Watch for Deer on the Roads

Motorists are advised to watch for deer crossing roadways this time of year, especially at dawn and dusk.  Deer are very active right now, as the mating season, or rut, is underway and bucks and does have their minds on other things than traffic!

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

SonarPhone Tbox Mapping Capabilties

The lake waters are cooling a bit every day as the night temperatures keep going below the freezing mark. This is getting all of the ice anglers very excited for that first ice once it arrives. You have looked over all of your ice fishing equipment and figured that you are set for that first trip to the ice, but, there may be one item that you are neglecting that may put you onto more fish this winter.

We are talking about having a current lake depth map. Vexilar has come out with the SonarPhone that is allowing you to using your smart device and the Navionics application for mapping the waters that you always fish. The Navionics app on your smart device may already have a map of your fishing lake, but if you use the Sonarphone and map that lake yourself, you are going to find out that there is a lot of new information that you never knew was even there.

This is what we are currently doing right now until the ice comes. We have made a list of the lakes that we fish that have no mapping information for them. These are typically smaller waters and requires using our Jon boat for obtaining this information. By running your smart device with the Navionics app and the SonarPhone Tbox, we are creating live information about our fishable waters.

The SonarPhone Tbox is very reasonably priced but for what you get back in the form of lake depth information, you will wonder why you never started using this earlier. It is simple to use and there may only be a few more weeks left for being able to do this, so you owe it to yourself to take a look at the SonarPhone Tbox.

The examples from our mapping this past weekend, in the one picture, this is the typical Navionics map and the other is the SonarPhone overlay on the same map and as you can see the biggest difference between them.

Vermont’s Rifle Deer Season Starts Saturday, Nov. 14

Hunters are gearing up for the start of Vermont’s statewide traditionally popular 16-day rifle deer season that begins November 14 and ends Sunday, November 29.

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

NH Hunting Report - November 10, 2015

The opening day of regular firearms hunting season is always a holiday for deer hunters, but this year it is doubly so, as the season opener falls on November 11, 2015, which is also Veteran’s Day.  With that in mind, hunters are encouraged to call ahead to make sure deer check stations are open; a full list of New Hampshire deer check stations, with contact information, can be found at www.huntnh.com/hunting/deer-check-stations.html. With the opening of the regular firearm season and the increasing number of hunters afield, hunters are reminded to wear blaze orange. New Hampshire has more than 59,000 licensed hunters age 16-68.

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

CT DEEP Reminds Motorists to Watch for Deer this Fall

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division reminds motorists to be watchful of increased deer activity along roadways, especially during early morning and evening hours. Late October through December is the peak of the breeding season (also known as "the rut") for white-tailed deer which increases deer activity and the likelihood of deer crossing roads.

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

Maine IFW Hunting Report for November 6, 2015

Despite some warmer weather, deer season is off to a strong start in southern Maine, where registration numbers at area tagging stations are strong. “Right now, we have a higher proportion of younger deer, and starting next week, we will start to see more mature bucks,” said IFW Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay.

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

2015 Reel Fun Vermont photo contest winners announced

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation today announced the winners of the 2015 Reel Fun Vermont photo contest, a component of the recently-created Reel Fun Vermont fishing program aimed at making fishing in Vermont State Parks more accessible to park visitors.

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

2015 NH Youth Deer Hunt Weekend Results

Preliminary reports show that young hunters succeeded in harvesting 368 deer during the 2015 Youth Deer Hunt Weekend in New Hampshire, down 8% from the official 2014 total of 398. This unofficial total does not include information from all registration stations.  The 2015 total is slightly above the average since the special youth deer hunt began in 1999.

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

Atlantic Herring Closure for Area 1A

Commercial fishermen will be prohibited from landing Atlantic herring taken from Management Area 1A effective 12:01 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2015, because herring harvesters are projected to reach 92% of the allowable harvest quota for the period.  The closure will remain in effect through midnight on May 31, 2016.

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

Deer Season Starts Saturday For Residents, Monday For Nonresidents

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.

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

Hunters Asked to Help Collect Deer Biological Data

Ever wonder how old the buck was you took in deer season? Vermont hunters who harvest a deer during the November rifle season will have the opportunity to find out, if they submit the proper tooth from their deer.

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

Fishing Report October 25 2015 Massachusetts

The weather these fall days, can be very nice one day and the next it will do a 180 degree turn on you and when these happen you need to adapt to those conditions. This trip was one of those days with much cooler temperatures, fairly high winds and also some light rain falling.

Over the next month, we will be fishing a number of our smaller ponds for locating the resident fish before first ice sets in. This will allow us a better opportunity of having a successful first ice outing once it comes. We are utilizing our winter tactics right now in the boat as we are vertical jigging with the use of our Vexilar FLX-28 flasher.

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

Deer Season Update: Opening Day for Regular Firearms Deer Season 11/11

Deer hunters in New Hampshire are gearing up for the firearms seasons. The popular muzzleloader season runs from October 31 through November 10, 2015. Opening day for New Hampshire’s regular firearms deer season is November 11, a date anticipated with great enthusiasm by hunters statewide.  The firearms deer season runs through December 6 in most of the state, except in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) A in northern New Hampshire, where it closes November 29. New Hampshire has more than 59,000 licensed hunters age 16-68.

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

Vermont Moose Hunters Had a Successful Season

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.

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

Young Hunters Encouraged to Participate (and Report) in Youth Deer Hunt November 7 and 8

With youth deer weekend just around the corner, young hunters are encouraged to take to the field to hone their skills and to also help Fish & Wildlife biologists by reporting their deer at one of 23 biological reporting stations around the state.

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

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

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.

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

Youth Deer Day is Saturday, October 24

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.”

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

New Hampshire Hunting Report - October 21, 2015

Hunters harvested 1,993 deer in New Hampshire through October 18, 2015, according to Fish and Game Deer Project Leader Dan Bergeron. This represents an increase of 2% from harvest at the same point in the 2014 season.  The kill remains up significantly from 2010 and 2011, when the September archery season was bucks only. The harvest to date is the third highest in the last nine years and is only below 2007 and 2013, when the state’s second and fourth highest total deer kills occurred.

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

Fishing Report October 18 2015 Massachusetts

Schooling Crappies before freeze up

The main goal for today’s trip was to try and locate the crappie pods, as they are preparing for the coming winter season and schooling up. After searching the main lake basin and only finding scattered fish, waters were still a balmy 58 degrees, was seeing that they weren’t doing what they were supposed to be. So I had a change of plans and went bass fishing for a while instead.

Ran the shorelines casting shallow running crankbaits and the bass were very aggressive and biting in a number of locations. There weren’t any big ones caught but the ones that were, were hard fighters and a lot of fun.

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

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

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.

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

Emergency Morning Closure of All NH Pheasant Stocking Sites October 22-23, 2015

Under an emergency measure implemented today by the NH Fish and Game Department, no one shall discharge a firearm at a pheasant stocking site in New Hampshire from 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon on October 22 and 23, 2015. Those are the last two days that Fish and Game stocks pheasants this year.

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

Learn About Salmon Life Cycle at "Salmon Sunday" - November 8, 2015

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.

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

Fishing Report October 12 2015 New Hampshire

Target Species: Crappie
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Depth: 27-30’
Air Temp: 73 degrees
Water Temp: 60 degrees
Wind: none
Conditions: Sunny skies
Baits: Clam Outdoors Pro Tackle Maggot and Duckbill Jigs tipped with Maki Plastics Jami and Mousi in White
 
If you don’t do a lot of fishing, right now is the time of year to get onto the water and search for the schooling crappies. The crappies are converging in the staging areas and once you find one, there are many more that want to bite your bait.

Our plan was to fish a New Hampshire lake that was known for having nice sized crappie and we had never fished for them here before. The objective was to search the deeper basin of the lake and see if the fish were schooling up and if you could find them, they will show up as a cloud on your electronics.

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

Record Moose Taken by Fairfax Woman Bowhunter

Pre-season scouting in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom paid off on the second morning of the state’s archery moose hunt for Tammy Miller of Fairfax, Vermont.

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

DEM stocks Rhode Island waters with trout for fall fishing season

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.

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

NH Moose Hunt Is October 17-25, 2015

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.

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

NH Youth Deer Hunt Set for October 24-25

New Hampshire’s youth deer weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, 2015, is the perfect time to take a youngster hunting. This special weekend gives young people age 15 and younger the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters.

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

Free Outdoor Adventure Talk October 14: Hunting Dominant Bucks

Get an edge on that big buck in the woods this fall by coming to a free deer hunting talk by local hunting expert Dave Priebe on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at 7 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required.

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

Maine IFW Hunting Report For October 2

October marks the beginning of pheasant season in southern Maine, and IFW biologists and local rod and gun clubs were out earlier in the week, releasing birds at a variety of sites.

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

NH Hunting Report - October 2, 2015

Greetings, hunters.  We’re glad to bring you the first report from New Hampshire’s archery deer season and more news on the bear hunt. Small game and upland bird seasons start October 1.
http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.html

Leashed Tracking Dogs for Recovery of Game

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is providing the following 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.

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

Fishing Report September 27 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Largemouth Bass
Location: Northern Massachusetts
Depth: 4’-18’
Air Temp: 36-60 degrees
Water Temp: 69 degrees
Wind: none
Conditions: Sunny skies
Baits: jig/pig, crankbait, texas rig worm and dropshot

This morning is definitely feeling like we are getting very close to getting the waters ready for the coming ice season. Air temperatures were in the mid 30’s and that had us dawning our Ice Armor jacket to ward off the cool temps. Upon arriving at the lake you could really tell that the water was so much warmer than the air with all of the steam rising.

When seeing this you just have to stop and stand there looking as it doesn’t last long once the sun gets higher and the warmer temperatures arrive. The birds weren’t doing a lot of moving

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

Hunters Reminded of Rules on Importing Deer, Elk

Hunters traveling outside Vermont to hunt deer or elk need to keep in mind that the regulation designed to protect Vermont's wild deer from chronic wasting disease remains in effect, according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

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

Vermont’s Big Game Reporting Stations for 2015

Hunters who take a bear, deer, turkey, or moose during the Vermont hunting seasons must bring the animal within 48 hours to the nearest game warden or to the nearest Vermont Fish & Wildlife reporting station. Below is a list of wardens and reporting stations for 2015. The list also appears on Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).

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

Free Outdoor Adventure Talk October 7: Deer Hunting Basics

If you're thinking about hunting deer this fall, come learn how to get started at a free talk called "Deer Hunting Basics" on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at 7 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. No pre-registration is required.

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

Annual Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Artistic Competition Begins

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is once again inviting artists to enter their waterfowl artwork in Connecticut’s annual Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest. DEEP continues to encourage local artists to submit entries that contain Connecticut specific imagery. The winning entry in this contest will be featured on the 2017 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.

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

DEEP Announces Opening Days of Upcoming Fall Firearms Hunting Seasons

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the Opening Days of the upcoming fall firearms hunting seasons. Peak hunting during these seasons occurs during early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the period from mid-October through mid-December.

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

Brake for Moose -- It Could Save Your Life!

Wildlife officials from N.H. Fish and Game Department remind motorists to take extra care while traveling Granite State roadways at this time of year, because moose are on the move looking for mates.  Kristine Rines, Fish and Game’s longtime Moose Project Leader, says that drivers should be prepared to see and react quickly to moose on or near the road.  While moose vehicle collisions happen at all times of the year, fall is a time of increased activity and accidents. In 2014, over 130 moose were killed by vehicles in New Hampshire.

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

Hunters Urged to Wear Orange

Keep up Vermont’s new hunting tradition: wear hunter orange. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department points out that last year was the second time in three years there were no hunting-related shootings in the state. So far, 2015 is also accident-free and smart hunters can help keep this flawless record going by choosing to wear fluorescent “hunter orange,” according to the department.

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

Fishing Report September 20 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Crappie and Sunfish
Location: Northern Massachusetts
Depth: Shorelines
Air Temp: 65-70 degrees
Water Temp: 75 degrees
Wind: High
Conditions: Sunny skies
Baits: Northland Fire-Fly and Impulse Slug Bug

Since September is half over, our fishing is changing to more of getting ready for the coming ice season and checking out our current lakes and ponds as well as exploring waters that we haven’t been to fish yet. Having a small boat now opens up a lot of our options at the smaller waters that we were only able to fish from shore.

Many of our waters here in New England don’t have any type lake map of any means and now that we are using the Vexilar SonarPhone TBox, this is giving us a lot more information that we previously didn’t have. The SonarPhone TBox allows you to create instant lake maps on your smartphones utilizing the Navionics mapping app.
http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2015.html

Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Permit Winners Announced

Deer hunters who applied for a Vermont muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit by the August 28 deadline can now go to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) to see if they will be receiving a permit in the mail.

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

NH Hunting Report - September 22, 2015

Hunting seasons are underway in New Hampshire. This report includes an update on the bear season from biologist Andrew Timmins, the Department’s Bear Project Leader. The archery season for turkey and white-tailed deer opened on September 15. Squirrel hunters have been enjoying a warm September, and small game and upland bird hunters are eager to get into the field October 1. Be sure to wear an article of blaze orange clothing.

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

Be Alert to Avoid Moose on the Highway

Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning. The peak of their breeding season is late September and the first two weeks of October.

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

N.H. Youth Waterfowl Hunt Weekend - September 26-27, 2015

New Hampshire's 2015 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend will be held statewide on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 2015. To participate, youth must be age 15 or younger and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult age 18 or older. The adult may not hunt. The youth does not need a hunting license or duck stamp.

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

N.H. Pheasant Season Opens October 1

New Hampshire's hunting season for pheasant gets underway on October 1 and continues through December 31. There will be 70 stocking sites in 46 towns. This fall, 12,200 adult ring-necked pheasants will be released in all 10 counties during the three-month season, an average of 140 birds per site. Pheasant hunters have a daily bag limit of 2, and a season limit of 10 birds.

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

DEM monitoring Pawtuxet Cove Seekonk River following reports of stressed schools of fish in these waters

Scientists from the Department of Environmental Management are investigating reports of stressed schools of adult and juvenile menhaden in the Seekonk River and Pawtuxet Cove near the Pawtuxet Falls. Based on seine data and menhaden school spotter flights, this has been a good year for menhaden in the Bay. As such, we expect schools of this species to continue to be found throughout the Bay, including areas that may be stressful to the fish in terms of water temperature and oxygen levels.

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

N.H. High School Bass Fishing Tournaments

A qualifying tournament with 41 registered schools will take place on Thursday, September 24, out of Lee’s Mills on Lake Winnipesaukee. The top third of the schools from the qualifying round will move onto the state finals tournament on Saturday, October 3, on Lake Winnisquam. There will be one reigning state champion and individual medals will be awarded at the final tournament for the largest total catch (eight fish maximum), and for the largest largemouth and largest smallmouth bass caught.

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

DEM's division of fish and wildlife's aquatic resource education program hosts its final "come clam with me" class for the season

About 30 adults and children will spend a late summer afternoon today at Spink's Neck Beach in North Kingstown, where they will learn to dig for quahogs and see chefs prepare the freshly-harvested shellfish during a cooking demonstration. Participants in today's 'Come Clam With Me' workshop, which is sponsored by DEM's Aquatic Resource Education program and the Rhode Island Sea Grant, will be able to bring home a half bushel of quahogs, so they will be doing their best to fill their pails with plenty of this favorite variety of Rhode Island shellfish.

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

Tree Stand Safety Tips for Hunters

Tree stands get hunters out of sight and smell of wary deer, but they can also get hunters into trouble. Here are some tips from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department to help stay safe and get the most out of your tree stand hunting experience.

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

DEM to offer waterfowl training workshop for youths age 12-15 on Sunday September 20

The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, will offer a youth waterfowl training workshop from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 20 at the Division's Great Swamp Field Headquarters in West Kingston. The workshop will provide an overview of rules and regulations, firearm safety, waterfowl identification, hunting with dogs, and the proper gear, equipment and clothing needed for waterfowl hunting.

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