Maine Deer Season Starts Saturday For Residents

Posted by Wayne G. Barber


AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine's firearm deer season begins this Saturday. Even with last year's long winter, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists are expecting that the 2015 deer will be a successful one for many hunters.

The tradition of deer hunting in Maine continues to increase in popularity. Resident hunting license sales have increased each year since 2005 and non-resident licenses sales have also increased each of the past three years.

Last year, there were 224,039 licensed hunters in the state, and it is estimated that more than 160,000 hunt deer in Maine. Hunting is how the Department manages the deer population, and according to a recent economic survey by Southwick Associates, hunting in Maine contributes more than $338 million ($338,730,639) annually to Maine's economy. Deer hunting alone contributes more than $100 million ($101,419,052). The full study can be found here at http://www.maine.gov/ifw/pdfs/ME_Hunt_Economics%20Final%20Report%2010-06-2014.pdf.

"While last year's winter certainly stretched into spring, December and much of January was relatively snow-free, which lessened winter's impact on Maine's deer herd," said IFW's deer biologist Kyle Ravana. The lack of snow early in the winter allowed deer to feed and conserve energy, lessening some of the effects of the long winter.

White-tailed deer in Maine are near the northern edge of their population range, and winter can impact deer survival. Maine's deer population has rebounded from the severe winters of 2008 and 2009, which now stands at approximately 210,000, up from approximately 146,000 after the 2009 winter. Deer are more abundant in southern, central and coastal Maine than in northern, western and downeast Maine.

Maine's wildlife biologists monitor winter severity throughout the state from December through April to determine the impact that winter weather has on deer survival. The 2014-15 deer season was above average in its severity throughout nearly the entire state. In order to offset the effects of the winter, IFW biologists opted to act conservatively and decreased the amount of Any-Deer permits available to hunters this year.

IFW closely regulates the harvest of does, which is how biologists can increase or decrease deer numbers within our Wildlife Management Districts. This year, 28,770 Any-Deer permits were issued, compared to 37,185 last year. The reduction in Any-Deer permits will result in more breeding female deer remaining in the population, allowing the population to rebound more quickly.

Each year Maine's biologists examine thousands of deer for disease, analyze deer teeth to determine age structure of the harvest, monitor antler beam diameters and weights, from yearling bucks, conduct hunter surveys to determine hunter effort and deer sighting rates, and even examine road-killed deer to look at productivity and breeding success.
Together the information gives department biologists a clearer picture of the health and size of Maine's deer population. For example, antler beam diameter can determine the nutritional status of the animals, and where the population is in relation to the habitat's ability to sustain it.

"Generally what we see is that the deer look to be healthy," said Ravana. "Our average yearling weight in Maine is over 119 pounds, and that is above average when compared to other New England states."

Last year, hunters harvested 22,490 deer. 15,986 of those deer were bucks, and 6,504 were antlerless deer. Maine's firearm season for deer continues to be the most popular, with 18,510 deer harvested by hunters in 2014. Maine's archery season accounted for 2,086 deer, muzzleloaders took 1,064 deer, and on youth day, 810 young hunters were successful.

Maine's deer season is divided into several different seasons. The firearms season for deer opens on Saturday, October 31 for residents and Monday, November 2 for nonresidents. The firearm season for deer concludes on November 28. Muzzleloading season begins on November 30 and runs for one week in northern and eastern Maine and for two weeks in southern and central Maine. The regular archery season extends from October 1-October 30, with an expanded archery season open in select areas from September 12 to December 12. For more information on deer season and all hunting regulations, please visit www.mefishwildlife.com.

Two Morristown Men Charged in Deer Poaching Case

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MORRISTOWN, Vt. – Andrew Fecteau, age 23, of Morristown and Thomas Chamberlin, age 29, of Morristown were arrested on October 22 by State Game Wardens in an attempted deer poaching case.

Responding to tips that deer poaching was occurring at night in the area, Vermont State Game Wardens were operating a deer facsimile that evening in Morristown, near the Elmore town line.

At about 10:40 p.m., Andrew Fecteau drove by the facsimile, turned around, drove back and stopped, letting his passenger, Thomas Chamberlin, lean out the window and shoot the facsimile while the vehicle headlights illuminated it.

Wardens stepped out of the bushes, ordering the men to stop and shut off the car. Fecteau instead proceeded to accelerate and drive directly at one of the wardens at a speed of approximately 25 mph, striking the warden, injuring him slightly. The other warden obtained the license plate of the vehicle as it sped away.

Within the hour, Morristown Police officers located the vehicle at Fecteau's residence, hidden on the property with plates removed. The bow that was used was found in the bushes one quarter mile from where the facsimile was shot, after having been thrown from the passenger window.

Fecteau and Chamberlin were found at their residences and taken into custody.

Fecteau was charged with aiding in the violations of taking deer by illegal means, taking deer in closed season, shooting from a vehicle, as well as eluding an officer in a negligent manner, and assaulting an officer. Fecteau was cited to appear in Lamoille Superior Court on October 28, where he was represented by a public defender. He denied the charges.

Chamberlin was charged with taking deer by illegal means, taking deer in closed season and shooting from the road. He was cited to appear in Lamoille Superior Court on October 28 where he pled guilty to taking deer by illegal means. The guilty plea carried with it a three year suspension of Chamberlin's rights to hunt, fish and trap in Vermont and 43 other states as well as a $722.00 fine. Chamberlin also forfeited his archery equipment as part of the fine and penalty.

"I commend the wardens involved for their professional conduct, and I am reminded that courage as well as vigilance is sometimes required when protecting Vermont's natural resources," said Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont's chief game warden.
"People who poach deer are not representative of Vermont's hunters," added Batchelder. "Most hunters see poaching as a serious threat to our wildlife resources."

Vermont wardens rely heavily on confidential information provided by the public. If you witness illegal activity, please alert a Vermont State Game Warden immediately by calling your local State Police Barracks. You can also contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378) or online at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/cms/one.aspx?objectId=166957. Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest.

Northern Atlantic Cod Comeback

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Once an icon of overfishing, mismanagement, and stock decline, the northern Atlantic cod is showing signs of recovery according to new research published today in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

This research, led by Dr. George Rose, tracks what is arguably the most important comeback of any fish stock worldwide. Studying the great northern Atlantic cod stock complex off Newfoundland and Labrador, once considered among the largest cod stocks in the world before its disastrous decline in the 1990s, Dr. Rose documents the stock's rebound over the past decade from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand tonnes and growing.

This is Dr. Rowe with a large cod to be tagged and released in Bonavista Corridor. Credit: Laura Wheeland c/o Dr. George Rose.
According to the study, this comeback from commercial extinction has followed three distinct steps:

1. After a decade and a half moratorium on fishing, improved environmental factors resulted in stock rebuilding in the southern Bonavista Corridor spawning-migration route accompanied by increases in size structure and fish condition.
2. Two more northerly routes became populated with a wide size structure of fish.

3. Generation of strong recruitment from all three regions. The stock is positioned for this third and final step.

Dr. Rose credits many equally important yet diversified factors in the continued rebuilding of this stock, "The important take-away from this study is that with favourable environmental conditions, in this case the increase in capelin as a key food for this stock, and a severe reduction of fishing, even the most decimated fish stocks have the potential to recover." Stressing the importance of responsible management, Dr. Rose continues, "Without a doubt, maintaining low removals of this stock over the past decades has been essential to recovery. While the timing of a full recovery remains uncertain, continued protection from excessive fishing remains essential to achieving that outcome".

While Dr. Rose underscores that neither the full northern cod stock nor the Bonavista Corridor group are fully rebuilt or recovered at this stage, the findings show that the stock is making a strong comeback after nearly two decades of attrition.
"The critical message is that recovery can occur given harvest restraint based on science and management and recognition of the importance of the marine ecosystem, especially with respect to climate and food" says Dr. Rose. "If this stock can recover, there exists the same potential for other depleted stocks worldwide".
Source:Canadian Science Publishing (NRC Research Press) Read similar stories at www.sciencecodex.com

Massachusetts Tiger Muskies Stocking !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

This fall, we were able to receive tiger muskies to stock in Massachusetts waters from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery as part of a cooperative exchange program. 900 tiger muskies averaging 13" long and weighing ~0.5 pounds apiece were stocked in Lake Chauncy (Westborough), A-1 Site (Westborough), and Spy Pond (Arlington). It will take 3-5 years for these fish to reach the 28" minimum size limit.

Vermont Moose Hunters Had a Successful Season

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. -- Vermont moose hunters had a successful hunting season according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.  A record bull was taken in the October 1-7 archery moose hunt, and the regular moose hunting season was October 17-22.           

 

“A preliminary count shows that by October 26 the department had received official reports of 8 moose being taken by 42 hunters in the archery season and 107 moose taken by 230 hunters in the regular season,” said Cedric Alexander, Vermont’s moose project leader.  He said a few additional reports may still be sent in from other reporting agents.

                                                                                  

For the first time in Vermont, bulls-only permits were issued in most of the 17 Wildlife Management Units open to moose hunting. This change was made to increase population growth in order to achieve goals called for in Vermont’s Big Game Management Plan.  Only in northern Vermont were hunters able to take moose of either sex.

 

The overall regular season hunter success rate reported to date is 47 percent, down slightly from 52 percent last year.  Either-sex permit holders enjoyed a 70 percent success rate while hunters restricted to harvesting only bulls averaged a lower success rate of 36 percent.

 

Pre-season scouting in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom paid off on the second morning of the archery moose hunt for Tammy Miller of Fairfax, Vermont.  Using a compound bow, Miller took a 931 lb. bull moose with an antler spread of 53 ¾ inches while hunting in Norton with her husband, Eric.  Miller’s huge bull topped the 919 lb. previous archery record moose taken last year by Kevin Rice. 
A final report on Vermont’s moose hunting season will be available in January when all of the 2015 data have been received and reviewed 

NJ Hunters May Take Feral Hogs During Deer Seasons in 2 Zones

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding deer hunters that the Division has issued a Special Wildlife Management Permit to control feral hogs in Deer Management Zones 25 and 65. Feral hogs compete with wildlife for available food sources, prey upon ground-nesting birds and small mammals and may carry disease. The increase in the population of feral hogs has also resulted in damage to lawns, golf courses, farm crops and forests in Gloucester County. Feral hogs may be pursued during the season dates prescribed for Deer Management Zones 25 and 65 only. Sportsmen and sportswomen will be permitted to shoot free-ranging feral hogs of either gender and any age while deer hunting during the all deer seasons, provided they have not reached the season bag limit for deer and have the appropriate permit for DMZ 25 and/or DMZ 65 during permit seasons. The bag limit for feral hogs is unlimited. Shooting is permitted only Monday through Saturday during legal deer hunting hours. Archers may pursue feral hogs on Sundays during the fall bow, permit bow and winter bow seasons, while pursuing deer on Wildlife Management Areas and private properties. Only weapons authorized for deer hunting may be used to take feral hogs. Hogs may be harvested anywhere in these zones. Written permission must be obtained from the landowner to pursue feral hogs on private property. Sportsmen who harvest a feral hog must call the Division's Nacote Creek Office at 609-748-2044 to schedule an appointment to check in their hogs. Feral hogs must be checked to be legally possessed. Harvested feral hogs may be retained for personal consumption. Sportsmen are responsible for the butchering and disposal of the carcass. Deer hunters are advised that people can contract diseases from infected feral hogs. Plastic or rubber gloves should be worn while field-dressing feral hogs. Unwanted entrails should be burned, buried or disposed of to prevent access by animals. Work surfaces and utensils used to field-dress and butcher hogs should be cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of disease. Feral hog meat should be thoroughly cooked before it is eaten. The special permit offers sportsmen and sportswomen a unique opportunity to assist the Division of Fish and Wildlife in protecting New Jersey's natural resources and species biodiversity. Though the known population of feral hogs in New Jersey is currently small, hunters can help eradicate them before they become well established and negatively affect the state's natural heritage. -

Giant Catfish Win Big Cat Quest at Memphis

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
The final day of fishing at the Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest National Championship (BCQ) produced a stunning win by David Shipman and Brooke Wilkins. The Corinth, MS team won the World Championship of Catfishing earlier in the year and were setting in fifth place at the BCQ Classic with 126.45 pounds after the first day of competition. After day-two they had 242.95 pounds of Mississippi River catfish to take their second major crown of the year. A strategy that included staying in the same area on day-two proved to be a successful decision for the 2015 WCC team. "We fished hard both days," said Shipman. " We went 42 miles from the Mud Island ramp both days. All that travel was in the rain and the wind. It left us with only about four hours to fish each day. Thank goodness it paid off. We were bumping the whole time. It is a good win for us. I am very proud for Brooke to win her national championship. We are both proud of it." "It feels pretty good to win," said Wilkins. "We did the same thing on day-two that we did on day-one. We went to the same places. The current was a little bit different on day-two; the weather was a little bit different with all the rain. They bit harder on Saturday and much slower today. We ran about an hour and a half to get to our fishing spot and it paid off. It's been a good year for us. We have really been blessed. This win is still sinking in for me right now." The second place team call Alabama home. Tim Owenby, Teresa Owenby and Jody Atkins held on to their day-one second place position to take it on day-two as well. They caught a two-day total of 228.95 to claim the second place finish. "We were fishing hard and only had three little fish before we finally caught the big one," said Teresa. "We had to make a move to catch it. We went to a hole that we knew about from another tournament where we had caught some good fish. We got lucky and pulled the big one out of that hole. We had to travel 40 miles to do it." A tired but happy Tim Owenby recognized the weather conditions as the tournament concluded. "It's cold, it's wet and we've got seven and a half hour drive home. We like fishing Mississippi and we're going to be back for sure." Third Place in the BCQ went to Jackie and Jonathan Cooksey. "It feels really good to win it," said Jonathon Cooksey. "We were just real fortunate to get the 50 pounder in the boat. That big fish made our day. If we had one more fish the caliber of that one it would've changed everything. It was a lot slower today, but we got that big bite and that's what made the difference for us.
Jackie Cooksey explained that they found a good hole and stuck with it. "We wore it out," said the elder Cooksey. "We fished up and down that stretch for two days and each day it paid off. We left the area one time and went across the river and caught a 32 pound flathead. We left it and went to the other side again and stayed on it for the rest of the tournament." "You got to have some luck too. We just pounded that hole and pounded it. We were still catching fish when we left it. I had on another fish and I think it was really a good one but he came off. We were really needing it, you know, but that's fishing." The final day is a little different since there are two hours less to fish. "It puts a little more pressure on you," said Jonathan. "You fish up until the very last minute. By noon we didn't have a fish over 34 inches and we caught our big one with only an hour left to fish. That intensified everything. Knowing that we had a shot at winning it produces a lot more stress. Catching the one big one makes you want another one because you know you got a shot at it." The remaining spots in the top five were filled by teams from Missouri and Kentucky. Tony Hunt, Russ Devore and Greg Lingemfelter teamed up to take Fourth Place with 224.95 pounds. The Kentucky team of Glen Grogan and Walter Hays brought 211. 90 pounds to the scales and a Fifth Place finish. Mississippi angler David Magness took Big Fish honors of the tournament with a 71.25-pound bluecat. He caught the fish on the first day and it held up through day-two giving him the Big Fish title. Larry Muse from Corinth, MS was named the 2015 BCQ Angler of the Year. The prestigious AOY title is based on points earned over the year. This is the third straight year for the Corinth, MS angler to win the title. Teams from 14 states travelled to Memphis for the 2015 BCQ Championship on the Mississippi River. For more information and Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest updates visit the BCQ Facebook page.

Florida Bear Hunt Ended

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission bear check station Rocks Spring Run nature preserve in Sorrento is one of 33 bear check stations across the state where hunters will have to check in. 

Posted by Wayne G. Barber



PHOTO Facebook share from Maine Youth Hunt

With the statewide bear harvest standing at 295 bears at the end of day 2 of Florida's bear hunt, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) closed the North and South bear management units (BMUs) to hunting Sunday, Oct. 25. East Panhandle and Central BMUs met their harvest objectives and closed to bear hunting on Oct 24. The 2015 bear hunt is officially over in all four of the state's seven BMUs that offered bear hunting.
  While hunter success was higher than expected in the East Panhandle and Central BMUs, success rates were comparable to other states with similar hunt structures and were within sustainable limits. The higher-than-expected harvest in the East Panhandle likely reflects a higher bear population in that unit. FWC expects the 2016 survey to show populations to be significantly higher than the East Panhandle's 2002 population estimate of 600 bears.
 While North and South BMUs are closed to bear hunting effective immediately, check stations within those BMUs will stay open through noon Eastern time on Oct. 26. Whether taken on private or public land, hunters must check their bear within 12 hours of recovering it at any of the established bear check stations in the North and South BMUs http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/bear/check-stations/
.   FWC took a conservative approach to setting harvest objectives, building in buffers so the number of bears harvested would stabilize growing populations while ensuring a continuation of healthy bear numbers. In addition, FWC had mechanisms in place for daily monitoring of the harvest and season closure, so when the harvest approached the statewide objective of 320, FWC was able to stop the hunt.
    In addition to updated population information expected in 2016 for three additional BMUs (East Panhandle, West Panhandle and South), FWC also will use information from the 2015 hunt to guide management efforts in subsequent years.
  Regulated hunting has a long, successful history of contributing to wildlife conservation in North America. Of the 41 states with resident bear populations, 33 of them conduct hunts and all have stable to increasing bear populations.
  The hunt is just one component of FWC's overall bear management strategy, and FWC will continue to invest staff time and resources toward outreach and education, waste management, and removing bears that pose a threat to human safety.
  
Bear permits were available from Aug. 3 to Oct. 23 and during that period 3,778 were sold. Bear permit sales totaled more than $376,900 and plans call for using that to help fund abatement of human/bear conflicts through comprehensive waste management efforts in Florida.
The four bear management units open to hunting reported the following combined harvest totals for Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25:

Bear Management Unit Harvest Totals
East Panhandle BMU = 112 bears - closed to further hunting
Central BMU = 139 bears - closed to further hunting
North BMU = 23 bears - closed to further hunting
South BMU = 21 bears - closed to further hunting

FWC estimates the black bear population has grown to 3,500 in the state, up from a few hundred in the 1970s. It’s the first statewide hunt in Florida in 21 years.
  Over the last few years there have been several bear attacks on residents and their pets, especially in Central Florida. However, FWC says the hunt is not in response to those attacks. The hunt is part of the bear management plan set up back in 2012.
Bear hunting is allowed in four of the Bear Management Units. FWC set the quota for the Central BMU at 100 bears. The unit includes 13 counties, including every Central Florida county by Osceola County.
  Opponents of the bear hunt, who unsuccessful tried to legally stop the bear season, say it's cruel to bears and potentially dangerous.
Volunteers with Speak Up Wekiva are monitoring the FWC check stations across the state. Some of them say they’re concerned hunters won’t follow the rules.
“I think there will be hunting in areas where they know they can get in and out, and not bring the bears here even if they have a permit because it’s probably not going to be convenient,” said Maureen Meagher, a volunteer with Speak Up Wekiva.
To manage the hunt, FWC set up 33 stations where hunters must record each kill within 12 hours. Penalties for violating bear hunting rules range from a $50 fine to $500 and 60 days in prison. Hunters cannot use dogs or bait to lure the bears, and must only kill bears that weigh more than 100 pounds and that don't have cubs present. Among the weapons allowed: shotguns, bows, pistols, revolvers and crossbows.
“It is an honor system, like in areas that are wide open like the Ocala National Forest.  But we feel this is no different than any other hunt where they’ve gone and checked in,” said Greg Workman with FWC.
FWC experts also say hunter success most likely will be low, based on experiences in the 32 other states that allow bear hunting.
  Opponents say they have 200 volunteers set up at the 33 check stations to monitor the bears that are being weighed and measured as a part of the count.      

69% of Hunters Successful in 2015 New Hampshire Moose Hunt

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's 2015 moose season wrapped up on Sunday, October 25. While hunters have until close of business today to register their moose at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters or regional offices, preliminary figures show that 74 hunters succeeded in taking their moose during the 9-day season. With a total of 108 permits issued, this represents a statewide success rate of 69%.  That compares with last year's (2014) overall success rate of 72%. The breakdown for the harvest this year was 46 bulls (62%) and 28 cows (38%). Final season results will be available upon completion of registration data entry and analysis.

 

It was a good season, according to Fish and Game moose biologist Kristine Rines. "The weather up north was good for moose hunting, mostly cool and only a few warm days.  There was enough rain and wind up north to cause most of the fall leaves to drop from the trees, improving visibility and hunting conditions overall."

 

Regionally this year, preliminary numbers show moose hunters had a 70% success rate in the Connecticut Lakes Region; 83% in the North Region; 60% in the White Mountain Region; 90% in the Central Region; 40% in the Southwest Region; and there were no lucky hunters in the Southeast Region.

 

George Souhrada of Avon Lake, Ohio, "took a nice little bull in C-1," recounted Rines.  "He just had a great time.  He had hunted hard and had a big bull right in front of him, but he couldn't get a good shot, so had to pass. Souhrada finally got his moose on the very last day of the hunt, and he was very happy." 

First Whitetail Deer for Colby !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Young Colby's first Whitetail Deer

Thank You, Dave Greenslit for sharing to the World this great story with young Colby.

Young Rob Jordan in Windham ME. Saturday Oct.24th. Success isn't always about killing a deer.... we didn't.. and as far as I'm concerned.. it was a very successful hunt... my son is learning life lessons and he doesn't even realize it.. he may even be teaching me a thing or two about life... lol... what an awsome morning to be in the woods

Another person enjoys video on the Bob Cat

Change Pace for Fall Jerkbait Success

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
When it comes to catching bass on a jerkbait in the fall, throw out every rule you think you already know about jerk baiting.
  Fish are on the move: The big difference between a winter jerkbait bite and a fall jerkbait bite is that the fish are constantly on the move this time of year. It's a lot different than the winter, when bait is grouped up. As we get into October, and conditions continue to change – the amount of daylight changes, the water temperature changes, the location of the bait changes – fish just become more active. They move around a lot.
Change your pace: Fall jerkbaiting is all about the pace. Whenever I take people fishing this time of year around my home in Rhode Island, I always tell them "Don't take your foot off the gas." What I mean by that is "Once you start working that bait, don't stop. Don't even slow down."

THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WINTER JERKBAIT BITE AND A FALL JERKBAIT BITE IS THAT THE FISH ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE MOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR


And I mean exactly that.  Cast it as far as you can, and once that bait hits the water, start jerking it and keep doing it until you get it back to the boat. No pause at all! That's a whole lot different than the "jerk, jerk, pause" retrieve I tell people to use in the winter. Don't pause. Fish are actively feeding this time of year, and they're much more apt to hit a moving bait.

Finding fall fish: Bait will be very visible on the water this month, and I don't think it makes a difference if the wind is blowing at all. Fish are feeding up, so unlike in the winter – when your best jerkbait bites happen when it's breezy – you don't need the wind to blow.

When I'm searching for active fall fish, I always start on the biggest point on a major creek, and work my way back into the creek. That's how the fish will move: they'll start at Point A and transition back to Point B, and you can follow them right in.

Best fall colors: I throw in shad colors 99 percent of the time: Real Shad, Clearwater Shad, XXX Shad, etc.

My jerkbait setup: I fish the Jerk Bait on a 7-foot medium fast Abu Garcia Villian rod and a 7:0-1 reel spooled with 15-pound P-Line fluorocarbon.

Sometimes I set up a second rod with a big golden shiner to see if live bait will out fish the Jerk Bait.

Moose Hunt Update: 59% of N.H. Moose Hunters Successful So Far

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- As of Wednesday, October 21, 2015, a total of 64 moose had been taken in the 2015 New Hampshire moose hunt (41 bulls and 23 cows). That means that 59% of the 108 hunters holding moose permits had succeeded by the midway point in the state's moose hunt. This percentage is exactly the same as last year (2014) at this point in the season.

 

"The hunt is proceeding at a steady pace," reports N.H. Fish and Game Department Moose Project Leader Kristine Rines. "Hunters are still seeing rutting activity, as bulls court the cows."

 

With regard to winter tick, "We are seeing some moose with heavy tick loads, and others with low tick numbers," said Rines. "Until the hunt is over and we look at all of the data, we won’t have final information on the tick loads at this point in the season."  She noted that it is important to remember that "tick loads during the hunting season are just one piece of the puzzle -- ticks will continue to get on moose until there is snow on the ground or multiple days of freezing temperatures."

 

New Hampshire's nine-day moose hunt continues through Sunday, October 25, 2015. This year, more than 9,500 people entered the moose hunt lottery for a chance to win a permit for the New Hampshire moose hunt.

 

Get into the spirit of the adventure with a limited-edition 2015 New Hampshire moose hunt commemorative shirt at www.shopwildnh.com.

 

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, including a list of check stations and a photo gallery of successful moose hunters, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html.

Maine Youth Deer Day is Saturday

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

AUGUSTA, Maine – This Saturday, youth deer hunters across the state get their own day to hunt deer.

"Youth day is a wonderful way to introduce a young hunter to Maine's deer hunting heritage," said Chandler Woodcock, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "Hunting is an ideal tool to teach children about conservation, responsibility, patience and respect for our natural resources."

Youth hunters who possess a junior hunting license and are 10 or older and younger than 16 (either resident or non-resident) can hunt deer on this day if they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or a qualified adult. Any person who accompanies a junior hunter other than that parent or guardian must either possess a valid hunting license or have successfully completed a hunter safety course. A qualified adult is a person at least 18 years of age approved by that youth hunter's parent or guardian, and this person must hold a valid Maine hunting license or have successfully completed a hunter safety course. The accompanying adult cannot possess a firearm.

The junior hunter on this day can take one deer of either sex only in those Wildlife Management Districts where Any Deer permits were issued. In WMDs where there are no Any Deer permits issued, hunters may only take an antlered deer. All laws pertaining to hunting during the open firearms season on deer apply on the youth deer day.

Hunters can also transfer their Any Deer permits or Bonus Deer Permit to a junior hunter, or any other hunter. Certain restrictions apply, including that a resident permit may only be transferred to another resident, and a nonresident permit may only be transferred to another nonresident. This transfer can be done online until 11:59 p.m. October 30, 2015.

For more information on how to swap or transfer your permit, please visithttp://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/lotteries/anydeer/#swap

October Fish 2015 BASS Tournament

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Oktoberfish  2015
Lake Cochituate
October 25th                                                                         
7am -3pm
$100 /boat

• 5 Fish limit…fish alone or as a 2 man team
• $100 /boat includes entry, epo fee, and lunker
• All state laws and B.A.S.S. rules apply B.A.S.S. Rules
• Winner gets free entry into Octoberfish 2016
  

Dave Forget – TCB President
davidforget@verizon.net
Paul LeBlanc
parole44@verizon.net
Web site:    Tri-County Bassmasters

Mr. Bass 2015

Posted by Wayne G. Barber


Christian Hogue  Tri - Valley BASS Masters

Congratulations from the entire "Outdoor Scene" Nation on WNRI.COM

 

 

Tri-Valley Bassmasters Lake Winnipesaukee 1st place. Biggest largemouth bass. Biggest smallmouth bass. Drove all over the globe Friday. Millville to Winnipesaukee. Back to walpole then back to merrimack NH to get my boat squared away. Haven't slept in 2 days. Shot up to Winnipesaukee covered 50 miles of water and it all payed off in the end Thank you God

Vermont Issues List of Tracking Dogs for Game Recovery

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is providing a list of certified leashed tracking dog owners who will help locate deer, bear or moose that have been shot during hunting season but not yet recovered. The leashed tracking dog owners must pass an extensive exam administered by Fish & Wildlife in order to be certified and licensed to provide their services. access the complete list at: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com

USA Archery Announces 2016 Indoor Tournament Schedule

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
USA Archery is excited to offer an exciting and tournament-packed indoor season. With 13 locations for the 47th U.S. National Indoor and 2016 JOAD National Indoor Championships over 4 weekends, plus increased divisions and prize money, participation is more convenient and inclusive than ever before!

The indoor season will kick off with the U.S. Team Trials for the 2016 World Archery Indoor Championships in Mason, Michigan, December 18-20. The Trials event will select archers who will represent the U.S. in Ankara, Turkey, March 1-6, 2016.

Then, the U.S. National Indoor Championships events begin Feb. 12-14 in Michigan, then Feb. 19-21 in Massachusetts, New Mexico, Florida and Southern California, before Feb. 26-28 in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Northern California. March 4-6 there are events in Texas and Minnesota before wrapping up March 11-13 in Georgia, Virginia and Utah.

For the first time ever, USA Archery is giving prize money to the top finishers of the senior male and female, recurve and compound divisions at U.S. National Indoor Championships. $2,000 will be awarded for first place, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third.

USA Archery, with the consideration and approval of the JOAD Committee, is making changes for the JOAD National Indoor Championships format. Compound Cub and Bowman will now score using the inner 10-ring. This change will make the scoring for these two age classes the same as what they shoot in the National Indoor Championships. Additionally, Barebow has been added to the National Indoor program as a developmental division.

USA Archery is also releasing an update on Camo. Early in 2015, World Archery published an updated by-law to the rules governing Camo clothing and equipment. Camo is a pattern including colors traditionally found in nature: blacks, greys, greens, sand, beige, and whites (forest or desert situations). These new by-laws, which apply to World Archery events from World Ranking tournaments to multi-sport games, Continental Championships, World Championships and Olympic/Paralympic Games, state the following:
Book 3 Target - Chapter 11 - Article 11.3.3: Athlete equipment shall not include camouflage colors of any kind. Book 3 Target - Chapter 20 - Article 20.1.1: No demin, jeans or camouflage clothes and equipment may be worn, no any oversize or baggy type pants or shorts. Book 4 Field and 3D - Chapter 33 - Article 33.3: Clothing and equipment shall not be camouflage. USA Archery has determined that we will allow camo patterned equipment at all sanctioned events. Camo clothing is still not allowed. This new by-law will impact any archer who plans on attending the 2016 Arizona Cup because it is World Ranking Event for both able-body and Para athletes. For questions related to the indoor events schedule and registration, please contact National Events Manager Sheri Rhodes at events@usarchery.org.     

N.H. Moose Hunt Opening Weekend Brings 33% Success

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. – A third of New Hampshire's moose hunters were successful during the first two days of the nine-day season, achieving a 33% success rate on the opening weekend of the hunt. On Saturday and Sunday (October 17 and 18), a total of 36 moose were taken by hunters statewide – 24 bulls and 12 cows. The total number of hunters was 108 (105 lottery permit holders, two permits auctioned off by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH to generate important conservation funding, and one Hunt of a Lifetime participant). In comparison, last year, 39% of moose hunters were successful during the opening weekend.

Hunters braved unsettled weather on the opening weekend, with cold, windy conditions overall and sleet, snow and rain in the North Country. "Cool weather is generally good for moose hunting, because they tend to be a little more active when it's cold," said Kristine Rines, who has been the N.H. Fish and Game Department's moose biologist for 29 years.

The largest moose checked in during the opening weekend was a bull with a dressed weight of 810 pounds, taken in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) D-1 by David A. Smith Sr. of Franklin, NH.

The mother-daughter team of Torie and Jazmine Perkins of Seabrook, NH, saw success the morning of the first day of the hunt, when 18-year-old Jazmine shot a cow moose that dressed out at 435 pounds. "She was pretty excited. This was her first moose," said Torie. Her daughter Jazmine, who is the eldest child in the family, hunts deer with her dad. According to Torie, she was a little put out when her younger brother and father got a moose a couple years ago, so this year's hunt with mom made her especially happy.

Rines explained that in addition to information and samples normally collected at moose check stations, biologists are collecting blood samples to test for West Nile Virus and EEE this year.

Fish and Game manages New Hampshire's moose population in accordance with density goals defined in its 2006-2015 moose management plan. This plan seeks to meet regional moose population goals by balancing and incorporating social, economic, public safety and ecological factors, using the best available science.
New Hampshire's nine-day moose hunt continues through Sunday, October 25, 2015. This year, more than 9,500 people entered the moose hunt lottery for a chance to win one of the 105 permits drawn for the New Hampshire moose hunt. In addition, two permits were auctioned off by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, and one permit was given to a young person with a serious illness through the "Hunt of a Lifetime" program.

For more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, including a list of check stations, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html.

Learn About Salmon Life Cycle at "Salmon Sunday"

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
CONCORD, N.H. -- Bring the kids and explore the life cycle of landlocked salmon, fish prized by anglers on New Hampshire's big lakes, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's annual "Salmon Sunday" event on Sunday, November 8, 2015, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Pope Dam in Melvin Village. Pope Dam is nine miles north of Wolfeboro on Route 109 in the town of Tuftonboro, N.H.

"Salmon Sunday is a great chance for everyone to get a close-up look at landlocked salmon from Lake Winnipesaukee in their fall spawning colors," said Fisheries Biologist John Viar. "Kids love to see the big salmon, averaging about three pounds each, and watch biologists collect the eggs."

During the event, fisheries biologists will be busy harvesting, or "stripping," eggs and milt from adult salmon. Standing knee-deep in the cold water of the Melvin River, scientists expertly relieve the colorful adult female salmon of their eggs by stroking their stomachs. Milt from the male fish is obtained in the same way, and mixed with the gold-colored eggs to fertilize them.

This activity is all part of the work the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department carries out each year, with support from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, to maintain the landlocked salmon population in New Hampshire's big lakes.

Salmon used for the stripping demonstration are netted from Lake Winnipesaukee during October and early November. They are returned to the lake after their eggs and milt have been collected. The fertilized eggs are taken to Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham, where they will hatch in three to four months. The salmon are raised in the hatchery for about 18 months, then stocked into Lake Winnipesaukee and other New Hampshire lakes.

Fish and Game staff will be on hand to answer questions about salmon, the egg-stripping process and the stocking program that ensures these beautiful fish continue to be available in the lakes for anglers to catch. Salmon Sunday is a "rain or shine" event. Dress warmly. If you have questions about Salmon Sunday, call 603-744-5470.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources. Visit www.fishnh.com.

Tori Nonaka Becomes Youngest Woman to Capture 3 Consecutive USPSA National Ladies Championship Wins

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

SMYRNA, Ga. – Team GLOCK's Tori Nonaka captures the USPSA National Ladies Championship win for the third consecutive year in a row, making her the youngest woman to do so.

Team captain Shane Coley and Tori Nonaka recently returned home from the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Florida where they competed in the 2015 USPSA Back to Back Handgun Nationals from October 4-10, completing 42 courses.

The Universal Shooting Academy historically represents the toughest shooting competitions in the country. Coley and Nonaka had adjusted their training drills all year to better prepare for this event that is most heavily based on accuracy. In the Limited Division, Coley placed third and Nonaka placed second. The Limited 10 Division was where Nonaka took her opportunity to shine. Competing with her G24, she had three great days of shooting, giving up no points to her competitors. After completing her final stage of the match, she had secured the Limited 10 National Championship and the third one of her career since being with Team GLOCK.

"I have to thank my family for their support through all of these years of travel and competition," said Nonaka during the awards ceremony. "Also to GLOCK for always believing in me and making my dreams come true this 2015 shooting season."

Next up for Coley is the 2015 USAMU Junior Clinic where he will be the guest instructor for the junior shooters. Coley is also training for the IDPA "BUG" Gun Nationals and the Kentucky Handgun Championships.

Massachusett Blue Hills Controlled Deer Hunt

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Blue Hills Controlled Deer Hunt has been developed and organized in order to address the considerable deer densities within the Reservation. Moreover, DCR’s primary long-term objective and rationale for deer management in the Blue Hills is to reach and maintain an ecologically sustainable deer density that fosters the restoration of native vegetation, promotes healthy habitat for other wildlife, and allows for the continuous growth and regeneration of the forest.
The initiation of a controlled hunt in the Blue Hills is designed to deal with a critical environmental problem and is not intended to provide a new recreational opportunity at the Blue Hills. This is a controlled PERMITTED hunt. Registered hunters who are interested in participating must complete and submit an application. DCR will then conduct a lottery to select permittees. (See below sections regarding the application process and selection process for additional details.)
Also, prospective applicants are strongly advised to read and review the Blue Hills Deer Management Plan by clicking on the following link: Blue Hills State Reservation Deer Management Plan  

Organization of the Controlled Deer Hunt

• Timing

 In 2015, the Blue Hills controlled deer hunt will take place over the course of 2 two-day segments (for a total of four days). Below are the dates for each segment:

Segment 1: Monday, November 30th and Tuesday, December 1st

Segment 2: Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th

Hunters will be assigned to one of the two segments. Hunters selected to hunt during Segment 1 will be allowed to hunt on Monday, November 30th and Tuesday, December 1st. And hunters selected to hunt during Segment 2 will be allowed to hunt on Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th.

• Participation

Approximately 196 permits will be issued for the Blue Hills controlled deer hunt. Half of the permits (98) will be issued for Segment 1 and the other half of the permits (98) will be issued for Segment 2. As such, no more than 98 hunters will be allowed to participate at any given time during the controlled hunt.

• Access

 In 2015, the controlled hunt will only take place in designated areas of the Reservation located north of I-93. The Blue Hills State Reservation Deer Management Plan   contains a variety of maps delineating the areas that will be open to the controlled hunt in 2015. Please review the Blue Hills Deer Management Plan for additional information regarding access.

• Management Zones

Designated areas of the Reservation in which the controlled hunt will take place have been divided into 5 management zones. Selected permittees will be assigned to a specific management zone and will only be allowed to hunt within their assigned zone. The Blue Hills Deer Management Plan contains a variety of maps delineating the 5 management zones. Please review the Blue Hills Deer Management Plan for additional information.

• Hunting Implements

In 2015, participants will be allowed to use shotguns with slugs only. Buckshot is prohibited from use in the Blue Hills controlled hunt. Archery hunting will also not be allowed during this first year of the controlled hunt.

• Tree Stands

DCR highly encourages selected permittees who are comfortable with this form of hunting to make use of tree stands while participating in the Blue Hills controlled hunt.

• Antlerless Permits

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) will make antlerless permits available specific to the Blue Hills controlled hunt. Only selected permittees will be allowed to get antlerless permits for the Blue Hills controlled hunt. Once informed of selection, successful applications will be able to purchase their antlerless permits. For the 2015 controlled hunt, selected permittees much purchase two antlerless permits and be willing to take an antlerless deer to participate in the management hunt.

• Hunter Orientation

All selected permittees will be required to attend an orientation session organized and hosted by DCR and its partner agencies. Upon selection into the controlled hunt program, permittees will be assigned to an orientation session at a given time and location. Non-attendance of this orientation will automatically result in a permittee’s removal from the program.

 

Application & Selection Process

Approximately 196 hunters will be selected from applications submitted.
Registered hunters may apply on-line by clicking on the following link: Blue Hills Deer Hunt Permit Application Online
Or by downloading the application and hand delivering or mailing it in to DCR: Blue Hills Deer Hunt Permit Application  
The deadline for submitting an application online or by hand is 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
Any mailed applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

Schedule

October 14:            Application available
October 28:            Deadline for submitting applications
November 3:           Permit drawing to select hunters. Only selected applicants will be notified by mail.
November 12:         Hunter Orientation Session 1
November 16:         Hunter Orientation Session 2

Controlled Hunt Dates

Segment 1: Monday, November 30th and Tuesday, December 1st
Segment 2: Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th
 

Maine's Booming Lobster Fishery Could be on the Verge of Bust

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Drizzled in butter or slathered in mayo—or heaped atop 100% all-natural Angus beef, perhaps? The question of how you like your lobster roll is no longer the sole province of foodies, coastal New Englanders, and people who summer in Maine. American lobster has gone mainstream, launching food trucks from Georgia to Oregon, and debuting on menus at McDonald's and Shake Shack.

Unlike almost anything else that gets eaten on a bun, Maine lobster is wild-caught—which typically makes seafood pricier. So how has lobster gone from luxury eat to food-truck treat?

The reason boils down to plentiful supply, plain and simple. In fact, the state's lobster business is the only fishery on the planet that has endured for more than a century and yet produces more volume and value than ever before. And not just slightly more. Last year, Maine fishermen hauled ashore 124 million pounds of lobsters, six times more than what they'd caught in 1984. The $456 million in value those landings totaled was nearly 20% higher than any other year in history, in real terms. These days, around 85% of American lobster caught in the US is landed in Maine—more than ever before.

Even more remarkable than sheer volume, though, is that this sudden sixfold surge has no clear explanation. A rise in sea temperatures, which has sped up lobster growth and opened up new coastal habitats for baby lobsters, is one likely reason. Another is that by plundering cod and other big fish in the Gulf of Maine, we've thinned out the predators that long kept lobster numbers in check. Both are strong hypotheses, yet no one's sure we really understand what's going on.
 Source: The Outdoor Wire

Menhaden Population Booming in Rhode Island Waters

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Here's a statistic, which is a best-guess estimate, but nonetheless difficult to wrap one's head around: On Tuesday, Oct. 6, there were 5.8 million pounds of menhaden swimming in the bay.

That isn't too hard to imagine if you looked down from the Pawtuxet River Bridge the following day, or actually, as it turns out, just about any time in the last two weeks. What you would have seen are thousands upon thousands of fish. Most of them were juvenile menhaden averaging about three inches long. Mixed in the schools – so thick that they looked like carpets – were a few adults of about 11 inches. And then there were the predators – the cormorants, sea gulls, terns and bluefish and stripers – gorging themselves.

"The menhaden population has absolutely exploded this year," says Christopher Deacutis.

Deacutis, supervisor of environmental science for the Department of Environmental Management, said large schools of the fish have been seen up and down the eastern seaboard, and there have been reports of humpback whales feeding off them last month in Long Island Sound. The whales haven't been reported in Rhode Island waters, but Deacutis suspects the menhaden are the reason why schools of common dolphins have been spotted at the mouth of Narragansett Bay.

Pawtuxet Cove isn't the only place the fish are plentiful. Large schools are being reported in coves throughout the bay, as well as in deeper waters. DEM contracts for "spotter planes" that are used to estimate the biomass of schools of menhaden. Those estimates have been arrived at through years of working with purse seiners, explains Nicole Lengyel, principal biologist with RIDEM Fish and Wildlife. The weight of a catch is compared to the size of a school, which is then used to estimate the biomass of other schools.

Lengyel said the state usually gets a "spring pulse" of adult menhaden that tapers off in June as they migrate north. There's usually a second late summer or fall pulse of juvenile fish migrating south in late August and into September. This summer, more menhaden stayed in the bay and the fall pulse picked up at the end of August, running through most of September.
Source: The Outdoor Wire

Connecticut Carp Tournament Heating Up !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Current Connecticut record holder is a Common Carp caught in 2012  43lbs, 12oz. by this same fisher , Michael Hudak, If this record is broken in the Tournament it will be worth another $100,000

WOW- when was the last time you caught a 33 pound freshwater fish in CT? Congrats to Mike Hudak who landed this beauty as part of the CT CARP open. The tournament continues until 2:00 pm this Friday.
Main website
http://www.carptournamentseries.com/…/2015-connecticut-car…/

Alli Armstrong Wins A National 3D Archery Championship

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Legacy Trails' team member Alli Armstrong of Elizabethtown, IL won the coveted title of National 3D Archery Champion in Women's Bow Hunter while representing Southeastern IL College in the 2015 US Intercollegiate Archery Championships (USIAC) at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area.

She also won All-American honors for being in the top ten in nationals and Academic All-American honors for archers finishing in the top ten at nationals and carrying an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. Varsity teams from across the nation competed.
A few weeks prior, Armstrong also won the regional 3D archery championship in the women's bow hunter division.

For more information about Alli Armstrong visit www.legacytrailstv.com

N.H. Moose Hunt, October 17-25

Posted by Wayne G. Barber


CONCORD, N.H. -- For nine exciting days, from October 17 to 25, 2015, lucky moose permit holders and their hunting partners will have the experience of a lifetime taking part in New Hampshire's annual moose hunt.

A total of 105 permit holders were drawn in this year's lottery, randomly selected by computer from a pool of more than 9,500 applicants. In addition, two hunters will have the chance to hunt moose because they were the highest bidders in an annual auction that benefits the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, and one permit was granted to a youth with a serious medical condition through the Hunt of a Lifetime program. Last fall (2014), New Hampshire hunters had a statewide success rate of 72%.

Each hunter with a moose permit is assigned to hunt in one of 22 wildlife management units throughout the state. Most have spent the past several weeks or months scouting out potential hunting spots in their assigned areas. After taking a moose, hunters must have the animals registered and inspected at one of six check stations around the state. There, wildlife biologists check each moose to collect information about the overall health of the moose herd. Moose check stations draw many interested onlookers, a reminder of the economic and symbolic importance of moose in New Hampshire, particularly in the North Country. You can find a list of moose check stations at www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html.


Whether or not you're hunting moose this year, get into the spirit of the adventure with a limited-edition 2015 New Hampshire moose hunt commemorative shirt! The new collection is available online at www.shopwildnh.com.

The moose hunt has been an annual event in New Hampshire for more than twenty years. The state's first modern-day moose hunt took place in 1988, with 75 permits issued in the North Country. At that time, New Hampshire was home to about 1,600 moose. Today, New Hampshire has about 4,000 moose.

Hunters are reminded to avoid consuming moose liver and kidney. Studies conducted by Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have revealed high levels of cadmium in some moose livers and kidneys sampled. As a result, officials from the Environmental Health Program at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services recommend that no moose kidney be eaten, and preferably no liver. If individuals do choose to eat moose liver, it should be from moose no older than 1.5 years. If the moose is older than that, consumption should be limited to a maximum of two meals (assuming six ounces per meal) of moose liver per year. Biologists at moose check stations can determine the age of the animal for hunters. If you have questions about this issue, call David Gordon, DES Environmental Health Program, at 603-271-4608.

Visit a photo gallery of past successful N.H. moose hunters -- and find out more about moose hunting in New Hampshire -- at www.huntnh.com/hunting/moose.html.

Rhode Island Fall Trout Stocking

TROUT FOR FALL FISHING SEASON

Some 6,600 hatchery-raised trout stocked in ponds and rivers throughout state

PROVIDENCE – Just in time for Columbus Day weekend, the Department of Environmental Management

announced it is stocking ponds and rivers across Rhode Island with some 6,600 brown and brook trout.

"Fishing is a popular outdoor activity for people of all ages, attracting residents and tourists alike in Rhode

Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “We hope families will take time this holiday weekend to venture

out and experience the thrill of reeling in a trout at one of these locations; it not only promotes family

time and quality of life – but also our state’s economic health.”

Rhode Island’s recreational fishing industry contributes more than $130 million to the state and local

economy annually – based on consumer spending on trips, gear, and other related purchases. There are

an estimated 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island each year, according to the U.S. Fish

& Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

The ponds and rivers affected include:

 Meadowbrook Pond, Richmond

 Carbuncle Pond, Coventry

 Olney Pond, Lincoln

 Silver Spring Pond, North

Kingstown

 Barber Pond, South Kingstown

 Carolina Trout Pond, Hopkinton

 Beaver River, Richmond

 Round Top Ponds, Burrillville

 Stafford Pond, Tiverton

 Wyoming Pond, Hopkinton

 Blackstone River

 Upper Pawtuxet River, Cranston and West Warwick

 Wood River and Pawcatuck Rivers, Richmond

A 2015 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older. A Trout Conservation Stamp is

also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or 'fly-fishing

only' area. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.dem.ri.gov or in person by visiting the Boat

Registration and Licensing Office at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street, Providence.

-more-

Rhode Island

Department of Environmental Management

235 Promenade Street

Providence, Rhode Island 02908-5767