Try Taking Advantage of the Fall Feeding Period

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Where did the summer go? I guess  temperatures in the 80’s for most of September are more than I could ask for. Bass are about to put on the feed bag and make fishing phenomenal for the next couple of months. Here are a few tips to keep you catching while others are sitting in a tree stand or winterizing their boats.
   Flats-  When the water temperature is in the 60’s both smallmouth and largemouth start chasing the bait up on the same flats they used in the spring during pre spawn. Seek out grass flats in the 6-8 foot range and rip rattle baits just over the top of the grass. I like the Excalibur xr50, or a Rapala but anything will work. The key is to get your bait ticking the tops of the grass and when it starts to load up give the rod a good rip to pull the bait up from the grass.  Often times, the bass will slam the bait just as you rip it from the grass.
If the grass bite isn’t on, or you’re fishing a lake with a lack of vegetation, try burning rattle baits around wind blown rocky flats.  Although it’s colder on you, always seek out those flats with some wind blowing across them. It could be the difference between a stellar day and a mediocre one.

Dropping temperatures- As fall continues water temperatures will start dropping into the 50s and 40s. The rattle baits will still work, especially when fished with a slower pumping action, but now you’ll begin to see more action throwing jerk baits and jigs. Those same grass flats will hold numbers of fish, but the action is going to slow some and you should start looking for the bigger fish to move to spots with deep water access like points, break lines, and offshore rock piles. Work the jerk baits around the edges and over the top of these areas and then slowly drag a 1/2oz Black/Blue jig maintaining bottom contact. The metabolisms of fish are starting the slow down with the dropping temperatures, so make sure to work areas a little more slowly and thoroughly, but keep in mind unseasonably warm days can send those fish back onto those shallower flats and into another feeding session.
One last trick- If you’re out on a fall day and struggling to get the bites using the typical presentations try tying on a medium diving crank bait and working it over those rocky flats that have accesses to deep water. Concentrate on the edges, but don’t be afraid to move around until you locate the fish. Now here is the trick… instead of casting and reeling the crank bait, work it back to the boat with a slow sweeping motion of the rod. You’ll want to make a long cast, reel the bait down until it makes bottom contact and then slowly sweep the rod sideways so you can feel the bait bumping bottom. Return the rod to the starting position while reeling the slack then repeat. This slower presentation is a better match for the forage speed this time of year and gives the fish a chance to grab the bait as it starts to float back up as you give the bait slack. Most of the fish will grab the bait as you reel the slack in and begin to pull the bait again. Be ready to set the hook by continuing to sweep the rod and reeling into the fish. No jarring sets are needed for this presentation, with steady pressure the fish will load up on the bait.
This time of year can produce some of the best fishing of the season, so don’t trade your rods for rifles just yet…or at least not everyday! Get out on the water and enjoy some crazy fall action.

Muskie, Pike or Pickerel

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Pheasant Prospects Remain Good; Stamps Required

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

This year the DEEP will purchase a total of 14,935 adult pheasants based on revenues from the sale of 4,515 pheasant stamps in 2014. As a result of the decreased revenue collected in 2014 (106 fewer stamps sold) and a slight increase in the average price of adult birds, DEEP will be purchasing 605 fewer birds this year. As a result of fewer birds and declining habitat conditions, birds will not be stocked at the Kollar WMA, Sprague Permit-Required Area, Hebron Permit-Required Area, NU-Maromas Cooperative WMA, and the Weber’s Block of Cockaponset State Forest. However, additional birds will be released at Meadow Brook, Bear Hill, Bartlett Brook, and the Higganum Meadows Wildlife Management Areas. Please note that pheasants will not be stocked the week of November 16 on any state-owned areas.

Pheasant Tags: A reminder that pheasant tags are no longer required; however, hunters still need to purchase a pheasant stamp authorization for their Conservation License. The stamp will be valid until the end of February.

Pheasant stamp authorizations can be purchased through the online Sportsmen’s Licensing System at www.ct.gov/deep/sportsmenlicensing and from participating town clerks and retail agents, including Franklin Swamp WMA (Franklin), Sessions Woods WMA (Burlington), DEEP Marine Headquarters (Old Lyme), DEEP Eastern District Headquarters (Marlborough), DEEP Western District Headquarters (Harwinton), and DEEP Headquarters (Hartford).

 

For additional details, such as area allocations and an updated listing of all major stocking areas, visit the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/hunting.

Day 1 Maine Moose Hunt 2015

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Today was day one of Maine's moose season and the day stretched into the night for IFW's moose biologist Lee Kantar who was staffing the moose registration station at Quigley Outdoors in Fort Kent.
Despite temperatures that reached the 70's, it was a busy day for Lee as he examined 34 moose that were brought to Quigley's, including this one that came in around 7:30 tonight.
This big bull tipped the scales at 1,057 pounds, the largest of the day. While this bull weighed the most, the largest antler spread belonged to another bull whose rack was over 5 feet from tip to tip.

Lee, and other IFW biologists at registration stations will measure antler beam width and diameter, a tooth is removed to determine age, and ticks are counted on four different areas of the moose to compare it to years past. In later weeks, hunters who take a cow moose are required to bring the ovaries, which are examined to determine reproductive success.
This data is combined with data from the ongoing moose GPS collar study, as well as with the aerial moose population and composition surveys to give biologists a clearer picture of the health of Maine's moose population.

Fishermen worry as black sea bass stake New England claim to lobsters.

By PATRICK WHITTLE
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- As waters warm off the coast of New England, black sea bass are moving north and, fishermen say, threatening the region's most valuable aquatic species: the lobster.

The influx of sea bass - among a number of species that are appearing in greater numbers off of Maine and New Hampshire as ocean temperatures climb - has some fishermen and lobstermen saying the best solution is to ease restrictions on catching the newcomers.

The sea bass prey on lobsters, a much more economically important commercial species and a key piece of New England's culture, and quotas that have drifted downward in recent years should be increased, fishermen said.

"What we need is a major increase in the allowable catch, both commercially and recreationally, because black sea bass are wiping out your lobsters," said Marc Hoffman, a Long Island, New York, recreational bass fisherman.

Hoffman, who sits on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission advisory panel for sea bass, said the time to raise the quota is overdue. He said it is particularly important in southern New England waters, where fishing managers say the population of lobsters has fallen to the lowest levels on record.

Black sea bass are a sought-after sport fish, but they are also popular as food and are growing in commercial value - federal statistics show black sea bass were worth a record of more than $8.5 million in 2013.

Scientists with the commission say more research is needed to determine just how abundant black sea bass are in New England waters. But about a quarter of the black sea bass caught in 2013 came ashore in New England; the fish is more often caught in the mid-Atlantic states, especially New Jersey and Virginia.

Meanwhile, the valuable lobsters were worth more than $460 million that same year, another record. But the southern New England lobster stock has cratered, which the Atlantic States commission attributed to environmental factors, including temperature rise, in a recent report.

Black sea bass appear to have shifted north in range, but there has not been a scientific study of the population since 2008, said Kirby Rootes-Murdy, the Atlantic States coordinator for the species.

Maine recently established a commercial fishery for the species, and New Hampshire fishermen have inquired about the possibility of starting one, state officials said.

As black sea bass move north, it makes sense that fishermen would follow them, said Kathy Mills, a scientist at Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland.

"We have a situation where more of the quota is concentrated in the mid-Atlantic states," she said. "It could be the basis for developing a commercial fishery."

William Adler, a Marshfield, Massachusetts, lobsterman who sits on interstate boards for lobster and bass, agreed.

"We never used to see black sea bass. Occasionally, you'd see one in a trap," said Alder, adding that raising the quota would "save some of the lobster stock."

Rick Wahle, a marine science researcher at the University of Maine who studied lobsters, said growing black sea bass populations off of New England could indeed be a threat to lobsters. The traditional predator of New England's lobsters - the Atlantic cod - is imperiled and black sea bass could fill that void, he said.

"It might even fill the role of some of the native ground fish that have been depleted," Wahle said.

But Wahle noted that lobsters face other dangers as waters warm, including shell disease.

"It's not the only threat coming from the south," he said.
 

Fall fishing, foliage will pick up soon

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The official beginning of autumn Sept.23rd,   and though our afternoon temps aren’t feeling very fall-ish, it won’t be long before we’re enjoying all the season has to offer.
  Many folks will tell you that fall is their favorite Rhode Island season; if you’re an outdoorsy type, you may be a member of that club.
Crisp mornings, bright but cool afternoons, the smell of wood smoke in the air as the first among us fire up their stoves for a bit of heat — all are among my favorite parts of fall.
  So, too, are the activities. If you hunt for birds or deer, your season is coming. If you just like to drive around and play the role of leaf-peeper, you’re in luck. And if you like to stand thigh-deep in a river, casting a fly to beautiful trout, things will be picking up soon.
  Here then, are a few seasonal notes to get us rolling toward the official beginning of autumn:

  Let’s start with the leaves. Be honest: Even those of us who’d never think of embarking on a true leaf-peeping tour probably spend a fair amount of time ogling the foliage when we’re out and about.
Unofficially, here’s my mid-September report from Burrillville: Foliage is still largely green. It’s nearly 80 degrees outside. Let’s go to the beach.

Rivers flowing, let’s fish

During the dog days of late summer — after river and stream temperatures have risen into the 70s — some folks stow their fly rods and wait for conditions to improve.
  Here’s a note to consider: Conditions are improving.
Cool nights, combined with changing flow regimes on rivers that are dam-controlled, will lead to some improved fishing in the weeks ahead.
 And maybe it’s time to grab a fly rod and head to the Arcadia Wood River area,

Tip of the week: Stock up on medium sized "Kastmaster" type lures for the fall feeding frenzy in Long Island Sound. This year the small menhaden (peanut bunker) have been present in very large schools throughout the sound. Bluefish, False Albacore, and Striped Bass will be gorging themselves on this bounty. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphin (both being reported in the sound).

Bonus" Connecticut Fall Trout Stocking

Trout Stocking Update: September 24, 2015. The Pequabuck River, Routes 229-177 in Bristol was stocked today. Good luck!

New Guilford Connecticut fireboat sure is a beauty;

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Fire department will be prepared year round with specially-designed watercraft.

GUILFORD >> The Guilford Fire Department has come a long way since the 1976 Faulkner’s Island fire that destroyed the light keeper’s house and scorched the tower.

“By the time we got there the island was an inferno,” said one firefighter. “We didn’t stand a chance, but we did what we could,” according to faulknerslight.org.

Now, permanently docked at the Guilford Town Marina is a $457,000 aluminum fireboat ready and available for any emergency that occurs on Long Island Sound and beyond.

A federal grant covered 75 percent of the cost, while donations from the Harbor Management Commission, Marina Commission, Shellfish Commission and Sachem’s Head Yacht Club offset the 25 percent of the town’s burden of the cost.

“It’s an excellent piece of apparatus that now is a part of our fire fighting/life saving equipment in the Guilford Fire Department,” said First Selectman Joseph Mazza.

A committee worked closely with Metal Craft Marine in Kingston, Ontario to design the new boat. It replaces the previous fireboat, in service since 1988, which was basically designed for sport fishing.

Senior Marine Captain Peter Beauvais remembers using that boat during a hurricane to rescue a “sail boater who had lost his sail.”

“It was actually a four agency response,” he said. “We had 12-foot waves and 70-mile-an-hour winds.

 “It’s not exciting. It’s not as fun as everyone thinks it is.”

Whether it is a boater’s distress call, a swimmer in danger, or a fire at a dwelling close to the shore, the boat is equipped to answer the call. Source; Sarah Page Kyrcz Shoreline Times

Avery crushes huge bass on barbie pole!

Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Youth Deer Hunt Day is just 9 days away and nearly 750 young adults have already obtained a permit! There's still time to get yours at a MassWildlife office or sporting license vendor. If you do head out in the field next weekend, share your photos with us using #MAYouthDeerDay Read more: goo.gl/NXtdZC

New Logo and Website for Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hagerstown, MD - Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is excited to announce the unveiling of a brand new logo and a redesigned website. Both are part of an ongoing effort to refresh the brand and messaging of the organization for a new generation of hunters nationwide.

"We are excited to share this new logo and website with our volunteers, supporters and friends," said Executive Director Josh Wilson. "FHFH helps hunters address the problem of hunger in America. The new logo and website will help us share this vision with many new people as we invite them to join the cause with us."

The design of the new logo places greater emphasis on the hunger relief aspect FHFH. Hunting and farming are represented by an appealing and distinct graphic suitable for a range of uses from casual to formal. The faith-based aspect of the mission has also been thoughtfully included.

Designed by High Rock Studios in Hagerstown, MD, the new FHFH logo is intended to appeal to a broad audience including men, women and young people.

The FHFH website has undergone a variety of changes and updates in recent months to streamline the content and simplify the navigation. The site has now undergone a facelift to better compliment the design and colors of the new logo.

Inspired by a passion for the outdoors and compassion for the needy, FHFH is committed to addressing the problem of hunger in America. With volunteers serving in 28 states, FHFH supports local feeding programs in a unique and relevant way.

A big THANK YOU to Henry Repeating Arms for their continued support and partnership in helping us to feed the hungry.

The organization welcomes new supporters and volunteers to join the cause. Those interested in learning more can visit www.fhfh.org, call toll-free 866-438-3434, or email staff@fhfh.org for more information about the ministry. Also be sure to "like" FHFH at www.facebook.com/feedingthehungry.

Matt Wilson
Program and Development Director
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH)
301-739-3000 (office)
240-469-5104 (cell)
www.fhfh.org
www.fhfhkids.org
www.facebook.com/feedingthehungry
Meat is the #1 needed foodbank item nationwide

NWTF and NASF Sign MOU Benefiting Wildlife and Habitat

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

left to right) Wisconsin State Forester & Incoming NASF President Paul DeLong, NWTF National Forestry Programs Manager Rebecca Barnard, Florida State Forester & Past NASF President Jim Karels, NASF Executive Director Jay Farrell

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Association of State Foresters recently announced a partnership to promote active forest management for the benefit of the nation's forests and wildlife.

"The agreement with NASF will further opportunities to collaborate on mutually beneficial forest management projects," said NWTF Chief Conservation Officer Becky Humphries. "If we hope to achieve the conservation goals of the NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, partnerships like this one with NASF are critical."

The agreement establishes a partnership for cooperation in promoting well-managed forests that provide wildlife habitat, clean water and recreational access. Both organizations recognize and work to promote responsible forestry practices that create and enhance wildlife habitat.

"The National Association of State Foresters and its members are pleased to partner with the National Wild Turkey Federation. This exciting opportunity will help advance shared goals for forest management and wildlife habitat improvement. Our partners at NWTF are leaders in the conservation community and recognize the essential link between forest management and wildlife conservation," said NASF Executive Director Jay Farrell.

NASF and the NWTF agree to support and promote policies and projects of common interest including, but not limited to:

Coordinating advocacy on government affairs and legislation.
Contributing to organizational publications, social media and online newsletters.
Developing and utilizing materials for conservation efforts.
Read the full version of the Memorandum of Understanding.

About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, the NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, create at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.

About NASF
The National Association of State Foresters is comprised of the directors of state and territorial forestry agencies and the District of Columbia. NASF seeks to advance sustainable forestry, conservation, and protection of forestlands and their associated resources. Learn more at www.stateforesters.org.


For more information, contact Peter Muller at (803) 637-7698.

Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Winners Announced

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Deer hunters who applied for a Vermont muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit by the August 28 deadline can now go to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) to see if they will be receiving a permit in the mail. 

 

The department announced the winners on September 23, after conducting a randomized computer drawing. 

 

“Hunters may check our website to find out if they will be receiving a muzzleloader season antlerless permit,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter.  “Knowing the answer will help them plan their hunting this fall.”

 

Permit winners are listed in two categories: regular lottery winners and landowners. 

It is a violation for a landowner to apply for a landowner antlerless permit if they are posting their land against hunting. 

 

A total of 9,650 December muzzleloader season antlerless permits are authorized for use in 10 of Vermont’s 21 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).  The permits will be in postcard format and will be mailed to recipients in November. 

 

“The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits was reduced from the 17,050 issued last year due to a decline in deer numbers caused by two severe winters in 2014 and 2015,” said Porter.  “The department’s recommendation for antlerless deer hunting is based on population growth estimates, biological data, deer sighting rates reported by hunters, and winter severity data, as well as input from game wardens, foresters and the public.” 

 

Due to the reduction in permit numbers, there are a small number of unallocated permits in WMU N.  On October 1, those permits will be for sale on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website to hunters who did not win a permit in the September 23 drawing.

 

Hunter success with muzzleloader antlerless permits typically ranges from 10 to 35 percent depending on WMU.  WMU-specific success rates are taken into consideration each year when issuing antlerless permits in order to better manage the harvest of antlerless deer. 
“Harvesting antlerless deer affords Vermont hunters the chance to secure locally sourced food for their families,” Porter noted. “It also helps the department balance the deer population with the available habitat.” 

 

Forest Service Encourages Participation in Public Lands Day

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Agency offers fee-free day Sept. 26 as part of national volunteer effort

WASHINGTON
SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 AT 11:45AM
The next U.S. Forest Service fee-free day is Sept. 26, 2015, in conjunction with the 22nd annual National Public Lands Day, the Nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands projects that ensure sustainable ecosystems and promote vibrant communities.

"National Public Lands Day(link is external) volunteers will join thousands of others who take great pride in assisting land managers by cleaning and restoring trails, campgrounds and shorelines across the country," said U.S. Forest Chief Tom Tidwell. "This year, I extend a special invitation to parents to bring their fourth graders to enjoy America's natural wonders and historic sites in celebration of the new Every Kid in a Park initiative."

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three sites and 700 volunteers. It proved to be a huge success and became a yearly tradition, typically held on the last Saturday in September. Since the first NPLD, the event has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2014, 175,000 volunteers served at over 2,000 sites in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

On national forests, grasslands and prairies, nearly 110,000 volunteers and service members contributed 4.6 million hours on critical projects last year. Their service was valued at close to $105 million.

Every Kid in a Park(link is external) is an Obama Administration initiative to give fourth graders free passes so they and their families can visit all federal lands and waters. These public spaces serve as unparalleled outdoor classrooms showcasing the Nation's cultural and natural resource history.Nationwide, the Forest Service has registered more than 174 National Public Lands Day sites across the United States and Puerto Rico. Some of the projects the Forest Service highlights this year include 21st Century Conservation Service Corps member organizations and the 50th Anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. There also is an emphasis on projects aimed at connecting with urban and underrepresented communities, fourth graders and age-equivalent homeschoolers. The following projects were selected as National Signature Events, based on demonstrated commitment to conservation stewardship and in support of the Every Kid in a Park program: Anacostia River, World Water Monitoring Day in Washington, DC(link is external) Clinton Park - Houston Parks and Recreation Department in Houston, Texas(link is external) Daniel Boone National Forest in Stanton, Kentucky(link is external) Great Lakes Bat Festival in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan(link is external) To find an event near you, visit National Public Lands Day Find a Site(link is external). The Forest Service also offers fee-free days in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, National Get Outdoors Day and Veterans Day. Fees are waived generally for day use areas, such as picnic grounds, developed trailheads and destination visitor centers. Fees are not waived for concessionaire-operated facilities or for overnight use such as camping or recreation rentals. Contact your local national forest to learn if your destination requires a fee and if that fee is waived. The mission of the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the Nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. Source: The Birding Wire

Connecticut New ! 2015 Junior Pheasant Hunts

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Saturday, October 10, is the designated Junior Hunter Training Day for pheasants on private land only. Additionally, four events are being held for junior hunters to hunt with a certified hunter safety instructor.

  Graduates of Connecticut’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program that are between the ages of 12 and 16 years old and who possess a valid 2015 Junior Hunting License are eligible to apply to participate. These free events allow Junior Hunters to sharpen their shooting skills on a trap field and then take to the field to hunt with a certified volunteer hunter safety instructor, as well as with well-trained bird dogs with their handlers.

   There are 4 locations to choose from:

 

Saturday, September 19 Bozrah Rod and Gun Club, Lebanon, AM and PM hunts (Specific times will be assigned)

Sunday, October 4 Torrington Fish and Game Association, Torrington, AM and PM hunts (Specific times will be assigned)

Saturday, October 10 Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, Pomfret, 8:30 AM hunt

Saturday, October 10 Flaherty Field Trail Area Clubs Association, East Windsor, 8:00 AM & 12:00 PM hunts

New Hampshire Pheasant Season Opens October 1

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's hunting season for pheasant gets underway on October 1 and continues through December 31. There will be 70 stocking sites in 46 towns. This fall, 12,200 adult ring-necked pheasants will be released in all 10 counties during the three-month season, an average of 140 birds per site. Pheasant hunters have a daily bag limit of 2, and a season limit of 10 birds.

Pheasants will be released on select state Wildlife Management Areas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control areas and private lands open to public hunting. Each site will receive approximately 140 birds for the season, with the exception of federal flood control areas, which will receive approximately 36 more birds per site. Fish and Game will continue to release birds as close to opening day as possible and to consistently stock a Thursday/Friday schedule in-season. All stocking will be completed by October 23.

"Please keep safety foremost in mind: wear hunter orange, control your firearm muzzle and know where your hunting partners are at all times. Shoot only within your zone of fire, and keep your hunting dog under control," said Fish and Game Pheasant Project Leader Karen Bordeau. "Do take the time to thank private and federal landowners when you use their lands. Your hunting ethics on their lands and your thoughtfulness will help keep these lands open. Unfortunately, two long-time pheasant sites – Benton and Boscawen – were lost this year because of poor hunter ethics."

Fish and Game asks hunters to refrain from training dogs at release sites during the three days prior to October 1. Dog training flushes pheasants from release sites, often onto posted property or other areas not suitable for hunting.

The list of towns to be stocked (including road names) can be seen on the Fish and Game website atwww.huntnh.com/hunting/pheasant.html; printed lists are also available at Fish and Game headquarters and regional offices.

Bordeau reminds hunters to not shoot at birds at the time of release. Please do not endanger Fish and Game staff who could end up being in your line of fire.

Pheasant hunters must purchase a $26 pheasant license, in addition to the regular New Hampshire hunting license or non-resident N.H. small game license. Licenses can be purchased at www.huntnh.comor from any Fish and Game license agent. Pheasants are purchased exclusively with revenues from the sale of pheasant licenses.
All pheasant hunters are urged to follow these basic safety guidelines:
Wear hunter orange on your head, back and chest.
Control your firearm muzzle at all times.
Always wear safety glasses.
Know where your hunting partners are at all times.
Shoot only within your zone of fire.
Be sure of your target and what is beyond.
Always keep your hunting dog under control.
For more information on hunting in New Hampshire, including online license and permit sales, visitwww.huntnh.com/hunting

Be Alert to Avoid Moose on the Highway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo from VT Fish & Wildlife Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning.

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning. The peak of their breeding season is late September and the first two weeks of October.

"Seeing a moose is one of the most treasured wildlife memories for many Vermonters, an experience they will take with them the rest of their lives," said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter. "We want you to enjoy seeing them from a distance. But keep in mind that moose are very active this time of year, and they will be crossing highways more often."

Moose are a threat to motorists, but there are measures you can take to avoid hitting them, according to Fish & Wildlife:

Scituate Rhode Island Photo and Connecticut has 300 Moose
 

-Always be aware of the danger -- moose cross the road randomly, as well as at their regular crossings.

-Increase your roadside awareness and reduce your speed when you see MOOSE CROSSING signs along the highway. When on secondary roads, the recommended speed is 40 mph or less in these moose crossing areas.

-Drive defensively and don't overdrive your headlights. Moose are more active at night and early morning, and they are difficult to see because of their dark color.

-If you see a moose ahead, slow down or stop. Trying to speed past them before they move can be a serious mistake.
Vermont highway sections most frequented by moose:
-Rt.105 from Island Pond to Bloomfield.
-Rt.114 from East Burke to Canaan.
-Rt.2 from Lunenberg to East St. Johnsbury.
-Interstate 91 at Sheffield Heights.
-Interstate 89 from Bolton to Montpelier.
-Rt. 12 from Worcester to Elmore.
-Rt 118 near Belvidere Corners and the Rt. 109 intersection.

Last year, 65 moose were involved in collisions with motor vehicles or trains in Vermont (44 so far this year). Eighteen people have died in motor vehicle collisions with moose on Vermont highways since 1985.
-30-

EPA Approves Plan to Protect Cape Cod Waters

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved an updated plan from the commonwealth of Massachusetts that creates a “robust” framework for Cape Cod communities to reduce nitrogen levels that are currently harming ecological health of ponds, bays and other surface waters.
The Cape Cod Water Quality Management Plan Update submitted by Massachusetts is consistent with provisions in the federal Clean Water Act, according to the EPA. The federal agency has also approved the designation by the state for the Cape’s towns to act as waste management agencies, giving them the authority to take necessary actions under the plan. This designation includes the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Bourne, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet and Yarmouth.
“While being green is good, that’s not true when it comes to our watersheds,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “This plan gives Cape communities the tools they need to design and implement local solutions across watershed boundaries.”
Cape Cod is experiencing wide-spread pollution problems because too much nitrogen is getting into ponds, lakes and bays. Excess nitrogen results in algal blooms, degraded ecological vitality, loss of habitat and reduced recreational opportunities, according to the EPA. Studies indicate that Cape Cod waters need nitrogen reductions of up to 87 percent.
Source: ECORI.ORG Staff Report
 

The economy of Cape Cod relies heavily on a clean and healthy environment to support tourism, fishing, shellfisheries and numerous recreational pursuits. This economic foundation is threatened by degraded water quality because of excessive nutrients, especially nitrogen, according to officials.
“In many Cape Cod communities, nitrogen discharges contaminate local water bodies and bays, threatening the environment, the economy and the tourism industry in one of the most beautiful places on earth,” said state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “This plan will help communities develop the most effective and affordable solutions to this problem. As part of the plan, the administration is committed to funding a monitoring initiative that will ensure that this vital work makes a difference on Cape Cod for generations to come.”

New Hampshire Hunting Report – September 22, 2015

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hunting seasons are underway in New Hampshire. This report includes an update on the bear season from biologist Andrew Timmins, the Department’s Bear Project Leader. The archery season for turkey and white-tailed deer opened on September 15. Squirrel hunters have been enjoying a warm September, and small game and upland bird hunters are eager to get into the field October 1. Be sure to wear an article of blaze orange clothing.

 

New Hampshire hunting licenses and permits: www.nhfishandgame.com or visit one of our friendly NH license agents.

 

Bear Hunt Update: As of September 17, 2015, a total of 157 bears (99 males, 58 females) have been reported to the bear project. Bait hunters have harvested 112 bears (70 males, 42 females) and still hunters/stalkers have taken 45 bears (29 males, 16 females). The current harvest sex ratio is 1.7 males per female.

 

Regionally:

• 26 bears (15 males, 11 females) have been taken in the North (WMUs A, B, C2 & D1),
• 52 (36 males, 16 females) in the White Mountains (WMUs C1, D2 E & F),
• 56 (32 males, 24 females) in the Central Region (WMUs G, I1, J1 & J2),
• 13 (10 males, 3 females) in Southwest-1 (WMUs H1 & I2) and
• 10 (6 males, 4 females) in Southwest-2 (WMUs H2 & K) region.
• No bears have been reported from the Southeast region (WMUs L & M) at this point in the season.
  Currently, this year’s harvest is half of the 5-year in-season average of 307 bears. Additionally, the current harvest is 59% below the 2014 tally (which was an above average harvest year) of 385 bears at this point in the season. It is important to recognize that these early harvest numbers can change quickly, as there is a lag between the number of registration slips that have arrived in Concord and the actual number of bears taken.
   
  While the 2015 bear season is off to a comparably slow start, there is a lot of season left. Mast conditions are very different this year compared to last, with apples, acorns and beech nuts quite abundant, which likely will result in a more “average” annual bear harvest.
   
  The bait hunting portion of the season will end in the Central, Southwest-1, Southwest-2 and Southeast regions on September 21. Baiting in the North and White Mountains regions ends on September 28. Additionally, the entire bear hunting season will end in the Southwest-2 and Southeast regions on September 28. The statewide (excluding the Southwest-2 and Southeast regions) hound hunting season opens September 21.
   
  Small Game Hunters: Ruffed grouse, quail, woodcock, snowshoe hare and cottontail rabbit seasons get underway October 1. These species are exciting to hunt and make excellent table fare. Small game hunters are encouraged to take part in Fish and Game’s two surveys (small game and grouse wing and tail); each offers the chance to win a quality firearm, and the information we get from hunters helps us manage the resource. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=176
   
  Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 2015. Youth must be age 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. The adult may not hunt. The youth does not need a hunting license or duck stamp. Learn more at www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=191
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  Get Set for Pheasants: New Hampshire's hunting season for pheasant gets underway on October 1 and continues through December 31. A total of 12,200 birds will be released at 70 stocking sites in 46 towns, an average of 140 birds per site. See www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=193

   

  Opening Day for New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season is November 11, 2015. Season dates summary and map at www.huntnh.com/hunting/deer.html

   

  Outdoor adventure talks: Don’t miss the Department’s series of free talks on deer hunting and more on October 7, 14 and 21. www.huntnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=182

   

  Limited-edition 2015 moose hunt shirts: www.shopwildnh.com.

   

  Hunt for the Hungry: www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunt-for-hungry.html.

   

  Report a Poacher: If you are aware of a poaching situation, call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-344-4262 or report wildlife crime online at wildnh.com/ogt.

   

  Go-to Publications for NH Hunters:

  • 2015-2016 NH Hunting and Trapping Digest: www.huntnh.com/hunting/publications.html
  • 2014 New Hampshire Harvest Summary: www.huntnh.com/hunting/documents/2014-harvest-summary.pdf
  • 2014/15 N.H. Small Game Harvest Report: www.huntnh.com/hunting/documents/small-game-summary.pdf
  • Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration: A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program
    Researching and managing wildlife and teaching people to become safe, responsible hunters are activities funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, supported by an excise tax on your purchases of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. Learn more at http://www.huntnh.com/funding/wsfr.html.

Alex Wetherell wins on home waters

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

HARTFORD, Conn. — Alex Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., staged a come-from-behind winFriday on his home waters of the Connecticut River during the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.

Photo credit Tyler Wade

  The 22-year-old angler came in with only four fish on the final day of the tournament. Even though he knew the four largemouth he had were good ones, he wasn’t convinced he could pull out a win with them.
  “I was heading in from an hour-and-a-half ride, and I thought as I got closer, I could stop and cast some more,” said Wetherell, a student at Central Connecticut State University. “I stopped at one spot, but I didn’t get any bites.
  “Then, instead of stopping any more, I decided to play it safe and come in,” he said. “And I guess it worked out.”
Wetherell’s name is familiar to long-time fans of the sport because five years ago, he hoisted a B.A.S.S. trophy over his head. He was the 2010 Junior Bassmaster World champion when he was just 17. He then went on to fish as many other events as he could with the aim of becoming a professional bass fisherman.
  Now, he’s made one big step toward that goal by securing a berth in the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 5-7, in Monroe, La. If he wins his division there, he’ll advance to the bass fishing world’s biggest stage, the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
  “I’ve had some really good mentors,” Wetherell said. “Terry Baksay mentored me throughout the Junior Bassmaster program, and Dan Stevens has taught me how to become an ever better fisherman as an adult. I used to only want to fish my strengths, but now I’m open to whatever will help me win.”
 Those lessons came in handy during the Eastern Divisional, when he had to change course to upgrade his weight.
  “I had been targeting smallmouth each morning, and really throughout the day,” Wetherell said. “But today, I scrapped all that and targeted only largemouth.”
That decision landed him one of the only two double-digit sacks in the competition. His weight increased daily, from 6 pounds, 5 ounces of smallmouth on Wednesday, to 9 pounds, 11 ounces of largemouth on Thursday, to a 10-pound, 12-ounce catch on Friday, the final day.
  It was also helpful that the two anglers ahead of him — Day 2 leader Jamie Hartman of New York, and David Dziob of Connecticut, who caught the biggest bag of the tournament on Day 2 — weighed in bags of 2 and 3 pounds, respectively, on Friday.
  Wetherell was grateful that he was familiar with the Connecticut River.
  “There’s no way to figure out this river in a week or two,” he said. “You have to know certain rocks, certain grass areas, that the bass only get on at certain times of the year. And then you have to hit them at the right tides.
“You could work a certain grassline or piece of wood and get nothing, but then half an hour later, when the tide has changed, you could come back and it’s a whole different story.”
  Remembering that fish could change that quickly was key for Wetherell.
  “My early morning spot for Wednesday and Thursday was a sand flat down south in Middleton with small bunches of eelgrass,” he explained. “They get up on those flats and feed.”
  There, he caught two smallmouth on a topwater on Wednesday and a 12-incher that he later culled on Thursday.
His next area was the Salmon River in Haddam, where he caught three 2-pound-plus largemouth on a Texas rigged worm on Thursday afternoon.
  Those catches inspired him to chase only largemouth on the final day, making that hour-and-a-half run south on Friday where he could fish the outgoing tide early in the morning. There, he caught a 3 1/2-pound largemouth dragging a tube and a 4-pounder with a crankbait.
  He felt that two of the spots he had hit earlier on Friday to no avail were worth a revisit. He went back and caught his other two bass, right off the same tree.
  That’s when he decided to head back to weigh-in. His fishing time was cut short by his long run, and he left his area at 12:30 to get back in, even though he was short of a limit.
   By being the top angler on the Connecticut team, Wetherell qualified for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Alongside him will be the following other team winners: Robert Williamson, Maine; George Barnes, Massachusetts; Dave Andrews, New Hampshire; Casey Smith, New York; Charles Sim, Ontario; Brian Croteau, Rhode Island; Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz, Spain; and Skip Sjobeck, Vermont.
   In a close race among the states, New York won for having the highest cumulative weight. Its 14 members brought in 155 pounds, 8 ounces. Right behind New York was the home team of Connecticut with 149-12. The next-closest state was Vermont with 104-8.
Another competition was taking place simultaneously, too. Each state sent its high school champions to compete on the Connecticut River alongside the adults. Doug Marino and Noah Winslow of Connecticut, with their coach, Terry Baksay, were the top performers among the high school teams with 10 pounds, 2 ounces. Their next-closest competitors were Ben Wiitala and Damon Coleman of Rhode Island with 9-9.
   The biggest bass of the Eastern Divisional was caught by Dave Andrews of New Hampshire on Day 1, at 4 pounds, 10 ounces. Jamie Hartman won the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for leading on the second day, and Skip Sjobeck won the A.R.E. Top Angler Award of $250 for being the highest-finishing A.R.E. Truck Caps owner in the tournament.
  
This divisional was the final one of the season, and now all the contenders for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship have qualified. Stay tuned to Bassmaster.com leading up to and during the championship, Nov. 5-7, for news regarding amateur bass fishing’s biggest championship.
Source Story and Photos by Tyler Wade

Maine to eliminate minimum age for hunters. What do you think about the new law?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The sight of those kids, some as young as 10 years old, have rankled some  who claim that allowing children to hunt teaches them the wrong lessons.
By contrast, those who grew up hunting and cherish memories of those early days tromping through the woods say that there are far worse things that children could be doing than hunting.

Come Jan. 1, that debate will likely intensify when a new law takes effect.
For those who thought allowing 10-year-olds to hunt was a bad thing, here’s a news bulletin you may have missed:
      In June, Gov. Paul LePage signed LD 156. What does that mean?
  
In a nutshell, it means there will no longer be a minimum hunting age in Maine.
Theoretically, that could mean we begin receiving photos of 3-year-olds showing off their first deer, bear or moose.
  Practically, that probably won’t happen. Most hunters recognize their children ought to have learned dozens of valuable lessons before they’re allowed to tote a gun through the woods.

     Unfortunately, I had to use the word “most” in the previous sentence. That leaves “some” out and may mean it won’t be long before one of the “some” decides Junior ought to be the first 3-year-old to successfully fill his or her deer tag. Or turkey tag. Or bear tag. Or moose tag. Or all four.
   Before we go any further, I’ve got some questions for you. A warning: Your answers will likely appear in a future column. Please respond via email to the address at the bottom of this piece.
   What do you think of the new law? Should Maine have eliminated the age requirement for hunters? Will this make our woods less safe?
  While you’re pondering your answers, here a few thoughts.
  Contrary to the opinion of some, this new law doesn’t make Maine a trailblazer. In fact, as BDN blogger George Smith pointed out back in June, the law simply puts the state in line with most of the rest of the country.

Maine was the 40th state, according to Smith, to eliminate age restrictions for young hunters.

   Here’s how the law is supposed to work: All young hunters (up to the age of 16) will be required to be in the presence of (and direct control of) their adult supervisor.
The young hunters will not be allowed to stray on their own. They can’t be stationed at a trail crossing within binocular range of their mentor. Neither can they simply check in via two-way radio with their adult supervisor who is some distance away.
The youth hunter and the adult supervisor are a team and will hunt together. As has been the case with hunters age 10 to 15 in the past, a junior hunting license is required. When a hunter reaches his or her 16th birthday and applies for an adult license, a hunter safety certification is mandatory.
That’s the plan, anyway. Of course, if every hunter obeyed every law to the letter, there’d be no reason to employ game wardens — and I can tell you our state’s wardens are extremely busy men and women.
During deer season a few years back, I met a group that included two junior hunters and their dad. The younger child had just turned 10. The older was a few years his senior. And because the dad couldn’t be bothered to tote both his children along with him — it might scare off a deer, he said — he positioned his elder son on a trailhead and left him there.
That was bad enough. But when I got to see the lessons that that older son theoretically “absorbed” during his hunting career, I was appalled. When a group of us met up on a road after our hunts, the boy’s loaded rifle was in constant motion, and another hunter ended up issuing a stern warning: “If you point that gun at me again, I’m going to take it away from you.”

Are all youth hunters like that? Of course not.
And really, the youngster’s actions weren’t his fault: His father, who seemed more eager to fill a tag than offer the guidance his sons needed, was to blame.
That’s the rub: The decision of when a young hunter is ready for the woods is up to adults — even those “grownups” who never really adopted the safety lessons we should have. All of us ought to recognize there can be a big difference between “ready” and “legally permissible.”
So how do I feel about the new law? I’m ambivalent.
I’ve met plenty of 7-year-olds who have spent countless hours in the woods with ultra-responsible moms and dads and who have eagerly awaited their 10th birthdays so they can officially take part in a hunt. And I’m sure those youths would have been ready to hunt at age 7, had the law allowed it.
And I’ve met 15-year-olds — or 25-year-olds, for that matter — who scare the living daylights out of me, even though some have passed their hunter safety course.
Which means, I suppose, the addition of younger hunters needn’t make the woods any less safe.
The key ingredient, however, remains the same: It’s up to the adults to make sure that’s the case.

So, what do you think about the new law? Good? Bad? Dangerous? About time? Let us know.
waynewnri@yahoo.com or on the bottom of this link
 Source; John Holyoke BDN Outdoors

Massachusetts Fall Trout Stocking

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

  Fall trout stocking is just around the corner, and anglers can expect 74,100 trout between 12-14+ inches to be stocked across the state! Stocking will start after September 28, provided water temperatures are cool enough.
   Due to the short fall stocking season, schedules are not posted on our website. Visit goo.gl/w25G6n for a list of waters that are usually stocked in the fall or contact your local DFW District Office for more information. #FisheriesFriday

Loons, peregrine falcons post record year for nest success

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Warden Randy Hazard rescues a loon chick that became hooked and entangled in fishing line.  Photo courtesy of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept.

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Ten years after they were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list, two of Vermont’s most cherished bird species continued to expand their populations in 2015.  Loons and peregrine falcons both nested in record numbers this summer.

 

On the shores of Vermont’s lakes and ponds, 87 nesting loon pairs hatched a total of 69 chicks that survived the 2015 season. 

 

Loons faced dramatic declines in the 20th century due in large part to shoreline development and human disturbance of their habitat. However, following decades of collaborative recovery efforts by biologists from Vermont Fish & Wildlife and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, as well as by many citizen volunteers, loons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list in 2005.

 

“The return of loons to Vermont represents a true conservation success story,” said John Buck, nongame bird project leader for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, “and it would not have been possible without our partners and volunteers.  Going forward, all of us will be responsible for ensuring loons remain lasting residents of our lakes and ponds by protecting important shoreline nesting areas and keeping a respectful distance.”

 

Vermont also saw strong nesting success in peregrine falcons this year with 44 cliff-nesting pairs producing a record 67 chicks.  “The peregrine’s recovery is directly tied to our ongoing partnership with Audubon Vermont and the many, many citizen volunteers who monitor falcon nests during the nesting season,” noted Buck.  “Continued monitoring and habitat conservation, such as temporary cliff closure to hikers and climbers during the critical nesting season, will help ensure the falcon’s continued success.”

 

Bald eagles continue to hold steady in Vermont, but have not yet recovered enough to be removed from Vermont’s endangered species list.  They produced 16 fledglings this summer, lower than the recent record of 26 fledglings in 2013. “The 2015 winter was especially severe in March and early April when most eagles are incubating their eggs, which likely had a negative impact on nesting success,” said Buck.

“While we can’t influence the weather, we can assist bald eagle recovery by identifying and protecting the critical habitat that is essential to their survival,” said Buck.  “Bald eagles usually nest and feed near open bodies of water. Conserving these sites, especially nests, will help to ensure the eagle population makes a successful comeback to Vermont.”   

 

Vermonters can help researchers in their effort to conserve birds by donating online to the non game wildlife fund at www.vtfishandwildlife.com or by purchasing a newly redesigned conservation license plate.