Outdoor News Daily

A proposed Spruce Grouse Recovery Plan is available for public review and comment, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

“The spruce grouse is a historic resident of New York state and represents an important and visible animal component of the boreal forest community. Conservation of the spruce grouse and the habitat in which it thrives is important to conserving New York’s biodiversity and unique character,” DEC Assistant Commissioner Kathleen Moser said. “Recommendations in the plan are intended to stabilize and improve the distribution and abundance of this rare bird species and ultimately increase its population,” Moser said.
Read the rest of this entry »

Learn about the exciting sport of snowshoe hare hunting at a free workshop being offered at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H., on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at 603-536-3954.

Workshop presenters include Edward Vien President of the NH Beagle Club and a volunteer Hunter Education instructor; Bob Drozdowski, a past president of the NH Beagle Club; and Adam Gauthier. These instructors have many years of experience and a true passion for their sport, so bring all your questions.

Workshop participants will be introduced to one of New Hampshire’s finest small-game hunting experiences — hare hunting with beagles. You’ll learn about snowshoe hares and where to find them, equipment needed for hunting hares, dogs and their needs and training, safety considerations, hare and rabbit hunting resources, and how to find clubs in New Hampshire that focus on dogs and hare hunting.
Read the rest of this entry »

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is presenting “Discover Nature-Women Rabbit Hunting with Beagles Clinic” at Duck Creek Conservation Area on Feb. 11. “Discover Nature-Women” is a series of outdoor skills trainings designed for women. The clinic will consist of a one-day training session and a guided hunt.

The morning session will combine classroom and hands-on training in the field. Topics will include the history and biology of eastern cottontail and swamp rabbits in Missouri, rabbit hunting with beagles, equipment, regulations and shotgun shooting techniques. Lunch and equipment will be provided to participants.

The afternoon hunt will team participants with local rabbit hunting experts on privately and publicly owned areas near Duck Creek Conservation Area.
Read the rest of this entry »

Numerous opportunities are available for hunters to harvest small game on over 281,000 acres of wildlife management area (WMA) land located in the Lowcountry counties of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester.

The 1,375 acre Edisto River WMA in Dorchester County contains upland pines as well as extensive bottomland hardwood habitat along the Edisto River. Small game season begins Jan. 2 and continues until March 1.

According to wildlife biologist Dean Harrigal, “The 4,687 acre Botany Bay Plantation WMA, will be open for small game hunting from Jan. 4 until Feb. 29 on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Raccoon season is open on the area from Jan. 4 thru Mar. 15 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Sign in is required at the kiosk located at the main entrance.” Information specific to Botany Bay Plantation WMA and other Department of Natural Resources managed properties can be found online. For more information contact the Donnelley office at (843) 844-8957.
Read the rest of this entry »