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N.H. Hunting Report - September 29, 2006 New Hampshire's hunting seasons are well underway by the start of October. Don't miss out! Fish and Game's licensing office has been busy selling hunting licenses this week. No need to stand in line, though -- if you've bought a license in N.H. since 2000, you can BUY the license and permits you need online anytime. Click here to buy your N.H. hunting license and permits online -- right now! There's still time to get a Unit M Special Deer permit. As of September 28, there were 1,650 permits left. Permits cost $13 and are sold first-come, first-served, online or over the counter at Fish and Game headquarters. They are valid for taking one additional antlerless deer in Unit M during the archery, muzzleloader or firearms seasons. For details, Unit M boundaries, or a print-and-mail application, click here. The N.H. Hunting Digest is your best source for hunting season dates and details; click here (and then click on the orange icon) to download, or pick up a copy at Fish and Game offices and license agents statewide. If you have other questions about season dates, harvest information or wildlife, visit the Fish and Game website or call the Wildlife Division at (603) 271-2461. Best of luck this fall! -- Anne Arpey, Wildlife Division Administrative Secretary Bear
Season Report The harvest sex ratio so far is 2.5 males per female, considerably higher than the long-term average of 1.4 males per female. This reflects the fact that males typically are more vulnerable to hunter harvest than females, because they travel more and have larger home ranges. This trend becomes increasingly evident during abundant food years, as females don't range as far because they can find plenty of food close to home. On a regional basis, as of 19 September,16 bears had been taken in the North; 32 in the White Mountains; 26 in the Central; 8 in Southwest-1; and 17 in Southwest-2 regions. No bears had been harvested in the Southeast region to date. The White Mountains and Central regions had the highest bear harvest reported so far. The harvest in the Southwest-2 region is noteworthy. Since this region was opened to bear hunting in 1998, the annual harvest in this region has averaged 10 bears per year. There was a record harvest of 27 bears in this region in 2004. The current increase in harvest in this region likely reflects a continued growing interest in bear hunting in the southwestern part of the state. Also, because this region has a shorter season compared to the rest of the state, it's to be expected that hunters would expend greater effort during the early season, while hunters in other regions may wait for cooler October weather to bear hunt. The decline in bear harvest reported so far appears mostly related to an increase in food abundance this year compared to previous years. The blackberry, mountain ash and beechnut crops are exceptional across the state. Acorns and apples are also present in some areas, though these species did not produce quite as abundantly. About 40% of the bears harvested to date were feeding on blackberries when harvested. Most of the remaining bears harvested were eating bait. Soon, bears should turn their attention to and begin climbing beech. A lower percentage of bears have been harvested in cornfields this year. For more on bear
hunting in New Hampshire,
click here.
For more on deer
hunting in New Hampshire,
click here.
Grouse hunters in the northern part of the state are urged to help out Fish and Game by taking part in a pilot study the Small Game Project is conducting in Pittsburg to gather ruffed grouse wings and tails submitted by ruffed grouse hunters. The samples collected will give biologists age, sex and distribution data on this premiere game bird, helping them determine grouse management needs. The project received solid support last year and was expanded for this fall's ruffed grouse season to include the region north of the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112). Questions about the wing and tail survey should be directed to Julie Robinson, Small Game Project Leader at (603) 868-1095. Hunters who want to participate can pick up grouse sample packets, which include envelopes and survey cards for two grouse samples, at any of the locations listed below. Completed packets also must be returned to one of these locations. Participating grouse hunters are asked to remove all tissue from wing and tail samples and to let them dry for several days before placing them in sample envelopes. Hunters are reminded NOT to place the samples in plastic of any kind. Hunters should place only one wing and tail in each envelope with the corresponding completed survey card. We've got some great motivation for participants -- for each usable sample submitted with a completed survey card, the hunter's name will be entered into a drawing for a Beretta Urika Semi-Auto 20-Gauge Shotgun (retail value -- $1,050) generously donated by the Ruffed Grouse Society. Sample packets can be picked up and dropped off
at the following locations:
If you do hunt for grouse or other small game this fall, please take time to fill out Fish and Game's SMALL GAME SURVEY. Your field observations will provide Fish and Game with valuable management insights. Hunters who fill in this form and return it to Fish and Game by April 15, 2007, will be entered into a drawing held at the close of the season for a 10-22 RR rifle donated by the Sturm Ruger Company. Request a survey form to by calling (603) 271-2461 or e-mail your request to wilddiv@wildlife.nh.gov. For more on small
game hunting in New Hampshire,
click here.
The list of towns to be stocked (including road names) is available on the Fish and Game website (click here); lists are also available at Fish and Game headquarters and regional offices. The pheasant season runs from October 1 to December 31, with a daily limit of 2 birds and a season limit of 10. Pheasant hunters must purchase a $16 pheasant license in addition to their regular New Hampshire hunting license. Non-residents may hunt with a pheasant license and either a non-resident hunting license or a non-resident small game license. Fish and Game asks hunters to refrain from training dogs at release sites during the three days prior to October 1. Dog training flushes pheasants from the release sites, often onto posted property or other areas not suitable for hunting. Fish and Game Pheasant Project Leader Karen Bordeau reminds hunters that most of the pheasant release sites are on private lands, stocked with landowner permission and available to sportsmen only because of their cooperation. Please respect the rights of these landowners, and show landowners your appreciation. For more information on pheasant hunting in New Hampshire and the list of stocking sites, click here. <Return to top> ---------------------------------------- For previous New Hampshire hunting reports, click here. Click here to get this free monthly in-season report by email.  A
User-Pay, User-Benefit ProgramResearching, managing and restoring wildlife are funded by your license dollars and by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of hunting equipment, sporting firearms and ammunition make a difference to New Hampshire's wildlife resources and this state's way of life. Click here to learn more.
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