Hunters Needed For Small Game Survey

[Brandon-K]

HUNTERS NEEDED FOR SMALL GAME SURVEY AND RUFFED GROUSE WING AND TAIL SURVEY; TWO CHANCES TO WIN A QUALITY FIREARM!

CONCORD, N.H. -- Small game hunters are being asked to participate in two important survey efforts being done by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department this year, the Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey, and the Small Game Survey:

SMALL GAME SURVEY - Win a gun! If you hunt ruffed grouse, woodc@ck, rabbits, hares or squirrel, we need your help! The New Hampshire Small Game Survey plays an important role in helping Fish and Game biologists manage the state's wildlife populations. The survey asks hunters to report when and where they hunt and which small game species they see, providing important records on the abundance and distribution of ruffed grouse, woodc@ck, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit and gray squirrel. Each year, the results of the Small Game Survey are compiled into a New Hampshire small game summary report. All survey participants receive a copy.

Fish and Game's annual small game survey uses hunter field observations to provide valuable management insight into all small game species. Hunters who fill in the Small Game Survey form and return it to Fish and Game by April 15, 2009, will be entered into a drawing for a 10/22 LR rifle donated by the Sturm Ruger Company. To get a survey form, call (603) 271-2461 or email wildlife@wildlife.nh.gov.

RUFFED GROUSE WING AND TAIL SURVEY - Win a gun! Hunting season for grouse - the most sought-after small game species in New Hampshire - gets underway October 1. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking grouse hunters who hunt north of Route 112 (Kangamacus) to take part in a ruffed grouse Wing and Tail Survey that will provide important information for managing the species.

Fish and Game and the Ruffed Grouse Society are working together to increase our knowledge of ruffed grouse in the state's best range. The samples collected will provide age, sex and distribution data on this highly sought-after game bird and in so doing, help to determine grouse management needs.

Need extra incentive? For each usable sample submitted with a completed survey card, the hunter's name will be entered into a drawing for a Charles Daly, Superior Grade, 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun generously donated by the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Hunters can pick up grouse sample packets, which include envelopes and survey cards for two grouse samples, at any of the participating locations listed below. Completed packets must be returned to one of the same locations. Participating grouse hunters are asked to remove all tissue from wing and tail samples and to let them dry completely before placing the samples in the envelopes. Hunters are reminded NOT to place the samples in plastic of any kind. Hunters should place only one wing and tail in each envelope with the corresponding completed survey card. Sample packets can be picked up and dropped off at the following locations:

* Region 1 Fish and Game office, Lancaster NH 03584 (open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)
* Yesterday's Country Store, 1156 West Milan Road, Milan, NH 03588 (Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.)
* Wildcat Service Station, Jackson, NH 03846 (8 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily)
* Errol General Store, 76 Main Street, Errol, NH 03579 (Monday-Thursday 5 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Friday 5 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.)
* Emerson's Outdoor Outfitters, 149 State Street, Groveton, NH 03582 (Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
* Young's General Store, 2792 North Main Street, Pittsburg, NH 03592 Packets and tubs in entryway of store, which is open all the time)
* Lopstick Lodge, 1st Connecticut Lake, Pittsburg, NH. Open daily 8am-9pm.
* Tall Timbers Lodge, 609 Beach Road, Pittsburg, NH. Open daily 7am-10pm

New Hampshire's ruffed grouse season runs from October 1 through December 31, with much of the action occurring early in the season. "This spring we had perfect weather during the nesting and brood rearing period. Production for both grouse and woodcock should be good," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Small Game Project Leader Julie Robinson.

Questions about the Small Game Survey or the Grouse Wing and Tail Survey should be directed to Robinson at (603) 868-1095.

"Hunter participation is key to our success, and our partners have provided some great prizes to be raffled off to participants," said Robinson.

For more information on grouse and other small game hunting in New Hampshire, including a link to the recently published 2007-2008 N.H. Small Game Summary Report, visit Hunting Small game in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game.

Purchase hunting licenses at N.H. Fish and Game Department - Welcome or from license agents statewide.

New Hampshire Fish and Game is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats.

[Coalman]

I have been a participant for years. No gun yet though.