Page 31 - SEPT2024

September 2024 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 31
Sports
CONCORD – Small game hunting season for gray squirrel starts on September 1 and is a great way to introduce someone new to hunting. On October 1, ruffed grouse, woodcock, cotton- tail rabbit, pheasant, and snow- shoe hare seasons each open, all of which are exciting species to pursue and make excellent table fare. Small game hunters will want to check out the 2023/2024 New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report, which presents data from the annual Small Game Hunter Survey. Participation in these surveys by hunters significantly enhances the Department’s man- agement of these species.
While the New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report includes a variety of species, the most data received and the primary focus is the Granite State’s two most sought-after small game birds: ruffed grouse and woodcock. The report provides long-term statistical trends for both species of birds, which comprised 90% of reported hunter effort during 2023. Other species of interest to small game hunters included in the report are snowshoe hare and gray squirrel.
“Crisp fall air will be here soon, and hunting small game is a great way to kick off the season,” said New Hampshire
Opens September 1st
ets from participating locations listed at www.wildlife.nh.gov/ hunting-nh/small-game-and- upland-bird-hunting/ruffed- grouse-wing-and-tail-survey.
Download the Small Game Survey form at www.wildlife. nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game- and-upland-bird-hunting/small- game-survey, call (603) 271-2461, or email wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov (include your name and mailing address and mention the Small Game Survey).
Everyone who completes ei- ther of these two surveys will be entered into a raffle to win a firearm donated by Sturm Ruger and the Ruffed Grouse Society, respectively.
“A big thank you to all the small game hunters who participated in our survey efforts,” said Ferry.
Learn more about small game hunting in New Hamp- shire at www.wildlife.nh.gov/ hunting-nh/small-game-and- upland-bird-hunting.
New Hampshire Small Game Hunting Season
Fish and Game’s Small Game Program Supervisor Brett Ferry. “Pursuing small game provides a unique opportunity to introduce youth and novice hunters to the sport. Because small game spe- cies are habitat dependent, new hunters must learn about the food and cover requirements of the species which adds to the ex-
perience. Hunters have the abil- ity to assist in our understanding and management of small game populations by providing data related to observations, harvest, and effort. These surveys are easy to obtain and complete, and they provide the Department with
necessary data to promote small game populations and opportu- nities to enjoy this resource.”
If you hunt small game, please take part in this year’s surveys: Grouse hunters can participate in the Wing and Tail Survey by picking up grouse sample pack-
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