Manchester Man Killed in Fall from Cathedral Ledge in North Conway

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers have recovered the body of a Manchester man who fell to his death from Cathedral Ledge in North Conway in an apparent suicide. Steven J. Clark, of Manchester, N.H., age 52, was reported last seen by his wife about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. She reported him missing to the Manchester Police Department on Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 28, two climbers walking along the base of Cathedral Ledge in North Conway discovered Clark’s body. They immediately hiked back down the trail and called for help, initiating the emergency response. Clark’s vehicle was located in the parking area at the top of Cathedral Ledge, and his body was found on the ground at the base of the 600-foot cliff, at a point below the fenced viewing area.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were assisted in the recovery by the North Conway Fire Department, North Conway Ambulance, Conway Police Department, Bartlett Police Department, and the Mountain Rescue Service.

No further information is available at this time.

N.H. HUNTING REPORT — September 2009

Greetings, hunters! Hope you are all getting ready for a great season ahead.

THIS SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, IS HUNT-FISH DAY EXPO & NH TOUR
Get in on the action at this statewide celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Admission is free! Enjoy a huge sporting show on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in Concord, N.H. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness will offer archery, muzzleloader and shotgun shooting. Local fish and game clubs are holding special events, sporting clubs are hosting shows and demonstrations, and outfitters are posting retail specials and discounts on outdoor gear. Check out the Expo exhibitors and the list of participating clubs and retailers at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour.

YOUTH WATERFOWL WEEKEND
New Hampshire’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday, September 26; and Sunday, September 27, 2009. Youths must be 15 years of age or younger and accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older. The adult must possess a current hunting license but may not hunt. The daily bag limits are the same as those allowed in the open season. Find more about waterfowl hunting in New Hampshire at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_waterfowl.htm.

NEW HUNTING DIGEST
We’re getting lots of calls about the new NH Hunting and Trapping Digest. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the cool new “flipbook” here: http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/09NHHD. The Digest is a new size and format, much better organized, and we hope you’ll like it. As a bonus, the larger size allows for additional advertising and production support, which saves Fish and Game money, leaving more to spend on the conservation projects you care about. Pick up a copy of the Digest at your local license agent or at any Fish and Game office.

BEAR SEASON GOING WELL
Bear biologist Andy Timmins reports that as of September 20, hunters had reported taking 312 bears in New Hampshire. Bait hunters harvested 223 bears and still hunters/stalkers took 89 bears. Currently, this year’s harvest is 13% above the 5-year in-season average of 275 bears for this time period. Additionally, the harvest is 61% above the 2008 tally at this point in the season. The increased harvest to date appears to reflect below average natural food production across many areas of the state this fall (meaning that bears are traveling farther and are more visible as they seek food in agricultural fields and elsewhere).

GET SET FOR PHEASANTS, SMALL GAME
Pheasant and small game seasons get underway October 1. New Hampshire Fish and Game will release 13,500 pheasants, purchased exclusively with revenues from the sale of pheasant licenses, at 74 stocking sites in 50 towns. See the list of stocking locations at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_pheasant.htm. Small game hunters can help Fish and Game out by taking the time to report your hunting activities on the Small Game Survey and Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey, and you could win a quality firearm! Find out how to participate at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm.

PLENTY OF UNIT M SPECIAL DEER PERMITS LEFT
We still have plenty of Unit M Antlerless-only deer permits left. The special permits are good for taking one additional anterless 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 or ask for an application by mail. Follow the links at http://www.wildnh.com/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm.

LAST CHANCE FOR HUNTER ED
If you need a hunter education course, better sign up quick for one of the remaining classes. Check out availability at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_schedule.htm.
A few traditional courses are still open, but all field days for the new online option are full at this time.

GET YOUR LICENSE
Buy your hunting license and permits online, anytime, at http://www.greatlodge.com/nh or visit one of 240+ friendly New Hampshire license agents near you.

UPCOMING SEASONS:
Click on the following links to go to season “forecasts” and more:

WHITE-TAILED DEER (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_deer.htm):
Archery: Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 (closes Dec. 8 in WMU A*)
Youth Deer Weekend: Oct. 24-25
Firearms: Nov. 11 – Dec. 6 (closes Nov. 29 in WMU A*)
Muzzleloader: Oct. 31 – Nov. 10 (opens Nov. 2 in WMU A*)
*WMU A in northern New Hampshire continues to have an antler point restriction and shortened season dates for deer. Consult the Hunting Digest for more details.

BLACK BEAR (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_bear.htm): Starts Sept. 1 (end varies by WMU)

GRAY SQUIRREL (http://www.Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm): Sept. 1 – Dec. 31

SNOWSHOE HARE (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm): Oct. 1 – March 31 (bag limit varies by WMU)

RUFFED GROUSE (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm): Oct. 1 – Dec. 31

WOODCOCK (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm): Oct. 6 – Nov. 4

PHEASANT (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_pheasant.htm): Oct. 1 – Dec. 31

MOOSE (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm): Oct. 17 – 25 (by permit only, allocated by lottery)

FALL TURKEY (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.htm)
Shotgun: Oct. 12 – 16 (certain WMUs only)
Archery: Sept. 15 – Dec. 15 (Closed in WMU A)

WATERFOWL – 2009-2010 season dates are posted at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_waterfowl.htm.

For more New Hampshire hunting information, visit http://www.huntNH.com.

State’s Peregrine Falcons Post Record Number of Young

CONCORD, N.H. — Peregrine falcons in New Hampshire produced 29 young this year, more than in any other breeding season during the past half-century. Territorial peregrines in the state used 15 natural cliffs, one urban building and the area around a major hydroelectric dam as places to live and raise their young in 2009. In Manchester, the state’s best-known falcon pair surprised everyone by moving one mile down Elm Street to nest successfully across from City Hall. In the Connecticut River valley, a cave-like nest ledge used for 22 consecutive years was passed over for a new ledge on the same cliff. And another pair of peregrines living in the Seacoast region hopped 100 feet over the border to raise three chicks on the Maine side of the Piscataqua River bridge.

Breeding peregrine numbers in New Hampshire, and across the entire eastern United States, had declined to near zero by the 1960s, when levels of the pesticide DDT in songbirds and other prey items disrupted their ability to hatch viable eggs. After almost two decades without any successful nesting in New England, a peregrine pair nesting in Franconia Notch in 1981 became the first to produce chicks at an historical nesting cliff. Intensive recovery efforts, followed by sustained monitoring and management, led to a gradual peregrine population rebound. As a result, in September 2008, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department upgraded the status of this fastest flying raptor in the state from endangered to threatened.

A record-high 29 young peregrines reached fledging age in New Hampshire in 2009, surpassing the previous high of 27 young fledged last year. Biologists and volunteer observers affiliated with New Hampshire Audubon checked a total of 36 potential breeding sites in the state this year and confirmed 17 occupied territories, down one from 2008. Fifteen of the 17 occupied sites hosted falcon pairs, and two sites supported only single adults. Observers documented incubation behavior by 13 of the state’s 15 territorial pairs in 2009, down from 16 of 17 in 2008. Of this year’s 13 incubating pairs, 12 (92%) hatched at least one egg. All 12 pairs that hatched eggs successfully fledged young in 2009, also down slightly from a state record-high of 13 successful pairs in 2008.

After eight consecutive years of producing young in a nest box installed on the Brady-Sullivan Tower near the Amoskeag Bridge, Manchester’s falcon pair moved one mile down Elm Street to nest on the Citizens Bank building. “We were looking for them in their usual spot, but they weren’t there, and the camera showed an empty nest!” said Chris Martin, a N. H. Audubon’s raptor specialist, who coordinates the state’s peregrine management efforts. “The female falcon laid her eggs on a narrow decorative ledge at Citizens Bank — right over Elm Street — and when the chicks were three weeks old, we moved them into a more secure nest box located on the roof.” All three chicks ultimately fledged without incident. Juvenile peregrines are considered fledged at six weeks of age, when they first begin to fly to and from the nest.

Holts Ledge in Lyme, N.H., is an historical nesting site with a photo record dating back as far as 1928. Observers monitoring the cliff in 2009 reported that for the first time in 23 years, falcons selected a new nesting ledge, passing over a deep cave that had been used for a nesting each year since peregrines first reoccupied the cliff in 1987.

New Hampshire set a new record high for peregrine fledglings in 2009, in spite of giving up claim to a pair nesting in Portsmouth Harbor. In 2007 and 2008, this pair nested in the bridge’s superstructure, using two different hollow vertical beams located on the New Hampshire side of the state line, and fledging one chick each year. In 2009, they used a similar beam, but one located on the Maine side. “Both states can’t count the same breeding pair, so we generally credit them to the state where the eggs are laid,” said Martin.

Management of the state’s recovering peregrine falcon population is carried out by N.H. Audubon, working under contract with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program. Management actions include tracking recreational use at cliffs, posting temporary closures on rock climbing routes when needed, and providing technical advice to natural resource agencies and to the public. N.H. Audubon also recruits, trains, and deploys volunteer observers to document peregrine distribution and productivity and to band young.

Martin, aided by several rock-climbing volunteers, accessed six peregrine nests in the state in 2009, examining and banding 15 nestlings and recovering four non-viable eggs. He estimates that roughly 35% of New Hampshire’s breeding adult peregrines currently wear color-coded leg-bands. Notable highlights among banded peregrines seen in 2009: a 7-year-old female raised in Dixville Notch that breeds in the Sandwich Range of the White Mountains, but winters in Concord; a 6-year-old female from Milford, Connecticut, that breeds in Lyme, N.H.; and a 2-year-old male from Lyme now nesting just across border in Fairlee, Vermont.

Since the removal of peregrines from the federal Endangered List in 1999, New Hampshire has participated in a national breeding site sampling study to detect any major changes in peregrine breeding populations on a regional scale. Coordinated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the study tracks breeding activity at five peregrine territories on a triennial basis (in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015). Three (60%) of New Hampshire’s five sites produced a total of six young in 2009.

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.

To learn more about the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, visit http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.

Winnicut River Dam Removal Begins in Greenland, N.H.

GREENLAND, NH – An innovative partnership of State and Federal agencies, donations from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and $500,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, have the made the removal of the Winnicut River Dam and adjacent fish ladder possible. The dismantling of the dam and installation of a new innovative run-of-river “fish pass” under Rte. 33 is in the beginning stages and expected to be completed by the end of November. The public is invited to watch live images of the dam removal, by visiting http://www.earthcam.com/winnicut or http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/projects_programs/crp/winnicutdamcam.html.

The head-of-tide dam is the last remaining obstruction on the mainstem of the Winnicut River and, once removed, will reconnect 39 miles of the natural riverine corridor. The owner of the dam, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, decided in 2007 to remove the dam after an extensive feasibility study. The study determined that dam removal would be the best option to restore fish passage for migratory fish, such as river herring, American eel, and river herring, to important spawning and nursery grounds.

In June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the agency received $167 million to restore coastal habitat from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Through a competitive selection process, NOAA chose 50 high-priority projects from the 814 proposals submitted, including the Winnicut Dam removal. The dam removal and fish pass construction project will support 21 jobs for ecologists, engineers, construction and demolition crews.

Funding and resources for the $1.2 million total project cost has come from many federal, state, and NGO sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, N.H. Department of Environmental Services – Coastal Program, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Coastal Conservation Association, N.H. Charitable Foundation, and the N.H. Moose Plate Grant Program.

For more information on the project, visit: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/restoration/projects/winnicut.htm.

“Get Out and Play!” Weekend October 3-4, 2009

CONCORD, N.H. — Turn off the television and computer, gather the family and friends, dress for the weather, and head off for an outdoor adventure! Whether you strike out on your own or connect up with an event, October 3rd and 4th is the weekend to Get Out and Play! “The research shows that children who engage in free play in nature are healthier, happier and smarter,” said Marilyn Wyzga, a wildlife educator with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “Here in New Hampshire, nature is all around us, and the possibilities are vast.”

There are many organizations, all across New Hampshire, hosting walks, hikes, bikes, picnics, and paddles for this event — find one in your own community or plan a trip to a special location. You can find a listing of organizations and events at: http://www.NHChildrenInNature.org.

“This first annual event is a great opportunity for children, youth and families to get out and reconnect with nature,” said Scott Fitzpatrick of PlusTime NH. “Around the state, you can join in planned programs, or gather friends, family and neighbors for a visit to a favorite nearby nature place. How about a walk on town conservation land, a ramble in one of our great state parks, a bike ride on a rail trail, a nature play hour or perhaps an evening building fairy houses in a local woodland. Join us – let’s get out and play!”

Get Out and Play! Weekend follows the New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition conference “Building Nature-Based Communities” which takes place on October 1, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Camp Yavneh in Northwood, N.H. This statewide conference will provide community leaders and organizations with the resources, tools and support to make local change to reconnect children, youth and families with nature. If you’re interested in finding ways to encourage kids and families to get outside and more involved with the natural world, register for the conference at http://nhcinc.eventbrite.com.

The New Hampshire Children and Nature Coalition is dedicated to fostering experiences in nature that improve physical and emotional health, increase understanding of the natural world, and promote stronger connections to community and landscape. The coalition got its start in 2007, when people from health, education, community planning and environmental sectors came together at a series of events to launch a New Hampshire initiative to reconnect children with nature and encourage children and families to get outside and active in the natural world. Find out more about the Coalition at http://www.NHChildrenInNature.org.

The “Building Nature-based Communities” conference and other N.H. Children and Nature Coalition events are made possible in part by generous contributions from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation.

National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & N.H. Tour Is this Saturday!

CONCORD, N.H. — Don’t forget, this Saturday, September 26, 2009, brings a hunting and fishing bonanza to New Hampshire in the form of the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo & N.H. Tour. Admission is free. Events take place statewide, anchored by an outdoor sporting show at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in Concord, N.H. In Holderness, Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center will open its doors open to the public, offering archery, muzzleloader and shotgun shooting. Watch for special events at local fish and game clubs and retail specials on outdoor gear at outfitters around the state. Check out the Expo exhibitors and the list of participating clubs and retailers at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 26, the grounds of the Fish and Game Department in Concord, N.H., will be transformed into a huge Outdoor Expo. More than 50 sporting organizations and hunting and fishing product manufacturers will be on hand with demos and gear. Just for coming, you’ll be entered into a free raffle for 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. Come test your archery skills, try a sport fishing simulator, and see hunting dog demos. The hatchery truck will be on hand with big fish in the tank. Check out the latest outdoor gear, from ice fishing tip-ups to turkey calls. Guns, ammo, decoys, canoes, boats, fishing gear, and more — it will all be there! Visit http://www.wildnh.com/expotour. Admission is free!

Also on September 26, Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center (387 Perch Pond Road) in Holderness, N.H., will offer interactive activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including shotgunning, archery and muzzleloader shooting courtesy of Thompson/Center Arms. Come explore Owl Brook’s trails, ranges, hunter education exhibits and the old-time trapper cabin. Free admission! Directions at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm.

Many outdoor businesses, outfitters, license agents and fish and game clubs are joining the celebration with their own special events and in-store discounts on September 26. See the full list and more details at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour.
Highlights include:

– Country Pond Fish and Game Club in Newton will be open to the public and supervised by range officers.

– Elkins Fish and Game Club will hold a “New Shooter” event for youths or adults who have never shot a gun before.

– Pinnacle Mountain Fish & Game Club in Lyndeborough will host muzzleloader, BB gun, sling shot, trap, .22 rifle and blackpowder cannon shoots; free admission.

– Deering Fish and Game Club in Hillsborough will offer youth the opportunity to learn about safe firearm handling skills and try pistols, rifles, archery and BB guns.

– The New Hampshire School of Falconry in Deering will hold an open house with falcon flight demos and more.

– The Katahdin German Shorthaired Pointer Club in Henniker will host a pointing breed hunting test.

– Dover Marine/Covered Bridge Sports in Dover will offer a fall bluefin tuna fishing and intro to shark fishing presentation, plus sales on tuna and shark gear and tackle.

– The Barn Store of New England in Salisbury will offer in-store specials and raffle off a Savage 243 American Classic.

– Place in the Woods Trading Post in Antrim will have a muzzleloader tryout and in-store promotions from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

– Show your hunting license at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Keene, Concord or Newington on September 26 or 27 and get hunting and fishing discount coupons.

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

Possible Mountain Lion Sighting in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department today reported that one of its staff members, following up on a routine report of a mountain lion sighting, saw what is believed to be a mountain lion in a rural area of Barnstead, N.H.

Mountain lions are known to exist in the wild in states no closer than Iowa and Florida, so it is not thought to be a dispersing wild animal, but rather is most likely an illegally released pet.

“Survival of this type of animal is typically extremely low as they normally do not have the developed abilities to catch prey on a consistent basis, and/or may have been de-clawed,” said Fish and Game Wildlife Division Chief Steve Weber. “If the animal does survive, we would expect to collect hard evidence of its existence in the form of a picture, tracks, scat and/or DNA evidence.”

Mountain lions were extirpated from their range in the Eastern United States by the late 1800s, with the exception of the endangered Florida panther. According to the nonprofit research organization cougarnet.org, there have been four confirmed reports of mountain lions in the Northeastern U.S. since 1938.

“The Fish and Game Department receives numerous reports of mountain lions every year,” said Weber. “We still have no documentation to confirm their presence. While we do not believe this is a harbinger of a recovering population of mountain lions in New Hampshire, it does add one more credible report to several others we have received over the years.”

Woodcock, Migrating Waterfowl, Moose Hunt in New NH Wildlife Journal

CONCORD, N.H. — Wondering where those honking formations of geese are headed as they wing past high in the sky this time of year? Find out where they’re going and where they nested last summer; it’s all in the September-October 2009 issue of N.H. Wildlife Journal. “On the Atlantic Flyway” looks at how New Hampshire manages geese and other migratory waterfowl, in concert with other states and countries where these birds spend parts of their year.

Also in this issue, be delighted by the spirit, surprise and mystery of the American woodcock. Wildlife biologist Mark Ellingwood’s ode to this “feathered marvel” will leave you in awe of its incomparable style.

Then, tag along on a moose hunt in New Hampshire’s scenic backcountry with a lucky lottery winner. The dramatic recovery of moose in our state is a true wildlife restoration story. Only a dozen or so survived in New Hampshire in 1900, and it took many decades for the population to rebuild to the point where we have a limited hunt statewide today. For those who take part, it is truly the adventure of a lifetime.

Also in this issue of the Journal, the state’s only magazine dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation and recreation, Naturalist’s Notebook introduces that midnight bandit, the raccoon. Meet this year’s conservation champions honored by the Fish and Game Commission, and learn about improvements being made to fisheries habitats around the state. Explore Ballard State Forest, a natural treasure of southern New Hampshire; enjoy a Kids Page look at migrating raptors; and be amused by the true-life tales of Conservation Officers in Warden’s Watch.

Not a subscriber to New Hampshire Wildlife Journal? The magazine is published 6 times a year by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Subscriptions are just $12 for one year — that’s 40% off the newsstand price — or $20 for two years. To read sample articles, subscribe or purchase gift subscriptions for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life, visit http://www.WildNH.com/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_mag.htm
Subscribe before September 31, and we’ll send you the current issue absolutely free! Single issues are available for $2.95 each from N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine contains no advertising, and subscription revenue helps N.H. Fish and Game conserve, manage and protect the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats; promote conservation education; and create opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Granite State. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

Free Evening Hunting Talks Offered this Fall

CONCORD, N.H. – 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.

Celebrate the Outdoors Sept 26 at Hunting & Fishing Day Expo/NH Tour

CONCORD, N.H. — This fall’s big hunting, fishing event in the Granite State is the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo and N.H. Tour on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Admission is free to this statewide celebration, which includes a giant outdoor sporting show at Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord; archery, muzzleloader and shotgun shooting at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness; and events and retail specials at fish and game clubs and outfitters around the state. Check out the Expo exhibitors and events at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour. Don’t forget – admission is free!

In Concord, N.H., the Outdoor Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in tents and outdoor exhibits on the grounds of the Fish and Game Department at 11 Hazen Drive, with exhibits of products and services – everything related to hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. More than 50 sporting organizations and hunting and fishing product manufacturers will be on hand with demos and gear. Just for coming, you’ll be entered into a free raffle for 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.

At the Expo, test your archery skills at the Stateline Guns Ammo and Archery course. Grey’s Outfitting will hold hunting dog demonstrations, both pointing dogs and retriever/flush demos. Check out the hot new ice fishing tip-ups at the Max-Traps display. Try deer and turkey calls from Quaker Boy and Buck Gardener Calls. Be amazed by taxidermy exhibits, a sport fishing simulator and big fish in the hatchery truck. See realistic decoys from the Granite State Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, plus their newest duck boat and goose trailer. All-Terrain Vehicle off-roaders and motorcycle riders can gear up for their next ride with the help of Naults. Canoes, kayaks, boats, guns, fishing gear, tackle and more — it will all be there! See a list of exhibitors at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour. Best of all, admission is free!

As part of the National Hunting and Fishing Day Expo and N.H. Tour, Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center (387 Perch Pond Road) in Holderness, N.H., will host an open house on September 26, with interactive activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Try your hand at shotgunning, archery, and muzzleloader shooting courtesy of Thompson/Center Arms. Get a lesson on treestand safety. Have a look around Owl Brook, the only facility of its kind in northern New England, with ranges, hunter education exhibits and a replica of an old-time trapper cabin. Find directions to Owl Brook at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm. And, of course, admission is free!

National Hunting and Fishing Day events will take place around the state as part of the N.H. Tour. Find a listing at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour. Many outdoor businesses, outfitters, license agents and fish and game clubs are joining the celebration by holding special events and offering in-store discounts. Country Pond Fish and Game Club in Newton will be open to the public and supervised by range officers. Elkins Fish and Game Club will hold a “New Shooter” event for youths or adults who have never shot a gun before. Pinnacle Mountain Fish & Game Club in Lyndeborough is hosting muzzleloader, BB gun, sling shot, trap, .22 rifle and blackpowder cannon shoots; free admission. At the Deering Fish and Game Club in Hillsboro, youth will have the opportunity to learn about safe firearm handling skills and try pistols, rifles, archery, and BB guns. The New Hampshire School of Falconry in Deering will hold an open house with falcon flight demos. The Katahdin German Shorthaired Pointer Club in Henniker will host a pointing breed hunting test. Dover Marine/ Covered Bridge Sports in Dover will offer a fall bluefin tuna fishing and intro to shark fishing presentation, plus sales on tuna and shark gear and tackle. At the Barn Store of New England in Salisbury, check out in-store specials and sign up for a chance to win a Savage 243 American Classic. Place in the Woods Trading Post in Antrim will have a muzzleloader tryout and in-store promotions from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Show your hunting license at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Keene, Concord or Newington on September 26 or 27 and get hunting and fishing discount coupons. Information about these events and more can be found at http://www.wildnh.com/expotour.

Get geared up for outdoor recreation this fall at this fun, free event in celebration of the outdoor traditions that help make New Hampshire a wild place to live and visit.

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

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