I love any opportunity to involve kids in the great outdoors. There are many chances for you to involve your kids in the outdoors throughout this summer in New Hampshire.

Kids can have fun being active and learning about conserving the great outdoors this summer if you sign them up for Barry Conservation Camp, a weekly overnight camp located in Berlin, N.H. Summer specialty weeks are offered for youth ages 12-16, including:

* Let’s Go Fishing (July 8-14);
* Advanced Shooting Sports (July 15-20);
* Hunter Education (July 22-27); and
* Outdoor Challenge (July 29-August 3).

Registration is limited. Barry Camp is a cooperative effort of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and New Hampshire 4-H Camps. The cost of $395 per week includes meals, lodging, instruction and use of equipment. To register, contact 4Hcamps@unh.edu, call (603) 862-2184 or visit http://ceinfo.unh.edu/4H/4HCamps.htm.

If you are a teacher in New Hampshire and would like the chance to learn new skills to be able to pass on to your kids, then here is your chance.

SUMMER TEACHER TRAINING AVAILABLE

CONCORD, N.H. — Know a teacher who wants to have a WILD summer? Let them know about these summer learning opportunities available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (applications may be downloaded at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Education/ed_calendar.htm):

SERESC, WET, WILD and PLT Workshop - June 25-27 and July 11-12, 2007. Five-day professional development for science teachers called “The Nature of Science: Unleashing the Scientist Within” will be held at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters in Concord. This hands-on workshop will focus on science process skills and use of the three projects to help teach those skills as well as the application of science skills to environmental research, reading and writing and much more. Register online at http://www.seresc.net/events. For more information, call Robin Knight at 603-206-6816 or email rknight@seresc.net at SERESC (Southeast Regional Education Service Center). Participants will receive resource materials for Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree. Project WILD is sponsored in the state by New Hampshire Fish and Game.

WATERSHED ECOLOGY INSTITUTE — July 23-27 and July 30-August 3, 2007, at Bow High School. This is an undergraduate and graduate level summer program for educators and community leaders and can offer continuing education credits for teachers, licensed foresters and certified wetland scientists. It also provides core training for teachers who want to participate in the Watershed Education Program offered by N.H. Fish and Game, a program closely aligned with the New Hampshire Science Frameworks. The Watershed Ecology Institute is coordinated by Fish and Game, with technical support from UNH Cooperative Extension, N.H. Department of Environmental Services and other professionals. Each day focuses on a particular aspect of watershed ecology and offers hands-on techniques for applying science in real world situations. Contact Judy Tumosa, Fish and Game Aquatic Resources Education Coordinator, at 603-271-3212 or judy.tumosa@wildlife.nh.gov.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS THROUGH SCHOOLYARD INVESTIGATIONS — August 14-16 and August 20-21, 2007, at the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth. Fish and Game wildlife educators involved with the N.H. Education and Environment Team invite teachers to attend this summer institute for K-8 educators designed to incorporate the new science frameworks. Participants will learn about the landscape of New Hampshire and its wildlife; create a schoolyard or community investigation tailored to their school and curriculum; and will receive the activity manuals for Projects WET, WILD, Learning Tree and HOME, in addition to the specific GLOBE Program materials. Contact Jennifer Bourgeault at jen.bourgeault@unh.edu or (603) 862-4178 or visit http://www.nhplt.org/NHEET.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.WildNH.com.

As turkey season is quickly approaching us here in New England I wanted to share some safety tips with those going out after the birds this Spring.

1. Never stalk a turkey. It rarely works and increases the risk of an accident.
2. Never wear red, white, blue or black over or under-clothing, as these are prominent colors of displaying gobblers.
3. Never call from a tree that is thinner than the width of your shoulders.
4. Never jump or turn suddenly in response to a suspected turkey.
5. Never presume that what you hear or what responds to your call is a turkey.

Here are a few that I felt important to pass on. You will see others that the Fish & Game Departments will put out there as well. They recommend that you put an orange flag in the tree close to you to let other hunters know your in the area. I feel that this would stick out to turkeys and not work out in my best interest. Although as far as safety is concerned it makes sense. They also tell you never to wave down another hunter to yell “stop”. Not to fond of yelling in the woods either.

Whatever tips you take from sources always keep in mind safety is our first concern.

1. Watch that muzzle! Control its direction at all times.
2. Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded firearm.
3. Be sure of your target and beyond before you pull the trigger. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt.
4. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions. Carry only ammunition of the proper size for the firearm you are using.
5. Unload firearms when not in use. Leave the actions open. Firearms should be carried empty in cases to and from shooting areas.
6. Point a firearm only at something you want to shoot.
7. Unload a firearm before you carry it while climbing a fence or tree or jumping a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by the butt, not the muzzle.
8. Shoot bullets only when you have an adequate backstop. Don’t shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
9. Store firearms and ammunition separately in secured locations beyond the reach of children.
10. Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood-altering drugs before and during shooting.

We can never focus or spend enough time emphasizing the importance of firearm safety. It does not matter if you are new to hunting or have been hunting for 60 years, we must focus on safety.

I have recently been in contact to become a hunter safety instructor here in the state of Maine. I look forward to the chance to introduce and teach our kids about a great American tradition of hunting in a safe manner.

Back in 1995 Legislature created an auction for folks to send in a bid for a chance to participate in a hunt of a lifetime here in Maine, the five highest bids win a Maine moose hunt. The money that is raised during this auction goes completely to conservation education for our youth.
This year the five hunters bid a combined total of 55,976 dollars

The Greenland Point Center and the Maine Conservation School provide our youth with a chance to learn more about wildlife identification, fishing, boating safety, archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation, map and compass work, and importance of conservation.

This is a win/win situation for everyone involved. Five people get a chance at participating in a hunt that could be there hunt of a lifetime. Maine youth get to learn outdoor skills that will start them on a lifetime appreciation of the outdoors. This amount of money will certainly give many kids the ability to learn some great skills that they can carry with them not only in the outdoors but in life as well.

Well kids here are some more animals signs for you. Let’s see if you can tell me what the sign is first of all. Secondly, tell me what Maine animal(s) this sign(s) come from.

Let me know your answers and age.

click on pictures to enlarge

I received an email from New Hampshire Fish and Game Department with information on a Turkey Hunting Seminar. Here is this information for you:

This will be a free workshop covering the basics of hunting wild turkeys. The seminar will be held on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center on Perch Pond Road in Holderness. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. To sign up for the workshop, or for more information, call (603) 536-1290.

Dave Priebe, a member of the professional staff of Quaker Boy, a turkey call manufacturer will be conducting the clinic. Areas covered will be turkey hunting, turkey calling and safety. Participants are encouraged to bring their own turkey hunting guns and ammunition. There will also be door prizes.

This seems like a great opportunity for looking to learn or improve their turkey skills.

If you are like myself and going to be going after a turkey for the first time this Spring or maybe you have a couple years under your belt you may find this interesting.

On Tuesday, March 20th from 6:30 to 9p.m. there will be a free turkey seminar held at the University of Farmington in Room A of the north dining hall.

This seminar will cover many areas that us newcomers to turkey hunting will certainly benefit from. One major focus will be on the safety involved in a turkey hunt.

You can find out more information in an article found in the Sun Journal.

The other day I informed those hunters that live in Vermont of State wide meetings that would be held in order to give their opinion, ask questions, and find out information on Department of Fish & Wildlife as well as information on deer herd and hunting.

Tuesday, March 13th was the first State meeting held in Lyndonville. There was approximately 70 people that showed up for the meeting. Now that could be interesting in itself. Most times hunters are very opinionated and outspoken about their about hunting, regulations, and deer management.

One of our readers Matt made a comment on the previous post. Here is what Matt had to say

Anxious to hear other’s opinions….”

From what I hear Matt and others saying was there was vast opinions in what the State should do. You have one hunter that insisted “hunting should be like it used to be, shoot one buck and go home.” On the flip side you had those that supported the proposal for 2007 in the ability to harvest three deer.

Other concerns were on providing feed yards and better management for the deer herd. Increasing numbers of turkey and moose are a concern for some. With these numbers increasing will the deer have to contend for food? One hunter pointed out that back in the 60’s the States deer herd was estimated at 240,000. Today that herd is almost cut in half.

Vermont has a 10 year management plan in effect. It is winding down to the end of the ten years. They will be looking at writing a new plan for the next decade. The State is open about wanting input from others. I suppose that is why these meetings are being held all around the State.

The first meeting was certainly a look into what challenges hunters and the State have ahead of them.

I look forward to hearing from more readers and finding out information from further meetings.

The State of Vermont wants to hear from hunters. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department will be holding meetings around the State during the next month or so.

Some of you may know that Vermont changed up their deer hunting regulations back in 2005.

So Vermont hunters look for these meetings. It is important to provide feedback and our insight as sportsman. There will be certainly some ideas of interest to you at these meetings.

On April 28th and 29th youths 15 and under will have a chance to bag a turkey in New Hampshire. Youths that currently hold a turkey permit and are accompanied by an adult will have their own weekend before the full season for Spring turkeys start on May 3rd.

What a great opportunity to get your kids out in the Springtime hunting some wild turkeys. Take the time to introduce them to a couple of worthwhile past times here in New England, hunting and spending time with family.

If turkeys are not your choice of game that’s ok. New Hampshire offers a great amount of hunter safety classes during the Spring and Summer months for those that are interested in Fall hunting activities. Whether you sit in a classroom for the 16 hours of instruction or choose to take the at home course is your choice.

Look into these classes on NH Fish & Wildlife website. There are currently about 130 hunters ed classes held each year in New Hampshire. Take the time to get your kid involved in one. Better yet even though you have a valid license and have for a long time, take the class with your son or daughter. It is time spent with your kids, an investment in their future, and can never hurt to reintroduce ourselves to safety.

Recently all over outdoor, hunting, gun blogs and forums you see the issue of HR1022 come up. On Friday I wrote our local congress and senate in hopes of finding out their take on this issue. I am in hopes of hearing back from them at the beginning of the week. While reading through the loads and loads of information on this issue I came across a petition that we can sign in support of keeping our guns. This only takes a couple minutes to sign. You can sign it anonymous if you don’t want your name and address out there.

If you are in support of holding onto your guns, take a minute and go look at the petition.