Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Applications Available

Vermont’s muzzleloader season antlerless deer hunting permit applications are now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).  A quick-link to the information and application is provided on the home page.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Outdoor Family Fun on Tap at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center Open House

The Owl Brook Hunter Education Center will host a public Open House on  Saturday, June 13, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the family to enjoy hands-on activities related to the shooting sports, hunting and trapping. Admission is free.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Vermont Anglers reminded of lake sturgeon protection and state law

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers of the state regulation applying to lake sturgeon, as well as the need to help protect the endangered species through responsible angling practices and by reporting catch information to the Department.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Vermont State Parks and Vermont Fish & Wildlife announce “Reel Fun” program for 2015

Vermont State Parks and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are teaming up this season to promote and enhance fishing opportunities for campers and visitors at state parks across Vermont through the recently created “Reel Fun” program.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Fishing Report May 24/25 2015 New Hampshire/Massachusetts

We had the long Memorial Holiday weekend to get out and do some fishing one day on a Southern New Hampshire lake and another day on a small Northern Massachusetts pond. By fishing two bodies of waters in two different states, the fish are basically in the same mode and pattern.


The air temperatures are getting into the 80’s somewhat more consistently day by day but the water temps seem to still be on the cooler side. Between these two bodies of waters the water temperatures were fairly consistent ranging from 64-67 degrees. There were a few older beds around but could tell that we are getting into the post spawn mode and we had a bit of a tough time fishing this weekend.


We will start with our day on the water in New Hampshire which was on Sunday. Weather wise we were at the 80 degree mark and had fairly high winds to deal with as well. The lake that we fished we fish there quite often and have plenty of locations to hit. Didn’t take long and we were catching fish on crank baits while casting to 5 feet and under water depths but did also notice that these fish were the smaller males that were still in the shallower waters.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

Free Fishing in Maine this Weekend

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is encouraging everyone to get out on Maine’s waters this weekend to take advantage of free fishing days. Free fishing weekend will take place on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, when any person may fish for free without a license on Maine’s waterways, except those who have had their license suspended or revoked.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html

NH Introduction to Rifle and Shotgun Course for Women Offered

Women interested in learning more about firearms can sign up for a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop called “Introduction to Rifle and Shotgun.”  The course will take place on July 11, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH.  Cost for the workshop is $55, which includes equipment and lunch. The course will be held, rain or shine

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for May 26 – June 3

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Kids_OutDoors.html

CT DEEP Completes 2015 Catfish Stockings

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that one of the most sought after freshwater game fish species in the country, the Channel Catfish, has been stocked into twenty-four water bodies across Connecticut (see list of locations) This marks the ninth consecutive year DEEP has been able to stock Channel Catfish purchased with Federal Sport Fish Restoration Funds.  This year approximately 16,300 fish were stocked.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/CT_News.html

RI Division of Fish and Wildlife to offer freshwater fly-fishing workshops in May and June

Hosted by the Division's Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program, an introductory workshop on freshwater fly-fishing will be held at the Addieville East Game Farm on Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whether you are a beginner or need a refresher course, this workshop will cover all the basics on freshwater fly-fishing. Top Rhode Island fly-fishing instructors will teach casting techniques, fly-tying, tackle needs, and knot-tying. Participants will also put their skills to work on the water. The workshop is open to everyone 10 years of age and older. All materials and equipment are included with the $15 per-person registration fee. Lunch is not included, so participants should pack a lunch. For additional information and for registration materials, contact Kimberly Sullivan at 539-0037 or via e-mail at or kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/RI_News.html

Ban on Use of Drones, Smart Rifles and Live-Action Game Cameras in Effect in NH

A new rule adopted by the NH Fish and Game Department bans the use of drones, smart rifles and live-action game cameras while hunting or attempting to take wildlife. This rule became effective May 4, 2015.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Fishing Report May 15 2015 Massachusetts

Many of the ponds and lakes in our area are typically town water supplies and being that is the situation, they only allow non-motorized boats, kayaks and canoes on the waters. Today’s particular lake is rather large in size and we fish it a lot in the winter months but are only able to get to it a couple of times in the open water.

Lake is basically a large round body of water and there isn’t a day that the winds are not blowing here as this reservoir is elevated for this region creating breezy conditions on most days. Since that is the case, it makes it difficult to fish in our small boats and you have to pick and choice when to fish there. The other stipulation is that it isn’t easily accessible and takes some work getting a Jon boat to the water’s edge.


http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

Last Chance to Enter the NH Moose Hunt Lottery

If you haven't submitted an application and want a chance to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall, then you better get moving! The deadline for entering the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery is Friday, May 29.  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has proposed to offer permits to 105 lucky winners for New Hampshire's 2015 moose hunt, which runs from October 17 – 25. Last year's statewide hunter success rate for moose was 72%.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Turkey Hunting Report May 16 2015

I have been turkey hunting for a while now and out of the hunts that I do, I find hunting these birds to be the most rewarding hunts. I find that they are very hard to get into gun range and when that Tom comes into your decoy spread that gets your heart beating and blood pumping.

 I haven’t been successful in any hunts that I have been on and that just makes me work harder every season that I am out there. Figuring out where these birds are and where they are going throughout the morning hunt, makes this type of hunting very intriguing.

 This year in particular I had put in a lot of time and finally started patterning the birds in my area and that started with the first hunt of this season. Unfortunately for the first day’s sit, I setup in a field that has had birds in the past and for cover they had just cut some salt marsh hay and had that piled on the field that allowed me to getting myself into that for concealment. Worked the area but this day was a bust and made me want this so much more.


http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Hunting_Blog_2015.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for May 18 – May 27

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Kids_OutDoors.html

Deer harvest second highest in the past six years

“Hunters had an unusual year with heavy snow hitting much of the state on opening weekend, and then again during Thanksgiving,” said Kyle Ravana, IFW’s deer biologist. “Those are always two of the busiest weekends of the year for hunters, and it gave many hunters the chance to track and harvest a deer.”

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html

Hiking Season is Here! Buy Your Hike Safe Card.

As the summer hiking season gets underway, the NH Fish and Game Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts to buy their Hike Safe card before they hit the trails.  Voluntary Hike Safe Cards are available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Purchase the card online at https://www.nhfishandgame.com/HikeSafe.aspx to support Fish and Game search and rescue efforts and be exempt from liability for repaying search and rescue costs in New Hampshire (unless caused by reckless or intentional behavior).

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Be Aware of Endangered Piping Plovers on NH Beaches

Be aware of endangered birds on the beaches this holiday weekend and beyond, as the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reports there are six pairs of piping plovers nesting along the sandy shores of Hampton and Seabrook. Piping plovers are endangered in New Hampshire and threatened nationally. Their breeding habitat is fenced with yellow roping to indicate the birds' presence to beach-goers and to allow the mating pairs space to nest and raise their young.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Boat Ramp Closures Planned

The public boat ramp facility at Otter Lake in Greenfield, N.H., will be closed beginning Monday May 18, 2015, for repairs and improvements. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will rebuild the ramp using its precast-concrete plank design. In addition, an enlarged parking area for eight trailer-parking spaces, including one for recreationists with disabilities, will be created. The parking area surface will be constructed with a pervious stone-filled grid to increase stormwater runoff infiltration to control discharges to the lake.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Avoid Tempting Bears by Removing Food Sources

People love to see a black bear in its natural surroundings, but when a bear ventures into human territory, problems can occur.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Fishing Report May 10 2015 Massachusetts

Today was going to be the day that we finally put the big boat in the water and make sure everything is functioning properly while catching some crappie. The targeted lake holds a great population of 12 inch plus crappie and with the weather we have been having all week, the water temps should be getting up there.
Since this is mother’s day, time will be limited and the morning started of slow and late to get going and the main plan wasn’t an alternative anymore. So we loaded the small boat up and headed to the local pond and see if the crappie there were in full swing yet.
There was a fairly good breeze blowing, with a high hot sun as the air temperatures were at the 80 degree range and this made for a hot day on the water. We headed for the cove that we have found them previously and hoping that they were stacked in there.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for May 12 – May 20

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Kids_OutDoors.html

23 schools participate in "Trout in the Classroom" program

Though the academic year is winding down for schools across Vermont, 23 local schools are ramping up efforts toward a new beginning, one which will give life to thousands of trout fry to be released into Vermont waters.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Free Fishing Day in New Hampshire - Saturday, June 6, 2015

Take advantage of New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day, coming Saturday, June 6, 2015. On Free Fishing Day, you can fish anywhere in New Hampshire - freshwater or saltwater - without a fishing license. Plan to get out and enjoy the day fishing with your family and friends. Both state residents and nonresidents may participate. All other fishing regulations must be followed on Free Fishing Day, including season dates and bag limits.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Fun Fishing Events Being Held This Spring

Fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Many anglers remember their first fishing experience was with a parent or mentor who taught them the basics and gave them the opportunity to catch fish. That opportunity is now being replicated across Vermont through several programs that are specifically designed to teach beginners how to fish.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Apply Online for a Moose Permit, Win a Muzzleloader

Applying for a moose hunting permit on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website by a June 17 deadline will get you a chance to win a new Thompson Center “Triumph” muzzleloader.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

$3,500 OGT REWARD: Deep Poaching/Maine Warden Service

Thanks to the generosity of concerned citizens, Operation Game Thief (OGT) is now able to further increase its reward and is now offering $3,500 to anyone who can provide information that leads to a conviction for those responsible for killing four doe deer and leaving them and their fawns to waste in the towns of Chesterville, Jay, Livermore, and Leeds.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html

Moose Lottery Deadline is May 29, 2015

Want to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall? The deadline for entering the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery is May 29, 2015. It costs just $15 for residents and $25 for non-residents to enter the lottery. A total of 105 permits will be issued. The state's moose hunt will run from October 17 - 25, 2015. Last year, the statewide hunter success rate was 72%.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for May 4 – May 13

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Kids_OutDoors.html

New Recreational Angling Rules for Cod and Haddock Effective May 1

New cod and haddock rules for recreational fishermen fishing in New Hampshire state waters (0 to 3 miles from shore) take effect May 1, 2015, the N.H. Fish and Game Department reported today.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Vermont anglers and boaters reminded of cold water awareness

With ice going out on bodies of water across the state and various fishing seasons opening up, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging anglers and recreational boaters alike to be aware of the cold water conditions that come with the start of spring.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/VT_News.html

Maine Turkey Season Starts Monday Throughout The State

Spring turkey season starts on Monday, May 4 throughout the state, and for the first time in modern history, hunters will be able to turkey hunt in northern Maine. Youth hunters will have their own day on Saturday, May 2

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/ME_News.html