N.H. HUNTING REPORT — September 23, 2010

Fall is here at last, and here’s a few updates on how the hunting seasons are going in N.H.

Hunting licenses and permits are available online, anytime, at http://www.greatlodge.com/nh or visit one of 240+ friendly New Hampshire license agents near you.

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY — Don’t miss these FREE New Hampshire Events, both occurring this Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

*SPORTING EXPO at the N.H. Fish and Game Department in Concord, N.H. (11 Hazen Drive): Giant outdoor sporting expo featuring the latest hunting gear and accessories, plus archery, dog demos, duck and goose calling, taxidermy, fly-tying and more. Buy a ticket for a chance to win over 50 raffle prizes include a muzzleloader, sausage maker, pheasant hunt for two (raffle benefits the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of N.H.). Visit http://www.huntnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q3/NHFDay_Expo_091710.html.

*OPEN HOUSE AT OWL BROOK HUNTER EDUCATION CENTER in Holderness, N.H. (387 Perch Pond Road): Family friendly event with hands-on activities related to the shooting sports, hunting and trapping. Free raffle for firearms donated by Thompson Center Arms and Sturm Ruger, and free ice cream thanks to the Granite State Dairy Promotion. Visit http://www.huntnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q3/NHFDay_Owl_Br_091710.html

N.H. BEAR SEASON UPDATE
As of September 15, hunters have taken 213 bears (129 males, 84 females). Bait hunters have harvested 157 bears and still hunters/stalkers have taken 56 bears. Currently, this year’s harvest is generally consistent (down 5%) with the 5-year in-season average of 223 bears for this time period. The harvest is 42% below the 2009 tally at this point in the season. What this suggests is that we are on track with a more average bear season this fall as compared to 2009, according to bear biologist Andy Timmins.

Mast surveys and conversations with bear hunters indicate that most mast crops are spotty, but generally average in their production throughout the state. Production has been most notable for oak, and to a lesser extent apple, and mast appears generally available in most areas. The bait hunting portion of the season has ended in the Central, Southwest-1, Southwest-2 and Southeast regions. Baiting in the North and White Mountains regions ends on September 28. Additionally, the entire bear hunting season has ended in the Southwest-2 and Southeast regions. Find more on bear hunting in New Hampshire at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_bear.htm

YOUTH WATERFOWL WEEKEND – Sept. 25-26, 2010
New Hampshire’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide this weekend — Saturday, September 25; and Sunday, September 26, 2010. 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 during the youth weekend are the same as those allowed in the open season; however, since the first day of the youth hunt overlaps with the last day of the September Canada goose season in 2010, the bag limit for these geese is 5 on Saturday and drops to 2 on Sunday. More at http://www.huntnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q3/youth_waterfowl_090910.html

WATERFOWL SEASON DATES for New Hampshire are posted at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_waterfowl.htm

GET SET FOR PHEASANTS
Pheasant season gets underway on October 1. New Hampshire Fish and Game will release 13,500 pheasants, purchased exclusively with revenues from the sale of pheasant licenses, at 77 stocking sites in 48 towns. See the list of stocking locations at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_pheasant.htm.

SMALL GAME AND GROUSE HUNTERS – WIN A GUN!
Many small game seasons, including grouse and snowshoe hare, start on October 1. Woodcock season runs from Oct. 6 – Nov. 4. Small game hunters can help Fish and Game learn more about our small game species — and have a chance at winning a quality firearm — by reporting your hunting activities on the Small Game Survey (now available online) and/or the Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey, which is statewide this year. Learn more and download a Small Game Survey form at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_small_game.htm.

UNIT M SPECIAL DEER PERMITS
Up to 4,000 hunters will be able to purchase Special Antlerless Deer Permits for Unit M in southeastern New Hampshire this year, with the option to purchase one tag for $13 or two tags for $26 at the time of initial purchase. Unit M Antlerless permits MAY NOT be used in September. Follow the links at http://www.wildnh.com/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm.

EXPANDED FALL SHOTGUN TURKEY SEASON:
Four additional Wildlife Management Units in the south and eastern parts of the state have been added to the five-day fall shotgun turkey season, which runs from October 11-15, 2010. Find a map and more about fall turkey hunting in New Hampshire at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_turkey.htm.

MOOSE SEASON
For 395 lucky hunters who got drawn in the moose hunt lottery, New Hampshire’s 9-day moose season gets underway October 16. We’ll keep you posted on the season results.

ARCHERY REMINDER
New Hampshire’s archery seasons for turkey and white-tailed deer opened on September 15. Archery hunters are reminded that, new for this year statewide, only ANTLERED deer may be taken by bow and arrow from September 15-30. From October 1 through the end of the archery season, deer of either sex may be taken with bow and arrow by properly licensed archers.

HELP RESTORE BARRY CONSERVATION CAMP
The push is on to renovate and re-open the N.H. Fish and Game Department’s summer camp in Berlin, N.H., where thousands of youth have had the chance to learn to hunt, fish, camp and appreciate nature. Donations are needed by December 2010. The last fall volunteer work session is this weekend — September 25-26, 2010. Check out the progress and see how you can help at http://www.wildnh.com/barrycamp.

The N.H. Hunting Report is produced monthly in-season by the N.H. Fish and Game Department. For more hunting information, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunting.htm

Last Call for Hunter Education! Are You Ready for Hunting Season?

CONCORD, N.H. — The carefree days of summer may seem to go on forever, but for hunters the time to head afield is right around the corner. Are you ready for the hunting season? Don’t let your plans go awry because you need hunter or bowhunter education.

Here’s the last opportunity to get the certification you need! Go to http://www.HuntNH.com; click “Hunting,” and then “Hunter Education.” Under “Find a Class,” you’ll see links to traditional hunter and bowhunter education classes, as well as to the online hunter education course (keep in mind that you must complete the online course and exam, register for and attend a Field Day in order to achieve certification). Click the link you need, and browse the calendar for a nearby course. Simply click on the course of your choice, and complete the online registration form to officially join the class.

In New Hampshire, new hunters must take a hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license (those age 16 and older need a license to hunt). To meet this requirement, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department offers Hunter and Bowhunter Education classes around the state (as well as Trapper Education for those seeking a trapping license). To achieve certification in basic Hunter Education or Bowhunter Education, participants must be at least 12 years old; you must be at least 15 years old to take the online Hunter Education course for certification.

“It’s easier than ever to find a class, register, and get certified in time to have your best hunting season ever,” says Pete Davison, Hunter Education Coordinator. “Our hunter, bowhunter, and trapper education instructor teams are once again offering numerous classes all over the state to serve the needs of local hunters. But don’t wait! Classes are filling up fast!”

PLEASE NOTE: Registering for courses must be done online. Walk-in registrations at classes are no longer accepted. If you have questions, please call the Hunter Education Program at 603-271-3214.

TRADITIONAL HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES
Register at http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter_ed.htm.
All students must register online.

Starts Thursday, September 2
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (4 Days)
Raymond Baptist Church, Raymond NH

7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Marion Gerrish Community Center, Derry NH

7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Hillsborough Police Station, Hillsborough NH

Starts Tuesday, September 7
6:15 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (5 Days)
Seabrook Recreation Center, Seabrook NH

6:30 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Carroll County Fish, Game & Shooting Club, Madison NH

Starts Friday, September 10
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
White Mountains Community College, Berlin NH

7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Hudson Fish & Game Club, Hudson NH

Starts Monday, September 13
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (5 Days)
Nashua Fish and Game Club, Merrimack NH

Starts Tuesday, September 14
7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Pinnacle Mt. Fish & Game Club, Lyndeborough NH

Starts Friday, September 17
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (5 Days)
Pittsburg Fire Station, Pittsburg NH

7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
TL Storer Scout Camp, Barnstead NH

Starts Tuesday, September 21
7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (6 Days)
Newport High School, Newport NH

Starts Friday, September 24
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Moultonboro Public Safety Building, Moultonboro NH

6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
White Mountain Regional High School, Whitefield NH

Starts Monday, September 27
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (5 Days)
Goffstown Fish and Game Association, Weare NH

Starts Thursday, September 30
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (6 Days)
Pelham Fish and Game Club, Pelham NH

TRADITIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES
Register at http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter_ed.htm.
All students must register online.

Starts Saturday, September 18
9:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course (3 Days)
Nashua Fish and Game Club, Merrimack NH

ONLINE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE FIELD DAYS
You must successfully complete the online Hunter Education Course and exam before you can register for a Field Day. To register, go to http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter_ed.htm. All students must be 15 years old or older. There is a $5 charge per student to attend a Field Day.

Saturday, August 28
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Raymond Sportsman’s Club, Raymond, NH

8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Horseshoe Fish and Game Club, Merrimack, NH

Saturday, September 11
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Pointers Fish and Game Club, Manchester NH

Saturday, September 18
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Monadnock Rod and Gun Club, Jaffrey NH

Saturday, September 25
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Dartmouth College, Hanover NH

Sunday, October 3
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Farmington Fish and Game Club, New Durham NH

9:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, Holderness NH

Saturday, October 9
9:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, Holderness NH

Sunday, October 17
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Pelham Fish and Game Club, Pelham NH

For more information on Hunter Education in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed.htm.

Hunter Education in New Hampshire is funded by federal Wildlife Restoration Funds, a user-pay, user-benefit program.

Unit M Special Antlerless Deer Permits Now Available

CONCORD, N.H. — Hunters who want the chance to take additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit M in southeastern New Hampshire during the fall hunting seasons can now buy a special permit from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

This year, a total of up to 4,000 hunters will be allowed to purchase Special Antlerless Deer Permits for Unit M. New this year, at the time of purchase, hunters may opt for a permit with 1 deer tag ($13) or two deer tags ($26). In addition, Special Antlerless Permits will not be valid for use by archers during September. Rather, archers can only use Special Antlerless Permits from October 1 through December 15. This is because of a new statewide requirement that only antlered deer may be taken by bow and arrow in September.

Interested hunters can purchase permits online at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm; buy permits from Fish and Game headquarters in Concord; or print a mail-in application from the Fish and Game website; or call 603-271-3422 to request a permit application by mail.

Unit M permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and cost $13 for a permit with one tag; or $26 for a permit with two tags. Applicants also must hold a current New Hampshire hunting or archery license. Muzzleloader and firearms hunters may use the special permit on any day during those seasons for which they are legally licensed, and archers may use the permit from October 1 through December 15. Youth hunters are eligible to buy a Unit M permit.

Special Unit M permits have been issued in New Hampshire since 1997. They reflect a long-term objective, outlined in the state’s Big Game Management Plan, to reduce deer numbers in southeastern New Hampshire in order to sustain regional herd health and to minimize deer-human conflicts, such as vehicle collisions and destructive browsing of agricultural and ornamental plants. High human densities and associated levels of development in southeast New Hampshire result in a greater potential frequency of deer-human conflicts and complicate deer population control efforts.

Specific boundaries for Unit M, and more information on the special permits, can be found at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Special_Unit_M_permits.htm.

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

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.

Lucky Day for 2010 NH Moose Hunt Permit Winners

CONCORD, N.H. — The adventure of a lifetime is in store for 395 people who have been offered permits to hunt moose in New Hampshire this October. They are the lucky winners in the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s annual moose permit lottery drawing, held today.

The names of the 2010 winners and alternates are posted on Fish and Game’s website at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Moose_hunt/2010_Moose_Winners.html. Read more

Moose Lottery Drawing Takes Place Friday, June 18, 2010

CONCORD, N.H. — The annual drawing to select the lucky hunters who will be offered a permit to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall will be held on Friday, June 18, at 9:00 a.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. Fish and Game will issue 395 moose hunting permits this year. The public and interested media are invited to be on hand to watch the excitement as the names are drawn. Winners are selected through a computerized random drawing.

Radio personalities Peter St. James and Ken Cail will broadcast live from Fish and Game headquarters that morning from 6 – 10 a.m., with drawing results starting at 9 a.m. Tune in to radio station WTPL (107.7 FM), which can be heard from Nashua to the Lakes Region; or in the Upper Valley, the broadcast can be heard on 94.3 FM or 1400 AM. The station will also stream the audio on its website, http://www.WTPLFM.com.

Lottery results will also be available online – official lists of winners and alternates will be posted on the Fish and Game website by 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2010. (Please be patient; the large spike in web traffic on lottery day sometimes causes download delays.)

Moose-themed Fish and Game merchandise will be available for purchase from 8 a.m. to noon on moose lottery day, including a chance to order the special edition 2010 moose hunt T-shirt. (You don’t have to win the lottery to buy a shirt; an online order form also will be posted on June 18.) The sale is a great chance to get all your “moose wear” – moose-motif T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, coolers, notepads and more.

More than 14,000 applicants entered the lottery for the chance to win a permit for the 2010 moose season, which runs from October 16 to 24, 2010. In addition, more than 1,100 people will continue to accrue bonus points by submitting an application for a point only but are not included in the lottery this year. The bonus point system improves your chance of winning for each consecutive year you enter and are not selected.

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm.

Moose Lottery Deadline Is May 28 – Don’t Miss Your Chance!

CONCORD, N.H. — Want a chance to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall? Then get your application in for the 2010 New Hampshire Moose Hunt Lottery by Friday, May 28, 2010! That’s the deadline to enter to win one of 395 New Hampshire moose hunting permits.

It’s easy to enter the moose lottery: just go to http://www.huntnh.com (where you can apply online or print out a mail-in application), or pick up a moose hunt lottery application from any fish and game license agent. The entry fee is $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents (nonrefundable). Read more

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).

Try Your Luck in the 2010 N.H. Moose Lottery

CONCORD, N.H. — Lottery applications are now available for the adventure of a lifetime – hunting moose in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s 2010 moose hunt lottery is open! The nonrefundable application fee is $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents. New Hampshire’s moose hunt is nine days long, starting the third Saturday in October. This year’s hunt runs from October 16-24, 2010. The overall odds of being selected in last year’s lottery were 1 in 22 for New Hampshire residents and 1 in 63 for nonresidents, some of the best odds in the nation for moose hunting. Read more

New Hampshire Pre-Files “Firearms Freedom Act” Bill

New Hampshire Representative Dan Itse has filed HB1285, New Hampshire’s version of a “Firearms Freedom Act”.

Gary Marbut, president of Montana Shooting Sports Association and instrumental author of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act, says that Itse’s version, somewhat of a clone of Montana’s, calls for criminal penalties against anyone attempting to enforce federal gun laws against the manufacturers of New Hampshire-made guns, etc.

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