Missing Massachusetts Hiking Found Safe in White Mountains

CONCORD, N.H. — An overdue hiker who was missing for two days in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, John Windship, age 45, of Boxford, Mass., was found today (Tuesday, March 31) at approximately 3 p.m. on the Dry River Trail by a team of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers who are currently assisting him out to the Dry River Trailhead, located on Route 302 in Hart’s Location.

“It will still be a few hours before they reach the trailhead, but it appears that he will be able to get out with minimal assistance,” said Fish and Game Lt. Douglas Gralenski.

Windship had signed in at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center in New Hampshire on Saturday morning (March 28). He had planned to hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit of Mount Washington, then along the Crawford Path, winter camping for one overnight, then proceed down the Crawford Path, to arrive at Crawford Notch on Sunday.

Windship was hiking alone; his trek was part of a training regimen in preparation for an upcoming trip to Mt. Rainier in Washington State. He was carrying good winter equipment, except that he had no snowshoes.

During Windship’s hike, visibility became poor and weather conditions rough in the Presidential Range, with winds of 30-40 mph and heavy rains on Saturday into Sunday that changed to freezing rain on Sunday. On Monday night, 5 inches of fresh snow fell at high elevations.

Windship’s wife reported him missing late this morning (Tuesday, March 31), and a search commenced by N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officers and a N.H. Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

The hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code (below) applies to all those enjoying New Hampshire’s outdoors. It says, you are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
* With knowledge and gear. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
* To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you’ll return and your emergency plans.
* To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
* To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
* For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
* To share the hiker code with others.

For further information on being safe while hiking, visit http://www.hikesafe.com.

Bring The Family To Discover Wild New Hampshire Day, April 18, 2009

CONCORD, N.H. — Celebrate Earth Day by bringing the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day — Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on Hazen Drive in Concord. Admission is free. This festival is fun for all ages – kids can try archery, cast with the “Let’s Go Fishing” program or do wildlife craft projects. See retriever dogs in action, big trout and salmon in a real stocking truck, trained falcons and battling bull moose. Check out gas-saving hybrid vehicles and ideas for conserving energy and protecting our environment. Throughout the day, enjoy ongoing exhibits, presentations, walks and demonstrations. Visit http://www.WildNH.com for details.

“This is the 20th year for this fun-filled, educational event. The enthusiasm people have for New Hampshire wildlife shows that they care deeply about conserving their environment,” said Judy Silverberg, a wildlife educator at Fish and Game. “Join us on Discover WILD New Hampshire Day as we celebrate our wildlife, natural places and outdoor activities.”

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), with support from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire.

“Discover WILD N.H. Day is a can’t-miss opportunity for a great family fun day,” said DES Commissioner Tom Burack. “Come play and learn about New Hampshire’s environment, fish and wildlife and the boundless nature opportunities that we can all enjoy here in New Hampshire.”

At the event, more than 35 outdoor, wildlife, environmental and conservation groups from throughout the state will present exhibits and demonstrations exploring all that’s WILD about New Hampshire, including the N.H. Sportsmen’s Alliance Trailblazers, the Loon Preservation Center, Trout Unlimited, Amoskeag Fishways, Appalachian Mountain Club, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, the Little Nature Museum, the N.H. Wildlife Federation and N.H. Audubon. Meet Smokey Bear and learn about New Hampshire forests and lands. Find out how you can help protect the state’s air and water quality by visiting DES exhibits on watersheds, wells, dams and household hazardous waste. Get an up-close look at alternative-fuel vehicles and take a free tour of the DES air quality monitoring station.

Special presentations will go on throughout the day inside Fish and Game headquarters:
10:15 a.m. Wildlife Photography Basics – With professional photographer Alan Briere.
11:15 a.m. Animals on the Move — Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
12:30 p.m. Whose Eyes Are These? — NH Audubon (with live turtles, frogs and owls)
1:45 p.m. Please Turn Off the Lights! — Wildlife Encounters Zoo

A popular stop at last year’s event, the Northern Forest Center’s Ways of the Woods Traveling Museum will be back again this year. This exhibit is housed in a 53-foot, walk-through trailer, providing a look at the rich culture and history of the Northern Forest and the changing relationships between people and the land across northern New England.

Nature walks, tours and demonstrations add to the fun:
What’s In Your Pack: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Landscaping for Wildlife: 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.
Air Quality Monitoring Station Tour (NHDES): Ongoing
Retrieval dog demonstrations: Ongoing
Basic compass instruction: Ongoing
Casting practice with “Let’s Go Fishing” program experts: Ongoing
Discovery Room & Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit: Headquarters building, lower level

The Fish and Game License Office will be open during the event, so stop by and purchase your fishing or hunting license while you’re at Discover WILD New Hampshire Day. Check out Fish and Game logo hats and clothing in summer colors at the Fish and Game merchandise table. Many new items!

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is a rain or shine event. A food concession will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2009 marks the 20th year Discover WILD New Hampshire Day has been held. The event began in 1989 as an observance of Earth Day and a celebration of the state’s wealth of natural resources and outdoor opportunities. More than 5,000 people attended last year’s event.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) works for the protection and wise management of New Hampshire’s environment. Its responsibilities include ensuring high water quality for water supplies, ecological balance and recreational benefits; regulating the emissions of air pollutants; fostering the proper management of municipal and industrial waste; and managing water resources for future generations. Visit http://www.des.state.nh.us.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage and protect the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

New Hampshire’s Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend – April 25-26, 2009

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s 2009 youth turkey hunt will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, the weekend before spring gobbler season gets underway on May 3. This year marks the sixth annual youth turkey hunt weekend in New Hampshire. During the 2008 youth weekend, young hunters took an impressive 579 gobblers, or 14.1% of the total spring turkey harvest in the state.

To participate in the special weekend turkey hunt, youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. The adult may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow. Youth hunters do not need a hunting license, but they must have a valid turkey permit ($16 resident, $31 nonresident). Accompanying adults must hold either a current N.H. hunting or archery license AND a turkey permit. Licenses and permits can be purchased at http://www.HuntNH.com.

The special weekend provides youth and mentoring adults a quiet, noncompetitive time in the woods, where they can focus on safety, ethics, hunting methods and natural science. For more details on youth hunting in New Hampshire, see http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/youth_hunting.htm.

“Nothing generates more compliments, letters of thanks, and photographs of proud parents and beaming kids, than our youth turkey weekend,” said Mark Ellingwood, wildlife programs administrator for Fish and Game. “We take great pride and satisfaction in providing young people and mentoring adults with the opportunity to learn safe hunting practices, to put lean, healthy, natural food on their family table, and to enjoy the spellbinding wonders and beauty of New Hampshire’s spring woodlands.”

“Youth weekend is a great opportunity for an adult and child to spend time together without the stressful distractions of modern life,” Ellingwood added. “Our spring woods are full of spellbinding natural beauty, be it spectacular spring flowers, the melodious mystery of feverishly singing migrant warblers, or the thundering reverberations of gobbling turkeys from their ridge-top roosts. Oh sure, bring your shotgun, but also bring your binoculars, your camera and your field guides; you won’t be disappointed. It’s a sure-fire way to build bonds with your son or daughter that will last a lifetime.”

In addition to their special weekend, youth can hunt during the regular spring gobbler season (May 3-31), when accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older (all youth require a valid turkey permit).

Enhance your knowledge of and appreciation for turkey ecology and turkey hunting by attending a wild turkey seminar at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness on April 18. Pre-registration is required. To sign up for the workshop, call 603-53….

Fish and Game urges all turkey hunters, including youth, to memorize the following list of TEN SAFETY GUIDELINES before going out in the field:
1. Never stalk a turkey. It rarely works and it increases the risk of an accident.
2. Never wear red, white, blue or black over or under-clothing, as these are prominent colors of displaying gobblers.
3. Never call from a tree that is thinner than the width of your shoulders.
4. Never jump or turn suddenly in response to a suspected turkey.
5. Never call from a site where you can’t see at least 40 yards in all directions.
6. Never imitate a gobbler call while concealed in a stand.
7. Never presume that what you hear or what responds to your call is a turkey.
8. Never think that your camouflage makes you totally invisible. To ID yourself to other hunters, wrap an orange band around the tree nearest you.
9. Never hide so well that you can’t see what’s happening around you.
10. Never move or wave to alert approaching hunters; shout “stop” instead.

Hunter education is not required for youth hunters under age 16. Youth are encouraged to complete the hunter education course between the age of 12 and their 16th birthday. A list of available hunter education courses is posted on the Fish and Game website at
http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_schedule.htm. Hunter education classes are made possible by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program.

For more information on turkey hunting in New Hampshire and a link to online license sales, go to http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.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.

“East By North East” – Movie by Gray Ghost Productions

Spectacular! That is the best adjective I can come up with to describe East by North East, produced by Matt Stanton and Carter Davidson for Gray Ghost Productions.

I’ve seen my share of outdoor films, from hunting, fishing, kayaking and an myriad of good movies aimed at teasing the senses, creating fidgety in your pants and to get you off the couch. East by North East is really in a league of its own. It’s hot!

Let me first be a bit forthcoming in that some may think my review of this movie would be influenced by the fact that I know many of the players. In another life, I coached a little soccer, baseball and skiing. Carter Davidson, Luke Gray, Nathan Harvey, Jen and Stephanie Percival and Mitch Cummings all at one time or other were a part of my life and I coached them in various sports. At times some of them might have wished I wasn’t part of their life (as coaches sometimes can be) but I have to admit, I stand in awe of their accomplishments and the lives they lead. Read more

Turking Hunting Workshop Offered April 18 In Holderness

HOLDERNESS, N.H. — A free workshop covering the basics of hunting wild turkeys is being offered by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on Saturday, April 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center on Perch Pond Road in Holderness, N.H. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. To sign up for the workshop, or for more information, call (60….

The workshop will be conducted by Fish and Game hunter education instructor Dave Priebe, a professional staff member of turkey call manufacturer Quaker Boy. The session will cover the basics of turkey hunting, turkey calling and turkey hunting safety. Fish and Game wildlife programs supervisor Mark Ellingwood will talk about the natural history and behavior of wild turkeys. In addition, participants will be given a demonstration on shotgun patterning at the range. No lunch will be served, but there will be a short break for those who wish to bring a bag lunch or snack.

“Whether you’re new to turkey hunting or a veteran looking for some new techniques, this course is for you!” said Tom Flynn, manager of Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center.

New Hampshire’s spring gobbler season runs from May 3 through May 31. The state’s youth turkey hunting weekend will take place April 25-26, 2009. For more information on turkey hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.htm.

If you’re interested in other course offerings at the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, need directions to the center or would like to volunteer, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm.

New Hampshire hunting licenses can be purchased online at http://www.huntnh.com.

Take Your Bird Feeder Down – And Save a Bear!

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire bears are waking up and heading out in search of food to replenish fat reserves depleted during the long winter denning period. Natural foods are scarce this time of year, so it’s critical for homeowners to take action now to reduce the chances of attracting a bear.

“Late March is the time when we typically start seeing bear activity in New Hampshire. To prevent attracting a bear to your residence, it is essential that bird feeders are taken down and put away until next winter,” says Andy Timmins, Bear Project Leader for New Hampshire Fish and Game. “This isn’t about bird feeders, it’s about the safety and wellbeing of black bears. Bears that frequent homes for easy pickings often have a shorter life expectancy than bears that don’t. Take down your feeders and save a bear.

“Given that sunflower seed is more nutritious than most foods a bear will find in the woods, it is easy to understand why some residences get visited by bears every spring,” Timmins added. “Don’t be fooled by the fact that several inches of snow still cover the ground across much of the state; snow depth has little influence on when bears decide to emerge from winter dens.”

During the denning period, bears typically lose 25% of their body weight, and a lactating female with newborn cubs may lose as much as 40%. Post-denning bears are readily attracted to human related foods. The statewide black bear population is considered relatively stable — thanks to careful management by Fish and Game — and currently is about 4,800 bears.

Homeowners should take action to reduce the chances of a bear visiting their home. Prevent bear visits by taking a few simple precautions:
* Stop all bird feeding by April 1, which is when most bears have ceased denning.
* Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in the trash.
* Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
* Avoid putting meat or other food scraps in your compost pile.
* Don’t leave pet food dishes outside overnight.
* Clean and store outdoor grills after each use.
* NEVER intentionally feed bears!

These steps will help to ensure that your backyard does not become attractive to bears. This is important because it prevents property damage by bears and because it keeps bears from becoming “nuisance” animals.

“The surest way to avoid bear/human conflicts is to keep your yard free of attractants. You may need to take additional steps. For example, dumpsters should have a locking metal top that prevents access by bears, and beehives and livestock should be protected with an electric fence. To avoid bear-related conflicts, prevent bears from visiting and, most of all, from getting in the habit of finding food on your property,” says Timmins.

For more information on preventing conflicts with black bears, visit http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/Somethings_Bruin.htm.

If you have questions about bear-related problems, you can get technical advice by calling the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services, located in Concord, N.H., at the following toll-free number: 1-888-749-2327 (1-888-SHY-BEAR).

USDA Wildlife Services works in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to minimize wildlife-human conflicts, including those associated with black bears. Last year, Wildlife Services fielded 1,904 wildlife-related requests for assistance, the biggest percentage (24%) of which were related to bears. Each year, Wildlife Services also hires two bear technicians in New Hampshire during May through August, when the majority of bear complaints are received. These bear technicians, in partnership with N.H. Fish and Game Department field staff, work closely with the general public to educate them regarding bear behavior and to directly resolve bear-human conflicts.

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.

Northeast Environmentalists Want To Protect Interbred Canids (Dogs)

Where will the absolute insanity stop when it comes to efforts by extremists to end hunting, fishing and trapping, close off lands to human use, strip us of our rights and destroy our god given right in the pursuit of happiness?

It has gotten so bad that a group, made up of representatives from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, have petitioned the Department of Interior in order to place protections under the Endangered Species Act for any interbred species of dogs, coyotes, wolves or any combination of the above, claiming these all to be unique species. Read more

New Hampshire Moose Lottery Is On

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOOSE LOTTERY IS ON!

CONCORD, N.H. — If you want to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall, enter the lottery and try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime. Applications for the lottery cost $15 for residents and $25 for non-residents (nonrefundable) and are available online at http://www.huntnh.com or from any Fish and Game license agent. The deadline for entering the 2009 lottery is May 29, 2009. New Hampshire’s moose hunt runs from October 17 to 25, 2009.

“New Hampshire offers a variety of quality moose hunting opportunities,” said Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for New Hampshire Fish and Game. “Whether you’re looking for a trophy bull, a wilderness hunting adventure or simply filling your freezer with meat, you can expect the moose hunt to fill your expectations, right here in New Hampshire. Most permits are for the taking of either a male or female, giving hunters greater opportunities to fill their tags, and, except in the Southeast region, the state still has large undeveloped areas in which to hunt.” The state’s current moose population is estimated at about 6,000 animals.

More than 15,100 applicants entered the lottery for the chance to win a permit for the 2008 moose season. Permit holders can choose another hunter of any age to accompany them on the hunt, but only one moose may be taken per permit. Each applicant can enter the moose hunt lottery once each year. A bonus point system improves the chances for unsuccessful applicants who apply each consecutive year. Don’t miss a year, or you’ll lose your points! Hunters who get permits are not eligible to enter the lottery for the following three years.

Success rates are highest in the northernmost Wildlife Management Units, running as high as 95% in 2008. Last year, the statewide success rate was 65%. The largest bull weighed 840 pounds dressed, while the largest cow weighed 715 pounds dressed. The average weight for an adult bull (bulls 5.5 years of age and older) was 702 pounds. The average spread of adult bulls was 45.7 inches. Greatest spread taken last year was 61 inches.

Enter the lottery by visiting Fish and Game at http://www.huntnh.com (you can apply online or print out a mail-in application). Lottery applications for 2009 must be postmarked or submitted online by midnight Eastern Time, May 29, 2009, or delivered to N.H. Fish and Game headquarters in Concord before 4 p.m. that day. Applicants are encouraged to apply online since there is less chance of submitting an incomplete application.

Both N.H. residents and nonresidents can enter the moose lottery. The number of permits available to nonresidents is capped, based on the prior year’s sales of nonresident hunting licenses (recently about 15 to 17 percent of the total). The overall odds of being selected last year were 1 in 22 for residents and 1 in 67 for nonresidents — some of the best odds in the nation for moose hunting. It is not necessary to have a current hunting license to enter the lottery.

Hunters who are offered and accept a permit must buy a $150 resident or $500 non-resident moose hunt permit, as well as a New Hampshire hunting license. If tough economic times have you pondering whether or not to apply, consider the following, says Rines: “New Hampshire has one of the lowest application and permit costs in the nation for both residents and non-residents. If you harvest an adult moose, you can expect an average of about 350 pounds of edible meat. Calculating the cost per pound based upon the permit fee, you are looking at an extremely inexpensive organic, low-cholesterol table food. If you cannot afford the permit fee at this time, I encourage you to continue to apply each year. There is an option you can select on the application for those that do not wish to participate in the lottery but still want to accrue this year’s bonus point. By doing this annually, you will continue to build up points and you won’t lose bonus points you may currently have. Then, when the day comes that you are able to moose hunt, you can enter the lottery with multiple bonus points and multiple chances of winning.”

For more information on moose hunting in New Hampshire, 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. Visit http://www.huntnh.com.

Serious Snowmobile Accident Leaves Stark Man in Critical Condition

CONCORD, N.H. — Stark, N.H., resident Floyd “Jay” Bennett Jr., age 34, was seriously injured Saturday night (March 14, 2009) after being thrown from his snowmobile during a crash in Stratford, N.H.

Bennett was riding with friends in the Nash Stream area when the accident occurred about 9 p.m. While attempting to negotiate a corner, he lost control of his snow machine, which resulted in a rollover. Bennett was ejected from the snowmobile and thrown into the woods. After seeing the accident, Bennett’s riding partners rode to a phone and called for help. Read more

Pennsylvania Man Dies In Pittsburg, N.H. Snowmobile Accident

CONCORD, N.H. — A thirty-year-old man, Thomas Preston of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, died in a snowmobile accident today (March 13, 2009) in Pittsburg, N.H.

Preston had been vacationing in northern New Hampshire with a group that travels there annually to snowmobile. They were riding together this morning when the accident occurred about 9 a.m. Preston was driving a rental snowmobile, traveling second in a line of five snow machines heading northbound on the trail between Young’s Store and River Road in Pittsburg. The trail was apparently well groomed and in good condition, but Preston failed to negotiate a sweeping corner, went over a declining embankment and struck a tree. He died at the scene from his injuries.

Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors, and Preston was wearing a helmet. The case continues to be under investigation.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers responded to the scene, along with personnel from the 45th Parallel Emergency Medical Services and the Pittsburg Police and Fire departments.

It was the fifth fatal snow machine accident of the season in New Hampshire, the third in Coos County.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mr. Preston’s family and friends after this tragic accident,” said Major Tim Acerno, who coordinates the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle enforcement and safety programs for N.H. Fish and Game. He cautioned that while trail conditions were not a factor in today’s accident, snow machine riders should use particular caution during late-season riding, as alternating warm and cold spells can cause trail conditions to change quickly. “Also, now that spring is on the way and more trails in southern New Hampshire are closing, snowmobile traffic on the trails in the central and northern part of the state become more dense, so be careful out there.”

For tips on safe snowmobile operation, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/OHRV/snowmobile_safety.html.

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Check on trail conditions at the N.H. Bureau of Trails website http://www.nhtrails.org. You can also call the N.H. Snowmobile Association hotline for a trail report — updated twice a week — at (603) 740-5050 or visit their website at http://www.nhsa.com.

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