Waterfowl Season Meeting Set for August 18

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public meeting on proposed season dates and bag limits for the 2010 waterfowl hunting season on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord. Comments at the meeting will be considered in finalizing New Hampshire’s 2010 waterfowl season dates.

“Overall, spring breeding conditions for waterfowl were favorable again this year,” said Edward Robinson, N.H. Fish and Game’s waterfowl biologist. This year’s total U.S. duck population estimate from the traditional survey area in the prairies and parklands is 41 million birds, which is nearly identical to last year. In New Hampshire, weather and habitat conditions were also very good for nesting and brood rearing. Federal frameworks will allow for liberal waterfowl seasons in 2010.

New Hampshire’s proposed waterfowl season is very much like last year’s. N.H. Fish and Game is proposing a 60-day duck season with a 6-bird daily limit, and a 60-day Canada goose season with a 2-bird daily limit. Fish and Game also recommends continuing split seasons, including both ducks and Canada geese, in both the inland and coastal zones to allow early and late hunting opportunities:

* The proposed INLAND ZONE waterfowl season (ducks, mergansers, coots, Canada geese) would open on October 5 and run through November 17; then reopen November 24 through December 19.

* The proposed COASTAL ZONE season would open on October 6 and run through October 17; then reopen November 24 through January 10, 2011.

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

Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has finalized the 2010 hunting season dates and bag limits for early season migratory game birds, with no significant changes from last year. The 2010 seasons for these game birds are as follows:

Resident Canada geese: The bag limit is five birds per day, statewide, during the September season, which extends from the day after Labor Day (September 7) through September 25, 2010.

Youth Waterfowl Weekend: This year, the youth weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, 2010. All regular season waterfowl regulations, including bag limits, shooting hours, use of non-toxic shot, etc., apply during the youth weekend; however, it should be noted that since the first day of the youth hunt overlaps with the last day of the September Canada goose season, the bag limit for geese is 5 on Saturday and drops to 2 on Sunday. (For more on youth hunting in N.H., visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/youth_hunting.htm.)

Woodcock: October 6 – November 4, 2010. Bag limit is 3 birds per day.

Snipe: September 15 – November 4, 2010. Bag limit is 8 birds per day.

Sea ducks: October 1, 2010 – January 15, 2011. Bag limit is 7 birds per day, with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks (oldsquaw).

Crows: The fall crow-hunting season runs from August 15 to November 30, 2010; next spring’s two-week crow season will be March 16-31, 2011.

Hunters of all migratory game birds must have a 2010 New Hampshire hunting license and are required by federal law to register for the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). In New Hampshire, this includes all who hunt ducks, geese, snipe, woodcock and coots. Separate HIP permits are needed in each state. Licensed hunters should call 1-800-207-6183, or go to the “Buy Your License Online” section of the Fish and Game website http://www.HuntNH.com, to receive a permit number (there is no charge). This number should be written on the hunting license. Harvest information from HIP helps Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service make more reliable estimates of the number of all migratory birds harvested. Each year, a random selection of hunters is asked to complete a voluntary harvest survey.

Waterfowl hunters must also obtain a federal duck stamp and a New Hampshire Migratory Waterfowl hunting license.

Hunters are asked to report all banded birds by calling toll-free to 1-800-327-BAND. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will send a certificate with information about the bird.

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

For more information on other New Hampshire hunting seasons, or to buy licenses and permits online, visit http://www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats.

Public Hearing August 10 on Proposed Fish and Game Rule Changes

CONCORD, N.H. — Proposed Fish and Game rule changes will be discussed at a public hearing being held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. Various rule changes to specify the information on Fish and Game Licenses and Permits are under consideration, and to clarify the exception to allow the use of more than one guide for permittees taking moose in the Hunt of a Lifetime program.

The complete rulemaking notice, with original and proposed rule language, can be viewed on the Fish and Game website. Go to http://www.wildnh.com/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm and click on “Fish and Game Licenses and Permits; Hunt of a Lifetime exception.”

Written comments must be received by August 20, 2010. Send to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov. (use subject line “Comments on Licenses and Permits; Hunt of a Lifetime Exception”); or write to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; or fax to (603) 271-1438.

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.