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

Learn to Catch Stripers from a Kayak!

Join fishing guides Tim Moore and Hope Eagleson as they introduce you to the exciting sport of angling for striped bass from a kayak. Two separate New Hampshire Coastal Kayak Angling Programs (NHCKAP) are being offered - one on May 23 and the other on June 20 - from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., out of Rye, New Hampshire. The programs are presented by the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve/New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

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

2015 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 29

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding hunters that the 2015 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 29 to May 30. This year will mark the 35th consecutive year that sportsmen have hunted turkeys in Connecticut. The statewide turkey population is estimated at approximately 35,000 birds. Healthy and numerous wild turkey populations exist throughout the majority of Connecticut’s woodlands. During the 2014 spring turkey season, 8,850 hunters took 1,118 bearded turkeys.

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

DEM announces free freshwater fishing days May 2 & May 3

The Department of Environmental Management announces that Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 are free fishing days in Rhode Island. During those two days, all Rhode Islanders and visitors can fish in freshwaters without a fishing license or trout conservation stamp. The free fishing weekend does not apply to saltwater fishing or saltwater licenses.

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

Outlook Good for N.H. Spring Turkey Hunters

Hunting opportunity looks good for the 2015 spring gobbler season, according to N.H. Fish and Game Turkey Biologist Ted Walski. The spring turkey hunt opens Sunday, May 3, and runs through Sunday, May 31, statewide.

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

Game Wardens Seeking Information: Deer Poaching

Maine game wardens and MAINE OPERATION GAME THIEF (OGT) continue to seek the public's assistance in gathering information in hopes to find those responsible for the illegal killing of as many as four deer in the towns of Chesterville, Livermore Falls (East Livermore), Livermore, and Leeds. Since our last attempt to obtain information on April 23, three additional deer have been located. All the deer found have been does which were killed at night and left to waste in open fields. These four doe deer could have produced another five fawns for the area.

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

Volunteers needed for Brook Trout Survey Project

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Audubon (MA), and the Maine Council Trout Unlimited (METU) are seeking volunteer anglers to survey remote ponds and coastal streams for brook trout this fishing season. Information provided by volunteers will be used to identify previously-undocumented wild brook trout populations across the state.

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

Fishing Report April 26 2015 Massachusetts

The weather has definitely gotten cooler the last few days and was hoping for the opposite as we want the crappies to get moving into spring mode. We started fishing where we located the crappies a few days earlier and quickly found out that they have moved out of the area.

The sunfish were fairly thick in their place but in this location but the size was definitely on the smaller side. We were able to catch a couple of crappie but the schools that were here before have vacated the area. This location the water depth was 4 feet deep and there was some weed growth and some current as the exit creek for the pond is here as well.

We were thinking maybe the crappie had moved back into deeper water so moved out and fished somewhat deeper but were still only catching sunfish. At this point our goal was to figure out the crappies and start searching around the lake for them.

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 April 27 – May 6

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

Outdoor Adventure Talk: Get to Know NH Raptors

Learn about birds of prey at a free talk with Kevin Wall of New Hampshire Audubon on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. No pre-registration is required.

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

Beginning Fly-Fishing Courses Offered in New Hampshire

Two upcoming workshops offer a chance to learn about the traditional sport of fly-fishing. The classes are free and sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's "Let's Go Fishing" Program.

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

Fishing Report April 22 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappie and Sunfish
Location: Northern Massachusetts
Depth: 4’ to 8’
Air Temp: 66 degrees
Water Temp: 50 degrees

Wind: BreezyRod setup: 6’0 ultralight spinning gear with 2lb test line, Clam OutDoors Jigs and Rocket Bobbers

My son had a birthday earlier this year and what he wanted for a gift was to have his own boat to fish out of. So this week was the week that his wishes were coming true and today was our maiden voyage on a local small pond. By him having this 10’ jon boat, this is allowing us access to so many more ponds that we can’t get our big boat into and gets us out of our kayaks as well.

We fish this particular pond quite frequently on the ice and haven’t fished here much on the open waters lately. The shorelines are fairly undeveloped except one corner has a few houses as the rest of it is state wildlife management area. Half of the pond is less than eight feet deep as the other half has a deeper hole that gets to twenty feet deep.

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

Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Announces Camp North Woods!

The Department has developed Camp North Woods to provide opportunities to youth and their families to learn lifelong outdoor skills as well as the importance of sustaining Maine's natural resources. The camp has also been established to build upon the overwhelming interest by youth who have grown to love our hit TV series on Animal Planet, North Woods Law!

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

Vermont walleye fishing kicks off May 2

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is reminding anglers that some of the best walleye fishing in New England is approaching with the start of the Vermont walleye fishing season on Saturday, May 2.

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

New Hampshire Hatcheries Gearing up for Spring Fish Stocking

Fish culturists at New Hampshire's six state trout hatcheries have been holding on, waiting for Mother Nature to provide conditions favorable for spring stocking. After a brief delay, the stocking trucks are now rolling! New Hampshire hatcheries have close to one million catchable-size trout ready for this season.

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

Fishing Report April 19 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappies

Location: Massachusetts North Shore

Depth: 16’ to 22’

Air Temp: low 50's degrees

Water Temp: upper 40's

Wind: straight line high winds

The ice on our Massachusetts lakes has been gone for a bit now and wanted to get out and check some local ponds for the crappie action. Since the big boat is in the shop getting ready for the open water season, took out the kayak and did some exploring.

We had record snow fall this past winter and in turn, this is going to take, getting the waters warmed up, a little longer than usual. Today’s exploration, had me on a small crappie pond that we frequent throughout the ice season and I am looking at water in the upper 40’s for temperatures right now.

There have been plenty of cloudy and windy days along with many of them having cold rain falling lately as well. This is not helping the waters warm at all and is keeping the fish deep as of right now. While being in the kayak and searching for fish, I was marking fish in 20 feet of water but with the high winds, this was making staying on top of them basically impossible.

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

Outdoor Adventure Talk: Kayak Fishing with Tim Moore

Learn how you can fish from your kayak for everything from northern pike and walleye on the Connecticut River to striped bass and black sea bass on the Piscataqua River! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's spring outdoor adventure series continues with a talk by licensed fishing guide Tim Moore, who will present a wealth of tips and strategies for successful kayak fishing. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required. Admission is free.

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

State record fish highlight 2014 Master Angler program results

“2014 was a great year for Vermont fishing all around, and the new record fish are a symbol of that,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Not only did we continue to see trophy fish entries for many of the well-known species like bass, perch, pike and trout, but we also saw an upswing in the number of entries of more non-traditional fish species like bowfin, carp, and longnose gar. This is yet another indicator of the quality and diversity of Vermont’s fishing opportunities, as well as the enthusiasm of anglers to take on new fishing adventures throughout the state.”

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

Lake Champlain Alewife Die-off

Large numbers of small fish called alewives are washing up on the shores of Lake Champlain in Milton and Georgia. State fisheries biologists from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department say it is an example of the kind of problems a non-native invasive species can cause. 

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

Fish Stocking Underway in Vermont

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has started its annual fish stocking work, an effort that will ultimately put over 1,000,000 adult fish, fry and fingerlings – including over 18,000 trophy trout, into Vermont waters in 2015.

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