Peregrine Falcon Nesting Cliffs Reopened 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.

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

Greenfield Lake Boat Ramp Repaired and Open to the Public

The NH Fish and Game Department has completed a major renovation of the boat ramp at Otter Lake in Greenfield, NH.  The ramp and small gravel parking area had been in a state of disrepair including cracked bituminous pavement and scattered concrete slabs leading up to the ramp.  The conditions made launching boats difficult and allowed eroded sediment from the ramp and parking area to enter the lake.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for July 27 – August 5

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

Women in the Outdoors Event, Aug. 15 at Buck Lake

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation are putting on a one-day “Women in the Outdoors” introductory course on Saturday, August 15 at Buck Lake in Woodbury.

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

Hunters Reminded to Apply for Antlerless Deer Permits

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds hunters they can apply for muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits for use in the December 5-13 muzzleloader season.

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

John Guilmette Fishing Access Area now open for public use

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department today announced that it has completed reconstruction of the John Guilmette Fishing Access Area on Lake Champlain in South Hero and the facility is now open for public use.

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

New Hampshire Newborn Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License Available

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department now offers the best baby gift ever for the outdoors family! The Newborn Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License is now available.

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

Fishing Report July 19 2015 Massachusetts

When we get into the heart of the summer months, the fishing can go either way of hot bites or having to work very hard in finding and catching fish. This past weekend was one that humbled us as anglers as the fish that were caught, had a lot of work behind them getting them to bite and to the boat.

 We started the weekend at a small pond that we had never fished in open water and had heard that there are some nice largemouth bass in there. Getting the car topper boat into the pond was a chore to start the day off as the shorelines are undeveloped and with that hoping that the fishing was going to be worth it.

 After a while of fishing this particular pond, there was no evidence of any sort of structure to be able to concentrate on so we fished around the shoreline weed lines. Casting rattle traps and shallow running crank baits to cover as much water as we could as well as understand the features of the pond and finding actively feeding fish.


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

Updated Hammond Cove Range to Re-Open Under New Rules on Thursday, July 23

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has completed its upgrades and will be re-opening the Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland, Vermont on Thursday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m.

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

Hot Hold Pond Boat Ramp in Concord, NH, to Close for Repairs

The public boat ramp at Hot Hole Pond in Concord, N.H., will be closed beginning Monday August 3, 2015 for approximately three weeks for repairs and improvements. The project will require closing Hot Hole Pond Road at the ramp location to through-going-traffic.  The ramp is located approximately 0.60 miles west of the four-way intersection of Hot Hole Pond, Shaker Road and Snow Pond Road.  Entering Hot Hole Pond Road from the east (Loudon side), the ramp is located 0.35 miles from the intersection of Hot Hole Road and Shaker Road.

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

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 29, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness.

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

Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has finalized the 2015 hunting season dates and bag limits for early season migratory game birds, with no changes in bag limits from last year.

http://www.backwoodssportsman.com/NH_News.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 a little help from "citizen scientists" who report the number and size of turkey families they see during August. 

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for July 20 – July 29

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

N.H. Spring Gobbler Season Results

New Hampshire hunters took 4,005 turkeys during the May 2015 season, 2.4% more than last year, according to N.H. Fish and Game Department Turkey Project Biologist Ted Walski. In 2014, spring turkey hunters took a total of 3,911 turkeys.

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

Migratory Bird Hunting Season Regulations Meeting

Will take place at DEEP Marine Headquarters, Old LymeConnecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations Meeting will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, in the rear conference room at the DEEP Marine Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme.

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

Fishing Report Week July 6 2015 Massachusetts

I am very fortunate for having a family that enjoys camping and also generally we seek out campgrounds that have lake options as well. We had been to this campground last year and our campsite is on the lake and also comes with our own dock. This allows us easy access to the lake for fishing and my son has his Jon boat at the ready at all times.

He has a great passion for fishing at the age of 13 and having his boat right there, he spent almost every minute on the water. If he wasn’t in his boat then he would be standing on the dock fishing and there wasn’t anything else that he wanted to do.

Last year we had concentrated on the bass fishing and we had started this same way this year as we had figured that was the dominant fish. My son’s first outing had changed that as he was searching for bass, he had a crappie take his rattle trap and that had opened the door for a multi species fishing trip.


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

Fishing Report July 4 2015 Massachusetts

Since there was bass fishing yesterday the decision for today was to go for sunfish and crappies on one of our smaller ponds. Having a small boat for this type of fishing opens up a lot more opportunities for us that we aren’t able to get the big boat into.

 

Being this is the fourth of July, the pond was quite a bit busier than it generally is but still big enough that everyone can still spread apart for their fishing. The crappies are a bit harder to find these days as the waters have warmed to the mid 70’s and they are going to be much deeper now and on the move.

 

 

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

Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners Are Drawn

The winners of Vermont's 2015 moose hunting permits were determined Thursday, July 16, at a lottery drawing in Barre. 

Governor Peter Shumlin, standing alongside Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter, started the computer-generated selection process that randomly picked 265 winners from more than 9,500 lottery applicants. 

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

Fishing Report July 3 2015 Massachusetts

Target Species: Largemouth Bass and Crappies
Location: Northern Massachusetts
Depth: 5’ to 18’
Air Temp: 70-80 degrees
Water Temp: 72-76 degrees
Wind: Variable
Baits: Fluke style plastic/Rapala ScatterRap/Clam Pro Tackle Blade Spoon

 

There are certain lakes that you need to fish during the week as come the weekend the boat traffic does increase dramatically. Today’s venue lake is just one of those and since today was also a holiday acation day during the week, figured that we would give this lake a go.

 

Lake scenario is that over half of this lake is mucky and shallow and the other half they had dredged years ago so that there is varying depths and loads of structure. This lake also is an inner city lake so that being said the water quality is very green/brown coloration with thick shallow weeds.

 

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

Lake Sturgeon Sampling Yields Encouraging Results in Vermont

Fisheries staff from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are reporting that a total of 17 lake sturgeon were collected during recent sampling activities on several Lake Champlain tributaries, an encouraging sign for the prehistoric, endangered species.

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

Public Hearing Set for Proposed NH 2016 Fishing Rules

A public hearing on proposed New Hampshire freshwater fishing rule changes for 2016 will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H.

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

Live VT Moose Lottery Drawing

Join us in person for all the excitement or tune in on Froggy 100.9 to hear us read off ALL the lucky winners’ names.

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

Hoots and Owls Program at Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby CT

Join other owl lovers and find out what each one sounds and looks like at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18 at the Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby.   The presentation by Education Staff from Kellogg will teach you about these magnificent aerial hunters all the way from an egg to an adult. You will get the chance to make your own owl mask at the end.  All ages are welcome to attend  this free program and registration is not required.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for July 13 – July 22

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

Introduction to Bowhunting Workshop Offered for Women

Women interested in learning how to bowhunt can now sign up for an introductory workshop presented by New Hampshire’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program. The session will take place August 23, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H.

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

New Deer Hunting Regulations Effective in 2016

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says several changes in Vermont's deer hunting regulations will become effective in 2016.  None of the changes will be effective this year.

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

Fishing Report June 27 2015 Massachusetts

Finally the waters are warming nicely and having a surface temperature of mid 70’s gets me excited as the spawn is over and the fish are starting to relate to offshore structure. I am not a big fan of running the shorelines looking for aggressive fish but more of dissecting deep water structure for the bass that I am fishing.

Many of the lakes here in New England have their shorelines pounded on a daily basis and while I was fishing I was watching that unfold from the anglers on this particular lake. Many anglers here either don’t know the deeper structure is here, or, they may not be confident enough to fish these areas. Key to fishing these types of areas is having good electronics that are telling you what is going on at that location and also GPS for keeping you there.

As every season begins, you never know what the weed content is going to be like as they seem to turn over on this lake quite regularly. From this fishing trip I found that this year we will have to deal with the very stringy thin grass that if you work through it too fast, this will gum up your bait and presentation very quickly.

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

Rhode Island DEM environmental police officers to conduct OPERATION DRY WATER boat patrol June 26 to June 28 to enforce boating under the influence law

Safe boating patrols will be stepped up on June 26 to June 28 in a joint operation conducted by the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Law Enforcement. The effort is part of Operation Dry Water, a coordinated national crackdown on Boating Under the Influence (BUI). It is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related and drug-related accidents and fatalities, and making recreational boaters aware of the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the water.

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

New Hampshire's 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 from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Special permits for Units L and M will be available online and at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord after 9:00 a.m. on July 1, 2015.

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

Maine's Any-Deer Permit Applications Now Available

Applications for 2015 any-deer (antlerless) permit lottery are now available online from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Online applications are due by 11:59 P.M. on August 17, 2015. Paper applications may be submitted in person or by mail no later than 5 P.M. on July 27, 2015. To apply online, visit www.mefishwildlife.com.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for June 29 – July 8

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

Lucky Day for 2015 NH Moose Hunt Permit Winners

The adventure of a lifetime is in store for 105 people who have been offered permits to hunt moose in New Hampshire this October. They are the lucky winners in the state's 28th annual moose hunt lottery drawing, held today at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department headquarters in Concord, N.H.

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for June 22 – July 1

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

Vermont’s Moose Hunt Auction is Open

Vermont’s lottery for moose hunting permits closed June 17, 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 13. Bids will be opened and winners notified on August 14.

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

CT DEEP Designates Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 As A “Free Fishing License Day”

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated Father’s Day, this Sunday, June 21, as the first of two “Free Fishing License Days" scheduled for 2015. A second “Free Fishing License Day" is scheduled for Saturday, August 15.

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

Vermont TU's Fly Fishing Camp for Teens

Teens interested in learning the art of fly-fishing or improving their basic skill level alongside some of Vermont’s most accomplished fly anglers, are invited to apply. The 2015 camp is scheduled for Sunday June 21st through Thursday June 25th at Quimby Country Lodge & Cottages, in Averill, Vermont

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

Fishing Report June 13 2015 Massachusetts

The area that we live in there are numerous smaller ponds that we can fish but only a couple of them have a boat landing that we can get our big boat into. So we had fished some of these utilizing kayaks in the years past, but trying to fish out of these is a bit tough especially if there is any kind of wind.

My son is into fishing big time these days and he wanted to have his own boat for fishing so he had gotten himself a 10 foot Jon boat. By having this small boat option now, this has opened up number of new waters that we can fish and also being able to fish in more comfort is always a good thing as well.

We have a list of lakes that we have fished on the ice but never have on the open water so we had picked one of these for this trip and we haven’t really fished at all either. From searching for information about the fishing in this lake, there are reports that there are some large bass here and we figured we would give it a try.

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

Seen Any Wild Turkey Broods? Report Your Sightings to NH Fish and Game!

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking for the public's help in tracking wild turkey broods in New Hampshire this spring and summer. It's easy to take part.  If you observe groups of turkeys with young between now through August 31, 2015, report your sightings to Fish and Game at its web-based turkey brood survey at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/surveys/turkeybrood.html.

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

RI DEM asks public to report wild turkey brood sightings

The Department of Environmental Management is asking Rhode Islanders to assist its Division of Fish and Wildlife's wild turkey project by reporting any sightings of wild turkey hens with (or without) broods of young turkeys (poults). DEM biologists need the information to evaluate this year's reproduction of wild turkeys, the survival of the young, and the population of the state's wild turkey flock.

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

DEM Aquatic resource education program to offer four free recreational clamming classes this summer

Have you ever wondered how those littlenecks ended up behind the seafood window of your local grocery store? Did you know that as a Rhode Island resident you can harvest your own clams recreationally without a license? Here is your chance to learn how to dig for clams, what type of equipment is needed, and about the management strategies that have kept Rhode Island's quahog industry thriving. The program is sponsored by the University of Rhode Island's Sea Grant and features commercial shell fisherman Jody King, who will introduce participants to recreational clamming. Space is limited and registration is required.

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

NH Moose Hunt Lottery Drawing Is Friday, June 26, 2015

The annual drawing to select the lucky hunters who will be offered a permit to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall will be held on Friday, June 26, at 9:00 a.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, N.H. Fish and Game will issue 105 moose hunting permits this year. The public and interested media are invited to be on hand to watch the excitement as the names are drawn. Winners are selected through a computerized random drawing.

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

Learn about Seacoast Wild Edibles at “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” Workshop

Women interested in learning how to forage for wild edible plants and other seacoast delicacies can now sign up for a one-day workshop called Seacoast Wild Edibles, sponsored by New Hampshire’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program. The session will take place July 25, 2015, at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Road, Greenland, N.H.

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

CT DEEP & MDC Relocate Fish, Enhance Community Fishing Waters

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) captured 262 sportfish from MDC’s West Hartford Reservoir No. 1 and stocked 106 of the captured fish into Mirror Lake in Meriden and 156 fish into Stanley Quarter Park Pond in New Britain. All the relocated fish are of ready-to-fish-for size that anglers can target immediately. The collaborative effort to capture and relocate these high quality fish developed out of the MDC’s need to greatly reduce the water level within the reservoir to facilitate accessing and replacing water control devices within the dam. 

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

KIDS OutDoors page updated at BWS OutDoors

We have updated our KIDS Outdoors page at BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors for the upcoming outdoor education classes offered across New England for June 15 – June 24

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

Vermont bass fishing season opens June 13

Vermont's bass fishing season kicks off on Saturday, June 13 and anglers throughout the state are eager to hit their favorite body of water in search of fun and exciting fishing adventures for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

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

Vermoint Moose Permit Application Deadline, June 17

Vermont Fish & Wildlife is reminding would-be moose hunters that June 17 is the deadline to apply for a permit for next fall’s hunt.
 It’s quickest to apply on their website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) which automatically enters you to win a new Thompson Center “Triumph” muzzleloader.

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

Fishing Report June 7 2015 Massachusetts

Today’s trip to the lake was going to be more about my son’s experience as this was going to be his first solo fishing trip on his own. With both of our boats loaded, he could fish where he wanted and how he wanted to, while I can keep an eye from a distance from my boat.

He choice to fish along the shorelines and run a shallow crank bait and over time he actually was able to land a few bass on his own. There was a light breeze, enough that would blow you around a bit, this allowed him to learn how to use the trolling motor for keeping him in a location that he was fishing.

As I watched, he was getting good experience at maneuvering his boat near and around docks and fallen trees. It was nice seeing him come along with his boating skills and this is giving me more confidence so that in time this will build his confidence and allow him to venture the waters more on his own.

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

Owl Brook Hunter Education Center Hosts Free Open House in Holderness NH

Don’t miss the fun this Saturday, June 13, at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center’s Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bring the family to enjoy hands-on activities related to the shooting sports, hunting and trapping at this one-of-a-kind Fish and Game Department facility. Admission is free.

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

Maine's Swan Island now open for its 50th season

Swan Island is now open for a great 50th season of camping, hiking and wildlife viewing. Several new features are now available here, including a new larger ferry, kayak rentals from the island campground, new interpretive signage, docks at the campground and a 15 & under kids-only trout fishing pond with free equipment loans. Many different events are being held on and around the Island throughout the summer and fall. Check out the event calendar on our website www.maine.gov/swanisland to sign up for one of the many planned programs; or visit to just explore on your own.

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