Granite State Stuff : hunting

Fish and Game Launches New Online Store at Shopwildnh.com

AskLisa — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:52:00 GMT

WILD Gifts for the Hunter, Angler or Wildlife Watcher Now Just a Click Away

CONCORD, N.H. – Just in time for the holidays, shoppers now have a great new way to purchase logo merchandise and other outdoorsy gifts from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department through a convenient new online store at http://www.shopwildnh.com.

If you’re looking for that special gift for a hunter, angler or wildlife watcher – or a treat for yourself – this is the place to do your one-stop shopping fast and easy online. The site will carry the full line of Fish and Game logo merchandise throughout the year, with everything from camo caps, sweatshirts and tees to lunch coolers. Many new products will be sold at the online store that previously were available only at special events, including moose skull shirts; hooded moose and fish motif sweatshirts; and colorful tee shirts for men, women and kids featuring deer, salamander and fish designs. Specialty bronze and silver belt buckles and key tags crafted with the Fish and Game logo are an exclusive offering available only at the online store.

While you’re shopping at http://www.shopwildnh.com, you’ll be able to buy your 2010 New Hampshire Fish & Wildlife calendar ($9.95), with amazing wildlife photography and hunting and fishing season dates. Or, choose a gift subscription to New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine -- a great way to share New Hampshire’s wildlife and outdoor interests. Subscriptions are just $12 for a year (six issues) or $20 for two years.

To purchase gift certificates for 2010 fishing or hunting licenses (redeemable at any license agent, a gift you KNOW they’ll love), visit http://www.wildnh.com, or stop by N.H. Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Gift certificates are NOT available through the new online store.

So go ahead -- go WILD with your holiday shopping this year at Fish and Game’s new online store, powered by Yankee Marketplace. Your purchase will help the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department manage the natural resources we all enjoy. Visit http://www.shopwildnh.com.

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.

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.

Two Hunting-related Shooting Incidents in NH; One Fatal

AskLisa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Two hunting-related shooting incidents occurred in New Hampshire on Saturday, October 31, the opening day of the state’s muzzleloader season for deer. One was fatal.

In Rindge, N.H., Timothy Letourneau of Rindge, age 21, was killed when his muzzleloader discharged shortly after he had gotten into his treestand. Letourneau had been hunting with his brother on land off Old Jaffrey Road, where the pair had landowner permission to hunt. The landowner called 911 just before 4 p.m. on Saturday (October 31) to report that a hunter had been shot. New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers, Rindge Police and Rindge Fire and Rescue responded. Letourneau was transported to Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, where he was pronounced dead from an accidental gunshot wound, according to N.H. Fish and Game Lt. Craig Morrocco.

Also on Saturday afternoon, a deer hunter was injured in Ossipee. Robert LaPointe of Somersworth, age 66, was pulling his muzzleloader up into his treestand about 1:45 p.m. when the gun got stuck on a branch, which pulled the trigger. The gun was fully loaded (with cap) and pointed upwards. It went off and shot LaPointe in the hand at close range, causing serious injury. LaPointe was transported to Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, then transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officer Mark Hensel.

“When you bring a firearm up into a treestand, the gun must be unloaded – for muzzleloaders, uncapped – with the safety on. Also, control the direction of the muzzle of your firearm; know exactly where it’s pointing at all times,” said Hensel.

Overall, New Hampshire has a strong record for hunter safety, largely attributable to the state's effective hunter education programs. 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 – the recent death brings to four the total number of hunting-related fatalities that have occurred in the state in the last 15 years.

Ten Commandments of Hunting Safety:

   1. Treat every firearm with the same respect due a loaded firearm.
   2. Control the direction of your firearm's muzzle.
   3. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
   4. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
   5. Unload firearms when not in use.
   6. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
   7. Never climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch or log, with a loaded firearm.
   8. Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or water.
   9. Store firearms and ammunition separately.
10. Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood-altering drugs before or while shooting.

“If you’re going to use a treestand, be sure to follow all the manufacturer’s directions, including use of a safety harness to secure yourself to the tree while in the stand,” said Lt. Morrocco. For more information on treestand safety, visit http://www.tmastands.com.

For more information on hunter safety programs in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed.htm.

Hunt for the Hungry: N.H. Food Bank Seeks Meat Donations from Hunters

AskLisa — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

New Hampshire hunters can share their fall harvest with the needy through the “Hunt for the Hungry” program at the New Hampshire Food Bank. The food bank is collecting donations of whole or processed game animals for distribution to more than 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group homes statewide.

Last year (2008), the Hunt for the Hungry program took in 2,555 pounds of donated deer, bear, moose, duck and other game meat, a little below the record total of 3,288 pounds of meat donated by hunters in 2007.

The program offers packaging instructions and can pick up your meat donation. To donate game, call Food Bank Operations Manager Michele Garron at (603) 669-9725.

If you’re donating a whole deer, you can bring it to Lemay & Sons Beef in Goffstown, N.H. (603-622-0022), and they will process it for the food bank at no charge.

“We are counting on continued strong support from hunters this year,” said Garron, explaining that the recession and rising unemployment have left the food bank’s warehouse inventory levels critically low. “Donations of protein foods are especially hard to come by. That’s a big need that the Hunt for the Hungry program helps fill.”

A hunter herself, Garron hopes to be successful in the field this season so she can contribute some venison to the program.

“The Hunt for the Hungry program is a great way for hunters to share their harvest and help needy families get through the winter," said Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “Wild game is a local renewable resource that is high in protein, low in fat and all natural – not to mention delicious.”

For more information on donating to the New Hampshire Food Bank, visit http://www.nhfoodbank.org.

For information on hunting seasons in New Hampshire or to purchase a hunting license, visit http://www.HuntNH.com.

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.

Regular Firearms Deer Season Starts November 11

AskLisa — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:27:00 GMT

Opening day for New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season takes place on November 11, 2009, a date anticipated with great enthusiasm by the state’s estimated 60,000 deer hunters. The season runs through December 6 in much of the state, except in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) A in northern New Hampshire, where it closes November 29.

The state’s popular muzzleloader deer season gets underway on Saturday, October 31 (except in WMU A, where it begins on November 2), and runs through November 10.

“For many New Englanders, the firearms deer season is a traditional opportunity to get together with family and friends, enjoy our bountiful resources and put meat in the freezer before winter,” said Kent Gustafson, the deer biologist for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

New Hampshire’s deer herd came through last winter in good shape, according to Gustafson. The state’s archery deer kill through October 18, 2009, totaled 1,561, somewhat below last year’s total at that point in the season, but higher than similar totals experienced from 2001 to 2005, according to preliminary reports. For a comparison by county (where deer were registered), visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/deer_hunt_take_October.htm.

Deer hunters can find Wildlife Management Unit and season-specific either-sex day regulations in the 2009-2010 New Hampshire Hunting and Trapping Digest, available online at http://www.huntnh.com and from Fish and Game license agents. In WMU A, an antler point restriction and changes in season length are again in place as part of an effort to improve the age structure of the northern deer herd.

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

Special permits remain available for taking one additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit M during the archery, muzzleloader or firearms season by any legal method. 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.

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.

Find more on deer hunting in New Hampshire at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_deer.htm.

Half of N.H. Moose Hunters Successful So Far

AskLisa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:31:00 GMT

As of Wednesday, October 21, a total of 265 moose had been taken in the 2009 New Hampshire moose hunt (158 bulls and 107 cows). That means that just over half (51%) of hunters holding moose permits had succeeded by the mid-way point in the state’s moose hunt, very similar to the hunter success rate at this point in the moose season last year. The nine-day season runs through Sunday, October 25, 2009.

“Hunters have reported seeing a lot of big bulls this year,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Moose Project Leader Kristine Rines. “People have observed quite a few groups of bachelor bulls together, suggesting that the rut, or breeding season, is pretty much over.”

Rines explained that moose begin to change their habits around this time of year, so people aren’t necessarily seeing the animals where they were scouted out earlier in the year. Both bulls and cows start feeding heavily in order to gain weight for the winter. Also, moose already have their heavy winter coats, so on warm days they tend to bed down in the shade or move uphill to cooler high elevations.

The largest bull taken so far this year was registered at the Berlin, N.H., check station. It weighed 940 pounds dressed weight (the approximate live weight would have been an impressive 1,372 pounds) and was taken in WMU B by Joe Hill of Brandon, Mississippi. The largest cow taken so far (also checked in at Berlin) had a dressed weight of 700 pounds (about 1,022 pounds live weight) and was taken in WMU B by Michael Baglivo Sr. of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Want to know more? Listen in as Fish and Game’s moose biologist Kristine Rines talks about the state’s moose population and the latest goings-on at moose registration stations in New Hampshire on Fish and Game’s October podcast at http://blog.wildnh.com. (You’ll also hear furbearer biologist Patrick Tate talk about New Hampshire’s wildcats -- bobcat and lynx.)

This year, more than 14,500 people entered the 2009 moose hunt lottery, held last spring, for a chance to win one of the 515 permits drawn for the New Hampshire moose hunt.

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, including a list of check stations, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.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.HuntNH.com.

Moose Hunt Opening Weekend Brings 26% Success

AskLisa — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:32:00 GMT

More than a quarter of New Hampshire’s moose hunters were successful during the first two days of the season, achieving a 26% success rate on the opening weekend of the hunt. On Saturday and Sunday (October 17 and 18), a total of 134 moose were taken by moose hunters statewide – 80 bulls and 54 cows.

“Moose hunting can be affected greatly by the weather, which was varied around the state this weekend,” said Kristine Rines, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s moose biologist. “In Berlin, it was sunny and warm for Saturday’s opening day. Moose are less active on warm, sunny days, with the result being that hunters were less successful in locating moose. Things picked up on Sunday when seasonably cool weather afforded more opportunity to the state’s moose hunters.”

One successful opening weekend hunter was Richard Noyes of Hancock, who bagged a bull moose that topped 1,300 pounds (live weight), with an antler spread of 53.75 inches, in WMU C-2 in Errol on Sunday. It was late in the afternoon, about 4:30 p.m., and Noyes and his hunting party were changing a tire on a back country road, cursing their luck. Shortly after they got the tire changed, Noyes’ prize bull and three other moose appeared in an adjoining clearing. Had it not been for the delay caused by the tire change, Noyes would have missed the prize of his life!

New Hampshire’s nine-day moose hunt continues through Sunday, October 25, 2009.

This year, more than 14,500 people entered the 2009 moose hunt lottery, held last spring, for a chance to win one of the 515 permits drawn for the New Hampshire moose hunt.

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, including a list of check stations, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.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.HuntNH.com.

N.H. Youth Deer Hunt Set for October 24-25, 2009

AskLisa — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Take a kid hunting on New Hampshire's youth deer weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, 2009. This special weekend gives young people statewide the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters. Accompanying adults must be licensed hunters and are not allowed to carry a firearm, so that they can devote all of their time and attention to coaching their young companions. Nonresident youth may participate in New Hampshire's youth deer weekend only if their state of residence allows New Hampshire youth to participate in its youth deer hunt.

Prospects for this year's youth season are good, according to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. New Hampshire's deer population is healthy and will provide excellent opportunities and memorable experiences. In 2008, young hunters took 341 deer during the youth weekend, with deer being taken in all 18 of New Hampshire's Wildlife Management Units.

"The weekend is a chance to introduce young people, under the careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting," said Gustafson. "You can build bonds for a lifetime while tracking a whitetail through the autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of the forest from a treestand. We hope hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and daughters, grandchildren or young friends, helping them learn what hunting is all about." Gustafson notes that hunting can help youngsters learn about the environment, conservation, tradition and ethics, and gain an appreciation for the wildlife and wild places of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire has offered a special youth deer hunt since 1999. The state also offers youth weekends for waterfowl hunting in the early fall and for turkey in the spring. For more about New Hampshire's youth deer hunting weekend, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Youth_deer_wknd.htm.

Fall Turkey Hunting In New Hampshire

AskLisa — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:12:00 GMT

New Hampshire's five-day fall shotgun turkey hunting season takes place Monday through Friday, October 12-16, 2009, in 8 select Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in the Connecticut River Valley and southwest portions of the state (WMUs D1, D2, G, H1, H2, I1, I2 and K). The fall archery season for turkey runs September 15 - December 15 statewide (except WMU A in northern N.H.).

New Hampshire's turkey license comes with 2 tags, one for use during the spring gobbler season, and one for use during either the fall archery or the fall shotgun turkey season. Hunters are restricted to taking a single turkey during the fall, either with bow and arrow during the archery season, or with a shotgun during the fall shotgun season. The bird must be tagged with the "fall" tag that comes on the regular turkey license.

Fall shotgun turkey hunters should be extremely selective in deciding when to shoot, both as a matter of safety and to guard against hitting more than one bird with a single shot, according to Wildlife Biologist Mark Ellingwood. "Even if the turkeys are not flocked up, their cryptic coloration, coupled with the pellet pattern cast by a shotgun, requires that hunters exercise caution when choosing a shot," Ellingwood says. He also reminds hunters to use good judgment in deciding where to pursue turkey flocks: "Pursuit of flocks visible from public roadways is discouraged for reasons of safety and fair chase."

Last fall, shotgun hunters tallied 297 turkeys from the 8 WMUs open to fall shotgun turkey hunting, all in the western half of the state. Participants in the fall shotgun turkey season need both a turkey license ($16 for N.H. residents or $31 for nonresidents) and a current regular New Hampshire hunting license. Hunters can purchase licenses online at www.HuntNH.com or from any Fish and Game license agent.

New Hampshire's fall archery season for turkey runs from September 15 through December 15. During the 2008 fall archery season, a total of 211 turkeys were harvested, down from 418 the previous year. The wide-ranging behavior of turkeys during good natural food years is thought to reduce archery success.

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

New Hampshire currently has an estimated 40,000 wild turkeys statewide.

Free Evening Hunting Talks Offered this Fall

AskLisa — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:10:00 GMT

Get primed for the fall hunting seasons at two free evening talks by area hunting experts and staff of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. This year's popular "Game Gab" sessions are from 7 - 8:30 p.m. and take place at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, in Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required. Come early for good seats and bring your hunting questions!

Tuesday, September 29 - Hunting the Whitetail Deer in New England. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can increase your odds of success hunting deer in the woods of New Hampshire. This session features Dean Vanier of NorthWoods Common Scents, who has more than 35 years experience pursuing whitetails in the New England woodlands. Born and raised in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, Vanier's extensive hunting and trapping experience has given him an intimate knowledge and unique perspective on calling and scent hunting whitetails. The seminar begins with scouting tips and info on what to look for in the deer woods. Then, learn about the whitetail's most effective defense mechanism and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Vanier's surefire strategy is that by fooling the whitetail's ears, eyes and nose, you can and will bring deer to you. During the session, Vanier will break down each of the three phases of the deer rut and explain how the rut's progression dictates which calls and what types of scent to use. He demonstrates the variety of deer lures available, their intended use and how deer respond to them. You'll learn typical calling and scent hunting tips and get an introduction to advanced calling and scent hunting techniques. This seminar will give you a whole new perspective on hunting whitetails by calling and using deer lures.

Tuesday, October 6 -- Fall turkey hunting tactics. Learn all about hunting wild turkeys during the fall season at a free talk with registered New Hampshire Hunting Guide Dave Smith. Smith has a wealth of experience with the "second season" for turkeys, as he has hunted spring and fall turkeys in many states. Come hear his tried-and-true tactics for hunting fall turkey. An accomplished turkey caller, he also will demonstrate various fall turkey calls. Smith spends countless hours in the woods chasing various quarry, but his love for eastern wild turkey hunting still tops his list. This seminar will provide you with a valuable edge if you decide to tackle the tough, but rewarding, pursuit of New Hampshire's fall turkeys.

Find more information on hunting in New Hampshire and purchase hunting licenses and permits online at http://www.HuntNH.com.

Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & N.H. Tour Coming September 26

AskLisa — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:55:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is orchestrating a statewide celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day this year. The 2009 Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & N.H. Tour is set for Saturday, September 26, 2009. Admission is free, and it promises to be an exciting day of events across the state.

In Concord, N.H., a giant Outdoor Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Fish and Game headquarters (11 Hazen Drive). Browse exhibits and demonstrations of the latest outdoor gear - more than 50 exhibitors will be on hand with equipment, gadgets and hands-on demos. Talk to sporting organizations and hunting and fishing product manufacturers, including Buck Gardener Calls, Quaker Boy Calls and Freedom Cycle. Pick up some game cooking tips from New England's Wild Cheff. See taxidermy exhibits, including the new N.H. state record buck. Test your mettle on an archery range and a sport fishing simulator. The hatchery truck will be on hand with big fish to see. New Hampshire hunting videos will be rolling all day. Check out the "Forever Locked" battling moose mount and hunting dog demonstrations. Just for coming, you'll be in the running for a free raffle for great prizes, including a Triumph Bone Collector .50 cal. muzzleloader donated by Thompson Center
Arms, a handheld GPS unit from DeLorme, and fishing maps and guidebooks from Fishing Guides of New England.

The same day, Fish and Game's Owl Brook Hunter Education Center (387 Perch Pond Road) in Holderness, N.H., will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Try your hand at shotgunning, archery, treestand safety and other hands-on activities, including muzzleloader shooting provided by Thompson Center Arms. Enjoy exhibits on hunter education. It's a great chance to see all that the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center has to offer. Directions to Owl Brook are posted at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm.

Around the state, outdoor businesses, license agents and fish and game clubs will get in on the action by hosting special events and offering in-store specials. Events are planned at the Katahdin German Shorthaired Pointer Club, Deering Fish and Game Club, Country Pond Fish and Game Club in Newton, Elkins Fish and Game Club, Dover Marine/Covered Bridge Sports, and Dick's Sporting Goods, just to mention a few. Watch for updates at http://www.wildnh.com.

"This is the first statewide celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day New Hampshire has had in 22 years," says event coordinator Mark Beauchesne, who remembers participating in N.H. Hunting and Fishing Day events years ago as a teenager. "This should be a great day to find hunting and fishing equipment deals all over the state, plus enjoy family activities. Most importantly, this event acknowledges New Hampshire's hunters and anglers, who play such a vital role in the conservation of our natural resources and economy and who carry on the state's enduring outdoor traditions."

The Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & N.H. Tour is hosted by Fish and Game and sponsored by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire.

2009-2010 N.H. Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Set

AskLisa — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has set final season dates and bag limits for the 2009-10 waterfowl hunting season. After considering comments from sportsmen at the August 19 public meeting, the state's waterfowl hunting season remains similar to last year's, with a 60-day duck season and a six-bird daily limit.

Fish and Game will continue split seasons for waterfowl, including ducks and Canada geese, in both the inland and coastal zones to allow early and late hunting opportunities, however, seasons for brant and snow geese will not be split:

* The INLAND ZONE season (ducks, mergansers, coots and Canada geese) opens on October 6 and runs through November 8, then reopens from November 25 through December 20. The brant season will be a straight season from October 6 through November 24, and the snow goose season will be a straight season from October 6 through December 20.

* The COASTAL ZONE season (ducks, mergansers, coots and Canada geese) will open on October 7 and run through October 18, then reopen November 25 through January 11, 2010. The brant season will be a straight season from October 7 through November 25, and the snow goose season will be a straight season from October 7 through January 11, 2010.

Hunters of all migratory game birds (except woodcock, snipe and crows) must have a 2009 New Hampshire hunting license, a New Hampshire Migratory Waterfowl License and a federal duck stamp. They are also required by federal law to register for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). Separate HIP permits are needed in each state. Licensed hunters should call 1-800-207-6183, or go to http://www.HuntNH.com and click on "Buy a License;" you can receive a permit number at this site (there is no charge). Write the permit number on your hunting license. Each year, a random selection of hunters is asked to complete a voluntary harvest survey.

Hunters are asked to report all banded birds using the toll-free phone number, 1-800-327-BAND. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will send a certificate with information about the bird.

For more information on waterfowl hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_waterfowl.htm.

As the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve, manage and protect these resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.HuntNH.com for more information and online license and permit sales.