Landowner Appreciation Day...September 18, 2016!

Well it’s that time of year again! The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife & the Maine Forest Service will be hosting a statewide clean-up event Sunday, September 18th 2016. This event will be the day when you can show the private landowners of Maine, just how much you really appreciate them!

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Public Meeting on Whipstock Hill WMA

The Vermont departments of Fish & Wildlife, and Forests, Parks, & Recreation are holding a public meeting to discuss future management and use of a Bennington-area wildlife management area.

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NH Fishing Report - August 5, 2016

Drought conditions have undoubtedly been impacting our rivers and streams and to some extent our lakes here in the Granite State.  We’ve had a few fish kills reported in some of the shallower ponds and some blue-green algae bloom too.  Stick to fishing the “twilight hours” and take a siesta during the heat of the day!  Good luck out there!

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Free hunter trainings this month

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting free, hands-on field training for hunters this month. The 90-minute training sessions are open to people who have completed a hunter or bowhunter education course. Space is limited and registration is required.

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Free Workshop on Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse Hunting

Get set for the fall grouse and woodcock season at a free workshop on ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting on Saturday, August 27, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. The session will be led by grouse hunting enthusiasts/hunter education instructors Sean Williamson and Dan Keleher. Also Andrew Weik, who is the Northeast biologist for the Ruffed Grouse Society, will give a presentation on ruffed grouse and woodcock and their habitat needs. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call (603) 536-3954.

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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.

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Putney Landing Fishing Access Closed for Repair

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will close the Putney Landing Access Area on the Connecticut River starting Monday, August 8, in order to rebuild the boat launching ramp.

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Fishing Report July 31 2016 Massachusetts

Don’t overlook those smaller unpressured bodies of water that you may drive by on a regular basis, especially the ones that may require a little work getting a small boat into for a day of fishing.

We have one of these lakes that we like to fish and getting a Jon boat to the water, takes some time and effort as well. A good type of wagon helps tremendously as we are able to put one end of the boat on that and that is taking a majority of the weight. Plus this allows you to easily getting the trolling motor, battery and gear to the water’s edge.

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

2016 VT Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

The winners of Vermont’s 2016 moose hunting permits were determined Tuesday, August 2, at a lottery drawing at the Statehouse in Montpelier.

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More than 5,500 Wild Turkeys Harvested in Spring

A preliminary report from Vermont Fish & Wildlife shows that hunters brought home 5,537 wild turkeys during the spring hunting season -- 40 more than the average of the three previous years, including 662 turkeys taken during the April youth weekend hunt.

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August Access at Ossipee Lake Boat Ramp on the Pine River (Route 25)

The N.H. Fish and Game Department is upgrading the trailered boat ramp, kayak/canoe access and dock at the public boat ramp facility located on Pine River (off of Route 25) that provides access to Ossipee Lake in Ossipee, N.H.

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Free fishing fly-tying workshops this month

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting a series of free fishing fly-tying workshops for novice and experienced fly-tiers beginning today.

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Free Introduction to Fishing Class Offered at Umbagog

Calling all want-to-be anglers!  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” Program, the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation are teaming up to give you the opportunity to find out all you need to know about a recreational activity that everyone in the family can enjoy.  Fishing!  This one-day introduction to fishing program will be held on Thursday, August 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Umbagog Lake State Park Campground, Route 26 in Cambridge.

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August 6 Declared Hatchery Day in Vermont

Governor Peter Shumlin and officials from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department today announced the declaration of August 6, 2016, as “Hatchery Day” in Vermont in recognition of the important role the state’s fish hatcheries play toward benefiting Vermont’s environment and outdoor recreationalists.

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2016 NH Moose Permit Auction Bid Deadline Approaching

The deadline is approaching for getting bids in for the 2016 New Hampshire Moose Permit Auction. Official bid guidelines and documents can be downloaded from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire's website at www.nhwildlifeheritage.org or by calling (603) 496-2778. Sealed bids are due by August 5, 2016.

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Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates Set

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for the 2016-2017 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for hunting ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows. Specific details on season dates, bag limits, regulations, and other reminders are published in the 2016-2017 Migratory Bird Hunting Guide, which is available on the DEEP’s website at www.ct.gov/deep/hunting. The print version will be available from DEEP and town clerk offices by mid-August.

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2016-2017 Hunting Rule Changes

Looking ahead to the state’s fall hunting seasons, New Hampshire hunters should be aware that certain rules have changed as a result of this year’s biennial rulemaking review. Following is a summary of some of the major changes.

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Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened August 1st for Hikers

On August 1, Vermont Fish & Wildlife will reopen the cliffs closed to hiking and access earlier this spring to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

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Fryeburg Shooting Area To Reopen With New Schedule

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is scheduling new hours for use of the Fryeburg Shooting Area, located on the Major Gregory Sanborn Wildlife Management Area.

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Fishing Report July 24 2016 Massachusetts

This has been one of the hottest and driest summers that I can remember in a long time. At the same time, it is having an effect on our lakes and ponds as the water levels are low, water temperatures are high and many areas of weeds, choking out large areas of the lake.

We have a number of lakes that are only accessible with a small boat and this gives some pressure on the fish but with the harder access, cuts back on some of the pressure that the accessible lakes get. Plan was to fish plastics in the weed beds but we could see that there wasn’t much of a shallow water bite.

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New Atlantic Cod Rules in Effect for Recreational Anglers

Marine rule changes will allow a very limited recreational harvest of cod from August 1 through September 30, thereby expanding opportunities for New Hampshire’s recreational saltwater anglers.

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Boat Ramp at Alton Bay (Lake Winnipesaukee) - Ramp has Reopened

The public boat access ramp (a.k.a. Downing’s Landing) to Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton, which was closed last week to make repairs is now re-opened.

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Allagash Fishery Part of 50th Anniversary Celebration

This Saturday, July 23, hundreds are expected to gather at Churchill Dam on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the waterway. The day will feature a variety of events that showcase the history, heritage and uses of the waterway.

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Fishing Report July 16 2016 New Hampshire

For all of the days that we spend on the water, most of them are always involving fishing. But when the temperatures rise to 90 degrees or more, time to putting the fishing rods down and pulling out the tube so that everyone can enjoy some time in the water.

What a better way of enjoying the hot afternoon being pulled around on the tube. As my son gets older, it is fun watching him doing more things like this. So after we were done with the tubing, we had an hour left on the ...water and went and did some power fishing.

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Free Fishing Class Offered in Lancaster

Calling all anglers!  The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and UNH Cooperative Extension are teaming up to give you the opportunity to find out all you need to know about a recreational activity that everyone in the family can enjoy: Fishing!  This one-day introduction to fishing program will be held at the North Country Resource Center in Lancaster, N.H., on Monday, July 25th, from 4:00 p.m. until dark.  The class is free, and registration is first-come, first-served. Space is limited so call (603) 788-4961 to reserve your spot.

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Vermont Turkey Brood Survey Starts Aug. 1

Wild turkeys are found throughout most of Vermont, but their reproductive success is monitored annually by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with a little help from “citizen scientists” who report the number and size of turkey families they see during August.

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Echo Lake Togue and Salmon Continue To Thrive

The bios in Region B have been busy on central Maine lakes recently, keeping an eye on salmon and lake trout growth in Echo Lake. The central Maine lake occupies parts of Fayette, Mount Vernon and Readfield.

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Camp North Woods begins next week!

Camp North Woods begins next week at the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center!

We invite you to come spend time with campers, Bryant Pond staff and game wardens on Tuesday, July 19th from 9:00 to 3:00. To schedule a time to meet with us, please contact Corporal John MacDonald at 207-557-0818 or by email at john.macdonald@maine.gov.

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NH Fishing Report - July 14, 2016

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy, fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high….” so goes the old Gershwin tune. Well, we may not have any cotton in the Granite State but probably a few bass jumping!  It’s the middle of July already and the “dog days” of summer are fast approaching, if not already here! Unless you’re chasing brookies in a cold mountain stream or hitting the coast, best time to fish is the twilight hours to avoid the heat of the day.  Thermoclines are setting up in our “big lakes” so you’ll have to dial down deep for those salmon and lakers.  Trout stocking has pretty much wrapped up for the season but there are plenty of warmwater fishing opportunities are out there.  Enjoy the weather!

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Fishing Report July 10 2016 Massachusetts

Summer time fishing is in full swing right now and that means searching for fish in the deeper and cooler waters. There are still going to be fish up shallow, b...ut the bigger fish tend to drop off to the depths as the water temperatures are much more comfortable out there.

There are a variety of ways at fishing these depths, but one that is a lot of fun is the Drop-Shot rig. The Drop-Shot is a rig that consists of tying a Drop-Shot hook at a given distance up the line, typically we tie them at 12-18 inches from the end of the line. The other main component is the Kenders Drop-Shot weight which clips onto the tag end of the line.

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2016 Vermont’s Moose Hunt Auction is Open

Vermont’s lottery for moose hunting permits closed July 12, but there’s one more opportunity to get a permit for this fall’s moose hunt. 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.

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Ossipee Lake Boat Ramp to Close for Upgrade August 1

The N.H. Fish and Game Department is upgrading the trailered boat ramp, kayak/canoe access and dock at the public boat ramp facility located on Pine River (off of Route 25) that provides access to Ossipee Lake in Ossipee, N.H. 

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Maine To Help Massachusetts With Loon Restoration

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is partnering on a national restoration effort for the Common Loon designed to strengthen and restore loon populations within their existing and former range in New England.

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DEEP and Audubon Announce Establishment of Important Bird Areas in CT

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the establishment of five Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the state – a step taken with Audubon Connecticut to enhance efforts to protect Connecticut’s bird species.

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July 12 is Deadline to Apply for a VT Moose Hunting Permit

If you want to apply for a Vermont moose hunting permit, you need to enter the lottery no later than July 12.

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New Hampshire Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Set

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department set final season dates and bag limits for the 2016-17 waterfowl hunting season, after considering comments from sportsmen at a public meeting last spring.

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Any-Deer Permit Applications Available, Proposal To Up Permits by 60% from 2015

Applications for 2016 any-deer (antlerless) permit lottery are now available online from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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Branford River State Boat Launch Closed beginning July 18 for Renovations

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that Branford River State boat launch in Branford will close July 18 through mid-November for renovations. 

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Wildlife Management Areas Receive New Signs

If you’ve spent any time in the Downeast Region lately you may have noticed new signs installed at several Wildlife Management Areas.  After years of exposure to the sun, precipitation, and occasional vandalism, many of the wooden signs had fallen into disrepair.

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Unit L and M Antlerless Deer Permits Available Soon

Hunters who want the chance to take additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Units L and M in southeastern New Hampshire during the fall hunting seasons will soon be able to buy special permits.

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Spiny Water Fleas Spur Reminder to Anglers and Boaters on Preventing Spread of Invasive Species

Recent reports of spiny water fleas becoming snagged on fishing gear used on Lake Champlain have prompted officials to urge anglers and boaters to take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of this and other harmful aquatic invasive species.

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Biologists Seeking Information On Maine Bat Colonies

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is looking for more information concerning bat colonies around the State of Maine as biologists continue to research the impact of white-nose syndrome in Maine

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Boat Ramp Repairs: Alton and Claremont

The public boat access facility along the Connecticut River known as Ashley Ferry, in Claremont, N.H., will be closed to accommodate dredging to remove accumulated river silt on the ramp.  The closure will begin late on Tuesday, July 5, 2016.  The ramp is expected to reopen late on Friday July 8, 2016. 

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Fishing Report June 24 2016 Massachusetts

With the waters warming fairly quickly this year, that has the fish way ahead of where they typically are at this time of year. The crappies are getting past their post spawn phase and are now spreading out over the deeper basins of the lake.

We have found that idling over these areas and watching your electronics, this can pinpoint you to where there may be a school of these fish. During the warmer months as opposed to spring and fall, these pods of fish are much smaller in numbers of fish and a bit more difficult to stay on once located.

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Deer Age Report Available on F&W Website

A report summarizing deer age results from the 2015 hunting seasons is now available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website by clicking here...

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“Reel Fun Vermont” Program Kicks off 2nd Year

The “Reel Fun” program is in full swing across Vermont for the second year running, meaning even more fishing opportunities for campers and visitors at state parks throughout the state.

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New Fishing Camp Kicks Off Next Week at Rocky Point State Park

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will join Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) to kick off a new fishing camp next week at Rocky Point State Park. Fifty Rhode Island children will participate in the free, three-day camp that will teach young anglers how to safely fish from boat and shore.

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Biologists Research Migratory Patterns Of Coastal Stream Brook Trout

Salters, or sear run brook trout, possess a certain mystique. Brook trout are most closely associated with cool, mountain streams, but as many avid brook trout anglers know, you can find them throughout Maine in streams that remain cool in the summer.

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Baiting Rule Changes for the 2016-2017 Hunting Seasons

New Hampshire hunters should note that several changes were made to baiting regulations during the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s biennial rulemaking review, particularly regarding the application process for bait permits and submission deadlines.  Baiting permits issued prior to June 1, 2016, when the new rules took effect, will be valid for the 2016 season.

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Fishing Report June 20 2016 Massachusetts

The sunfish spawn here in the Northeast is on its downward slide. There are still beds around but active fish on them is getting less as each day passes. Water temps are finally rising and mainly getting towards the mid 70’s in many locations.

With only limited times for fishing, been resorting to fishing from shore. The other day I had hit a number of local ponds and was catching the sunfish but there just wasn’t any size to these fish. Wanted to see if we could find those larger breeder fish before they start heading for deeper water.

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