Outdoor Adventure Talks at NH Fish and Game

Try a new outdoor adventure this spring! Free talks being offered by the NH Fish and Game Department in April will give you some great ideas. The talks (except film festival) take place at 7:00 p.m. at Fish and Game Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. Get inspired by the outdoor world!

April 5: Raptors of New Hampshire: See live birds of prey, like owls, peregrine falcon, or red-tailed hawk. Kevin Wall, Director of Education at NH Audubon. Learn about the adaptations that helped establish these raptors as some of New Hampshire’s top predators. Raptors play a unique role in our ecosystem. At this entertaining presentation, you’ll learn how NH Audubon assists in protecting raptors, and how you can help.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/22/Outdoor-Adventure-Talks-at-NH-Fish-and-Game

Dakota Lithium Batteries, A Portable GPS’s Best Friend

21st century technology in the fishing industry is simply amazing. To have the gear available like we do today for getting on fish spots is outstanding.

Areas like Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods offer plenty of structure oriented fishing opportunities in the winter months. It can be a challenge to find the spot on the spot through a sheet of ice in winter to accurately fish a piece of structure.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/21/Dakota-Lithium-Batteries-A-Portable-GPS%25E2%2580%2599s-Best-Friend

Winner of the Annual Angler’s Guide Cover Photo Contest

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the winner of the Fifth Annual Angler’s Guide Cover Photo Contest. This year’s cover features a photograph submitted by Jeanne Wadsworth of Tolland. The winning photo, captured by Sandy Vinton, shows Jeanne posing with a largemouth bass she caught while fishing at Breakneck Pond in Nipmuck State Forest located in Union.

 

“I had been out there fishing a few times before and had caught several good-sized fish, but this was by far the largest I had caught there. My kayak was being towed around, and with only 8lb line on, I didn't think I had a prayer at landing it,” Jeanne recounted. “Fortunately, the fish wrapped itself around a stump, and I was able to get it out of the water for a couple of quick shots before I released it. It was such an awesome experience.”

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?Q=601376&A=4965

Creating Backyard Habitat for Bees And Butterflies

Many of us have heard about widespread declines of some pollinator species.  Not only do bees and butterflies play a critical role in natural ecosystems and in agriculture by pollinating plants, but they’re pretty cool to look at too!  While the causes for pollinator declines are not fully understood, there are some simple steps that you can take to help provide habitat for these remarkable insects.  And unlike some wildlife species, even folks with a small, urban backyard can have a positive impact.

https://www1.maine.gov/wordpress/insideifw/2018/03/20/creating-backyard-habitat-bees-butterflies/

Don't Be the Cause of a Bear Conflict -- Take Down Bird Beeders Earlier This Spring

As the winter season winds down and spring approaches, it is important to recognize that bears will become increasingly active throughout the state.  Officials are asking the New Hampshire public to be both proactive and responsible and remove bird feeders and secure other backyard attractants.  Although March 31 is the traditional deadline for ending winter bird feeding activity, more mild winters and the earlier arrival of spring conditions warrant modifications.

“During recent years, den emergence by bears appears to be a couple of weeks earlier as compared with historical trends, which is a direct result of  milder winters and decreased snow pack,” said Andrew Timmins, Bear Project Leader for the NH Fish and Game Department. “The strong spring sunshine, longer days, warmer temperatures, and receding snow level stimulate many wildlife species, including hungry bears, to start searching for available food.  As bears start to get active, let it serve as a reminder that it is time to put the bird feeders away until next fall."

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/20/Dont-Be-the-Cause-of-a-Bear-Conflict----Take-Down-Bird-Beeders-Earlier-This-Spring

Free Turkey Hunting Seminar In April

Youth/Paraplegic Turkey Season Opens April 21, followed by Spring Turkey Regular Season Opening on April 26

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced it is hosting a free informational seminar on wild turkey hunting next month. The program is designed to educate hunters of all ages and experience on safe, successful hunting practices. A special season for youth and paraplegic hunters will be open on April 21-22, followed by the opening of the regular turkey hunting season on April 26.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/19/Free-Turkey-Hunting-Seminar-In-April

Don't Put Off That Hunter Education Class

If you need a hunter education class, sign up now to get into a class this spring or summer. Register at www.huntnh.com/hunting/hunter-ed.html. Select "Find a Hunter Education Course," select 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.

"Spring and summer are your best bets to be sure of getting into a course," says N.H. Fish and Game Hunter Education Coordinator Josh Mackay.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/newsroom/news.html?news=894

Volunteers Needed to Help Create Habitat for New England Cottontails

NH Fish and Game and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension are seeking volunteers to help restore the habitat of the endangered New England cottontail rabbit. Volunteers will plant native shrubs, which the rabbits use for shelter, at Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to noon or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“Volunteering to plant shrubs is a great way to spend time outdoors while working to help create important habitat for an endangered wildlife species,” said Haley Andreozzi, UNH Cooperative Extension Wildlife Outreach Coordinator.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/16/Volunteers-Needed-to-Help-Create-Habitat-for-New-England-Cottontails

Environmental Police Join National "Spring Aboard" Campaign To Promote Boating Education Next Week

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) next week as part of the Spring Aboard campaign to encourage boaters to enroll in a boating education course. An informed and knowledgeable boat operator is much more likely to recognize hazardous conditions on the water and avoid a boating mishap.

"Once again this year, DEM is working in partnership with state boating officials throughout the country to encourage boaters to Spring Aboard and take a safety course," said Lieutenant Steven Criscione, boating safety coordinator for DEM's Division of Law Enforcement. "All boaters have a duty to be responsible for themselves and for those on their vessel. This spring, while you're getting your boat readied for the water, prepare yourself for a safe boating season by taking a boater education course. With the wide variety of classroom and online offerings, there's a program to fit every boater's schedule."

http://www.ri.gov/press/view/32729

New Trout & Salmon Stamp Now Available for Purchase

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that the Trout & Salmon Stamp is available for purchase for the 2018 Fishing Season. The Trout & Salmon Stamp is now required for anglers fishing in any designated Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area, Trout Park, or Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Area and for anglers harvesting trout or salmon anywhere throughout the state. The fees for the Trout & Salmon Stamp are $5.00 for resident anglers who are 18 and older, $3.00 for CT residents ages 16 or 17 and $5.00 for nonresident anglers age 16 and older.

“The new Trout and Salmon Stamp will help provide additional financial support for the DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources, which is responsible for overseeing important programs including the state’s three fish hatcheries,” said Bill Hyatt, Chief of the Bureau of Natural Resources. “Each year over 4.4 million fishing days are spent on the water by anglers across Connecticut, making it one of our most popular outdoor activities. Our fish hatcheries ensure that Connecticut anglers have an opportunity to experience excellent trout fishing throughout the state.”

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?Q=601282&A=4965

Community Fly-Tying Workshops Kick Off Next Week

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces a series of free fly-tying workshops, beginning next week, at public libraries in Charlestown, Middletown, Portsmouth and Little Compton. Participants will learn how to make their own freshwater flies over several weeks and will have an opportunity to fish using the flies they created at a special fishing event in June. The classes are designed for beginning and intermediate fly-tiers ages 10 and older and will cover techniques for freshwater fishing.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/15/Community-Fly-Tying-Workshops-Kick-Off-Next-Week

Vermont Holds Public Hearings on Moose and Deer

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is holding three public hearings about Vermont’s moose and deer in March, with two focused on deer later in May.

The March 19, 21, and 22 hearings will include results of Vermont’s 2017 deer and moose seasons as well as prospects for the fall.  Included will be a review of the proposed 2018 moose hunting season with opportunity for public comment.  The March meetings will occur before the board’s vote on the proposed 2018 moose season on April 25, 2018.  Those who cannot attend can email comments to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov

https://vtfishandwildlife.blogspot.com/2018/03/vermont-holds-public-hearings-on-moose.html

Hearings Set for Proposed Off Highway Vehicle and Snowmobile Rules

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold two public hearings on proposed re-adoptions of Chapter Fis 1500, the rule that governs the Off Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) and snowmobile program at Fish and Game

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/newsroom/news.html?news=888

2017 Trophy Fish Program Winners Announced

The winners of the 2017 New Hampshire Trophy Fish Program were recently announced by John Viar, Region 2 Fisheries Biologist and Trophy Fish Program Coordinator.  Award certificates signed by NH Fish and Game’s Executive Director and the Commission Chairman will soon be distributed to the winners of each species category.  A list of all qualifying entries is posted on Fish and Game's website at www.fishnh.com/fishing/trophy.html.

“Anglers of all ages are out there enjoying fishing anyway.  When they share their catch information on a Trophy Fish application and get a few bragging rights – it adds to their experience. Meanwhile, we receive valuable data on fish populations not normally reported to us," Viar said.  “There are hundreds of waterbodies throughout the state; these anglers are extra eyes in the field.  It’s fun for them and useful information for us.”

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/14/2017-Trophy-Fish-Program-Winners-Announced

Big Game Processing Workshop - April 7, 2018, in Holderness

Learn how you can 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, N.H., on Saturday, April 7, 2018. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. 

This year, registration for the workshop will be completed online. To register, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/owl-brook.html. Under “View Classes at Owl Brook,” select “Learn to Hunt” and select “Big Game Processing Workshop.”

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/12/Big-Game-Processing-Workshop---April-7-2018-in-Holderness

Vermont Wildlife Course for Educators, July 15-20

Vermont’s popular fish and wildlife summer course for teachers and other educators will be held July 15-20, 2018. 

The hands-on field course that gets educators out into Vermont’s streams, forests and wetlands with some of the state’s leading natural resource experts takes place at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury. 

Now in its 33rd year, “Wildlife Management and Outdoor Education Techniques for Educators,” is a one-week, three-credit graduate course taught by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) staff through Castleton University. 

https://vtfishandwildlife.blogspot.com/2018/03/vermont-wildlife-course-for-educators.html

F&W to Host Turkey Hunting Seminars April 7 & 8

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting two free turkey hunting seminars this spring – one on Saturday, April 7 at the Barre Fish and Game Club and the other on Sunday, April 8 at the Hartland Fire Department.  Both seminars will be held 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A shotgun patterning clinic will be held at the Barre seminar.  Participants should bring their own shotgun and ammunition and keep them in their vehicles until instructed to bring them to the range.  If you do not have your own firearm, shotguns and ammunition will be provided.  Eye and ear protection will be available.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/09/FW-to-Host-Turkey-Hunting-Seminars-April-7-8

First Time Lake Trout

This winter’s ice fishing has been about trying to catch different fish species than what we typically catch and trying new waters along the way. Recently, was asked by fellow Clam Pro, Chuck Fritz, to come up and try fishing for Lake Trout and hopefully White Perch as well.

Without hesitation, quickly accepted and planned for a day on the ice. Having never fished for either of these fish, anticipation was high and really looked forward to the trip.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/07/First-Time-Lake-Trout

MDIFW News -- Nearly Three Quarters Of Moose Hunters Successful In 2017

Despite warm spells during both the September and October moose seasons, 73% of all moose hunters harvested a moose last season.

With 2,080 moose permits issued, 1,518 hunters were successful in getting their moose. Hunter success rates varied throughout different regions of the state with over 80 percent of the hunters getting moose in Wildlife Management Districts 1-3 and 5 and 6 in Aroostook County. For success rates in all Wildlife Management Districts and in each season, please visit the 2017 Maine Moose Harvest Summary.

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/news-events/single-release.html?id=790087

DEM Launches New Online Fishing And Hunting Licensing System To Encourage More People To Get Outdoors

A new licensing system that provides more options for buying hunting and fishing licenses was launched this month by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

Implementation of the new system is part of efforts to encourage people to head outdoors and enjoy the numerous recreational opportunities made possible by the sound management of Rhode Island's natural resources and statewide efforts to improve customer service and streamline processes. The system replaces paper-based license issuances and accounting methods and builds upon the current offering of online fishing licenses to include hunting licenses, permits, tags, and stamps. Fishers and hunters are now able to access their accounts 24/7, so they can manage their licenses, add new permits and licenses from the comfort of home, on the go, or even out in the field. To date, nearly 2,800 licenses and over 500 permits have been purchased since the system launched on March 1.

http://www.ri.gov/press/view/32657

‘Let’s Go Fishing’ program seeks instructors - Training workshop set for April 22

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers who would like to become ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ instructors so they can pass on the fishing tradition to Vermonters both young and old. The department will be hosting a one-day training workshop for new instructors on Sunday, April 22 at the Essex Regional Office, 111 West St. Essex, VT.

Instructors in the ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ program organize and instruct clinics in their communities for young people and their families. Participants in the training workshop will learn how to teach a basic fishing clinic, in addition to learning about fishing ethics, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, habitat conservation and tackle craft. They will also be introduced to conducting specialized fishing clinics, including clinics on ice fishing and species-specific fishing. The class is informal, and it is not necessary to have a high level of fishing expertise to become an instructor.

https://vtfishandwildlife.blogspot.com/2018/03/lets-go-fishing-program-seeks.html

Basic Ice Fishing Clinic

When:

Tue, March 6, 10am – 2pm

Where:

Retreat Meadows, Brattleboro, VT

Description:

This hands-on clinic will cover everything you need to know to go ice fishing. Topics will include: ice safety, hole drilling, equipment and techniques, regulations, and much more.

Registration is required and can be completed by emailing letsgofishing@vermont.gov or calling 802-265-2279.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/05/Basic-Ice-Fishing-Clinic

KID's OUTDOORS - Class Schedules

Schedules for March 5-14 for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/kids-outdoors

Best Bite Coming

Now that we have gotten towards the end of the ice season, the fishing is getting better as each day passes. The fish are starting to feed more and group up as well and once you get onto some of these schools, makes for a fun day of catching.

The fish that we found were hanging in 35 FOW and the better sized fish were relating to the 20-foot level. The higher in the water column the fish you could find, those were typically fish of a much better size.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/03/02/Best-bite-coming

Public Discussion on Baitfish Regulations

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is hosting a public discussion sessions on Vermont’s fishing regulations. Department officials are hoping to engage anglers in a discussion and gather public opinion on the state’s baitfish rules.

This will be a working session, with information presented on the regulation, followed by breakout groups where people will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/28/Public-Discussion-on-Baitfish-Regulations

Intro to Fly Tying - Week 1 of 4

An introductory fly tying course focusing on material, hook, and thread terminology. Techniques such as thread control, proportion, tying on materials, dubbing, and wings and tails will be covered while tying a variety of flies.

The four-week course will be held on Monday evenings from 7pm-9pm on February 26, March 5, 12, and 19.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/26/Intro-to-Fly-Tying---Week-1-of-4

Trout Management on the Batten Kill

The talk will cover the history of the Batten Kill and the Department’s past, current, and future management practices.

The Batten Kill is one of Vermont’s pre-eminent wild trout streams and the status of its brown and brook trout populations have been closely monitored since the early 1980s. A near collapse of the brown trout population in the Batten Kill in the 1990s prompted a set of studies which indicated a lack of in stream cover was leading to low survival of midsize trout and likely contributed to the population decline.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/23/Trout-Management-on-the-Batten-Kill

Learning More About Lynx During The Winter Months

One of the responsibilities of a wildlife biologist in the Moosehead Lake region is to research and collect information about Canada lynx. Most townships within this region have lynx present, which was not the case 20 years ago. Our data indicate that the population of lynx across the state has been increasing during that time period. During the snowy months of the year, when the conditions cooperate, we look for signs of lynx, which allows us to determine population status, regional distribution, and to collect DNA.

https://www1.maine.gov/wordpress/insideifw/2018/02/21/learning-lynx-winter-months/

Cold Winters and Hot Togue Fishing on Sebago Lake

Thanks to a frigid start to the ice fishing season, many of Maine’s lakes have had the chance to accumulate a solid base of ice. While ice can never be considered completely safe without careful consideration, especially given changing ice conditions due to recent warm weather, many anglers have found that this season has provided plenty of opportunity to find thick ice and get in some quality fishing time. That includes MDIFW staff who also enjoy fishing on their days off!

Even the largest lake in southern Maine, Sebago Lake, has proven to be a hot spot for many local anglers. In more sheltered areas like Jordan Bay and the Lower Bay on Sebago, ice shacks dot the horizon, as if anglers decided to start a town solely on the principle of fish, and plenty of them. It’s no wonder, either, given reports of action on lake trout (referred to as togue in Maine) often running steadily through a whole day on the ice. Some parties of only three or four anglers have reported catching well above 50 togue in one day. As togue tend to stay in the deep waters of the lake, many successful anglers have found that jigging flashy spoons or lures just off the bottom has been an especially effective strategy, and has provided an exciting and long fight as fish are hauled all the way back to the surface.

https://www.kevindahlkeoutdoors.com/single-post/2018/02/22/Cold-Winters-and-Hot-Togue-Fishing-on-Sebago-Lake