N.H. HUNTING REPORT -- NOVEMBER 18, 2005
Some of the season's best hunting is right around the corner, says
Wildlife Division Chief Steve Weber in this month's report. The firearms
season continues through December 4 statewide, with most parts of the
state now limited to legally antlered bucks for firearm hunters. But don't
just think deer - wildlife biologist Eric Orff tells us there's lots of
late-season waterfowl out there, plus some more unusual things to hunt!
Spread the word - if you're hunting over in New York or any of the 16
CWD-positive jurisdictions, you MUST follow the regulations on importing
deer or elk carcasses into New Hampshire. You may bring back ONLY
deboned meat, antlers, upper canine teeth and/or hides or capes with no part
of the head attached. Antlers attached to skullcaps or canine teeth
must have all soft tissue removed. Remember, it's the law.
BUY the hunting license and permits you need at
http://www.nhfishandgame.com.
Your best source for hunting season dates and details is the 2005-2006
N.H. Hunting Digest, available at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm (click on the
orange icon), or from Fish and Game offices and license agents statewide.
IN THIS ISSUE:
* When is a low deer kill good news for hunters?
* Lots of ducks and geese still around for late season waterfowl
hunters
* New Hampshire's Offbeat Hunting Seasons
* Deer Season Numbers
* Bear Season Report
* Updated Moose Hunt Results
WHEN IS A LOW DEER KILL GOOD NEWS FOR HUNTERS?
The answer is this year! As we all know, deer hunting can be heavily
influenced by weather conditions. This year, the early archery season was
plagued with warm wet weather during the early days, and the wet and
windy weather in October. As a result, the deer kill numbers going into
the muzzleloader season were running some 23% behind last year's
figures. The biologists at Fish and Game felt going into this season that the
herd was in good shape following a winter with normal to below-normal
winter severity and an increased harvest in 2004. Following an early
snowstorm in parts of the state (which left snow on the ground in areas)
and a return to more normal temperatures, the deer kill has rebounded
very well through the muzzleloader season. As a result, we are now
running about 4% ahead of last year's take with some of the best hunting yet
to come.
While it's not uncommon to take some of the heaviest deer of the season
during the muzzleloader season, when they haven't run off too much fat
during the rut, the best hunting of the year for mature bucks
invariably occurs in mid to late November. I know there's a national craze
regarding the phase of the moon, the rutting moon, and on and on. The simple
biological fact here in New Hampshire is that the majority of the
breeding occurs between the 10th and 20th of November each year. Warm
weather may suppress daytime activity some years, and cool weather may
encourage daytime activity others, but the mean conception dates don't vary
widely. Those dates have been developed through thousands of years of
evolution that maximize the survival of fawns born about 200 days later
the following spring in late May or early June.
What this means is that from mid-November our bucks are either moving
with does or looking for other does that have not yet been bred. Since
most does are bred during mid-November, there's a lot of bucks out
looking for the few remaining does in late November. This just happens to
fall close to the Thanksgiving weekend, which explains why, year after
year, the adult buck kill on or near that weekend is consistently high,
even though hunting pressure is often a fraction of what it was on
opening day. For those of us who aren't able to hunt throughout the month
(and I can tell you there's nothing more frustrating than loving to deer
hunt and having to work a deer check station and listening to other
hunters' stories), or those who haven't scored yet for whatever reason,
take heart, some of the best hunting of the year is right around the
corner. With temperatures returning more towards normal, it's likely there
will be snow on the ground in many areas late in the month. I encou
rage you to take advantage of this beautiful time of the year to get
out and enjoy some great deer hunting. - Steve Weber, Wildlife Division
Chief, N.H. Fish and Game
LOTS OF DUCKS AND GEESE STILL AROUND FOR LATE SEASON WATERFOWL HUNTERS
The unusually damp and warm fall has seemingly put the brakes on the
annual waterfowl migration, at least across the central and southern
parts of the state. Ducks and geese seem to be hanging around nearly every
flooded cornfield and marsh, as well as the usual fall holding places
such as lakes and ponds. A cold snap, with snow in northern New
Hampshire, two weeks ago drove the northern birds south, and here they have
stayed.
Numbers of teal are staying on well past their usual migration pattern
of early October. Waterfowl biologist Ed Robinson recently said, "I've
never heard of so many teal staying the whole season like is happening
this fall." Several flocks of wood ducks were recently spotted along a
coastal tidal creek -- even the wood ducks can't resist staying late to
gorge themselves on the abundance of acorns dropping onto the edges of
these creeks.
Cow pastures have remained green to date, bringing in flocks of
resident geese as well. Hunters should be looking at some of the big lakes by
this time of year as well. Typically some of the less common diving
ducks such as golden eyes and even scoters will start piling up on the
larger lakes as the northern waters begin to freeze over.
The inland duck and goose season runs from November 23 to December 11
and the coastal season, which also reopens on November 23, continues
through January 9. There is lots of duck hunting left and plenty of birds
still around! -- Eric Orff, wildlife biologist
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S OFFBEAT HUNTING SEASONS
New Hampshire's deer hunting season is winding down... but wait there's
more! New Hampshire has the distinction of having some unique hunting
seasons that may not be shared by our sister states.
Take, for instance, the fisher. Yes, you can take fisher by trapping
during the December trapping season only, but hunters have an extended
fisher hunting season. Beginning a couple of years ago, the fisher
hunting season was extended through the month of January, with the current
season running from December 1 until January 31. The bag limit varies by
WMU, so consult the Hunting Digest for the area you hunt.
And the fisher is not the only furbearer with a hunting season in good
old New Hampshire. While you certainly would expect other furbearers,
such as coyotes, foxes and raccoons, to have a hunting season, but did
you know you can hunt muskrats and mink, too? Sure you can. For these
species the hunting season runs concurrently with the trapping season,
generally running from late October or November 1 until April. But beaver
and river otter may NOT be taken by hunting. Again, consult the Hunting
Digest for specifics for the WMU you hunt in.
Skunks, weasels, red squirrels, opossums and woodchucks have a "no
closed" season to hunting. And don't forget the unique coyote night hunting
season that runs from January 1 to March 31. -- Eric Orff, wildlife
biologist
DEER SEASON NUMBERS
As of last Sunday, November 13, New Hampshire hunters had registered
7,366 deer statewide, or about 4% above the 2004 total of 7,101 at this
point in the season. Five days into the firearms season, Cheshire, Coos,
Grafton, Merrimack and Sullivan counties have the highest registration
estimates since 2000. A little snow in some northern areas and in some
higher elevation areas may have contributed to hunter enthusiasm and
success.
The estimated deer kill statewide and by county through November 13,
with comparisons to the previous six years, is listed at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2005/News_2005_Q4/deer_season_update_111405.htm.
These estimates are based on the number of deer registered and are not
final.
BEAR SEASON REPORT
The unofficial harvest tally for New Hampshire's 2005 bear season
stands at 424 bears. This year's harvest was more typical of harvest
achieved prior to the two record-setting years of 2003 and 2004. The 2005
season concluded 24% behind the preceding 5-year average (559 bears) and
38% behind the 2004 total. The harvest consisted of 238 males and 186
females. - Andy Timmins, Bear Project Leader
UPDATED MOOSE RESULTS
The N.H. moose season took place statewide from October 15 -23. Opening
weekend saw torrential rains, gale force winds, flooding and many
closed roads. The rain continued through the week, with only two days of
partial sun. Despite the rotten weather, over half the successful hunters
got their moose in the first three days. In all, 408 moose were taken -
272 bulls and 136 cows. The statewide success rate of 77.6 % is the
highest it's been since 1995.
Permittees traveled from 17 states to participate in this year's hunt.
Non-residents took 69 moose, while residents took the remaining 339.
Nine moose were taken by shotgun, two by handgun, five by bow and arrow,
five by muzzleloader, and 386 by rifle. The heaviest bull, at 955
pounds dressed weight, was taken in WMU A2 by David Gagnier of Hyde Park,
Vermont. The heaviest cow, at 710 pounds dressed weight, was taken in D2
by Paul Scott of Benton, N.H. The largest rack had a 65.5-inch spread
and was taken in I2 by Mark Barna of Ohio City, Ohio.
SHARE THE WEALTH
Got more meat than you need? Why not share your fall harvest with the
Hunt for the Hungry Program? The New Hampshire Food Bank distributes
food to more than 270 pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group
homes statewide, and they're looking for donations of whole or
processed game animals. Call (603) 669-9725.
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For previous New Hampshire hunting reports, visit
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting_report.htm.
Know someone who would enjoy this free monthly in-season report? Have
them sign up at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Inside_FandG/join_mail_list.htm.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.
A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program
Researching, 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.
--
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive,
Concord, NH 03301. Comments or questions concerning this list should
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.
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