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

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

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

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened

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

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

New State Record for Bowfin Caught By Taunton Teen Angler

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

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

Free Public Archery Ranges Available in Allenstown and Holderness

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

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

Jig-Worming the Weed Edges

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

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

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

2017 NH Spring Gobbler Season Results

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

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

VT Fishing Regulation Digest Named Best in Nation

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

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

Vermont’s Moose Hunt Auction Closes Aug. 10

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

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

Early Morning Dock Bluegills

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family Fun Abounds In August With Great Outdoors Pursuit

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

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

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

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

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

Porpoising Bluegills

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn More About VT Hunting at Free Seminars

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

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

Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

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

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

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

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

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

Changes in Recreational Fishing Rules for Cod and Haddock - Effective Immediately

The recreational fishing measures in federal waters in the Gulf of Maine (more than three miles from shore) for cod and haddock have changed

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

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Outfit

Charlie Robinton (Charlie Robinton has loved fly fishing since he was 10 years old. He turned his passion for fishing and the outdoors into a career as a fly fishing writer and instructor.)

When choosing a new fly fishing setup, today’s angler is faced with a multitude of options, and the choices are enough to make a neophyte’s head spin. This article will explain the most important factors to consider when looking at different rods, reels, and fly lines, as well as how to match them together to create an outfit that meets each angler's specific needs.

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

http://www.partselect.com/blog/choosing-the-right-fly-rod-and-reel/

Public Information Meeting on North Country Fishing Rules

The N.H. Fish and Game Department will host a public information meeting to discuss current fisheries regulations on August 17, 2017, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Errol Town Hall in Errol, N.H. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input and suggestions regarding the fishing regulations currently in place for the New Hampshire portions of the Magalloway River, as well as certain portions of Umbagog Lake and the Upper Androscoggin River.

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

CT DEEP Announces Opening of the Branford River State Boat Launch in Branford

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the State Boat Launch located on the Branford River in Branford will reopen for boating use on Saturday, July 29, 2017. 

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

Summer Kayak Programs

The N.H. Fish and Game Department's Great Bay Discovery Center at 89 Depot Road in Greenland, N.H., is offering the following paddling events this summer.

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

Grassland Bird Populations in Decline in Vermont

Grassland-nesting bird populations continue to decline in numbers in Vermont, according to recent surveys conducted by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

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

Giving Salt a Try

My son has been getting into saltwater fishing quite a bit more this summer and wanted the two of us to go and try on our own. We have a jetty that is not that far from us where a river dumps into the ocean and upon arriving, it was low tide with the tide starting to come in.

We were going to run three different setups, two of the setups we ran a three way swivel that has a 3oz weight on one line. The line with the hook we ran two different baits with one being a chunk of mackerel and the other having a piece of clam.

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

Public Asked to Report Summer Wild Turkey Brood Sightings through August 31

As the summer months continue, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds the public to report sightings of hen turkeys, with or without young, through the Department’s online survey at: www.wildnh.com/surveys/turkeybrood.html.

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

Family Fun & Field Day, Moose Lottery Drawing-- July 29, Barre

Be sure to bring the family to the Family Fun and Field Day at Barre Fish & Game Club on Saturday, July 29 starting at 9:30 a.m., and stay to hear who wins a moose permit at the annual moose lottery live at noon with on-site broadcast by Froggy 100.9 radio. 

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

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 help from “citizen scientists” who report the number and size of turkey families they see during August. 

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

Controlled Waterfowl Hunt Applications

Applications are available for controlled waterfowl hunting permits to be used at two Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wildlife management areas.

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

ATTENTION -- 7/20 Update - Casco Hatchery/Pleasant Lake Project

Construction continues ahead of schedule on the Casco Hatchery Pipeline Replacement Project. Currently, the new water intake pipe is fully assembled and crews are pressure testing the 3,900’ pipeline in preparation for lowering it to the lake bottom.

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

Free Clamming Workshops This Summer

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting a series of free recreational clamming workshops this summer. The workshops, led by a local shellfisherman, review the history and value of shellfishing in Rhode Island and provide an opportunity for participants to dig for their own clams.

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

Enter the 2017 NH Moose Permit Auction

There’s still time to enter the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire’s 2017 NH Moose Permit Auction. The auction is in its ninth year and is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser to support the programs of the N.H. Fish and Game Department.

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

NH Fishing Report - July 18, 2017

This summer, it seems like we’ve been on a weather rollercoaster, with big swings in temperatures and stream flows.  The successful angler will heed the old scout’s motto of "be prepared."  Resolve to change up your methods and gear if you’re not catching much.  The weather has the fish confused at times, which makes things more challenging.  For bass, think "subsurface" during the day and "topwater" at night.  For trout, go north or head to the mountains for the best success.

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

There's Still Room in the Waterfowl Hunting Course for Women

Space is still available in a course for women who want to learn how to get started hunting ducks and geese. The N.H. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program (BOW) presents “Duck, Duck, Goose: An introduction to Waterfowl Hunting,” on August 12, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, Holderness, N.H.

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

F&W Share Tips on Creating Wildlife Habitat

Interested in creating wildlife habitat on your property? Biologists from Vermont Fish & Wildlife will present a talk on the techniques and programs available for promoting wildlife habitat at the Mt. Holly Library on Tuesday, August 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room. 

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

Downings Landing Ramp - Reopened

The public boat ramp facility known as Downing’s Landing in Alton NH and providing access to Alton Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee reopened today.

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

Take a Hunter Education Class this Summer

Sign up now to takeyour Hunter Education class in this summer. Register at www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter-ed.html. Select "Find a Hunter Education Course," choose a traditional or online class, then complete the registration to join. Walk-ins are accepted on a space-available basis, but there are no guarantees; pre-registration is highly recommended.

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

Learn about Vermont’s Black Bears

Vermonters of all ages are invited to attend a presentation about Vermont’s black bears by Tom Rogers of Vermont Fish & Wildlife at the Waitsfield Library on Tuesday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m.

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

Game Plan for Fishing New Waters

Anglers get stuck in a habit of fishing the same waters over and over again and get into a comfort zone that they tend not to want to try other locations. By trying different waters as well as different scenarios, lakes vs rivers, this in the long run, makes an angler more versatile and able to adapt more quickly for finding fish at newer locations.

Not having much experience on fishing river systems, we have been frequenting one such system a few times already with more trips planned. The stretch that we have been trying to learn is above the dam, so there is some water movement and many of the banks have a steep drop.

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

Vermont’s 2017 Moose Hunt Auction is Open

Vermont’s lottery for moose hunting permits has closed, 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. 

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

DEM, Central Falls Team Up To Host Kids' Saltwater Fishing Excursion

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the City of Central Falls and Progreso Latino, will host a kids' saltwater fishing excursion aboard the Francis Fleet Charter out of Point Judith on Wednesday. Fifty local children and their families will participate in the free event, spending an afternoon on Narragansett Bay learning to fish and identify marine life in the Bay.

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

Report Fish Kills This Summer

Summer weather is here, lakes and ponds are warming up, and fish kills may occur. The sight of dead and dying fish along the shores of a favorite pond or river can be distressing and can prompt concerns about pollution. However, the vast majority of summer fish kills reported are natural events.

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

Casco Hatchery/Pleasant Lake Project

Construction begins July 10 on a new intake pipe for the Casco Hatchery. During the construction project there will be a pipeline floating on the southern end of Pleasant Lake. The floating pipeline will be marked appropriately to alert boaters.

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

Unit L Antlerless Deer Permits Available Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Sales will begin soon for special permits allowing hunters to take additional antlerless deer in Wildlife Management Unit L during the fall hunting seasons. Hunters should note the specific details about the purchasing this permits

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

DEM Hosts Free Fly-Fishing Workshop This Month

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) – in partnership with Trout Unlimited, United Fly-Tyers of Rhode Island, and the Wood River Fly-Fishing Association – will host a free fly-fishing clinic for women this month.

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

Midwest Hunting and Fishing Magazine July/August 2017

Latest article in the Midwest Hunting and Fishing Magazine July/August issue

https://issuu.com/midwesthuntfish/docs/mhf_july_2017_final

Register for Women in the Outdoors Event

Women in the Outdoors (WITO) is an event that provides interactive, educational, outdoor opportunities for women aged 13 and up. WITO is perfect for beginners, and with nearly 30 instructional classes, seminars, and activities, there’s something for everyone. Classes include Wilderness Survival, Birdwatching, Outdoor Photography, Rifle Marksmanship, Fly-Fishing 101, Game Processing, and many more. Organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation Central Massachusetts Chapter and sponsored in part by MassWildlife's Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program, the 2017 WITO event will be held on Saturday, July 29 at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club (50 Elm Street). Space is limited and registration is required. For a full list of classes and to register, please click here.

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

Hunter Access Seminar for Vermont Landowners

Hunting can be a valuable tool for private land conservation but managing hunters can be intimidating, particularly if you are not familiar with hunting or have experienced problems with hunters in the past. To help, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is holding a free seminar this summer for landowners interested in learning more about hunting and managing hunter access. 

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

Discover Great Places to Fish in the Concord Capital Region

You don't have to travel far to find a quiet fishing spot near the Granite State's capital city. Concord and surrounding towns have plenty of waterbodies to enjoy. The N.H. Fish and Game Department's new Concord Capital Region Take Me Fishing guide highlights several great places in the area to drop in a line.

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

NH Fishing Report - June 30, 2017

For the fly anglers out there, two important insect hatches are occurring now in the Granite State. The "Hex" is a large, cream and brown mayfly that emerges from certain ponds and very slow moving rivers.

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