If you are an avid salmon fishing fanatic or you want to give it a whirl for the first time. New Hampshire will provide you with a great opportunity to do so.

This May, brood stock Atlantic salmon anglers in New Hampshire will be able to get out and enjoy some of the most exciting fishing they’ll have all year. New Hampshire Fish and Game plans to release more than 500 tagged brood stock salmon this spring, including 100 fish averaging 10.8 pounds (some nearly 20 pounds!), and 400 weighing about 6.5 pounds each, into the lower Pemigewasset and Merrimack and rivers.

“These are some of the largest brood stock salmon that we’ve ever stocked,” said Jon Greenwood, coordinator of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program for Fish and Game. “So watch out — they’re going to put up a fight!”

The best fishing for brood stock salmon is during May, when the water temperature remains cool. Depending on the weather, by some point in June the water gets too warm (70 degrees F) for the fish, and they tend to migrate downstream out of the stocking area. “We’ve been waiting for the flood waters to recede before we release the brood stock salmon,” said Greenwood. “More normal conditions of water flow allow greater opportunities for angler success. Our best estimate of when that will happen is the week of May 7.”

New Hampshire has the only managed Atlantic salmon river fishery in New England. Only salmon marked by Fish and Game with a T-bar anchor at the base of the dorsal fin may be kept, and the bag limit remains 1 per day and 5 total for the season.

You can find out more information on New Hampshire’s Fish & Game website.

While searching through emails and the internet this morning I came upon an article that caught my eye.

Maine is the only remaining State in the country that allows trapping of bears. There is currently a bill(LD1635) that is before the state of Maine. The Wildlife Alliance of Maine is once again attempting to ban trapping bear in Maine. If you remember back a couple years ago they went for the whole deal. They wanted to ban trapping bear, the use of bait to hunt bear, and the use of dogs in order to hunt bear. This time they are back to focus on one aspect. If you believe that is where they will stop you are wrong.

Over this weekend I was talking with Tom over at the Black Bear Blog about this topic. So when I came upon this article I sent the link to him. Tom had already been up and about this morning and had covered the story on his Black Bear Blog. Tom does a fabulous job describing this issue in great detail. To read what Tom has to say go to the Black Bear Blog.

It is high time we stand up for these activities we love. We can no longer take for granted that they will be around forever. No matter what your opinion on trapping is, which I realize is a controversial subject even amongst outdoor enthusiasts, it is time to have our voice be heard. The anti’s are getting their voices heard. They will not stop with banning the trapping of bear. They will not stop until there is no hunting or trapping allowed. Oh yeah, don’t forget the fishing aspect that we love too. I know I am not going to sit back and let them take away things I love and traditions without my voice being heard. I want my son at my age to have the same choices I have when it comes to hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Well today is the opening day for turkey season. Well atleast for those who were born on odd numbered years. If you were born in an even number year like myself, we need to sit tight for another week. This year the seasons have been split up into two schedules. This is based on the year you were born. Odd number years will be able to hunt the first season, or Season A. Even number years will be able to hunt Season B schedule. If you are like myself and find yourselves hunting alone because your buddies were born in the opposite years of you. Don’t get discouraged. Go out and do some calling for your hunting buddies. Come the end of the week on my days off from work you can rest assured I will be out there call or camera in hand.

Season dates and information listed below:

SPRING WILD TURKEY

WMD’s 7, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Season A: Week #1: April 30, 2007 through May 5, 2007 and Week #4: May 21, 2007 through May 26, 2007

Season B: Week #2: May 7, 2007 through May 12, 2007 and Week #3: May 14, 2007 through May 19, 2007

All Permit Holders: Week #5: May 28, 2007 through June 2, 2007

A Spring Wild Turkey permit is required in addition to a big game hunting license. Permit holders may hunt only one season – Season A or Season B depending on their year of birth).

Limit: One Bearded turkey per permit holder.

You’re not going to be a successful fisherman unless your bait is tied on. It does you no good if it isn’t connected to your line. You know what? We are like that too. God says in John 15:5, “apart from me you can do nothing”. This is why it is really important to know about…

BAIT

B- Because of sin we are separated from God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

A- Accept God’s gift of forgiveness. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8,9)

I- Invite Jesus into your heart. (Romans 10:9, 13; 1 John 5:12,13)

T- Turn from your old way of life and trust God. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Proverbs 3:5,6)

How do you do this? Just say this simple prayer. Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life.

We have a new neighbor in town. In fact this neighbor has left evidence of being within 50 yards of my house. Another observation I have is someone in the vicinity of my house is not reading my blog, otherwise they would have known to take their bird seed in. Remember the post about how to bear proof your house.

While on our daily walk my wife, son, and I came upon some sign left by our visitor. It has been two years since he’s made himself known to be traveling the area. I am excited to have him around, my wife on the other hand could do without.

Fishing with Jesus….wouldn’t that be an experience. A couple nights ago my wife, son, and I went fishing. This was the first time this year I had been fishing. A more memorable experience was this was my two year old son’s first EVER fishing trip. He did not do a whole lot of fishing and we did not catch anything, but my son had a great time investigating the waters edge and the woods. I had a great time just being outside sharing that time with my family.

If my family had not been with me that may not have been the case. The trout were rolling in the middle of the small pond but nothing would bite. Of course that is the name of the game when it comes to fishing. I can honestly say I have been fishing and came back empty handed then I have come back with fish in hand. At this point in my life I am fine with that. My son though would find fishing extremely boring as we all did when we were younger. At that point the draw is to catch fish. At my age it is to get outside and do something you enjoy.

We see a story in the Bible found in John chapter 21 a fishing story. Jesus had come upon some of his disciples. Simon Peter said to the people around that they were going out fishing. They did not know that Jesus was standing on the shoreline. The Bible said they fished all that night without catching anything. Verse 5 “He(Jesus) called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” There answer was “no”. Verse 6 Jesus says ” Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did this they had so many fish in the net that they were unable to haul the net in. Then Peter realized that this was the Lord standing on the shoreline.

How many times in our lives do we feel as though we need to do something. We need to cast our net of life in a different direction. The way we are heading is not having the results we are searching for. Then we feel that nudge to cast on the other side. We hear within ourselves to do something different. When we do the results are phenomenal. Then we as Peter realize that Jesus is standing on the shoreline guiding us.

Do you enjoy hunting? Fishing? The outdoors? What about taking pictures in order to remember the experience and share them with your friends and family? What about telling all the stories, true and false about your excursions?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions then I have a deal for you. What about having your own hunting, fishing, or outdoor blog? This is a great opportunity to share with other outdoor enthusiasts your stories, tips, and news that is attractive to outdoor enthusiasts.

We will do all the work to get you set up, designed, and started. All you will need to do is set aside time each day to jot down a post, tip, story, or news article. This is all free to you and you may even make some money at it.

If your interested in joining the network contact me at norm@ushuntingtoday.com. I would love to point you in the direction to get started.

While reading my daily devotion from the sportsmens devotional this morning I thought that I would pass on that devotion to the readers here at outdoors with Norm. It hit home as I can spend hours upon hours researching and participating in these outdoor hobbies that I have. At times neglecting my time with God.

I believe all of us at times become focused on certain things and forget to take time to stop and talk with God. Read his word in order to get his voice on things happening in our lives. Stop and take the time to include God in all we do.

Proverbs 18:15 – The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (NKJV)

I know that I have spent a lot of time acquiring and seeking knowledge about my hobbies–hunting, fishing, and bird dogs. I pray that my heart, and yours as well, are even more passionate from this day forward in seeking the knowledge of the Lord by studying His word and worshiping with others.

Take some time today for self-reflection and ask God to put a passion to seek Him into your heart, an even greater passion than you have for your most desired hobby. Then begin growing in that passion by consistently studying His word and praying.

This upcoming Saturday will be the kickoff to turkey hunting. For those who are ages 10 to 15 anyways. Yes, you guessed it. It’s youth weekend for turkeys. If you have a youngster that you know of that loves to hunt, utilize this weekend and get them out.

With the amazing increase in turkey numbers from York county spreading all the way to Aroostook county there is plenty of chances for everyone. If you think back to 1995 when turkey hunting was reintroduced to Maine, it was limited to York and Cumberland counties, the turkey numbers were fairly low. Now the turkey numbers continue to increase year to year, while there are now 17 of the states WMD’s open to turkey hunting.

Get out and enjoy this chance to introduce a youngster to this fast growing sport here in Maine. Give them the chance for priceless and life long memories.

What are your thoughts about the moose hunt moving into southern Maine? There are certainly those people who are all for it and those who stand against it. Starting in the fall of 2008 there will be moose hunting in southern Maine however. This will be a two year experiment. After the 2009 season the department will look at the hunting numbers, seasons, and other pertinent information and decide whether to cut or keep the hunt going.

As in all areas of Maine there will be a certain number of permits given out for this area. What areas will this effect you ask? The area that will open will run from Parsonsfield to Sebago, north to Minot and Auburn, east to Greene and Winthrop, over to Palermo, Morrill and Belfast and along the coast to Searsport, Stockton Springs, Penobscot, Castine, Brooksville, Sedgwick and Brooklin.

Many of these places are almost in my backyard. With this happening and route 9 area hunting allowed, I will be completely surrounded. As the moose population grows which is certainly happening in Hancock and Washington counties, maybe, just maybe there will one day be moose hunting on my land.