New Hampshire Conservation Officer Nick Masucci has a patrol area consisting of Orford, Piermont, Warren, Haverhill, Benton, Bath, Easton, and Landaff. But like all COs, he has to cover bordering patrol areas when the resident CO is off duty and much further afield in emergencies such as last Thursday when he was involved in a carryout in Franconia Notch.

I met him for the first time when he was my guest on WYKR a couple of weeks ago. We got to talk about his background and the job he does serving the people of New Hampshire some of which I recount here.

Nick has lived in North Haverhill since 2023 when he transferred from the Hillsboro area. He stated he much prefers working and living in this area to southern New Hampshire.

A native of upstate New York, he graduated from Paul Smiths college with a wildlife management degree.

He joined Fish and Game in 2018 and spent the first year moving around the state to train with other COs gaining a variety of experiences as is standard at Fish and Game.

In addition to his regular duties, Nick is a member of the dive team and responds all over New Hampshire for recoveries and evidence searches.

As part of our chat, we talked about how much time Conservation Officers spend doing other than traditional fish and game enforcement. During the warm months significant amounts of time are spent answering complaints about illegal operation of atvs, utvs and dirt bikes. Once snow arrives snowmobile enforcement takes up a lot of time.

Much of the public thinks COs spend their time checking fishing and hunting licenses and chasing poachers. They do all that and help biologists and hatchery staff, but OHRV enforcement takes a big part of their average workday.

Add to that, search and rescue, nuisance animal complaints, rabies cases and mandated annual training and you can understand why they are seldom bored.

I was impressed with Nick’s enthusiasm for the job and his obvious dedication to serving the public and the resources. He is a welcome addition to area law enforcement.


Bits and Pieces

Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont have confirmed that the majority of young falcons have learned to fly and should no longer be disturbed by human presence on the cliffs.

According to Audubon biologist Margaret Fowle, who coordinates the monitoring effort on behalf of the Fish and Wildlife Department, biologists and volunteers monitored peregrine pairs that occupied at least 40 Vermont cliffs in early spring and summer.

“The young peregrines have fledged, and many of Vermont’s falcons had another successful year,” she said, “The success is due to a combination of factors, including good weather and cooperation from hikers and rock climbers who observe a respectful distance from the nests during this critical period.”

***

Waterfowl hunters can now apply for permits to hunt the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison and at Mud Creek Wildlife Management Area in Alburgh.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department now has information on its website, https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/, about the controlled hunts.
Applications for hunting at Mud Creek on October 14 and 16 may be downloaded from the website. Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked and returned no later than August 29 to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
Controlled goose hunting at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area will be by lottery drawing with hunting zones assigned at the time of the permit drawing. Any vacancies due to “no-shows” on hunting days will be filled on the morning of the hunt with a self-check-in process. Standby permits will be available at the Dead Creek check-in kiosk.
Friday, October 24 is junior hunter day at Dead Creek. Only hunters 17 years of age or younger on October 24 may self-register. Junior hunters must have an adult present, and one additional guest is allowed for a total of 3 in the party.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on August 6, 2008: “Flash flooding in Addison County, where 3 to 6 inches of rain resulted in flooding and serious road damage to Routes 125, 53, and 73.”

On August 9, 1829: “Waterspout on Harvey's Lake, raising a column of water 200 feet high; part of the Peacham-Barnet tornado, injuring one person”


Parting Shots

You may remember the piece I wrote last year about butternuts which drew several responses including from a Sugar Hill woman who wanted to try and make a dessert that had once been popular and anther who provided me with a large quantity of butternuts which I delivered to the other woman.

Barnet’s Ted Farris remembered and last week called me to say he had a butternut sapling that he would give me. Naturally, I headed north to pick it up and chat with Ted.

It is now planted on the edge of our back lawn. It is only about two feet high so I doubt if I will live long enough to see it produce, but hopefully someone will and appreciate it.

***

I was on my way to town when I passed a young boy riding a bike while carrying a fishing rod across the handlebars. I was thrilled to see him obviously headed to his chosen fishing spot, likely the Waits River.

I wish that more young people fished and otherwise spent time outside rather than be glued to cell phones, tablets and video games.

The sight brought back memories of my youth in the 50s when Francis Stockman and I explored so many brooks in Bradford and Newbury using a Ford 8-N tractor to get around.

***

Linda came home Friday night after nine days in the hospital. She is getting her food and meds through a tube in her stomach but is just glad to be home for a bit.

Thanks for all the calls and emails and your prayers.

Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.

copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore

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