Midwest Hunting and Fishing Magazine September/October 2017

F&W to Hold Free Fishing Clinics in September

Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s “Let’s Go Fishing Program” will be holding two educational fishing clinics in September, both which are free and open to anglers of all ages and abilities. 

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

Small Game Seasons Get Underway

Small game hunting season for gray squirrel gets underway September 1 -- a nice opportunity to get out and hunt in comfortable weather and a great way to introduce a youngster to hunting skills. On October 1 ruffed grouse, woodcock and snowshoe hare seasons open and all are exciting to hunt and make excellent table fare.

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

Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates Set

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for the 2017-2018 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows. Specific details on season dates, bag limits, regulations, and other reminders are published in the 2017-2018 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which is available at  www.ct.gov/deep/hunting. Printed versions can be obtained at DEEP and town clerk offices.

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

Evening Bluegills - Kevin Dahlke's Outdoors

Isolated Structure Fishing

Summer time water temperatures have the fish looking for cooler and more comfortable water zones and that means fishing deeper water. There are many deep water locations that hold fish and then there are areas that hold better quality and more variety.

Finding these locations can be very rewarding and typically do take a good amount of work, but once they are found, can be goldmines on a regular basis. Good electronics these days, allow you to create mapping on demand, and this work up front, can show you these locations that may not be on your current charts.

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

Free Trees Available To Homeowners This Fall

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up once again with the Arbor Day Foundation, Rhode Island Tree Council, and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association to give away 1,000 trees as part of the State's Energy-Saving Trees Program. The Program helps homeowners conserve energy and reduce utility costs while beautifying their neighborhood.

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

Save the Dates: Fall Outdoor Adventure Talks Coming Up at Fish and Game

Get primed for fall hunting seasons and more at a series of outdoor adventure talks being offered on Wednesday evenings this fall at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.  The talks begin at 7 p.m.  Admission is free.  No pre-registration is required.

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

Antlerless Deer Application Deadline is Aug. 24

The deadline to apply for an antlerless deer permit to be used during Vermont’s December 2-10 muzzleloader deer season is Thursday, August 24. 

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

VT Resident Canada Goose Season, Sept. 1-25

Vermont’s resident Canada goose hunting season will be held September 1 through September 25 to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

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

‘Let’s Go Fishing’ Program Seeks 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

Hunting Black Bears, Free Seminar on August 19

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be holding a free seminar on hunting Vermont black bears on Saturday, August 19, at the Cambridge Fire Department in Jeffersonville.

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

Free Deer Hunting Seminar This Month

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting a free informational seminar on deer hunting this month. The program is designed to educate hunters of all ages and experience on ways to increase their success hunting whitetail deer.

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

Be Bear Smart as You Enjoy the Remaining Summer Season

The cool nights are a constant reminder that the summer season is coming to an end and fall will soon be upon us.  Despite the season change, N.H. Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service urge homeowners, campers, and the rest of the public to continue to be vigilant and responsible in bear country.  The peak period of conflicts between bears and humans is June and July, however, bear activity in and around human-occupied areas can continue through August and occasionally September.

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

Pleasant Lake/Casco Hatchery Pipeline Replacement Project - Update

The on the water construction phase of the Casco Hatchery Pipeline Replacement Project is complete, and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife would like thank the Pleasant Lake Community and the towns of Casco and Otisfield for their support during the project.

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

Deep Water Structure Fish

Waters are warm these days, with being near the 80 degree mark and that has the fish going deep for the cooler waters. Fishing deeper water requires good electronics and an understanding of what they are showing you and how to fish that structure.

One location that I have found, is a very small sunken island that is about the size of a boat, and is void of much vegetation because of the depth. Utilizing the Sonarphone Tpod with the Navionics application this has allowed for creating current contour information on daily trips.

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

Habitat Enhancement At Scarborough Marsh WMA Will Benefit New England Cottontails

Scarborough Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a 3100 acre collection of parcels located in the towns of Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach.  Scarborough Marsh is currently the focus of habitat enhancement for the state endangered New England cottontail rabbit.  Portions of the area are represented by reverting farm fields which have regrown in pockets of dense shrub where as other areas remain grassy.

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Great Outdoors Pursuit Finale This Saturday At Rocky Point

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced its annual Great Outdoors Pursuit will hold its grand finale this Saturday at Rocky Point State Park. As part of the Pursuit, now in its ninth season, families earn rewards for participating in scheduled outdoor events throughout the summer season.

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Vermont Bear Hunters To Aid Wildlife Scientists

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding successful bear hunters that a regulation now requires them to submit a bear tooth so wildlife managers can collect important information on Vermont’s bear population. 

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

Vermont Bear Hunting Starts Sept. 1

Vermont’s bear hunting season starts September 1, and hunters can improve their chances if they scout ahead of time to find fall foods such as wild apples, beechnuts, acorns, and berries -- where bears will be feeding. 

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

DEEP Designates Saturday, August 12 as “Free Fishing License Day”

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated Saturday, August 12, “Free Fishing License Day” for all anglers in Connecticut.

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

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has reopened the cliffs closed to hiking and access earlier this spring to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

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

New State Record for Bowfin Caught By Taunton Teen Angler

Tauri Adamczyk, a 16-year-old from Taunton, is the new state record holder for bowfin. Tauri caught a 7 lb. 14 oz. bowfin with a girth of 14” and length of 26.5” from the Taunton River in late July.  She brought her monster catch to the MassWildlife Field Headquarters for fisheries biologists to certify her catch and state record.

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

Free Public Archery Ranges Available in Allenstown and Holderness

New Hampshire archers and bowhunters warming up for the fall archery seasons can practice their shooting skills at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department archery facilities at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, and at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. Both ranges are free and open to the public.

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Jig-Worming the Weed Edges

The dog days of summer are upon us and that means fishing deep water weed lines is the order of the day. Finding irregularities along these weed lines are key locations that these deep water fish relate to and there are times, certain small areas will have numbers of large fish.

Setting up on the shallower sides of these weed lines has been key lately. The larger fish seem to be cruising the outer edges or just tucked inside of the weeds in their ambush locations. Casting the jig-worm out to the deeper water and slowly working it back to the weed line and if you don’t get bit, keep working it into the weeds as they may be further in.

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2017 NH Spring Gobbler Season Results

Hunters harvested 4,482 turkeys in New Hampshire during the 2017 spring hunt. This is 600 more turkeys than the 3,882 taken in the 2016 spring season and the second highest harvest, surpassed only by the 4,550 taken in 2013.

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VT Fishing Regulation Digest Named Best in Nation

In its first year as a stand-alone publication, Vermont’s fishing regulations digest has earned top honors among regulation publications from throughout the United States. 

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Vermont’s Moose Hunt Auction Closes Aug. 10

Vermont’s auction for five moose hunting permits is open until 4:30 p.m. August 10. Bids will be opened and winners notified on August 11. 

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

Early Morning Dock Bluegills

Middle of summer, the waters are getting very warm and this is having the fish moving and changing their locations throughout the day. For the fish size, finding the areas that the bigger fish are relating to is that key to the puzzle.

The smaller fish seem to relate to the shallower waters and can be seen as you are walking along the shorelines. But those bigger gills, what may they be relating to since we aren’t visually seeing them with some regularity.

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

Deadline to apply for the 2017 any-deer permit lottery is August 15

Deadline reminder to those who wish to apply for 2017 any-deer (antlerless) permit lottery! 

Applications will be accepted online until 11:59 p.m. on August 15, 2017.  

It is free to apply for the any-deer permit lottery. The drawing will be held on September 8, 2017 and results will be posted on the Department’s website.

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

Family Fun Abounds In August With Great Outdoors Pursuit

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the August schedule of events for the state's popular Great Outdoors Pursuit. The public events include a birding workshop, lighthouse tours, outdoor movies, guided hikes, a Rocky-Point themed scavenger hunt, arts and educational exhibits, and more.

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

VT F&W Gives Update on Multi-Year Moose Study

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department recently completed the first field season in a multi-year study to better understand the state’s moose herd. Beginning in January 2017, researchers placed radio-collars on 60 wild moose and began tracking their movements. 

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

Porpoising Bluegills

Fishing in the early morning hours, there are times that you see things that you may not during the rest of the day. We were out bass fishing recently in the early morning and the bass were cooperating quite well on the deeper weed lines.

There was little wind, so the water’s surface didn’t have much for ripples and while we were fishing, we started noticing that there were pods of fish swimming at the surface. Having seen this before, figured that these were schools of small bluegills and didn’t give it much thought.

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

Time is Running out to Enter the 2017 NH Moose Permit Auction

There's still time to enter the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire's 2017 NH Moose Permit Auction, which is the Foundation's primary fundraiser to support the programs of the N.H. Fish and Game Department.

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

Ossipee Lake Boat Ramp on the Pine River (Route 25) Access Facility Open

The N.H. Fish and Game Department’s Ossipee Lake boat ramp has been refurbished and is fully open and free to the public. The facility is located on Pine River, about one mile south of the Lake. Vehicle access is from Route 25, about 0.4 mile east of the Route 16 intersection.

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

Learn More About VT Hunting at Free Seminars

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will be holding a series of free seminars to teach people more about hunting. 

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

Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

The winners of Vermont’s 2017 moose hunting permits were determined Saturday, July 29, at a lottery drawing at the Barre Fish and Game Club in Barre. 

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

A Record 6,570 Turkeys in Vermont’s Spring Seasons

A preliminary report from Vermont Fish & Wildlife shows that hunters had a banner season this spring with the highest turkey harvest ever recorded. Hunters brought home 6,570 wild turkeys during the spring hunting season, including 743 turkeys taken during the April youth weekend hunt.

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