New Hampshire Hunting Today

Visit Fish & Game Building-Hopkinton Fair; F&G Exhibit-Lancaster Fair

Tom — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:29:20 +0000

CONCORD, N.H. — While you’re at the Hopkinton State Fair this September 2-6, take time for a stroll through the “Discover Wild New Hampshire Building” presented by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. You’ll see wildlife mounts, exhibits, live falcons, hawks and fish! This is your chance to talk to wildlife biologists, fisheries experts and Conservation Officers. The “Discover Wild New Hampshire” building at the Hopkinton Fair will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2 through Sunday, September 5; and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 6, 2010. Stop in and check the schedule for special wildlife features daily. The exhibit is a great place to learn more about hunting, fishing and wildlife watching opportunities in New Hampshire.

At the Fish and Game building, you can buy hunting and fishing licenses, get your 2011 New Hampshire Fish & Wildlife Calendar (hot off the press!) and purchase official Fish and Game merchandise, from camo hats to moose hunt sweatshirts and colorful wildlife tees for the whole family. On Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., meet Milo the Moose, official mascot of N.H. Motor Speedway. Other special attractions include live animal presentations by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on Thursday and Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and an ongoing fly-tying demonstration all day Saturday.

Find Fish and Game fast at the Hopkinton Fair by parking at the Blue Gate. The Discover Wild New Hampshire Building will be on your left as you enter the gate. For more information on the Hopkinton State Fair in Contoocook, N.H., visit http://www.hsfair.org.

For those in northern New Hampshire, Fish and Game will also continue its long-standing tradition of staffing an exhibit at the Lancaster Fair from September 1-6, 2010. Housed in the 4-H Building, this year’s Fish and Game exhibit explores ongoing brook trout studies. Conservation Officers and Department biologists will be on hand to talk about fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and more. Pick up Fish and Game publications such as the new 2010-2011 NH Hunting and Trapping Digest. Find out more about the Lancaster Fair at http://www.lancasterfair.com.

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.

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

Tom — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:00:06 +0000

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

Tom — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:43:34 +0000

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

Tom — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:57:36 +0000

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

Tom — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:30:09 +0000

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

Tom — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:53 +0000

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.

Register Online for Hunter Ed. and Bowhunter Ed. While You Can!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:53:20 +0000

CONCORD, N.H. – Time is running out! If you need certification in Hunter or Bowhunter Education to hunt this fall, then RUN, don’t walk, to the nearest computer and register for your certification course before these classes fill up! Simply go to http://www.huntnh.com, click Hunting, and then Hunter Education. You will see links to traditional hunter and bowhunter education courses, as well as to the online hunter education course (you must complete the online course AND a Field Day in order to achieve certification).

New hunters must take a hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license in New Hampshire (those age 16 and older need a license to hunt). To meet this requirement, the N.H. Fish and Game Department offers Hunter and Bowhunter Education courses 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, and must be 15 years old to take the online Hunter Education course.

PLEASE NOTE: Registering for courses must be done online. Walk-in registrations are not accepted. If you need assistance finding or registering for a course, call the Hunter Education Program at 603-271-3214.

ONLINE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE FIELD DAYS
(You must successfully complete the online Hunter Education Course 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, July 17
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth, NH

Saturday, July 24
9:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
Holderness, NH

Sunday, August 22
9:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
Holderness, NH

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

Saturday, August 28
8:00 AM
Hunter Education Field Day
Horseshoe Fish and Game Club
Merrimack, NH

TRADITIONAL BOWHUNTER EDUCATION COURSE – Dates and Locations
Register at http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter_ed.htm. All students must register online.

Starts Friday, July 9
6:00 PM
Bowhunter Education Course (2 Days)
NH Fire Academy
Concord, NH

Starts Tuesday, August 3
9:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course (3 Days)
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
Holderness, NH

Starts Friday, August 6
7:00 PM
Bowhunter Education Course (2 Days)
Country Pond Fish and Game Club
Newton, NH

Saturday, August 7
7:30 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Horse Pond Fish and Game Club
Nashua, NH

Starts Monday, August 9
7:00 PM
Bowhunter Education Course (5 Days)
Carroll County Fish Game & Shooting Club
Madison, NH

Saturday, August 14
8:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Moultonborough Public Safety Building
Moultonborough, NH

Sunday, August 15
8:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Belknap County Sportsman’s club
Gilford, NH

Sunday, August 15
7:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Londonderry Fish and Game Club
Litchfield, NH

Starts Monday, August 16
6:30 PM
Bowhunter Education Course (5 Days)
Weare Bible Baptist Church
Weare, NH

Starts Friday, August 27
6:00 PM
Bowhunter Education Course (2 Days)
Pointers Fish and Game Club
Manchester, NH

Saturday, August 28
7:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Newport High School
Newport, NH

Sunday, August 29
8:00 AM
Bowhunter Education Course
Horseshoe Fish and Game Club
Merrimack, NH

TRADITIONAL HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE – Dates and Locations
Register at http://www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter_ed.htm. All students must register online.

Starts Monday, July 12
6:30 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (9 Days)
Cheshire County Fish and Game Club
Sullivan, NH

Starts Monday, July 26
6:30 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (8 Days)
Weare Bible Baptist Church
Weare, NH

Starts Tuesday, August 10
9:00 AM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (4 Days)
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
Holderness, NH

Starts Friday, August 13
7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Sunset Mountain Fish and Game Club
Canterbury, NH

Starts Thursday, August 19
5:30 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Ammonoosuc Valley Fish and Game Club
Bath, NH

Starts Friday, August 20
7:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Country Pond Fish and Game Club
Newton, NH

Starts Saturday, August 21
7:00 AM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (2 Days)
Peterborough Sportsmen’s Club
Dublin, NH

Starts Monday, August 23
6:30 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Owl Brook Hunter Education Center
Holderness, NH

Starts Friday, August 27
5:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Chester Rod and Gun Club
Chester, NH

Starts Friday, August 27
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (3 Days)
Horse Pond Fish and Game Club
Nashua, NH

Starts Monday, August 30
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Grace Baptist Church
Merrimack, NH

Starts Tuesday, August 31
6:00 PM
Hunter Education Traditional Course (7 Days)
Farmington Fish and Game Club
New Durham, NH

Lucky Day for 2010 NH Moose Hunt Permit Winners

Tom — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:17:54 +0000

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.

Winners were randomly selected by computer from a pool of more than 14,000 applicants. They will be offered permits to hunt moose during the October 16 – 24, 2010, season. Each winner is allowed to enlist a guide and one friend or relative to help on the hunt as a “subpermittee.”

About a hundred people showed up at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord today to watch the drawing, swap hunting stories, and listen hopefully to hear their names on the list of winners.

Winners hailed from throughout New Hampshire, as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio and Florida

Five happy winners were present to hear their names announced at the drawing. The first winner in the room was David Joslyn of Chichester, who started entering the moose hunt lottery when he moved back to New Hampshire in 2004.

Maurice L’Heureux of Manchester was all smiles after hearing his name called – especially after his wife, Jacqueline, was drawn as well!

Permit winner Colleen VanVeleen of Penacook, age 16, was in attendance with her grandfather and uncle; no final word on whom Colleen will choose to be her subpermittee.

Joshua Courchesne of Hooksett has been entering the NH moose hunt lottery for 8 years; this is his first draw, although he was his Pepe’s subpermittee a few years back.

It’s the 16th year entering the NH moose hunt lottery and the first win for Robert Rioux of Nashua, who says he’s been hunting “since he was born.” He and wife Carol were there to hear his name read for a permit in unit I1.

Thanks to the recovery of moose populations, New Hampshire has had an annual moose hunt since 1988. That year, 75 permits were issued for a three-day hunt in the North Country. The availability of 395 hunting permits this year, with some issued for every area of the state during the nine-day season, has been made possible by careful management of moose populations. The resulting sustainable annual harvest of moose helps to regulate moose numbers and provides a unique recreational opportunity.

Each permit winner is assigned to one of 22 wildlife management units (WMUs) in which he or she can legally hunt.

In 2009, New Hampshire hunters took 341 moose, for a statewide success rate of 65%. Regional success rates for moose hunters last year ranged from 91% in the North Region to 47% in the southeast and southwest regions of the state.

Hunters whose names were selected in today’s drawing will be notified by mail. Lists of successful applicants and alternates are available at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Moose_hunt/2010_Moose_Winners.html; at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord; and at the Department’s regional offices in Durham, Keene, Lancaster and New Hampton.

A limited-edition 2010 N.H. Moose Hunt shirt (short sleeve T-shirt, long-sleeve T-shirt, or sweatshirt styles available) may be ordered by downloading a print-and-mail order form at http://www.wildnh.com/Shop/moose_hunt_shirt_2010.pdf. You don’t have to be a lottery winner or alternate to buy a shirt!

For more information on hunting moose in New Hampshire, visit http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm. A description of the lottery process and table of applicants and odds may be downloaded at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Moose_hunt/moose_lottery_stats.pdf.

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

NEWS MEDIA: Print quality PHOTOS of the lottery winners present at the June 18, 2010, drawing at Fish and Game headquarters are available at the online version of this press release at http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2010/News_2010_Q2/Moose_lottery_results_061810.html.

Moose Lottery Drawing Takes Place Friday, June 18, 2010

Tom — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:32:20 +0000

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.

N.H. Weekly Fishing Report – June 10, 2010

Tom — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:33:44 +0000

N.H. WEEKLY FISHING REPORT – June 10, 2010

Stocking report 6/1 – 6/4: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fish_stock_current.htm

Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nhfishandgame

Saltwater Angler Registry: https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov

><> North Country

Recent heavy storms in northern NH have revitalized trout fishing in many areas. Water temperatures have dropped and flows have increased. These conditions have enabled Fish and Game personnel to not only follow the stocking schedule but actually increase numbers where possible. Surplus fish are finding homes throughout the state. – Dianne Timmins, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Lakes Region

It seems like our long, dry spell has ended with fronts passing through every couple of days with showers and some pretty wild thunderstorms to boot! These rains were very much needed as small brooks and streams had reached low water conditions early in the season. Lake temperature is now in the high 60s (68 degrees on Winni) and bass nesting has pretty much ended. Look for adult bass roaming the shorelines, as the bass fry (jet black in color) swarm the shores looking for places to hide. This is my favorite time to fish for bass with small panfish poppers. I have caught bass during the middle of the day over rocky shoals with my fly rod and poppers. This is great sport as the bass rise up to smash the popper on the surface!

As the school year ends, it is time to take the kids fishing, and what better species to seek than our ubiquitous sunfish! Sunfish nest after the bass, so look along the shorelines for their nest depressions and drop a small fly or tiny panfish popper over their heads and watch the reaction! Sunfish populations can easily overpopulate small ponds and even some larger waterbodies, therefore, they are a great species to target with the younger set. This a great way to introduce kids to the sport of fly-fishing. – Don Miller, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Monadnock/Upper Valley

The smallmouths haven’t gone deep yet. A recent outing to Swanzey Lake in Swanzey and Nubanusit Lake in Hancock/Nelson produced many nice smallmouths. Fish were caught in three to eight feet of water on shaky jig heads and tubes. The fish were mainly along the edges of dropoffs and anyplace there were rocks. The key was definitely rocks; where there were no rocks, there were no fish.

The stocking trucks are still rolling out of the Milford Hatchery. Everything has been stocked at least once this spring and now the hatchery is putting out surplus rainbows. Trout fishing should continue to be good with the much needed rain from last weekend and cooler temperatures this week. – Jason Carrier, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Southeast NH/Merrimack Valley

Last week, NH Fish and Game partnered with staff from the Anheuser Busch Facility in Merrimack, the city of Manchester (Department of Public Works and the Urban Pond Restoration Program), the Manchester Fly Fishing Association, Merrimack River Valley Trout Unlimited, NH Department of Environmental Services, NH Rivers Council, and several other volunteers and local businesses to perform a stream and pond litter pickup in Manchester. The stream is located on the western side of the city and despite being seated in a densely developed urban landscape, has a robust wild brook trout population. It is expected that this will be the first step of many to ensure that this species, so important to our heritage and legacy, is able to remain present in our largest city. Additional restoration activities and potential funding sources will soon be prioritized and identified. In three hours, 27 tires, over 25 full contractor trash bags, 3 bicycles, a car gas tank, a home heating oil tank,
2 shopping carts, 2 computers, a television, and close to a ton of rusted metal items were gathered. In the end, we essentially found everything but the kitchen sink…wait a minute, we also found a sink. As interest for this project continues to grow, it is our hope that those who litter develop an understanding of the value of aquatic systems…even in an urban environment. – Ben Nugent, Regional Fisheries Biologist

><> Seacoast Area

So I hope I am not the only one that read my fishing report last week, but I took my own advice and went to Rye Harbor on Sunday. The weather was unarguably wet and cold, but the winter flounder fishing was hot! A friend and I fished for about 3 ½ hours Sunday morning and never left the harbor, but we managed to land 21 winter flounder, only one of which was under the minimum size limit of 12 inches. We took home 14 fish between the two of us, with the biggest at 19 inches, a few over 18, the rest between 15 and 17, and they were a nice rewarding dinner for enduring the rain.

Our staff in the field, speaking with anglers all along the coast and at boat ramps, say they’ve seen the striped bass catch picking up, primarily in the Piscataqua River and Great Bay, and the mackerel are still available for bait.

Finally, the “Mudhole” is still providing giant cod again this year, but it’s a long cast from shore — so use the boat, go with a friend, or get on a charter or headboat before it slows down. – Kevin Sullivan, Marine Biologist

><> Federal Aid: A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program

Researching and managing fisheries and teaching people about aquatic ecosystems are funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of fishing equipment and motorboat fuels make a difference to New Hampshire’s fisheries. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/SFWR_program/sfwr_program.htm.