Kittery Trading Post Hosting Maine Moose Permit Lottery on June 11

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is pleased to announce that the drawing for Maine’s moose permit lottery will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine.

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

Help Protect Endangered Piping Plovers on NH Beaches

The public is being asked to help protect endangered birds on the beaches this holiday weekend and beyond, as the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reports there are seven 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/state-news-1.html

Manchester Bear Relocated

A young bear that wandered into Manchester today near Gramby and Warner streets was captured and relocated further north in New Hampshire.

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

Fawns are Arriving; Leave them Alone Urges F&W

The Vermont Fish &Wildlife Department says deer fawns are being born this time of year and asks that people avoid disturbing or picking them up.

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

Help Keep NH CWD-Free: Don't Use Urine-based Deer Lures

New Hampshire’s white-tailed deer population once again showed no evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD), based on monitoring data gathered during the 2015 hunting season.

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

Dead eagle shot and killed

We need your help. On April 15, a female, adult Bald Eagle was found dead beside a logging road in Days Academy Grant, east of Moosehead Lake. A concerned sportsman reported it to game wardens which responded and collected the bald eagle. The eagle was taken to Avian Haven in Freedom, Maine where an examination revealed it had been shot. It is believed to have been killed in early April.

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

Kids Fishing Event on Swan Island

On Saturday May 21 from 9am – 1pm, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be holding a ‘learn to fish’ event on Swan Island in Richmond. This event offers the opportunity for children 15 and under to learn basic angling skills. All equipment, bait and tackle will be provided at no charge, and volunteer instructors will be on hand to assist. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

New Version of Lead Jig Law Takes Effect June 1

On June 1, 2016, a new law takes effect that redefines what a lead jig is for the purposes of taking fish in the freshwaters of New Hampshire. All lead jigs less than or equal to one ounce will be prohibited.  It is well documented that lead, when ingested, is toxic to loons and other water birds.  Changing lead sinkers and jigs to a non-toxic alternative is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also the law.  Visit www.fishleadfree.org/nh/ for alternatives to lead tackle.

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

Last Chance to Enter the NH Moose Hunt Lottery

If you haven't submitted an application yet 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 27, 2016.  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is proposing to offer permits to 71 lucky winners for New Hampshire's 2016 moose hunt, which runs from October 15-23. Last year's statewide hunter success rate for moose was 69%.

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

National Safe Boating Week Kicks Off Connecticut’s

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27) and encourages all boaters to be safe on Connecticut’s waters while enjoying the upcoming boating season, which unofficially begins Memorial Day Weekend.

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

Moose Lottery Deadline is May 27, 2016

Want to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall? The deadline for entering the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery is May 27, 2016. It costs just $15 for residents and $25 for non-residents to enter the lottery (non-refundable). A total of 71 permits are proposed to be issued this year. The state's moose hunt will run from October 15 - 23, 2016. Last year, the statewide hunter success rate was 69%.

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

Vermont’s Walleye Fishing Starts May 7

The best walleye fishing in New England will begin soon in several Vermont rivers and lakes, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The department is reminding anglers that walleye fishing season starts in much of the state on the first Saturday in May and that regulations vary, depending on the water you are fishing.

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

Free Fishing Day in New Hampshire - Saturday, June 4

Take advantage of New Hampshire's Free Fishing Day, coming Saturday, June 4, 2016. 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, including season dates and bag limits.

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

Take a Kid Hunting on Youth Turkey Weekend

New Hampshire’s 2016 youth turkey hunt will take place Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, the weekend before spring gobbler season gets underway.  This year marks the eleventh annual youth turkey hunt weekend in New Hampshire. During the 2015 youth weekend, young hunters took 446 turkeys, about 11% of the total spring turkey harvest.

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

Steelhead Rainbow Trout Runs Are Happening Now

One of the state’s premier wildlife watching opportunities is happening right now in Vermont. The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration, leaping up waterfalls in a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds.

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

Winooski Spring Fish Lift Now Open

“The Winooski One fish lift typically opens in mid-March and operates through mid-May, with the purpose of allowing steelhead rainbow trout to make their natural spring migration, along with helping to support quality fishing opportunities for anglers,” said Brian Chipman, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

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

Hunt Safely This 2016 Turkey Season

Vermont’s spring youth turkey hunting weekend is April 23-24, and the regular turkey season is May 1-31. While Vermont’s spring turkey seasons are safe (Vermont has not had any incidents in the last six years) precautions are needed to ensure they stay that way. Camouflage or drab colored clothing is almost mandatory to outwit a keen-sighted gobbler. Unfortunately, camouflage often makes it just as hard for hunters to spot one another as it does for turkeys.

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

Designated Trout and Fly-Fishing-Only Ponds Open

Fishing in New Hampshire's designated trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds opens on the fourth Saturday in April -- this year's opening day is April 23. Fishing is allowed through October 15 (a few ponds managed under wild trout regulations are open only through Labor Day). These waters are managed specifically for trout and offer anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State's most scenic surroundings.

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

Fishing Report April 10 2016 Massachusetts

Multi Species Change Up

This past week has been a cold one for spring and that has dropped the water temperatures and changing where the fish are positioned. Before this past week, the fish were migrating to the shallows, but they have backed off a bit waiting for the waters to warm some again.

So utilizing my electronics, I scoured the deeper water and found small schools of crappie in 14 FOW and were suspended 8 feet down. Using the Clam Blade Spoon, this allowed getting the bait back to the strike zone quickly and these fish were slamming the bait.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Fishing_Reports_2016.html

Outlook Good for Spring Turkey Hunt

Hunting opportunity looks good for the 2016 spring gobbler season, according to N.H. Fish and Game Turkey Biologist Ted Walski. The spring turkey hunt opens on Tuesday, May 3, and runs through Tuesday, May 31, statewide. Last year (2015), spring turkey hunters in New Hampshire took more than 4,000 birds.

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

2016 VT Moose Hunting Applications Are Available

A total of 135 regular moose season permits and 25 archery moose season permits will be issued for Vermont’s 2016 October moose hunt. The regular season will be October 15-20, and the archery season is October 1-7.

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

Vermont’s 2016 Spring Turkey Hunting Starts Soon

It’s almost time for spring turkey hunting in Vermont. Youth spring turkey hunting weekend is April 23-24 this year, and the regular spring turkey season is May 1-31.

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

Big Fish and Kids Opportunities Highlight Rangeley Area Ice Fishing Season

The 2016 winter fishing season started off slow statewide with warm weather and thin ice conditions. Ice thickness varied greatly from pond to pond and even from cove to cove. It was one of the most dangerous January’s that we had seen in recent years.

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

Boat Ramp at Wellington State Park (Newfound Lake) to Re-open April 1

The public boat access facility to Newfound Lake at Wellington State Park in Bristol, NH, which had been closed due to unsafe ice conditions, will reopen on April 1, 2016, to coincide with the first day of open water fishing on lakes managed for lake trout and salmon.

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

Fish & Wildlife announces 2015 Master Anglers

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has released its annual Master Angler program report and 35 Vermont anglers have garnered “Master Angler” status for 2015.

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

Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Stocking of Walleye in Moore Reservoir

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will hold a public informational meeting at 6 p.m. on April 18, 2016, at the Littleton Opera House, 2 Union Street, Littleton, N.H., to discuss the results of field studies related to a proposed stocking of walleye into Moore Reservoir and to announce a decision on the walleye stocking proposal. Moore Reservoir is an impoundment on the Connecticut River in the communities of Littleton and Dalton, New Hampshire, and Waterford and Concord, Vermont.

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

2016 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 27

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding hunters that the 2016 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs April 27 through May 28.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/CT_News.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 71 permits are proposed to be issued this year.

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

Vermont Trout Season Opens April 9, 2016

Vermont’s traditional trout fishing season is set to open on Saturday, April 9, and officials from Vermont Fish & Wildlife say the mild winter could be a boon for early season trout action across the state.

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

Large-Lakes Fishing Season Opens April 1

One of the mildest winters in memory has already led to ice-free conditions on expansive portions of New Hampshire’s large lakes (e.g. Winnipesaukee), which will allow for abundant angling opportunities come April 1, the start of open-water fishing on lakes managed for landlocked salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout.  The traditional “watching and waiting” period for available open water to slip in the first small trolling craft - typically 2-3 weeks after the official opener - will certainly not be the case this year!

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

Ossipee Lake Boat Ramp on Pine River to Close for Repairs

The public boat ramp facility located on the Pine River (off Route 25) that provides access to Ossipee Lake in Ossipee, NH, will be closed beginning Monday, March 28, 2016, for repairs and improvements. 

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

Moose Mortalities Providing Clues About Moose Survival

In 2014, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) initiated a moose survival study in Wildlife Management District 8 that involves the capture, radio-collaring, and subsequent tracking of these study animals to learn more about their behavior, reproduction, landscape use, and survivability.  The moose study was expanded to include WMD 2 this year, and now includes nearly 150 radio-collared moose.

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

Maine Commissioner Opens Fishing Season Two Weeks Early

Effective tomorrow, Thursday, March 17, the 2016 Open Water fishing season will begin, two weeks earlier than usual, per an amended rule by the Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

Free Fly Fishing Lecture by Angus Boezeman Hooksett, April 2

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire will present a free lecture by renowned fly fishing expert and guide Angus Boezeman on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops in Hooksett, NH.  

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

Turkey Hunting Seminars, April 2 & 3

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting two free turkey hunting seminars this spring – one on Saturday, April 2, the other on Sunday, April 3.

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

Big Game Processing Workshop in Holderness, April 2, 2016

Learn how to process your own big game animal from field to freezer at a free workshop being offered at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH, on Saturday, April 2, 2016. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

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

Turkey Hunting Workshop April 16 in Holderness

A free workshop covering the basics of hunting wild turkeys is being offered by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 387 Perch Pond Road in Holderness, N.H. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. To sign up for the workshop, or for more information, call 603-536-3954.

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

Spring High School Bass Fishing Seminar March 17 in Hooksett

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) will hold a High School Bass Fishing Seminar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Bass Pro Shops, 2 Commerce Drive, Hooksett, NH.

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

Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program Wild Turkey Hunting Safety Seminars

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced two upcoming Wild Turkey Hunting Safety Seminars scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2016, and Sunday, April 24, 2016. Plan to attend one of these hunting safety seminars to be prepared for spring turkey hunting season, April 27 – May 28, 2016. These annual events are coordinated by the DEEP Wildlife Division’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety (CE/FS) Program and the public is invited to attend free-of-charge.

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

Trophy Fish Program 2015 Winners

NH Fish and Game’s Trophy Fish Program Coordinator John Viar has announced the winners of the 2015 Trophy Fish Program.  Letters have been sent to advise winners and special certificates of achievement are being prepared. 

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

Permit Numbers Set for 2016 Vermont Moose Hunt

A total of 135 regular firearms moose season permits and 25 archery moose season permits would be issued for Vermont’s 2016 October moose hunt under a proposed regulation approved by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board at their February 24 monthly meeting in Montpelier.

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

Fishing Report February 21-22 2016 Vermont, New Hampshire

Seems like the ice season just got started here in Massachusetts and warm temperatures, rain and wind has taken it away just as fast. Our ice is gone for the most part and luckily the gas prices are down as road trips to New Hampshire and Vermont are making up for it.

 

Saturday’s trip was to Vermont and learning new water which is always fun trying to figure out the current patterns. Not a lot of structure or cover in this lake, average water depths and seeing that the fish we...aren’t relating to really anything. Most productive water depths were in the 5-10 foot range and certain areas had some better fish in them.

 

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

2016 Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt Event

Youth hunters are encouraged to sign up for the Fourth 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/VT_News.html

Four state record fish caught in Vermont in 2015

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has certified four new all-time state record fish, all caught in 2015. New state records were set for the species of yellow perch, redhorse sucker, cisco and bowfin (taken by bow and arrow).

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

NH Fish and Game Commission Approves Bobcat Season Proposal

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission today voted 5 to 4 to move forward on a proposal to establish a bobcat hunting and trapping season in New Hampshire.

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

Fishing Report February 14 2016 Massachusetts

Post Cold

Front The weather conditions lately have been frigid with subzero temperatures and accompanying high winds. This is making for unfavorable fishing conditions, but for those that are still searching for that next fish, adjustments need to be made.

Typical approach for finding active biting fish is to use a larger bait and see if there are aggressive fish in the area. Once you start marking fish, let them tell you what they want and how they want it and tailor your enticements to their liking.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report February 7 2016 New Hampshire

It is nice having the weekend to chase one species of fish one day and then spend the next day chasing another at a different location. This time out, we are in search of largemouth and smallmouth bass and hopefully some jumbo perch as well.

This particular lake has been good to us in the past and that is what we were hoping happens again today. Conditions were perfect with clear sunny skies, somewhat warm and no traffic in the location we were fishing. For the bass we were dead sticking shiners and for the perch, jigging tungsten jigs with plastics as a trailer.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report February 6 2016 New Hampshire

Searching new waters for crappie is always an adventure and one that I always look forward to. This particular lake has a distinct deep ditch throughout the main part and there was one location where it turned towards shore and that was where we started.

Depth of water in this location was 35 feet deep and it wasn’t long and fish were being marked. Started off with a bigger sized jig and a minnow imitation tail looking for aggressive biters. These fish were always looking at it, but were not committing to taking the bait.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report January 30 2016 Massachusetts

This past weekend the fish were definitely there, but you had to really work at getting them to bite as we are past the first ice phase of this ice fishing season. We weren’t able to locate those suspending fish so you had to work the fish off of the bottom to your bait.

Luckily the flashers are able to show us what the fish are doing and that is allowing us to adjust to getting them to bite. By changing our jig sizes and adding different attractants, this is giving them a different look and giving us a better opportunity at catching them.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html

Fishing Report January 23 2016 Vermont

This ice season, we are fishing the Champlain Valley Hardwater Tournament Series in Vermont and this is going to be all new water for us to fish. This trail is very well run and all of those involved are all great people and make everyone feel very welcome.

The week prior I made a day trip up there to scout out some areas and try and put together some sort of a plan for tournament day. The fishing in this location is very shallow, as you are fishing in 4-6 FOW and something that we really aren’t use to.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/Ice_Fishing_Blog_15_16.html