Page 13 - APRIL2025

April 2025 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 13
Community Woods Waters and Wildlife with Jeff Beach
Spring and Turkeys
small tree frogs and other am-
many deer in the herd to fight off
est reestablishment of wildlife or
predators that take a toll on the young chicks as the mother hen phibians that have emerged from
the would-be attackers.
rewilding, actually. Turkeys were
As we look out into the out-
is teaching her little flock the way It is quite exhilarating to ob-
extirpated from New Hampshire
the frozen ground and mud caves
doors around us, we see that
in the late 1800s from habitat
in the swamps, calling for their
serve God's design and inter-
of life in the wild. Hawks, Bob- Spring is coming on strong. What
friends or old girlfriends they left
actions of His creation as the
cats, Owls, Fisher, and Coyotes loss and overhunting. NH Fish
a great time of year to awaken
Spring unfolds. There is a
to name some of a long list. And and Game, NHF&G, worked
last fall. If you get a chance to get
our senses to the beauty and
to bring them back to the
into the wetlands and scout for
lot of hope to be found
then we have folks that have pur- majesty around us. It seems to
them, which may have to be at
in witnessing the emer-
chased a hunting license and a state starting in the 1960’s.
be even more special after the
gence of Spring on our
Turkey tag to go with. Now God dusk or evening, they are small
The first flock of 37 was
Winter that we just experienced.
and sport a skin of greenish tan-
from West Virginia in 1969,
has certainly worked a way in the Very reminiscent of our ‘stan-
nish color, and their mottled skin
and that flock did not popu-
interactions of the wild for the dard’ New Hampshire winters
Turkeys to fare quite well and the forms a distinctive darker x shape
late enough to be a solid take.
with weekly snowfalls and some
on their backs.
We traded 31 Fisher with them
predators to have a portion. Tur- durational cold weather with
in exchange for the game birds
keys are quite wary as they start As I write this, the snow
temperatures below zero fre-
to mature and the take is not so is melting from the effects
at that time. Then in 1975, the
quently in January and February.
of a late March or early
lead Turkey biologist for Fish
easy for the predators.
And that put a lot of ice on the
and Game was Ted Walski, and
And for the hunters, we have Spring spell of warm-
lakes and ponds making it great
ing temperatures
he bartered for a strain of birds
an excellent biology and wildlife conditions for the ice fishing
day and night with
management staff with NHF&G in western NY. A hardier bunch
season. But alas, that’s why we
throughout the agency that reg- than the West Virginia birds from
a light rain. As the
live in this great state to experi-
the 1969 rewilding project.
snow melted, I loved
ulates the Turkey health and ence the transition from season
to see the little tunnels, trails, and
population, and they put proper Planting them in the Con-
to season thankful for what we
proper-
ties. We
hunting regulations on the game necticut River valley near Wal-
hiding places that the mice and
have experienced yesterday and
sense anticipation in our outdoor
pole, NH, these birds eventually
Red Squirrels excavated to hide
birds that hunters are to follow. hopeful for the days ahead. The
adventures as we round a bend
in and get from nest to nest or
Today the regulations allow for exploded in population, and
days ahead for this Spring season
to various feeding areas. They
of the river while fishing to spy
the taking of 1 bird in the Spring today we see a common sight of
bring longer days, warming tem-
the next riffle to cast into or what
flocks of turkeys everywhere. In
are busy even in the dead cold
hunting season statewide and a peratures, and the new growth of
sights I will see as we hike over
of Winter. The deer had to be
second bird in specific zones in fact, they can be found in every
small flowers, grasses, and leafing
yarded up pretty heavily this year
the next rise of land while hunt-
the Southern half of the State. town in the State of New Hamp-
out of our trees. The birds in the
ing or exploring the wilds of New
shire. A comeback of unappar-
due to the deep snow and tough
The Fall shotgun season allows woods and fields are twitterpated,
Hampshire.
traveling conditions for them.
for one Tom or bearded bird in elled success.
and you hear them trilling, peep-
Deer yards are typically mature
April also brings the calls of
these same zones only.
In the 1980s, the popula-
ing, and singing through the day
New Hampshire’s Wild Turkeys.
conifer stands offering winter
tion had grown enough so that
All this being said, we will and evening.
With increasing daylight, their
shelter and food sources that are
NHF&G put on a lottery permit
be hosting a NH Wild Turkey The peepers we hear in the
crucial for their survival during
hormones get agitated, and the
system for a small hunt limit.
seminar on April 22nd up at the wetlands and swamps also signal
Toms are strutting like a well-
harsh New Hampshire winters.
Turkeys are now estimated to
Slim Baker Lodge in Bristol, NH. the end of the Maple season, with
dressed gentleman. The male tur-
They will typically favor these
From 6-8 pm. See the notice in number over 37000 birds in the
many producers or ‘sugarmakers’
yards year after year. It may also
keys are called Toms, the females
the monthly local happenings State, and with a clutch of 8-12
having put up the syrups, candies,
are Hens, and the youngsters,
eggs in the month of May, they
be beneficial for them to fend off
page of this paper for more in- and sugars that many of you can
young males, are Jakes. The tur-
predators, having compacted the
formation. Hope to see you in the are a growing population. Not-
visit the sap houses to purchase.
snow on established trails and
keys are New Hampshire's great-
Wilds this Spring!
withstanding that, as you can well
Most of the peepers you hear are
imagine, there are a number of
THANKYOU to all the advertisers for being a part of our community newspaper. Please let them know that you saw them in this paper!
JP services may include consultation for wedding planning, sample ceremonies with options for poems, prayers, unity candle, and exchange of rings or gifts.
Contact Sheila at: 603-744-3636 or sheila@coppertoppe.com
Justice of
Wedding To-Do List the Peace
The gown The flowers Offering packages at:
The music Coppertoppe Inn
The rings
The place
& Retreat Center
The time www.coppertoppe.com The Officiant and nearby lakeside
locations. Packages
may include ceremony, photographer, DJ, and reception. Off-site weddings are priced by time and distance.
APACHE Tax Preparation
Prior Years’ Unfiled Returns Our Specialty!
• What’s New for 2023 • Standard Deduction Changes • Estate Tax Exemption • Gift Tax Exclusion Much, much more!
Late Filer? No Problem
Statutes of Limitations for Tax Collection Protect Your Tax Returns from Past Years
Why You Should Always File Returns for Past Years, Even if You Haven’t Filed in Years
Time Limits for Refunds and Audits Remedies for Missing Tax Documents
Are My Social Security Benefits Taxable? Records You Need to Keep
ApacheTax@yahoo.com 732-501-2985
Cardigan Mountain SoapWorks Gentle Handmade Soap Products
• Herbal Sprays - Bugs Away & Ticks Away
• Local Maple Syrup and Honey
• Herbal Teas, Bulk Spices & Bees Wax Candles
603-744-6688
464 Mt. Cardigan Rd, Alexandria • www.cardiganmountain.com April Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11-4pm