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New Hampshire Turkey Hunting:
Turkey hunting in New Hampshire is simply the most addictive form of hunting that we have found. The excitement is unmatched compared to any other form of big game hunting. The fact that is you have to call the Tom Turkey, imitating the cutting and yelping of a hen looking to be bred; in addition to that fact the Tom turkey response gets your adrenaline going like nothing else. Sometimes the action can be fast
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and furious. Other times it is a slow cat and mouse game. It often depends on how experienced that Tom turkey is, and how patient the hunter is.
Here in the North Country people have been hunting turkeys since 1995 and have taken their share every year. The flock is healthy and expanding every year and is becoming much easier to locate each passing year. That's not to say that is easy to find and hunt Turkeys. A Turkey's eyesight and hearing are unmatched in the natural world. While Turkeys may not be the smartest game you may chase, they are extremely wary. The slightest movement, or the softest sound that is not in their natural world will often cause them to walk the other way. But even then a Wiley old Tom will tell you, you not only have to talk like a turkey and look like a turkey but you have to walk like a turkey or you're not a turkey. There have been times when it's more effective to pattern and ambush them like you would a dominant white tail buck. Whenever it takes we will work as hard and long as necessary to achieve your success.
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New Hampshire Moose Hunting:
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Moose Hunting New Hampshire is done only by lottery. Often people take moose in the trophy size category of a 50 in. spread and above. Calling moose can be very exciting. The bull responds to the calls of the cow and comes to investigate. As he is responding he makes his own grunt which can be heard sometimes for well over a mile. Being the largest animal in the woods there is little that stands in the way between him and his desired destination, the calling cow in heat, or so he thinks. You can hear him not only
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calling as he approaches, but you can hear him crashing through the woods snapping off saplings and barging through a blow downs in his attempts to reach his prospective mate. Moose calling is the most exciting way to hunt moose; but also very importantly some people often can lure the bull moose to where they want him to end up. Instead of finding the moose where they are, and then harvesting them in that area, they get them to fall down more where they want them. Usually this means it is a much easier time for us to get to the animals and get them out of the woods. Getting the animal out of the woods is where the real work begins, and I will be more than happy to teach you all about it.
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Moose Hunt Basics
Each permit holder (permittee) may select one person of any age (subpermittee) to join him or her on the moose hunt.
Both either-sex and antlerless-only permits may be issued in some units.
The limit is one moose per permit, which may be shot by either hunter. Those drawing an antlerless-only permit may take one antlerless moose. All other permit holders may take either an antlered or antlerless moose.
Archery, muzzleloader, and regular firearms hunting are allowed, according to the hunting license type the hunter possesses.
Hunting is permitted by unit assignment, made as a result of the preferences listed on the application form and the order in which the applicant ranks in the drawing. Hunters may hunt only in the unit assigned to them.
The percentage of permits issued to nonresidents is the same as the percentage of hunting licenses sold to nonresidents in the previous year (recently about 15 to 17 percent of the total.)
The odds of winning a New Hampshire moose hunt permit in the 2009 lottery were 1 in 22 for New Hampshire residents, and 1 in 67 for nonresidents, some of the best odds in the nation for moose hunting.
Moose hunters must carry their valid moose permit and N.H. hunting license with them at all times while hunting and registering their moose.
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New Hampshire Bear Hunting:
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Hunters took 439 black bears in New Hampshire during 2008. Although this represented a decrease (-24%) from the previous 5-year average, the 2008 harvest was consistent with target bear harvest objectives. During the preceding five years, the average annual harvest (577 bears) was inflated, given that three record bear harvests have occurred since 2003. During most years, hunters typically harvest 8-10% (400-500 bears) of the state's bear population. The black bear population in New Hampshire is estimated at 4,800 animals; the statewide population appears to remain relatively stable.
There is little more exciting or rewarding then taking in animal of such potential danger in such close
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quarters with limited weaponry. Bears are very strong and very durable and the shots have to be right on the mark. Otherwise we could be in for a long and dangerous tracking job. Since we use only natural food sources for baits you'll are very likely to also see other species of animals such as deer, coyote or fox; even turkey and partridge may show up at the site. Depending on what time of the season it is, any one or all of them may be legal to take. Of course you can always bring along your camera and take pictures of what you may not want to harvest. In any event you'll find this to be an exciting, heart pumping way to experience harvesting of an animal.
Calling bear is an extremely exciting activity. The bear is hunting you as a food source, while you are hunting him. This can be very exciting, and if you're not being alert, it can be somewhat dangerous. You will be sitting on the ground, well camouflaged, waiting for your prey. While we're calling for bear we will often have responses from anything in the woods that eats meat. I've had everything from Fisher cat, to red tail hawk show up to try and get their piece of the pie. Often the bear will come in silently on their softly padded feet. So you need to make sure the you keep yourself aware, and in tune to the language of the woods, because it will tell you when the bear is approaching. Other times they'll come in boldly and aggressively often breaking branches and hurriedly passing through the woods.
In any event ground hunting while calling bear is a heart pounding and hair raising experience. It is not for the faint of heart, but definitely for those who want a new challenge in their methods to taking and harvesting game.
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New Hampshire Deer Hunting:
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Deer hunting season is long in New Hampshire. There are many different aspects of the season to be aware of, and take advantage of. In the early part of the season it is archery only. During this time some people take revenge on natural travel corridors, natural funnel areas, staging areas as well as natural food sources. As the season progresses we move into the pre rut. During this time a combination of scents, calling and rattling can be very effective to attract a bucks. As we move into the rut the bucks are becoming more occupied
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with the does, you should concentrate on the doe's core bedding areas. Let's face it, if the bucks can only get it one time of the year, then by God they're going to, and the place to find them is with the does. During this time of year calling and rattling are not nearly as effective as they are during the pre and post rut.
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Following the rut there is the post rut, the breeding activity is slowing down and bucks are finding it more tiresome to continue looking for does. Some still are looking and the best way to get their attention is to go back to the pre rut tactics and use calling, rattling, and scent strategies to lure them within range. Even though to deer activity is greatly slowed down and there are much less sightings of deer in the woods, often the dominant bucks are still on the prowl and can be vulnerable to the appearance of the presence of a doe in heat. This can be a very deadly strategy for bucks because there are so few does that are still in heat. So if you can make them think that there is one, your chances increase greatly.
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Much like calling bear, predator calling can be very exciting, and if you're not being alert, it can be somewhat dangerous. You will be sitting on the ground, well camouflaged, waiting for your prey. While I have been calling for predators, there will often be responses from anything in the woods that eats meat. I have had everything from Fisher Cat, to red tail hawk show up to try and get their piece of 'dying' animal. Often animals will come in silently on their softly padded feet, I have even been stocked, and nearly attacked by a bobcat that thought I would make it a nice dinner for him. So you need to make sure that you keep yourself aware, and in tune to the language of the woods, because it will tell you when the animal is approaching. Other times
animals like coyote and fox come in boldly and aggressively, often breaking branches and running through the woods, to get their share of the meal. Winter is often the best time for predator calling as there is less food in the woods to eat.
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