2007 New Hampshire Wildlife Harvest Summary

By Jim on April 4th, 2008

News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
April 4, 2008
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.nh.gov
For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Mark Ellingwood: (603) 271-2461
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
April 4, 2008

2007 WILDLIFE HARVEST SUMMARY AVAILABLE

CONCORD, N.H. — Wildlife biologists from N.H. Fish and Game have finished crunching the numbers for the 2007 hunting seasons, and the numbers are now available in the 2007 New Hampshire Wildlife Harvest Summary, which can be seen online at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm (click on the publication cover).

The report provides a complete breakdown of 2007 hunting season statistics, including totals by town, Wildlife Management Unit and more, making it a valuable tool both for biologists and for hunters planning their hunts for 2008. Highlights include:

The report confirms that last fall’s New Hampshire deer harvest increased to 13,559, up 15% from 2006. The total deer harvest was the highest since 1967. Hunters took 614 black bears in New Hampshire during 2007, representing the third highest harvest on record. Overall mast production last fall was below average, causing bears to be more susceptible to hunters, thereby increasing the annual bear harvest.

Moose hunters took 482 moose during the nine-day season in 2007. Moose hunters dealt with unusually warm conditions last fall, but capitalized on the fact that during the 2007 season, moose were still rutting. As a result, many hunters successfully called in bulls. Hunters traveled from 23 states to take part in the moose hunt.

Turkey hunters registered a total of 3,651 turkeys from 226 towns during the 2007 May spring season and the Youth Hunt weekend. Of this total, youth recorded 454 turkeys, or 12.4% of the total season harvest, on their special weekend.

New Hampshire furbearers remain abundant and widespread, according to results from the 2006/07 New Hampshire trapping season. A total of 515 trappers held licenses in N.H. last season. Trappers provide important data to furbearer management programs and provide an important public service in their capacity as damage control specialists.

A limited number of print copies of the 2007 N.H. Wildlife Harvest Summary are available at N.H. Fish and Game headquarters in Concord, or call (603) 271-2461.

Hunting activity has a positive impact on New Hampshire’s economy; according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 60,000 people hunted in New Hampshire in 2006, generating more than $80 million of hunting-related expenditures in the state.

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.HuntNH.com.