Wildlife populations are intimately linked to their preferred habitat and it is this habitat that changes over time, or quicker with our help.  Wildlife you remember seeing as a child in an old field will be different if the field is allowed to grow up to forest.  This forest succession, the change of plant composition and structure over time, also changes the animals that live there too.  The vegetation is also highly dependent on the soil underfoot, local weather conditions, elevation and slope, and other variable disturbances.  

As a landowner, you may be interested in stalling this habitat succession.  Why?  To promote a type of habitat that is disappearing in the larger landscape.  Think about whether all the open fields have grown up at the same time leaving none across the landscape or if your property is completely surrounded by mature forest, you might want to diversify your property.  Likewise, y ou can tailor your land management based on the wildlife species that you'd like to see more of (and conversely the wildlife that you'd like to see less of).    

To get started, you first need to know what kind of habitat you have and what your land is capable of growing.  Take a look at these habitat descriptions      http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/habitat/types.html , contact your County Forester   http://extension.unh.edu/Contact-Forestry-and-Wildlife-Staff , and take a walk around your land.  Explore what your neighbors land looks like and think about whether providing some different habitats would promote better wildlife diversity.  Decide if there is a particular wildlife species or suite of species you'd like to focus on and check out these brochures for action steps:  https://extension.unh.edu/Wildlife/Habitats-New-Hampshire.   

 

All wildlife need food, cover, water, and space.  It is reasonable to assume that no matter what kind of habitat management you perform on your land, you are creating wildlife habitat for some wildlife species.  So, if you enjoy being outside and working your land, you may be rewarded with a wildlife sighting.  

NH Fish and Game's Small Grants Program help landowners who own a minimum of 25 contiguous acres restore or enhance habitat for wildlife. Funding of up to $4,000 per year (no more than $10,000 over a ten-year period) is available for the creation and/or maintenance of wildlife habitat within the property. Projects that may qualify for funding include: brush clearing or mowing to maintain grasslands and shrublands; release of old apple trees; and maintenance of woodland openings. In exchange for the grant, landowners agree that their land will remain open for non-motorized public access activities, including hunting. Learn more here: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/habitat/small-grants.html.

 

  How to get this sign: 

Download the Operation Land Share mail in with your request, www.wildnh.com/landshare . participation agreement form and   

-OR- 

If you're already enrolled in the program, just call or email with your request, 603-271-1137, landownerassistance@wildlife.nh.gov.  

Protect New Hampshire's Natural Resources - Report Wildlife Law Violators!

 

Operation Game Thief is a silent witness, anti-poaching program that encourages the public to report any suspicious activity or knowledge about a poaching violation.    

 

Report Violations: 1-800-344-4262 or www.nhogt.org .