Nashua River
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A Public Trust
America boasts an astonishing array of animal species, and wildlife numbers
have been restored to record highs. In fact, America's wildlife restoration
is considered one of the greatest conservation success stories in the world.
In this episode of Wildlife Journal, you'll learn how hunters have played
an important role in this remarkable comeback story.
In the early to mid-1900s, wildlife helped to feed and clothe the growing population of North America. As unregulated hunting reached its peak, wildlife numbers dwindled and some species, like buffalo, were threatened with extinction. Some hunters began to realize that wildlife in America was in trouble. Among them were Franklin Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell, founder of the Audubon Society. They organized hunting clubs and pushed to establish laws and regulations that would assure the future well-being of wildlife and the opportunity for all Americans to hunt. These efforts would later serve as the foundation for the funding of scientific studies, and wildlife management and restoration efforts.
But, here in New Hampshire, hunting participation is declining, along with
the money it brings into the state. How will this affect wildlife studies and
restoration in the Granite State? Wildlife Journal talks to local hunters and
experts about the prognosis.
Wild
Ways: Connecticut River Pike Fishing
Dubbed the "toothy terror," northern pike are voracious predators,
and popular prey for anglers fishing for feisty, freshwater trophies. These
hungry water wolves can grow to 45 inches long and weigh more than 20 pounds!
Join Lisa and Mark Beauchesne, Outdoor Programs Coordinator for the New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department, on the Connecticut River, considered the mother of
all pike waters. Lisa and Mark share tips and tricks, and try their luck luring
and landing one of these hard-fighting fish. Pike on!
Nashua's Pride
Wildlife Journal heads to the Nashua River for some of the best bass
fishing in the state. Both small- and largemouth bass feed in the nutrient-rich
river
waters, but there's a trick to hooking these popular game fish. "You
gotta' be a line watcher," Joe DeLuca, bass fisherman, says. "As
soon
as that line starts to move, take up the slack!"
Nashua River is a fertile fishery, but it hasn't always been that way. By
1965, it was considered one of the most polluted rivers in the country. "You
could smell the river from more than a mile away," says Marion Stoddart
of the Nashua River Watershed Association. "The river died." Grassroots
efforts by local citizens and environmental regulations led to its massive
clean-up. Today, you'll find big bass, beauty, and a slice of solitude on the
Nashua River.
Wild
Places: Nashua River
Join Wildlife Journal for a scenic trip along the Nashua River, where city
dwellers stroll leafy paths, anglers cast for fish, and waterfowl and raptors
travel the river's corridor.
This watery oasis, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the state's
second largest city, is one of New Hampshire's best-kept secrets. The final
stop is Mine Falls Park, 365 protected acres in the center of Nashua, with
miles of trails and riverbank fishing.
