Ice Fishing Season Extended on Northern Maine Waters Currently Open To Ice Fishing

Due to unusually cold weather conditions and an emergency resolve signed by the governor this afternoon, ice fishing season in the northern region of the state is extended from April 1 through Sunday, April 16. Waters in Southern Maine are already open year round to both ice fishing and open water fishing unless closed by special rule.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Be On the Lookout for Frogs, Salamanders by Roads

One of the great wildlife migrations is happening right now in Vermont, and it’s taking place right at our feet. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Trolling New Hampshires Big Lakes -- Free Talk

Here’s your chance to learn how to troll the big lakes of New Hampshire for lake trout and salmon.  Come enjoy a free talk by expert fishing guide Scott Jackson at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. No pre-registration is required. Admission is free.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Freshwater Fishing Season Kicks Off On April 8

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today it is stocking 80,000 trout into Rhode Island ponds and streams in preparation for the freshwater fishing season. Opening day of the season, scheduled for April 8, is celebrated annually by more than 40,000 anglers across the state. New this year, Carbuncle Pond in Coventry will be stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Sign Up Now for Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt

Youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Fifth Annual Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt this spring. The event is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and is open to any licensed hunter under the age of 16.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Fishing Report March 26 2017 Massachusetts

Mother Nature is really messing around with us lately, with these wide range weather swings. Checked out a pond on Friday evening to verify that the waters were ice free for a fishing outing in a day or so, ice was gone and a plan was set.

Wasn’t able to get to the water until Sunday morning, of course the previous night, got down into the low 20’s and guess what, the pond froze over again with a layer of ¼” ice.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/reports-1.html

Remove Bobhouses from Ice by April 1

Attention ice anglers: According to state law, all bobhouses (also known as ice shanties), must be removed from the ice no later than the end of the day on April 1.  Please remember to use all precautions to ensure your safety when taking bobhouses off lakes and ponds

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Landlocked Salmon and Lake Trout Fishing Opens April 1

April 1 marks the start of the open-water fishing season on New Hampshire’s large lakes managed for landlocked salmon and lake trout, including Big Squam, Sunapee, and the "Big Lake" -- Winnipesaukee.  Along with these well-known water bodies, New Hampshire Fish and Game also manages 11 other lakes for landlocked salmon, including Big Dan Hole Pond, First and Second Connecticut Lakes, Conway Lake, Lake Francis, Merrymeeting Lake, Newfound Lake, Ossipee Lake, Little Squam Lake, and Winnisquam Lake.  Pleasant Lake in New London also is managed for landlocked salmon, but is classified as a designated trout pond, with a 2017 opening date of April 22.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Turkey Hunting Seminar

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is hosting two free turkey hunting seminars this spring - one on Saturday April 1 and the other on Sunday April 2.

Turkey Seminar April 1

Turkey Seminar April 2

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A Hands-On Look at Maine’s Deer Mortality Study

Regional wildlife biologists are frequently involved with a variety of tasks to support various wildlife work programs statewide, so imagine our excitement when we were asked to help live trap some deer! Wow, what a job assignment! Are you kidding me, I get to do that? In reality, it is a task that is easier said than done!

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Glastonbury Shooting Range Re-opens for 2017 Season

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Glastonbury Shooting Range is scheduled to open for supervised public use on Saturdays and Sundays beginning Saturday, April 1 and remaining open through November 26. The range is located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road in Glastonbury, and supervision will be by DEEP certified range safety officers.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Enter the New Hampshire Moose Hunt Lottery

If you want to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall, now is the time to enter the lottery and try your luck on the adventure of a lifetime. Applications for the lottery cost $15 for residents and $25 for non-residents (nonrefundable) and are available online at huntnh.com or from any Fish and Game license agent. A total of 51 permits are proposed to be issued this year.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Spring 2017 Outdoor Adventure Talks

Jump start your spring outdoor adventures with these free talks being offered by the NH Fish and Game Department in April. Unless noted, the talks take place at 7 p.m. at Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. No pre-registration is required. Admission is free (except film festival). Get inspired by the out door world!

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Be Responsible in Bear Country - Take down Birdfeeders Earlier this Spring

Despite a recent March Nor’easter, bears are becoming active in many areas of the state.  Officials are asking the New Hampshire public to be responsible and remove bird feeders and secure other backyard attractants.  Although March 31 is the traditional deadline for ending winter bird feeding activity, more mild winters and the earlier arrival of spring conditions warrant modifications.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

F&W Suggests Removing Bird Feeders April 1st

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says warm spring weather and melting snows will cause bears to come out of their winter dens in search of food. The department recommends taking down bird feeders on April 1 to avoid attracting them. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Hammond Cove Shooting Range Opening April 1

The Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland, Vermont will be re-opening for the season on Saturday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

VT Fish & Wildlife Offers Free Fishing Clinics

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be hosting a series of free fishing clinics this spring and summer, including four specialized courses focused on specific tactics and species of fish. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Understanding The S-13 Regulation — Why Waters With Illegal Introductions Of Bass Have No Size Or Bag Limit On Bass

Part of the recent Fishing Laws booklet simplification process included multiple reviews by staff biologists to ensure major errors were not included in the final product.   While going through one edition of the booklet I chose to focus on the S-13 special regulation.   This special regulation allows unlimited harvest of largemouth and smallmouth bass with no minimum length limit and is generally placed on waters where bass have been introduced illegally, particularly in waters managed for salmonids.

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Free Fly-Tying Workshops Kick Off Next Week

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today a series of free fly-tying workshops, beginning next week, at public libraries in Middletown, Little Compton and Portsmouth. The classes, designed for beginning and intermediate fly-tiers ages 10 and older, will cover techniques for both freshwater and saltwater fishing and will culminate in fishing events to be scheduled this spring.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Reminder - Report Wild Turkey Sightings through March 31

Wildlife watchers are reminded to report their winter wild turkey sightings.  A link to the survey is published at www.wildnh.com/surveys/turkey.html.  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Wild Turkey Flock Survey is open through March 31.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

VT F&W Seeks Let’s Go Fishing Program Instructors

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers who would like to become ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ instructors so they can pass on Vermont’s fishing tradition to the next generation of Vermonters. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Registration Opens April 1 for Summer Youth Programs at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center

Free youth day programs are being offered once again this summer at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. These programs give both boys and girls ages 10-15 the chance to learn about shooting sports, bowhunting and other outdoor skills. Sessions will be offered in July and August.  Owl Brook is operated by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Sessions are free of charge.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Great Bay Discovery Center Seeks Exhibit Room Volunteers

The Great Bay Discovery Center is holding its annual exhibit room training for volunteers on April 14. The training runs from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and is for anyone who is interested in staffing the exhibit room in the Discovery Center.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Habitat Improvement Work At Jamies Pond Concludes For The Season, Grouse and Deer Habitat Improved

Habitat work at Jamies Pond began in August of 2016 and is now concluding for the season in anticipation of spring breakup.  The Department has created 14 grouse blocks totaling approximately 18 acres, enhanced deer wintering area habitat, and performed a light selection harvest around mast bearing species such as red oak, American beech and apple trees to provide more growing space for their crowns. As of the end of the winter of 2017, work covering approximately 75% of the 800 upland acres at Jamies Pond has been accomplished.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Volunteers Needed to Help Create Habitat for New England Cottontails

The N.H. Fish and Game Department and UNH Cooperative Extension are seeking volunteers to help restore the habitat of the endangered New England cottontail rabbit. At Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover, volunteers will plant native shrubs that rabbits use for shelter.

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Partners Begin Preparations For Fish Study In Lower Blackstone River Today

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), along with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will begin preparations for a study of anadromous river herring in the Blackstone River today. The telemetry study, which will track fish movement and provide detailed information on their behavior, will inform the design of future fish passage.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

DEM Offers Saltwater Fishing Licenses, Information On Boating Safety At New England Saltwater Fishing Show This Weekend

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Divisions of Law Enforcement and Fish & Wildlife will be at this weekend's New England Saltwater Fishing Show (Booth 114 and 115), offering saltwater fishing licenses and information on boating safety and education courses.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Lake Champlain Muskie Catches Point to Restoration Progress

A series of recent muskellunge catches by anglers ice fishing on northern Lake Champlain have provided fisheries biologists from Vermont Fish & Wildlife with added confirmation that muskie stocking and restoration efforts in Missisquoi Bay and the Missisquoi River are proving successful. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Turkey Hunting Seminars, April 1 & 2

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting two free turkey hunting seminars this spring – one on Saturday, April 1, the other on Sunday, April 2.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Fish & Wildlife Biologist to Discuss How to Improve Wildlife Habitat for Landowners

Biologist Dave Adams with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will give a presentation on improving wildlife habitat on private lands on Thursday, March 9, 2017. The talk will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Public Safety Building Meeting Room in Montgomery, Vt. The presentation is free and open to the public. 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Nautic-Sport: Power Source

As a sportsman, we still carry along some of our electronics into the field for capturing what we are doing, or for precautionary measures for getting us back home safely. Many times, these items will be drained of their power as they are constantly trying to get or keep a signal, rendering the usability if the need arises.

So how do we keep these items powered up while in the field? There is a product that was developed with the sportsman in mind just for these cases, Nautic-Sport, came out with an item called the Sportsman Emergency Power Source.

This rechargeable pack, allows you to keep your electronics powered, in the event that they are drained during your time in the field or on the water. While at home, you plug this unit into the wall and charge it to its full capacity.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/reports-1.html

Waterfowl Season Meeting Set for March 22, 2017

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public meeting on proposed season dates and bag limits for the 2017-2018 waterfowl hunting season on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. Comments made at the meeting will be considered in finalizing New Hampshire’s 2017-2018 waterfowl season dates. If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to provide comments please email them to comments@wildlife.nh.gov and enter “waterfowl season setting” in the subject line.  Written comments will be accepted and considered up until March 29, 2017.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Portions Of RI Sound And Lower Narragansett Bay And Sakonnet River Closed To Shellfishing

The Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management (DEM) and Health (RIDOH) today announced that areas of Rhode Island Sound, lower Narragansett Bay south of the Newport Pell and Jamestown Verrazzano Bridges, and lower Sakonnet River will be closed to shellfish harvesting beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, March 1, until further notice. The closure is due to a confirmed harmful algae bloom (HAB) caused by the phytoplankton, Pseudo-nitzschia spp. The closures exclude carnivorous snails, such as whelk and moon snails.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/state-news-1.html

Fishing Report February 22 2017 MN

With the abnormal winter continuing on, ice definitely has been taking a beating and the fish will be migrating to their spring locations. Fish have still been holding to their deep water patterns and once the school is found, numbers can be caught. Fishing 35 FOW, the crappie were holding at the 25-30 foot range. With these depths, utilizing tungsten jigs is key for getting back to the deep water fish quickly before they move on.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/reports-1.html