Latest news with #NewHampshireFishandGameDepartment
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NH's only venomous snake is the most endangered animal in the state. What to know about them
Most snakes in New Hampshire are relatively harmless. You leave them alone, and they'll leave you alone while keeping your yard's ecosystem in balance (think fewer rodents). But, there are one species – just one, this isn't the Southwest – that is venomous and whose bite packs a punch: the timber rattlesnake. The timber rattlesnake is critically endangered, both regionally and nationally, after humans hunted them for decades and due to habitat loss. The snakes are incredibly rare in New Hampshire, likely the most endangered species within the state. "Since 2007, the population has recovered a bit from a devastating snake fungal disease (SFD) outbreak that was first identified in our population in 2006 that was estimated to kill over half of our remaining population," New Hampshire Fish and Game Department wildlife biologist Melissa Winters said in an email. "New Hampshire's native timber rattlesnake population is still considered highly endangered and on the brink of extirpation. Up to recent history, timber rattlesnakes were heavily hunted out of fear, which almost resulted in their disappearance from the state." That population was found by a forester in 1992 after a decade of no one finding a rattlesnake in New Hampshire, which had led to speculation the species had been extirpated, like it is in nearby Maine. People do occasionally see one, but exactly where they live is a carefully guarded secret to protect that last of these snakes. But if you do see one of these rare snakes, here's what to know. How to identify: Most timber rattlesnakes have a yellow, brown and black back like the picture seen above. But the New Hampshire timber rattlesnake actually comes in the black morph. "A large, thick black snake measuring 36-60 inches," the Fish and Game description reads. "Brown cross-bands arranged across the surface may be difficult to see. Has a large triangular head and keeled scales giving them a rough appearance. At the end of the tail there is a large, blunt rattle." Why New Hampshire only seems to have the black morph isn't known with certainty, "but we speculate that it has been lost due to an overall loss of genetic diversity (a result of their extreme isolation and relatively small population)." Winters said. The snakes are most commonly confused with the milk snake, northern water snake, black racer snake and garter snake, according to the state, which are all non-venomous species. The best way to tell the timber rattlesnake apart is the rattle, because while other snakes might try to mimic the rattle, only the rattlesnake actually has one. Where they are most often found: The location of timber rattlesnakes in New Hampshire is protected information, but scientists believe that historically their range likely included the majority of the state. Some landmarks, such as Rattlesnake Mountain, were likely named for the snakes. What to do if you get bit: This should go without saying, but try to avoid getting bit in the first place by giving the timber rattlesnake a respectful amount of space. But if the encounter does go awry and you get bit, the good news is that a bite, while painful, is rarely fatal, according to MassWildlife. Timber rattlesnake bites do have an antivenom. If you are bit, move away from the snake and remove items like rings, bracelets and watches and call for help. Ideally, health experts recommend you get to a hospital with antivenom within one hour of being bit. What health experts do not recommend is trying to cut out the bite, suck out venom or create a tourniquet. How to report a sighting: If you see, or even believe you see, a timber rattlesnake in New Hampshire, contact the NHFG Wildlife Division at 603-271-2461 during business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or email a report to RAARP@ with rattlesnake observation included in the email subject line. If the sighting is outside of business hours, for an urgent or immediate report people can reach out directly to NHFG wildlife biologists via group text at 603-479-1129 and 603-944-0885 or call. These numbers are only for timber rattlesnakes, all other observations can be sent to RAARP@ Photos are appreciated in the report as well as a location and detailed description. However, do not approach a snake to take a photo. "Under no circumstances should anyone try to capture and get close to the snake as they are protected as a state-endangered species," Winters wrote. "Timber rattlesnakes are not an aggressive and will try to avoid interactions with people. Most of the time they will try to blend into their surroundings and remain still to avoid being seen as a defense strategy. However, if they are surprised or feel threatened they will try to flee, like most wildlife species, or may coil up in a defensive posture (i.e. a strike pose) so if they are attacked, they can defend themselves." This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH has only one venomous snake, and it's endangered. What to know
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hikers plucked from brink of death in daring rescue: 'This incident exemplifies the need to prepare for the unexpected'
One nightmarish experience for two hikers on top of snowy Mount Washington gave true meaning to the phrase "a close call." Unofficial Networks reported on the recreational hike that turned into an overnight rescue mission in New Hampshire. Two Massachusetts residents, Kathryn McKee and Beata Lelacheur, had already made it up to 5,000 feet of elevation when they lost the trail in blizzard-like conditions. The two hikers called 911, and operators attempted to use GPS coordinates to guide them back to the trail. However, even though they found the trail several times, they kept losing it because of snow and wind. After two hours of fighting through chest-deep drifts and freezing temperatures, the pair decided to hunker down and await rescue. The "full-blown rescue operation" took several hours to assemble in the frigid and icy conditions, as the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department described in a press release. "The crews ventured into whiteout conditions and snowshoed through deep, wind-blown snow," they wrote. "The only way to locate the trail was through GPS navigation, and progress was slow due to the tremendous effort required to break a trail in the deep snow." Fortunately, after searching for several hours in the dead of the night, the crew found the two hikers shortly before 2 a.m. They broke out emergency warming shelters, and once the women were warm enough to move themselves, the group embarked back down the mountain to safety. While the rescue went smoothly, NHFG emphasized that the hikers likely would not have survived if they had not been wearing proper winter gear. "This incident exemplifies the need to prepare for the unexpected," it stated. "Both hikers were prepared and had winter hiking experience, but ultimately encountered unforeseen conditions. Had they not had the amount of gear with them that they did, it is unlikely that they would have survived until rescuers reached them." This type of experience is both a stark reminder and a warning, the department said: Do not underestimate Mother Nature. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Although technology and experience is certainly helping to find people more quickly, the fact remains that Mother Nature has the final say, and preparedness, above all, is the difference between life and death in the mountains of New Hampshire," NHFG said, according to Unofficial Networks. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fish and Game seeks data on state's striped bass populations
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department headquarters in Concord. (File photo by Hadley Barndollar/New Hampshire Bulletin) The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is asking anglers for their help collecting information about the state's striped bass populations. Anglers are encouraged to complete a survey that asks for details like the dates of fishing trips, how much time was spent fishing, what type of tackle was used, whether any striped bass were caught on the trip, and more. It can be found online here. The survey effort, which began in 1993, helps the department 'gather length data on catch-and-release fish that cannot be obtained through annual creel surveys,' which provides a 'more complete picture of New Hampshire's striped bass fishery,' Fish and Game said in a news release. Massachusetts has a similar initiative called the Striped Bass Citizen Science Project, which aims to further the state's understanding of 'what factors influence the survival of striped bass after they are released,' the release said. More information on how to participate in that project can be found here.
Miami Herald
19-02-2025
- Miami Herald
Man snowmobiling with wife accelerates around turn, runs into tree, NH officials say
A man was snowmobiling with his wife in New Hampshire when he accidentally accelerated around a turn and crashed, officials said. Rescuers got a call about the incident at about 12:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, in Bethlehem, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a Facebook post. The 59-year-old Massachusetts man had been snowmobiling with his wife on a trail in White Mountain National Forest. As he tried to make a sharp turn, he 'pushed on the throttle instead of the handle bars while turning causing him to crash into a ditch and strike a tree,' officials said. Rescuers responded to the remote wooded area and took him to a hospital with serious injuries, officials said. Bethlehem is in northern New Hampshire.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Unwanted hitchhiker' found in grocery store's banana shipment 'a first' for conservation agency
A slithery surprise discovered in a banana shipment sent a scare through a southern New Hampshire grocery store. A conservation officer with the state New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responded Saturday to a report of an "unwanted hitchhiker" at the Market Basket in Manchester, according to WMUR and a statement posted to Facebook. Hawaii Store Employees Discover 2-Foot Snake In Christmas Tree Shipping Container The slithering stowaway was determined to be an ornate cat-eyed snake, a mildly venomous reptile native to Ecuador, which is one of the largest exporters of bananas to the U.S. Conservation officer Griffin McKeown told WMUR that in responding to the incident, he spoke with an employee who "seemed to be pretty familiar with snakes." The call was "a first" for McKeown, he continued. "We've had a few calls about pet surrenders of ball pythons and stuff like that, but never, never [a] venomous snake." Read On The Fox News App Arizona Firefighters Remove Boa Constrictor From Pickup Truck: 'Unusual Call' McKeown also noted that possession of any venomous snake, aside from the hog-nosed snake, is illegal in New Hampshire. After it was determined the snake was unharmed, it was re-homed to northern Massachusetts-based Rainforest Reptile Shows Inc. for proper care. Market Basket and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: 'Unwanted hitchhiker' found in grocery store's banana shipment 'a first' for conservation agency
