pursuit of whitetails, a time when deer hunting stories and Thanksgiving dinner are both shared with family and friends.”

For a comparison of harvest results by county at this same point in the season in recent years, visit http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/deer_hunt_take_November.htm.

The regular firearms deer season runs through December 6 in most of the state, with the exception of Wildlife Management Unit A in northern New Hampshire, where it closes November 29. Deer hunters should note Wildlife Management Unit- and season-specific either-sex day regulations in the 2009-2010 New Hampshire Hunting Digest, available at http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm or from Fish and Game license agents. In WMU A only, an antler point restriction is also in place.

Hunting licenses can be purchased online anytime at http://www.HuntNH.com, from license agents statewide or at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord. The basic N.H. hunting license is $22 for residents and $103 for nonresidents. Hunters under age 16 do not need a license, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 18 years of age.

As of November 18, approximately 500 special permits remain available for taking one additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit M during the archery or firearms season by any legal method. Until they are gone, these permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis for $13 each (a limit of one per licensed hunter). They can be purchased online, at Fish and Game headquarters, or by mail. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm.

New Hampshire’s bear hunting season comes to a close on November 24. The season across the majority of the state has ended, however, the White Mountains region remains open to bear hunting through November 24. As of November 2, a total of 708 bears had been registered by hunters in the state. Bait hunters harvested 370 bears; still hunters/stalkers had taken 256 bears; and hound hunters had registered 82 bears. So far, this year’s bear harvest is 48% above the 5-year in-season average of 477 bears for this time period. Fish and Game bear biologist Andy Timmins estimates that this year’s bear harvest will be the second highest in history. (The record harvest of 803 bears was achieved in 2003.) Recent reports indicate that deer hunters have been taking a fair number of bears while deer hunting. Hunters have been encountering bears mostly in oak stands where acorns remain available in some locations.

Hunting activity provides a significant boost to New Hampshire’s economy. According to the most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, about 60,000 hunters in New Hampshire accounted for nearly $75 million annually in trip-related, equipment and other spending in the state.

Successful hunters can help the less fortunate by sharing their harvest with the “Hunt for the Hungry” program at the New Hampshire Food Bank. For more information on donating game meat, call (603) 669-9725 or visit http://www.nhfoodbank.org. The New Horizons Food Bank in Manchester is also accepting game donations to help feed the hungry. To donate game meat to New Horizons, contact Mike Tessier, Executive Director, at 603-628-6133, ext 114.

For more information on hunting in New Hampshire, visit
http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm.

Additional Sea Herring Landing Day Allowed

AskLisa — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:09:00 GMT

Commercial harvesters will have an additional day per week to fish for Atlantic herring (sea herring) starting Monday, November 16, 2009. After a recent review of catch rates, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Atlantic Herring Section has announced an increase the allowable landing days from 2 to 3 days per week. Fishermen will be allowed to harvest sea herring on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week until further notice.

The current sea herring harvest is around 10,000 metric tons less than predicted, according to ASMFC. The increase in allowable days was made to provide fishermen with an opportunity to more fully utilize the Area 1A quota for Atlantic herring.

ASMFC’s Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan addresses the need to control effort in the fishery to prevent exceeding the total allowable catch for each management area and to prevent the early closure of a management area. In recent years, Management Area 1A has been of particular concern because the Total Allowable Catch has been harvested before peak market demands abate in the autumn. States involved in the herring fishery, such as New Hampshire, are authorized to control effort through landing restrictions.

An exception to the rule is that any vessel may land herring taken as an incidental catch in ASMFC Management Area 1A, up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission coordinates the conservation and management of the 15 Atlantic coast states' shared near-shore fishery resources -- marine, shell and anadromous -- for sustainable use. Visit http://www.asmfc.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department's Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.

Fish and Game to Close Barry Conservation Camp for One-Year Hiatus

AskLisa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:59:00 GMT

Activities at Barry Conservation Camp, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s popular summer camp for youth in Berlin, N.H., will be on a one-year hiatus through 2010 to address infrastructure problems. Operated in partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, the summer youth camp has been offered by Fish and Game since 1984.

“While we will not hold educational activities at Barry Camp during the coming year, the Department remains firmly committed to the concept of youth conservation camp,” said Fish and Game Executive Director Glenn Normandeau. “Facilities like Barry Camp are unique places where outdoor education can shape future environmental stewards and give young people a chance to learn the skills for enjoying a healthy, active outdoor life.”

Fish and Game is working to address quality issues with the facility’s drinking water supply, according to Normandeau. In addition, recent changes in state-mandated camp operating rules present financial challenges for small specialty camps such as Barry.

“This decision was not an easy one to make, but we want to make sure we have the proper infrastructure in place to deliver quality programming,” said Normandeau. “We will use this time wisely, as an opportunity not only to make repairs, but to step back and examine our mission and create a vision of all that we hope to accomplish through the camp programs.”

Parents seeking alternative summer youth outdoor programming may check out offerings at Vermont Conservation Camp (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/edu_camps.cfm) or
Maine 4-H Camp (http://www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond).
In addition, N.H. Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness offers summer day programming for youth based on outdoor skill development in archery and the shooting sports (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm).

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

“Let’s Go Fishing” Seeks Volunteer Fishing Instructors

AskLisa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Are you anxiously awaiting New Hampshire’s winter season and can’t wait to get out ice fishing? Dreaming of spring and the first opportunities to wet your fly line? Avid anglers – here’s a great opportunity to give back to your community and share your love of the great sport of fishing. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is seeking volunteer ice fishing or fly fishing instructors for its “Let’s Go Fishing” program, where you’ll have a chance to teach ice or fly fishing to youth and adults.

Individuals being certified must attend two free training sessions. The first session will cover the ins and outs of the N.H. Fish and Game Department and the Let’s Go Fishing program’s policy and procedures and also includes CPR certification. The second session focuses specifically on the ice fishing or fly fishing programs presented; this will be a hands-on experience where prospective instructors are put through an abbreviated “real life” Let’s Go Fishing course. Topics covered include ethics, pond ecology, rules and regulations, equipment and safety. If instructors want to teach both ice and fly fishing courses, they will need to attend a hands-on training session for each, in addition to the first overview training class.

The Let's Go Fishing program will hold the first half of the two-part certification training for new fishing instructors on the following dates (it is only necessary to attend one of these two training classes, plus one of the specialty sessions); lunch will be provided:
   * Saturday, December 12, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord; or
   * Saturday, January 9, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the White Mountain Community College, 2020 Riverside Drive in Berlin.

All instructors also must attend the second half of the certification training for the type of course they will be teaching (fly fishing or ice fishing), as listed below. Lunch is provided.
   * Fly Fishing: Sunday, January 10, 2010, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, at Fish and Game Headquarters 11 Hazen Drive in Concord.
   * Ice Fishing: Saturday, January 16, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, 387 Perch Pond Road in Holderness.

The certification program is required in order to be an instructor in this long-standing program. Training is free. To sign up, call Lisa Collins at 603-271-3212 or email aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov; IN ADDITION, you must print out and return a Let’s Go Fishing volunteer application form, which can be found on the Fish and Game website at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/lets_go_fishing.htm (or ask to get one by mail when you call). Applications must be received by December 4 to reserve your spot in the trainings.

After completing the training, participants have the chance to join an existing team of volunteer fishing instructors who present programs across the state. The Let’s Go Fishing program also offers: saltwater fishing, basic fishing, fly tying, and saltwater fly fishing.

Thousands of children and adults have learned to be safe, ethical and successful anglers through the Let's Go Fishing program. The program is federally funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program -- a true user-pay, user-benefit program.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage and protect the state's fish and wildlife and their habitats, as well as providing the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources. Visit http://www.FishNH.com.

Have a Safe and Enjoyable Hunt This Season

AskLisa — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:17:00 GMT

When you take to the woods this fall, take your hunting and your safety seriously. No matter how you measure success, every hunter should think and act in a manner that promotes safety as their first priority.

“Hunting is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, make wonderful memories, and bring home a variety of game for the table,” says Pete Davison, Hunter Education Coordinator for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “Just remember to use good common sense, wear an article of blaze orange clothing and follow safety rules so you don’t become a danger to yourself or to others.”

Here are some basic reminders to those heading out into the field:

   * Keep the muzzle of your gun pointed in a safe direction at all times.
   * Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot, and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
   * Treat every gun as if it were a loaded gun.
   * Wear an article of hunter orange clothing to alert others of your presence.

For hunters climbing into their tree stands:

   * Wear a safety harness (Fall Arrest System) whenever you’re sitting in, climbing into or out of your tree stand.
   * Never carry a gun into your stand. Unload it, and bring it up using a secure haul line with the muzzle pointed downwards.
   * Inspect your tree stand for wear, defects or damage, every time you use it.

Overall, New Hampshire has a strong record for hunter safety, largely attributable to the state's effective hunter education programs and the increased use of blaze orange clothing. The average number of hunting-related incidents per year has gone down each decade since mandatory hunter education classes became required in the 1960s. The 1960s saw an average of 21.4 incidents per year in New Hampshire. Fewer incidents have occurred each decade since, with an average of 3.1 incidents per year since 2000. Serious incidents are even rarer – there have been a total of four hunting-related fatalities in the state in the last 15 years.

One dangerous element people sometimes underestimate is the weather, according to Davison. Avoid potentially deadly hypothermia by paying attention to forecasts and dressing properly. Bring extra layers of clothing, space blanket, food, water, a first aid kit and fire-starting materials. Be sure someone knows where you’re going to be, and when you plan to be back. Use a map and compass to navigate, and never rely only on your cell phone or GPS to find your way out of the woods.

“Hunting is a safe and rewarding activity that youth and families can all enjoy this time of year,” says Davison. “My advice is to get out there, enjoy yourself, hunt smart and above all, hunt safe!”

Bald Eagle Shot in Millsfield, N.H.

AskLisa — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Officials are seeking information to aid an investigation into the shooting of a juvenile bald eagle off the Millsfield Loop Road in Wildlife Management Area B, in Millsfield, northern New Hampshire, on or about October 22, 2009.

Anyone with information should call the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Operation Game Thief 24-hour hotline at: 1-800-344-4262, or report online anytime at http://www.HuntNH.com/OGT. Callers may remain anonymous.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s conservation officers and special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting a joint investigation into the incident. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 to the person or people who provide information leading to a conviction under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Local sportsmen discovered the injured bald eagle and notified the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator is caring for the eagle. Examination of the eagle revealed it had been shot with a shotgun and sustained a fractured wing and other injuries. A veterinarian expects the wing will heal well enough for the eagle to fly again and for it eventually to be released into the wild. The New Hampshire moose and small game hunting seasons were open at the time the eagle was found.

In addition to the Eagle Act, state laws and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect bald eagles. Until 2007, bald eagles were also protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and a trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

Public Invited to Jazz Workshops

AskLisa — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:50:00 GMT

The Concord Community Music School’s Jazz Department invites the public to take part in its annual workshop series on jazz technique and performance, November 16 -18. All sessions are free, open to the public, and designed to reach all ages and levels. Workshops take place at the Concord Community Music School at 23 Wall Street in downtown Concord.

The workshops cover Jazz Vocals, Percussion, and Acoustic Guitar, and include a three-day Beatles Orchestra experience, open to all instrumentalists – no matter your instrument or genre. This year, the Beatles Orchestra will focus on recreating and adding to the Beatles hit “I Want You” and concludes on day three with a recording session. Other workshops include a Rhythm Slam and Build a Band. All sessions are led by jazz department faculty. The Jazz Vocal Workshop is led by Peggo Horstmann Hodes of the Music School’s voice faculty with Tom Robinson, on piano.

Workshop Weeks, free and open to the public, are held throughout the year by the Music School’s faculty. Piano Department Workshops take place the week of December 7^th. Woodwind Department Workshops are scheduled for the week of January 18, 2010 and the String Department will hold its workshop series the week of April 19, 2010. Call the Music School for more information, 603-228-1196, or visit the website http://www.ccmusicschool.org.

Nominations Sought for Fish & Wildlife Conservation Awards

AskLisa — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:08:00 GMT

Do you know someone who has made a difference in conserving New Hampshire’s wildlife, fisheries, open land and wild places? Honor them and inspire others by nominating them for a New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission Award of Excellence. Each year, the Commission recognizes deserving individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in furthering the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s mission.

TO NOMINATE a person or organization for these awards, download the nomination form at http://www.wildnh.com/Inside_FandG/Awards_of_Excellence_Form.pdf.
Forms are also available at Fish and Game offices, or call (603) 271-3511 to request a form. Mail your nomination package, postmarked no later than December 31, 2009, to: Commission Awards Program, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. No electronic submissions are accepted. Posthumous nominations are allowed.

There are seven award categories:

   1. ELLIS R. HATCH JR. COMMISSION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE -- Recognizing an individual, group, organization, club, foundation or agency that has excelled in efforts to promote, enhance or benefit fish, wildlife or marine resources or the Department’s mission.

   2. YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST -- Recognizing an individual, 18 years of age or younger, who has excelled in efforts to benefit fish, wildlife or marine resources or the Department’s mission.

   3. COMMUNICATION -- Recognizing an outdoor communicator, writer, or media source (radio, television, magazine, newsletter or periodical) that has written or published articles or materials beneficial to public understanding about fish, wildlife or marine resources as they relate to the Department’s mission. Judged on fairness, accuracy, timeliness, balance and quality of reporting.

   4. CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION -- Recognizing any organization, group, foundation or agency that has excelled in efforts to enhance the welfare of fish, wildlife and marine resources, and supporting achievement of the Department’s mission. Recipients will be judged on their efforts to promote the wise use of natural resources for their recreational or economic value.

   5. VOLUNTEER -- Recognizing an individual who, as a volunteer with the Department, has excelled in efforts to support and achieve Fish and Game’s mission.

   6. HABITAT STEWARDSHIP -- Recognizing an organization, non-governmental entity, individual or corporation that has excelled in the enhancement, conservation or creation of land management practices beneficial to New Hampshire’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and the Department’s mission.

   7. LANDOWNER APPRECIATION -- Recognizing a person who excelled in preserving or enhancing opportunities for public use on private property, furthering Fish and Game’s mission.

For more information on the Commission Awards and find accounts of those honored in recent years, visit http://www.wildnh.com/Inside_FandG/commission_awards.html.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.WildNH.com.

Time to Sign Up for Snowmobile Safety Class

AskLisa — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:07:00 GMT

The seasons are changing fast, and now is the time to sign up for snowmobile education classes offered across the state. To operate a snowmobile in New Hampshire, any person over the age of 12 must have either a valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License or have successfully completed an approved Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) Safety Education class taught by volunteer instructors trained by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Additionally, all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a licensed adult when operating a snowmobile, unless they are on property belonging to their parents, grandparents or guardians.

Most snowmobile safety classes are offered in November and December, with a few in early January, so sign up soon. There is no charge for the classes, which are usually completed in a single day. Parents are encouraged to attend along with their children. For a current class schedule, visit http://www.ride.nh.gov.

"Snowmobiling is a great way for families to have fun exploring the great outdoors, but riders have a responsibility to obey the rules of the trails, to be courteous and -- most of all -- to ride safely," said Major Timothy Acerno, who coordinates Fish and Game’s OHRV Education Program.

Many of the trained volunteer instructors teaching the safety classes are affiliated with one of the more than 100 snowmobile clubs in New Hampshire. “Joining a snowmobile club is a great way to learn about safe riding and help maintain trails for your own and others' enjoyment,” Acerno said, noting that club membership also gives riders a $30 discount on snowmobile registration fees.

The New Hampshire Snowmobile Association (NHSA) and its member clubs have actively promoted safe and responsible riding since 1969. NHSA members work with Fish and Game to manage over 6,800 miles of trails in New Hampshire and provide safety education to more than 2,500 children each year. For more information on how to become involved with a snowmobile club, visit http://www.nhsa.com.

In addition to safety education, this winter Fish and Game Conservation Officers will use innovative enforcement patrols to detect and apprehend impaired snowmobile operators; enhanced speed enforcement and modified exhaust patrols also will be conducted. These ongoing initiatives will help to keep the state's snowmobile trails safe for all outdoor enthusiasts during the upcoming season.

For snowmobile safety class listings and more, visit http://www.ride.nh.gov.

2009 New Hampshire Moose Hunt a Success

AskLisa — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:28:00 GMT

New Hampshire’s 2009 moose season was a success. Hunters took 341 moose. With a total of 522 permits issued, this represents a statewide success rate of 65%. About 60% of the harvest was males, according to Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The nine-day moose hunt ended on Sunday, October 25. In 2008, hunters did about the same, taking 333 moose, for a statewide success rate of 65%.

While the statewide success rate was identical to last year’s, the regional success rates differed. This year, the Connecticut Lakes Region saw a success rate of 84%, up from 80% in 2008. The North Region saw 91% success this year, up from 83% last year. The White Mountain Region’s success rate was identical to last year, at 47%. Success in the Central Region declined slightly, to 62% this year, from 68% in 2008. The Southwest Region maintained a 45% success rate, exactly the same as last year. The Southeast Region increased its success rate to 47%, up from 38% in 2008.

Successful hunters reported a big shift in moose habitat use during the season, according to Rines. During the first two days, moose were seen in the North Country at low elevations, but on the third day, hunters reported having a harder time finding them. Persistent hunters who were willing to hunt higher elevations found moose in clear-cuts there.

A ten-year comparison of regional success rates for the N.H. moose hunt is available at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Moose_hunt/moose_hunt_take.htm.

Find out more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, including a link to a gallery of photos from this year’s and past hunts, at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm.

More than 14,500 people entered the 2009 moose hunt lottery, held last spring, for a chance to participate in the New Hampshire moose hunt. Think next year might be your lucky year? Lottery applications for the 2010 moose hunt will be available on the Fish and Game website and from license agents starting in January through May 28, 2010.

Steven Tyler presentation to benefit Child and Family Services of NH Marks the 25th anniversary of Concerts for the Cause

AskLisa — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:04:00 GMT

Tickets go on sale, Friday, October 30, for DREAM ON, An Intimate Evening with Steven Tyler, Saturday, January 23, 8:00pm, at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH. Famed as the front man for the legendary rock band, Aerosmith, who also happens to hail from New Hampshire, Tyler makes this exclusive area appearance for Child and Family Services as the official launch of the agency’s Concerts for the Cause 25th anniversary season.

DREAM ON brings people into the inner circle of a rock icon. The event features a multi-media presentation including video of Aerosmith concert footage, images captured through Tyler’s and the band’s remarkable history, stories of life on the road, discussion of Tyler’s personal journey including his struggles with addiction, a special solo presentation of two renowned songs, and a question-answer period between Tyler and the audience. All proceeds from the event will benefit Child and Family Services’ adolescent substance abuse treatment and child abuse prevention initiatives. Having spent much of his life in New Hampshire, Steven Tyler has become the state’s preeminent living rock legend and success story. “We are thrilled at this opportunity and honored that Steven Tyler will take to the local stage on our behalf,” says Mike Ostrowski, CEO/President of Child and Family Services. “Tyler’s willingness to share such intimate details of his life, from the challenges of the band’s early years of survival to the effects of realizing the rock star dream…and the road to recovery in between, will make for a rare, meaningful and memorable presentation.”

Honored with countless industry awards and hundreds of other accolades, Aerosmith was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was the first rock group recipient of MTV’s Icon Award. In the early ‘70s, the band broke into the international spotlight with releases such as Get Your Wings and Toys in the Attic, while songs "Dream On" and "Walk this Way" became their first national top ten hits. Since then, the band has scored numerous Billboard hits, including "Cryin," "Amazing," and their biggest hit to date, "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing," which spent four weeks at number one. Chart toppers "Livin’ on the Edge," "Crazy," and "Pink," also earned them several Grammys, along with "Janie’s Got a Gun," which was often associated with the tragedy of child abuse. This song established Aerosmith’s capacity for insightful narrative and sensitivity to hard issues.

For nearly four decades wrought with struggles and stardom, Tyler remains a positive, determined force in life. He has been recognized with an honorary degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Special VIP tickets to DREAM ON: An Intimate Evening with Steven Tyler, are priced at $200 each and include a private meet and greet reception with the artist, priority seats, acknowledgement on the official event webpage, name inclusion in program book and other amenities. For further details and to purchase VIP tickets, visit http://www.cfsnh.org. All other tickets are $75 - $125 and will be available at the Capitol Center for the Arts, http://www.ccanh.com, 603-225-1111.

Rain Dampens Bald Eagle Breeding Success in 2009

AskLisa — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:15:00 GMT

Following record breeding success in 2008, New Hampshire bald eagles experienced a far less productive breeding season in 2009. The total number of young eagles raised in nests in the state this summer was down 33% from last year. In spite of this one-year decline, 2009 was still the third best breeding year on record for bald eagles in the state.

“The number of young fledged can vary from year to year,” said Mike Marchand, a biologist with N.H. Fish and Game. “A number of factors can influence breeding success, including weather.” Marchand noted that although the number of young fledged during 2009 was lower than last year, the number of territorial pairs has been consistently increasing in New Hampshire, leading biologists to believe that the New Hampshire population will continue to grow.

The 19 territorial pairs documented in New Hampshire in 2009 represent an increase of more than 25% from the 15 eagle pairs found the state in 2008. “The growing number of breeding territories lays a foundation for more productive breeding seasons to come,” said Chris Martin, a raptor specialist with N.H. Audubon who coordinates monitoring of this state-listed threatened bird of prey. “Over time, more territories lead to more fledged young.”

Biologists and volunteer observers have documented a tripling in the number of bald eagle breeding territories in New Hampshire in the past decade, from just six pairs in 2000 to 19 pairs in 2009. “This is clear evidence of an expanding population,” Martin said.

The N.H. Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program and N.H. Audubon’s Conservation Science staff work together to monitor and manage the Granite State’s recovering bald eagle population. With additional support and cooperation from land owners and from other state and federal natural resource agencies, N.H. Audubon recruits, trains, and deploys volunteer observers to document eagle distribution and productivity.

A growing number of bald eagles now call New Hampshire’s Lakes Region their home. Two new pairs were identified around Lake Winnipesaukee in 2009, raising the total number of pairs found throughout the Lakes Region to eight. Further west, on the Connecticut River in Orford, another new pair raised two young in their first try. In addition, after years of waiting, biologists believe that a pair has finally established a breeding territory on Great Bay, the state’s largest tidal estuary.

Although more bald eagle pairs were found in the state this year, rainy weather and other factors limited their reproductive success. A total of 16 bald eagle chicks reached fledging age in the state this summer, down one-third from the 24 young produced in 2008. Incubation behavior was confirmed at 11 nests in 2009, also down slightly from 2008 levels. Nine of the 11 incubating pairs fledged young. Juvenile bald eagles are considered fledged at about 11 weeks old, when they first begin to fly to and from the nest.

“Several eagle pairs built nests but did not incubate eggs, and two more pairs abandoned nests at about the time of hatch,” said Martin. Productivity was also limited by fact that none of the New Hampshire nests produced three fledglings in 2009, compared with three nests with trios in 2008.

Since 1988, when bald eagles first began nesting again in New Hampshire, a total of 123 young eagles have fledged from nests in the state. Nearly 60% of those (73 eaglets) have been raised in the last four years alone.

Martin estimates that over 50% of New Hampshire’s breeding adult eagles wear coded aluminum leg bands placed on them when they were nestlings. These bands provide biologists with opportunities to identify and track movements and longevity of individuals. Included among these banded eagles is New Hampshire’s oldest known eagle, a 17-year-old female hatched in captivity in Massachusetts, placed in a Quabbin Reservoir nest and raised by foster eagle parents. She has been breeding at Nubanusit Lake in Hancock for the past 11 consecutive years.

New Hampshire Audubon, a non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state. For more information about New Hampshire Audubon, visit http://www.nhaudubon.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program is the steward for species not hunted, fished or trapped. The program works in cooperation with other New Hampshire agencies and organizations to protect over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as thousands of insects and other invertebrates. For more information, visit http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.

Sandown Woman Killed in Weekend ATV Accident

AskLisa — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:47:00 GMT

Bette Brown of Sandown, N.H., age 53, died in a tragic All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) accident in Pawtuckaway State Park about 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2009.

Brown was riding on the Round Pond Trail near the Deerfield/Nottingham town line when the incident occurred. In that area, the trail turns sharply before descending a hill. The rider of another ATV in front of Brown had rounded the turn and started downhill when he encountered a mountain biker and a jogger coming up the trail. The operator tried to avoid a collision, but the ATV flipped over onto the bicycle, though no one was injured. As they worked to right the ATV, Brown came around the turn, swerved off the trail to avoid the accident, and crashed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brown was wearing a helmet. She was riding with a group that had been granted permission to ride in the park as part of a special event. ATVs are not normally allowed on Pawtuckaway State Park trails.

Deerfield Police and Fire Department personnel responded to the incident on Sunday, along with New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is investigating the incident.

No further information is available at this time.

Marine Rule Hearing Oct. 21 on Winter Flounder, Coastal Sharks

AskLisa — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed marine rule changes on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 7 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, N.H. The hearing will be of particular interest to harvesters of winter flounder and coastal sharks.

The proposed rule change for winter flounder under consideration would implement a trip limit for commercial fishermen fishing in state waters and, for recreational anglers, implement a reduction in the daily bag limit or a 10-day closed season in May. In addition, a variety of new rules are proposed for large coastal shark species including a prohibition on possession of certain species, a prohibition on finning, and requiring dealers who purchase sharks to possess a federal dealers permit. These rules address state compliance with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission fisheries management plans for these species.

The proposed rule relative to winter flounder and large coastal shark species may be found at http://www.wildnh.com/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm.

Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by October 28, 2009. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please put "Comment on Marine Rules" in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more information about N.H. Fish and Game's Marine Division, visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.

The St. Paul's School Keiser Concert Series presents The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

AskLisa — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:53:00 GMT

On Friday, November 13, 2009, The Keiser Concert Series of St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH, will present THE LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET. The program will include:

Music from the time of Cervantes

Brower: Palsaje Cubano con Lluvia

Bizet: Suite from Carmen

Music of Jobim, Villa-lobos, Powell and others

The concert, which will be held in the MUSIC BUILDING of the OATES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER on the St. Paul’s campus, will begin at 7:30 PM. The public is invited, ADMISSION IS FREE. For more information, please call (603) 229-4680 or 229-4681, or visit http://www.lagq.com.

For nearly thirty years on the concert stage, the members of the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet have continually set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles, while perennially redefining themselves in their musical explorations. Popularly known as the LAGQ, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, is recognized as one of America’s premier instrumental ensembles. As one of the most charismatic groups performing today, their critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground.

The LAGQ has given recitals in many of the world’s top venues, including Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall, Tokyo Opera City, and New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. They have toured extensively in Europe and Asia, where they were featured at the Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila International Arts Festivals and in June 2008 made a highly successful debut in Beijing.

The LAGQ kicked off their 2009-10 season with a return to Wyoming’s Grand Teton Festival and then followed that up with a tour of Europe including stops in the England, Germany and Poland. They appear as a hallmark event at La Guittarra California, and undertake their first tour of “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote - Words and Music from the Time of Cervantes.” With Firesign Theatre veteran and voiceover actor, Phil Proctor the LAGQ stops at Northwestern University in Chicago,IL, The Modlin Center in Richmond,VA, and the Tisch Center at the 92^nd Street Y in New York; plans for additional performances in the US and Europe are underway for 2010 and beyond. Solo concerts and residencies take the LAGQ to venues throughout Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Puerto Rico, as well as on several tours of Europe. A highlight of Spring 2010 will be the Telarc release of their first recording of concertos by Rodrigo and Assad.

The Quartet’s 2008-09 season featured two exciting additions to the repertory. The first is “Interchange for Guitar Quartet and Orchestra,” a new concerto written specifically for these four virtuosi by Brazilian composer and guitar master, Sergio Assad. This work premiered as part of the Southwest Guitar Festival with the San Antonio Symphony and subsequent performances included the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Seattle, New Jersey, Santa Barbara and Delaware Symphonies. The work was then recorded with the Delaware Symphony and Music Director David Amado. The LAGQ’s appearance in Santa Barbara was part of the second week-long guitar celebration sponsored by the Symphony that they helped to curate. In addition to the Assad concerto, the LAGQ premiered “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote - Words and Music from the Time of Cervantes,” in collaboration with the brilliant British actor, John Cleese. In addition to the above, the LAGQ brought multiple performances of the vibrant Rodgrigo “Concierto Andaluz”, their popular solo concerts and residencies to venues throughout the United States, Germany, Poland, Spain and England.

Past highlights have included performances of the Rodrigo “Concierto Andaluz” at the composer’s official centenary in Spain at the invitation of his daughter. Tours in support of their “Brazil” CD with vocalist Luciana Souza and as a special New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Tisch Center at the 92^nd Street Y(NY). Members of the Quartet also performed and recorded two works of Osvaldo Golijov with the Atlanta Symphony in Atlanta and at the Ojai(CA) and Ravinia(IL) Festivals.

The LAGQ’s CD, “Guitar Heroes,” released on Telarc, won the group their first Grammy Award in 2005. It is a heartfelt salute to the great players who inspired the quartet, as individuals and as a group. It has received raves for its unique ability capture the feeling and fervor of diverse musical styles such as jazz, bluegrass, rock and flamenco. In November 2008, this recording joined those by artists such as the Who, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits on Sound and Visions “Top 10 Surround Discs of All Time”. Their first Telarc CD, “LAGQ – Latin,” features their popular transcription of Bizet’s Carmen, along with works from Chile, Cuba and some new original works by members of the quartet. This CD, which has received raves from listeners and critics alike, received a 2003 Grammy nomination and the Super Audio CD (SACD) version won the award for “Best Made for Surround” at the 1st Annual Surround Music Awards. The LAGQ’s release, “SPIN” (2006), shows yet again that the group is equally at home in a wide variety of musical genres and also features several commissioned works from their recent collaboration with percussionist Colin Currie. The ensemble’s current release, LAGQ-Brazil (Telarc, 2007) continues to receive raves and includes performances with singing sensation Luciana Souza. The LAGQ’s forthcoming recording on Telarc, scheduled for release in early 2010, features their long-awaited recording of Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto Andaluz” and the premiere recording of Sergio Assad’s “Interchange”. The LAGQ’s first live-concert DVD appears on the Mel Bay Artist Series.