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The trade had only worked when the Indians (Native Americans/First Nations) had control of the land. The fur trade did not die entirely from a lack of furs. Furs had become hard to find at a number of times during the fur trade era. The lack of Indians available to assist with trapping and maintaining the trading system was perhaps as important. The final blow was in 1850 when the beaver hat became out of fashion in Europe and the silk hat was in, signaling the end of the fur trade. Other key players in the fur trade were the Voyageurs--French-Canadian canoemen who traveled water routes in their birch-bark canoes to deliver the furs to trading posts, which were operated at different times and places by French, British, and American companies. With the end of the fur trade era across North America, many traders (further north and west from NH) entered the new businesses of real estate, lumbering, mining or railroading. Some continued to operate small stores in Indian communities. |
Beaver occur across most of North America. Trapping nearly
eliminated beaver from New Hampshire by the late 1800's. Six beaver were
released in the state between 1926 and 1930 as part of a restocking
program. By 1955, the entire state was repopulated. Their numbers continue
to increase locally throughout New England.
Beaver activities create wetlands, which improve waterfowl
habitat, particularly for black and wood ducks. Today we also see abundant
mink, otter, muskrat, great blue herons, osprey, and kingfisher.
Moose populations have also increased since the 15 found in the state in the mid-1800's. The moose herd didn't begin to rebound noticeably until the early 1970's, due in part by the return of the wetlands created by beavers, and also from the varying stages of reforestation across the state since the abandonment of farmlands and changes in forest management practices. Hooray for beaver!
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In winter, whitetail deer group together in yards, and males lose their antlers. They keep their snowy trails open to forage for food. |
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Deer tracks sometime show their dewclaws. This deer was going towards the left. |
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These tracks reveal the walking pattern of deer, similar to dogs and cats. |
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Tracks and scat of a deer. The droppings are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. |
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Whitetail deer track on left and eastern coyote on right. Coyotes and people hunt deer for food, which keeps the deer population in check. |
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This section of forest was cut by loggers. Immediately new new trees start growing naturally. This is an excellent feeding area for deer, who eat the twigs from the saplings in winter. Nearby evergreen trees provide cover for safety, and mixed hardwood trees provide nuts for eating, too. |
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In summer, the deer continue to browse in cuttings where saplings and grasses grow. This two-year-old male is developing antlers from calcium-rich blood vessels just below the surface of the protective velvet. |
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Did you ever see a deer doing this? |
Help wildlife & their habitats--don't feed wild animals."...the artificially high deer densities associated with feeding create the potential for increased spread and prevalence of (diseases) both from infected feed and close contact among individual deer. Deer feeding provides limited benefits to deer but adds significantly to the risk that disease could be spread more quickly and widely. Please don't feed deer." More from NH F & G Don't feed deer this winter. More from U.N.H. Cooperative Extension. |
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American Black Bear in New Hampshire
Black
bears are not true hibernators. In the fall they eat mast--mostly nuts
that fall from trees such as oak and beech . As soon as the ground is
covered with a frozen layer of snow (starting November to January), the
solitary male or female will find shelter under a pile of dead logs or
cave-like structure. There they stay, and sleep on and off, until the
following spring. As soon as the seasonal streams start running from the
melting winter snow, the bears come out and usually find food such as
the new plant shoots
starting to grow along the ravines of the streams.
Into
wildlife photography? It takes patience and practice. Pictured
here (click for large version) is a bear Lucie came across just after an
early snowfall in November, on a mountain slope thick with beech trees.
Bears tend to
run away and hide behind one layer of forest for camouflage, or climb a tree. This bear was looking directly
at the digital camera, which was on the incorrect setting in the
excitement. The shutter delay caused this nose-down shot.
Click
this image for beech nut area that had been foraged by the bear.
It helps to be at the right place at the right time, without
animals knowing you are watching.
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Moose
are the largest mammals on land in North America. In Autumn, male moose (bulls) polish their antlers
by scraping the velvet off on young trees. Then it is rut time. The males are not eating much, but are
busy tracking females and clashing antlers
with other males. The dominant male will have a
harem of cow moose (and their young) during autumn. The antlers will fall
off, one by one, during winter. New ones will start growing immediately.
By June, yearlings (see photo) are on their own and their healthy mothers
(cow) will give birth to one or two babies, each weighing 25 to 40 pounds. They will stay by
their mother's side until the following
June.
There is much more about Moose in New Hampshire. Request a Moose Tour.
How do I drive in moose country?
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Peregrine falcons are on New Hampshire's endangered species list. They nest on cliffs and highrise buildings in spring. Click to see daily images of a nesting site in Manchester, NH.
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We find many interesting living things in the tidal areas, estuaries, and seashore of New Hampshire.
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Our paddle trips and S.U.V. sightseeing tours are great for finding wildlife, and here is proof. Hover your cursor over photos for information.
Click for more information about our Bird Watching Tours.
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Approximately Life Size
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Brook
trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) thrive in cold, clear streams and
lakes throughout New Hampshire. "Brookies" vary in size depending on where
they live--a mature fish in a lake can be 18 inches long, while a fish of
the same age from a small stream could be less than half that size.
They generally mature at 2 years of age and spawn in the fall. Lake-dwelling fish may spawn in streams or along the shoreline of lakes if spring seepage occurs. Nests are constructed by the female on gravelly bottoms of streams or lakes.
Because brook trout favor cold, clear waters, native populations have been hurt in the past when stream and riverbanks are cleared of trees--the lack of shade allows water temperatures to rise, and erosion in cleared areas washes more silt into the streams, covering prime spawning habitat.
Maintaining riparian buffers is crucial to keeping trout habitats healthy. The simplest, cheapest, most efficient solution to many water-quality problems is simply to leave a strip of undisturbed natural areas along rivers and streams.
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New
Hampshire is home to many species of wildflowers that bloom from April to
September. They can be found along trails, rivers, and lakes, as well as in Mount
Washington's Alpine Gardens.
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Our Wildlife Watching &
Photography Tours If you want to see
wildlife or take pictures of certain scenery or subjects, we become a like a
hunting guide for you. From our experience and last-minute scouting for your
subjects, you'll have a good chance of getting what you're looking for. We will
take you in our sports utility vehicle (S.U.V.) to specific locations, or will
quietly get you into the wilderness by hiking, snowshoeing, biking, paddling, or
cross country skiing. Bring your binoculars and camera to find different scenery &
wildlife in each season. Read more about
First of all, where are amphibians during New Hampshire's
cold, snowy winters?
A
Little History
Wilderness
Guide & Outdoor Educator