Free Seminar: “Inside Turkey Hunting” March 31 & April 7 in Concord

CONCORD, N.H. — Get ready for a great spring gobbler season by coming to a free Wednesday evening talk on turkey hunting at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. You have two opportunities to hear the talk, as it will be offered on March 31 and repeated on April 7. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. on both nights. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required. Reserve your space by calling 603-271-6355. Attendees will not receive confirmation unless the program is at capacity.

“Inside Turkey Hunting” brings together Bill Devon of Quaker Boy Calls and “Big Daddy” David Smith, a hunting guide, to share the insights of their combined 50+ years of hunting these crafty birds. This seminar will provide tips for any turkey hunter, whether new or experienced. Devon and Smith will prepare you for a successful turkey season with pre-season tips including scouting, patterning your shotgun, call maintenance and locating turkeys. They will also cover basic equipment needs, explain the types of calls and demonstrate different calls. You’ll hear about safety in turkey hunting, preparing your bird for taxidermy or cooking it. Bring your questions!

Instructor Bill Devon gives turkey hunting seminars at sportsmen’s shows, clubs and shops, as well as events for National Wild Turkey Federation chapters. He is on the Quaker Boy Game Calls Pro-Staff and currently is President of the New Hampshire State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Devon has taken turkeys in nine states and Mexico, giving him “Royal Slam” status.

David Smith is the owner/operator of Double “D” Guide Service of Dover, N.H. He is a registered Maine guide, a licensed N.H. guide and has guided professionally in Florida and Vermont. One of Knight and Hales Elite Pro–Staffers, he gives turkey hunting seminars throughout New England. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the N.H. State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The turkey hunting talk is part of Fish and Game’s free Wednesday night speaker series on outdoor topics. Future sessions include a fishing talk called “Streamside Strategies,” with Angus Boezeman, on April 14; and “Canoe and Kayak the Northern Trail” on April 28. All the talks are at 7 p.m. at the Fish and Game Department. Pre-registration is required. Reserve your space by calling 603-271-6355.

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.

“Navigating in the Outdoors” – May 1 workshop in Holderness

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR BOW “NAVIGATING IN THE OUTDOORS” WORKSHOP – A “BEYOND BECOMING AN OUTDOORS-WOMAN” CLASS – MAY 1 IN HOLDERNESS, N.H.

Learn how to find your way in the wilderness at a one-day “Beyond BOW” Navigating in the Outdoors Workshop on Saturday, May 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H. Participants will learn how to use a compass, read a topographical map and use them together to find their way in the woods. The workshop will also provide an introduction to a simple hand-held GPS unit. The session will be led by Lorri and Al Menard and Randy Curtis, who are Hunter Education and BOW Map & Compass instructors.

A brochure and mail-in registration form are now available at http://www.nhbow.com. The cost of the class is $15, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and use of equipment. Participation is first-come, first-served, so sign up right away if you’re interested. Women must be 18 years of age or older to take part. Applications will be accepted starting March 29.

“Beyond BOW” courses expand the offerings of the traditional Becoming an Outdoors-Woman fall and winter workshops. These in-depth courses are designed to give women the skills to do the outdoor activity on their own. It also gives participants a chance to network with other like-minded women with whom to share these activities.

Watch for notices in the coming weeks about other “Beyond BOW” programs, including a Deep Sea Fishing day trip.

New Hampshire’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman programs are co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (http://www.WildNH.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (http://www.nhwf.org).

Opening Day for Landlocked Salmon/Lake Trout Fishing April 1

CONCORD, N.H. — Enthusiastic anglers will be out in force on April 1 for the start of the open-water fishing season on landlocked salmon/lake trout-managed lakes — the true start of spring for many New Hampshire anglers.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department manages 15 lakes for landlocked salmon: Big Dan Hole Pond, First and Second Connecticut Lakes, Conway Lake, Lake Francis, Merrymeeting Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, Big and Little Squam Lakes, Sunapee Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, and Nubanusit Lake. (Pleasant Lake in New London also is managed for landlocked salmon, but is classified as a trout pond, with a 2010 opening date of April 24.)

For a table providing a brief summary of netting results in three salmon lakes, visit the online version of this release at http://www.fishnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q1/big_lakes_opener_032510.html.

In 2010, spring anglers will be treated to something very odd for N.H., ice-out has occurred already on Lake Winnipesaukee (March 24), and most other central N.H. lakes will be mostly clear of ice for the April 1 opener! Thanks to recent rains, the flows in the Winnipesaukee watershed (Winnipesaukee Lake, and the Winnipesaukee River, which flows through Opechee, Winnisquam and Silver lakes) will tend to attract fish to high flow areas; angling for “drop-down” salmon (and rainbow trout) in the vicinity of the dams will be hot once again this season, with time-honored locations such as Lakeport Dam/Opechee Lake, the Winnipesaukee River through Laconia to Dixon Point at Lake Winnisquam, and Lochmere Dam at Silver Lake producing fish on the opener. Don’t forget, N.H. Fish and Game’s new boat access facility on the Winnipesaukee River in downtown Laconia, offering great access to Winnisquam Lake and some terrific rainbow and lake trout fishing.

Additionally, several popular Winnipesaukee shore fishing locations exist at the Merrymeeting River (fly-fishing-only, barbless, catch and release), and the mouth of the Merrymeeting River as it enters Alton Bay, downstream of the famous stone arch bridge. Other good sites to visit include the Weirs Channel in Laconia, Long Island Bridge in Moultonborough, Governors Island Bridge in Gilford, Smith River inlet at Wolfeboro Bay, and Meredith and Center Harbor town docks. At these locations, everything from smelt, shiners and worms under a slip bobber to small jigs will take salmon, as well as rainbows. The Newfound River/Bristol (fly-fishing-only) may have salmon and rainbows that have overwintered in its many pools and runs.

Because of the early ice-out, anglers need to be aware of changing weather conditions, as winds can increase quickly over large stretches of open water. Early spring ice-out salmon are successfully caught by trolling with everything from spoons (such as DB Smelt, Sutton, Mooselook, Top Gun, and Smelt Gun) to traditional streamer flies (for example, Maynard’s Marvel, Pumpkinhead, Mickey Finn, Joe’s Smelt, and the countless Grey Ghost variations), and an early season favorite, live smelt or shiners. Most early season fish are caught from the surface to about 15 feet down, with everything from planer board set-ups to the simplest of monofilament flat lines 50-150 feet behind the boat. When the wind kicks in, drifting live smelt or shiners in the waves can be highly effective.

Although it can be challenging to “pattern” lake fish at this time of year, finding warmer water (even a degree or two), windy shorelines, inside turns and bays, shallow flats near deeper water, tributary inlets and, of course, smelt schools (shallow this time of year, as they are running shorelines and tributaries to spawn) are all keys to improving success. A previously unsuccessful effort can provide several fish in less than an hour, once you find them and offer a convincing presentation.

To ensure the future of high-quality landlocked salmon fisheries, anglers must take extra care when releasing salmon, as the percentage of hook-wounded fish continues to climb in all lakes (as shown in our netting survey results). Hook wounded/scarred fish are significantly shorter and poorer in body condition than non-hook-wounded counterparts of the same age. Using rubber nets and proper release techniques (for example, don’t “shake” fish off the hook) — and releasing lightly hooked healthy salmon, while choosing to harvest previously hook-wounded fish – are some ways to minimize the negative effects of hook wounding, thereby increasing the number of trophy salmon available in the future.

Purchase your fishing license online at http://www.fishnh.com, or from any Fish and Game license agent. Annual resident fishing licenses are $35. Resident one-day licenses are just $10. Annual nonresident fishing licenses are $53. One-, three- and seven-day nonresident licenses are also available. You’ll soon know why so many anglers eagerly await this annual rite of spring.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Reel in lots more information on fishing in New Hampshire, from depth maps to tackle tips — and download the 2010 N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest — at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm.

Beginning Fly-Fishing Class Offered in Hancock, N.H., May 15-16

CONCORD, N.H. – Learn how to fly fish this spring! Join the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” Program and the Harris Center for Conservation Education for a free workshop offering you the chance to learn about the exciting sport of fly-fishing. “Fly-Fishing A-Z” will be held on Saturday, May 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Harris Center in Hancock, N.H.

To sign up for this class, you must print out and return a registration form, which can be found on the Fish and Game website at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/lets_go_fishing_class_schedule.htm or the Harris Center website at http://www.harriscenter.org/Programs/programs.htm. Registration forms can also be obtained by contacting Lisa Collins at (603) 271-3212 or aquatic-ed@wildlife.nh.gov.

The class is open to anyone age 13 and over, however those 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Class space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be received by April 30 to reserve your spot in the workshop.

Designed primarily for first-time fly-anglers, the workshop will cover the basics of equipment, fly casting, stream ecology, knot tying, safety and how to find those “hot spots” along New Hampshire’s rivers and lakes. The highlight of the two days will be Sunday, when participants will pull on waders and head out to a local fishing hole to put their newly learned skills to the test! Participants should plan to bring their own or borrowed equipment. A limited number of rods will be available for use; when you register, please let Fish and Game know if you will need to borrow equipment.

Once you have completed the course, you’ll be ready to plan your summer in line with the philosophy of Chuck Clark, who said, “Three-fourths of the Earth’s surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.”

Over the past ten years, the Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program has taught thousands of children and adults to be safe, ethical and successful anglers. The program is federally funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

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

NH Wildlife Action Plan Maps: New Maps and GIS Data for 2010

CONCORD, NH – The N.H. Wildlife Action Plan maps, which depict the location of habitat types and ecological condition of habitats for the state, have been revised, and new maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data are now available for the towns, groups and individuals that use them for research and planning.

The updates to the Wildlife Action Plan maps and underlying GIS data incorporate newer biological data into the analysis of ecological conditions. The most significant changes to the maps are that forests are analyzed in smaller sections, making for more detailed and accurate information; and three more years of rare wildlife, plant and natural community data have been incorporated. The development and distribution of the maps, first released in 2006, is a high priority of the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan, which serves as a “blueprint” for wildlife and habitat conservation in the state.

Emily Brunkhurst, a biologist with N.H. Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, encourages people to go ahead and start using the new maps and data, which are available through the NH GRANIT system, developed by UNH’s Complex Systems Research Center (http://www.granit.unh.edu). “The new Wildlife Action Plan maps are more detailed and up-to-date, and they remain important to getting people started on conservation in their communities,” Brunkhurst said. For non-GIS users, the data will be integrated into the GRANIT data mapper, a free online mapping program, some time in April.

In the Wildlife Action Plan maps and data, habitats have been analyzed and ranked using ecological, biological, landscape and human impact factors. The habitat maps depict 16 types of wildlife habitat in New Hampshire; these include Appalachian oak pine forest in the south, high elevation spruce forests in the northern mountains, grasslands, marshes, cliffs, coastal islands, alpine habitat and everything in between.

Towns have been using the Wildlife Action Plan maps in their planning, incorporating them into natural resource inventories, conservation plans and master plans that help to identify and conserve important natural resources including water, soils and wildlife. Land trusts and nonprofit groups are using the Wildlife Action Plan maps as tools to evaluate potential conservation parcels and target important places to protect. “Since the original release of the Wildlife Action Plan, we have utilized this state-of-the-art habitat data in a series of important strategic conservation planning efforts,” said Dan Sundquist of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “The new 2010 release represents even more sophisticated science, and we look forward to working with this improved data to help guide future land conservation projects in New Hampshire.”

N.H. Fish and Game and UNH Cooperative Extension will be offering workshops across the state in the next few months to discuss the updates and how these maps can be used in conservation planning. See the Fish and Game website at http://www.wildnh.com for details.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Its Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program is the steward for the more than 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that are not hunted, fished or trapped. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/nongame.

Fish and Game Commission Honors Four for Commitment to Conservation

CONCORD, N.H. — Four New Hampshire citizens and organizations have been recognized by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission with Awards of Excellence for their efforts in the conservation field in support of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s mission.

“What a great honor it is to present these awards,” said Sharon Guaraldi, Fish and Game Commissioner from Grafton County and chair of the Commission’s Awards of Excellence program, at an awards presentation at Fish and Game’s Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland in March. “The people we are honoring and their work make a significant contribution to the mission of New Hampshire’s wildlife agency, the N.H. Fish and Game Department.”

The 2009 Commission Award of Excellence recipients are:

The ELLIS R. HATCH JR. COMMISSION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE was presented to Bill Carney, of Bow, N.H. Former Commissioner Ellis R. Hatch Jr. personally presented the award, which carries his name and is the highest of the Commission honors. “The Fish and Game Commission honors Bill today for his work to support fish and wildlife resources, the Department and the entire sporting community,” said Hatch. He cited Carney’s many contributions to the mission of Fish and Game, including representing the interests of sportsmen and women and sporting clubs in testimony before the State Legislature. Carney testifies at hearings and works tirelessly on the phone, by e-mail and in columns in the “Hawkeye Hunting & Fishing News” to keep people informed and involved in issues affecting fish and wildlife resources. Another of Carney’s accomplishments was helping to save the Anadromous Fish Program and the Nashua Fish Hatchery through leadership of the Merrimack Migratory Fish Alliance. With a
small ad-hoc committee, Carney raised $15,000 in private funds to match federal funds, which allowed Fish and Game to replace a worn-out anadromous fish transport truck to keep the stocking programs running. He successfully worked to initiate a saltwater license for New Hampshire, and continues to build public awareness of the need for construction of boat access sites on New Hampshire’s big lakes. “It is a great personal honor to present this Award of Excellence to Bill Carney,” said Hatch.

The CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE went to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Adopt-a-Salmon Program, which exists to educate hundreds of middle school students about wildlife habitat, water resources and the salmon lifecycle. Now in its 14th year, the Adopt-a-Salmon program would not exist without the leadership of biologist Doug Smithwood and retired teacher George May, the program’s volunteer coordinator. By giving students from Lincoln, N.H., to Lowell, Mass., a first-hand look at the salmon restoration process, the program gets kids outdoors and teaches them that they personally can do something to help the environment. Students come to the federal fish hatchery in Nashua late in the year to see how eggs are taken from female salmon and fertilized with milt from the males. They get an extensive tour of the facility and then take fertilized eggs back to their classrooms to raise in chilled aquariums. In the spring, the students arrive at the Souhegan and
other rivers in the Merrimack watershed, where George May and his volunteers help them release their salmon fry (young fish) into the wild. In the process, students learn about watersheds and fish habitat — from headwaters of streams and rivers to feeding grounds in the Atlantic Ocean. “To have a program that connects children with nature, you have to make it a hands-on, intimate experience,” said Smithwood. “That’s what we’re able to offer through the Adopt-a-Salmon program.”

The VOLUNTEER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE was earned by Cathie Gregg of Madison, N.H. Gregg has worked as a wildlife rehabilitator at the Elaine Connors Center for Wildlife for 20 years. Her ability to care for orphaned large mammals, such as deer and moose, and release them back to the wild is especially important to Fish and Game. She carries a photo of two moose calves she raised in one year (they were released at 6 months of age). “That was the experience of a lifetime,” said Gregg. People in New Hampshire expect Fish and Game to do all it can to afford orphaned animals a chance for survival in the wild, and Gregg’s efforts are crucial in making this a reality. With the closure of the Brentwood Wildlife Research Facility at the University of New Hampshire in 2004, some means of raising young, orphaned fawns was critical to minimize the need to euthanize these otherwise healthy animals. These fawns need to be raised in a way that ensures they will not become habituated to people,
reducing the chance they will become potential nuisance animals. This is a costly volunteer activity, both in the dedication of time and financial resources; during the last 6 years, the Center has spent nearly $24,000 per year to rehabilitate fawns. In addition to caring for orphaned animals, Gregg has been dogged in educating the public about the proper response to seemingly abandoned baby animals. “The most important message is NOT to pick up wildlife,” said Gregg. “Call first to see if intervention is needed.” Contact information for wildlife rehabilitators is posted on the Fish and Game website at http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/wildlife_rehabbers.htm.

The COMMUNICATION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE was given to the “Great Northwoods Journal,” based in Lancaster, N.H., a free paper published weekly and distributed in the North Country. The Journal not only covers large-scale rescues conducted by Fish and Game, but also regularly delves into many other aspects of the Department’s work of interest to outdoors enthusiasts. The publication lists Hunter Education and Off Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) safety education courses, reports on local projects undertaken by clubs, prints many photos of successful youth hunters, and apprises the public about local fish and wildlife investigations. Visit online at http://www.greatnorthwoodsjournal.net.

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This is the fifth year for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission Awards of Excellence. There are seven award categories, and nominations must be submitted by December 31 of each year. For a description of the awards and award categories, profiles of past winners, and a nomination form to honor your conservation hero or worthy organization for next year’s awards, go to http://www.wildnh.com/Inside_FandG/commission_awards.html.

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

Chronic Wasting Disease Not Detected in New Hampshire’s Deer

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s white-tailed deer population once again showed no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), based on monitoring data gathered during the 2009 hunting season. New Hampshire Fish and Game Deer Biologist Kent Gustafson recently received results from a federally certified veterinary diagnostic laboratory that indicate that all the deer tissue samples taken during last fall’s hunting season tested negative for CWD. A total of 439 tissue samples were tested.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disorder that is fatal to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose, but the World Health Organization has concluded that there is no evidence that people can become infected with CWD.

During the fall 2009 deer hunting season, New Hampshire Fish and Game collected heads from hunter-killed deer across the state for testing. The monitoring is part of a nationwide effort, financially supported by USDA-Veterinary Services, to identify areas with CWD. As a result of these efforts, 3,164 deer have been tested in New Hampshire since testing began in 2002.

Chronic wasting disease was first identified in 1978 and remained isolated in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska for about a decade. CWD has been found as far east as New York, Virginia and West Virginia, bringing the disease far closer to New Hampshire’s borders. To date, CWD has been detected in wild or captive deer or elk in a total of 19 states and provinces. These include Alberta, Canada; Colorado; Illinois; Kansas; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri, Montana; Nebraska; New Mexico; New York; Oklahoma; Saskatchewan, Canada; South Dakota; Utah; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin; and Wyoming. A nationwide effort is underway to prevent further spread of the disease. This effort includes collecting annual samples of deer tissue as part of ongoing monitoring and surveillance efforts and restricting the transport of potentially infected animals, carcasses or tissues.

People who make hunting trips to the 19 CWD-positive jurisdictions listed above can help keep New Hampshire CWD-free by closely following the mandatory regulations on bringing home deer, elk or moose carcasses. You may legally bring back ONLY deboned meat, antlers, upper canine teeth and/or hides or capes with no part of the head attached. Antlers attached to skull caps or canine teeth must have all soft tissue removed.

While research continues, current information suggests that CWD is most likely transmitted by an abnormal protein present in the nervous system and lymphatic tissue of infected animals. These abnormal proteins are very stable and may persist in the environment for long periods, posing a risk to animals that come into contact with them.

For more information about CWD and New Hampshire’s monitoring efforts, visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website at http://www.wildnh.com/wildlife/CWD_QandA.htm.

Additional information on the disease can be found from the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance at http://www.cwd-info.org.

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.

Turkey Hunting Weekend Workshop for Women: Signup Deadline March 24

CONCORD, N.H. – Are you a woman interested in learning how to hunt wild turkeys? Get set for the spring gobbler season by signing up for a new “Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” (Beyond BOW) Turkey Hunting Workshop on April 23 – 25, 2010 (Friday-Sunday) at the Woodbound Inn in Rindge, N.H.

Sign up now using the registration form posted at http://www.nhbow.com. The class is limited to 14 participants. Registration is first-come, first-served. Deadline for sign-ups is March 24, 2010. Cost of $295 includes instruction, materials, use of equipment, all meals and two nights lodging at the charming Woodbound Inn & Resort (http://www.woodbound.com), nestled in Rindge, N.H., on the shores of Lake Contoocook in the heart of the Monadnock region.

Participants in this “Beyond BOW” workshop will learn everything they need to know to set out on a turkey hunt of their own: calling, habitat, equipment, shotgun patterning, safety, ethics, cleaning/cooking game and participation in a mock hunt. “Beyond BOW” courses expand the offerings of traditional BOW fall and winter workshops. These in-depth courses are designed to give women the skills to do the outdoor activity on their own. It also gives participants a chance to network with enthusiastic, like-minded women with whom to share these activities.

New Hampshire’s spring gobbler season starts on May 3, 2010. The youth turkey hunting weekend takes place on May 1-2, 2010. For more information on turkey hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.htm.

New Hampshire’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman programs are co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (http://www.WildNH.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (http://www.nhwf.org).

Bring the Family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, April 17

CONCORD, N.H. — Celebrate Earth Day by bringing the family to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day — Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. Admission is free. This outdoor festival is fun for all ages – kids can try archery, cast with the “Let’s Go Fishing” program, and create wildlife arts and crafts. Sample a fish fillet or build a bird house. See retriever dogs in action, live animals, big trout, trained falcons and the “Battling Bull Moose of Fowlertown” life-sized exhibit. Check out gas-saving hybrid vehicles and other ideas for conserving energy and protecting our environment. Exhibits, presentations and demonstrations throughout the day. For more information, visit http://www.WildNH.com.

“This is the 21st year for this enjoyable educational event in New Hampshire and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day nationally,” said event coordinator Judy Silverberg, the wildlife education supervisor at Fish and Game. “People in New Hampshire care deeply about wildlife and conserving their environment. Come to Discover WILD New Hampshire Day and discover the many ways you can get involved in outdoor recreation, conserving wildlife and natural places, and protecting the environment.”

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day is co-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.

“This event is a great opportunity for family fun and celebrating the outdoors,” said DES Commissioner Tom Burack. “Come play and learn about New Hampshire’s environment, fish and wildlife and the boundless natural opportunities that we can all enjoy here in New Hampshire.”

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day brings together more than 35 outdoor, wildlife, environmental and conservation groups from every corner of the state. Stroll through exhibits and demonstrations exploring all that’s WILD about New Hampshire, ranging from the Appalachian Mountain Club, the N.H. Wild Turkey Federation and N.H. Audubon, to Trout Unlimited, the Loki Clan Wolf Refuge and the Loon Preservation Center. Meet Smokey Bear and learn about New Hampshire forests and lands. Find out how to 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 – Alan Briere, professional photographer
* 11:15 a.m.: It’s Easy Being Green – Department of Environmental Services
* 12:00 noon: Nature’s Technology – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
* 1:00 p.m.: Whose Eyes Are These? – New Hampshire Audubon
* 2:00 p.m.: Please Turn Off the Lights! – Wildlife Encounters Zoo

Nature walks, tours and demonstrations add to the fun:
* What’s In Your Pack: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 1:30 p.m.
* Landscaping for Wildlife: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

Participate in on-going activities throughout the day:
* Take a free tour of the DES Air Quality Monitoring Station
* See retrieval dogs in action
* Learn to find your way with basic map and compass
* Practice casting with “Let’s Go Fishing” instructors
* Become a Junior Conservation Officer
* Explore the Discovery Room & Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit

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 new Fish and Game official merchandise, including hats, shirts and more!

Discover WILD New Hampshire Day began in New Hampshire in 1989 as an observance of Earth Day and a celebration of the state’s wealth of natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities. More than 5,000 people attended last year’s event. The event is held rain or shine. A food concession is available from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 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.nh.gov.

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.

In The Blood: Movie Night for Hunters and Their Families March 19

CONCORD, N.H. – A movie night is coming up that may be of interest for hunters and their families. The film “In the Blood” will be playing one night at the Red River Theatres in Concord, N.H., on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 or $7 for students. Here’s how the movie is described:

“In the Blood” is a real-life journey to a place where hunting and conservation connect. Nationally acclaimed New Hampshire film maker George Butler goes into the African grasslands, following a modern-day safari inspired by the 1909 big game hunt Theodore Roosevelt organized for his son. Great footage, rich with history. The film examines the traditions and values passed down among generations of hunters. Butler brought his 14-year-old son on the trip with him and the young man narrates the film.

For more information, call 603-224-4600 (movie line) or 603-224-4697 ext. 13 (box office). Tickets also can be ordered online at http://www.redrivertheatres.org. Red River Theatres is located at 11 South Main Street in Concord, N.H.

The showing is part of the Red River Theatres George Butler Film Festival. Butler, who owns a farm in Holderness, N.H., gained national attention for his blockbuster story about Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Pumping Iron”, and his IMAX film about Ernest Shackleton’s heroic attempt to reach the South Pole in 1914.

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