The cold has affected us all and will for a but longer.
Gary Moore
February 12, 2026
The cold has affected us all and will for a but longer. Those of us who burn wood can hardly keep up with hauling wood and removing ashes. What salt the towns have is of little use as it does not work when the temperature is so low.
I have had little free time as Linda has had four hospital appointments and I three. They were in Newport, St. Johnsbury and Lebanon so we spent a lot of time on the road.
I love to get out on my skis on the area trails but the cold just seemed to make staying home and working in my office a better choice. Perhaps I am getting soft in my old age.
***
Last week I suggested readers head to the Highland Center Saturday February 7 for Curds & Curling. Tuesday they decided to postpone it because of the unusually cold temps predicted for that day. The new date is this Saturday, February 21.
For a unique event and a lot of fun, plan on heading to Greensboro and the Highland Center For The Arts for Curds & Curling.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can watch the competition and even try curling yourself if you wish.
It is a day of cheese. The curling stone is a wheel of Jasper Hill’s delicious cheddar and there will be cheese tastings, warm drinks and live music as well as several warming fires.
Linda and I attended last year and greatly enjoyed the afternoon. Unfortunately we can not this year but hope to next year.
For tickets and more information go to https://highlandartsvt.org/.
***
Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blinds from the waters of Vermont earlier must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
***
The NH Fish and Game Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, 387 Perch Pond Rd, Holderness. This represents a change of venue.
Meetings of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission are open to the public. As they become available, meeting agendas and minutes are posted at www.wildnh.com/about/commission.html.
***
New Hampshire’s Open Snowmobile Registration weekend is Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, riders from throughout New England, as well as those from all around the U.S. and Canada, will have the opportunity to explore the over 7,000 miles of trails New Hampshire has to offer snowmobilers.
During the 3-day Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend, sleds legally registered to ride in other states and provinces will be able to operate on New Hampshire’s trails without having to register in the state. All New Hampshire laws and regulations regarding the operation of snowmobiles will be enforced, including speed limits, safety equipment, carrying signed landowner permission letters for off-trail riding, compliant exhaust systems relative to noise and decibel levels, and youth operation standards.
***
Heads up, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s popular outdoor festival, Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, is set for April 18. It is a fun way for the whole family to explore New Hampshire’s wildlife resources and outdoor traditions. Mark your calendars.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and local National Wild Turkey Federation chapter are offering a special turkey-hunting program. These workshops are designed for new or novice turkey hunters in preparation for the 2026 spring turkey hunting season, which opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
The workshop is dedicated to teaching you everything you need to know to have a safe and successful turkey hunt, including choosing a shotgun and ammunition, scouting for birds, how and when to call, what gear you will need, the regulations that apply to turkey hunting, and much more.
The cost is $45 per person to participate. The fee includes course materials, instruction, at least one turkey call to take home for practice, a one-year membership to the National Wild Turkey Federation, and lunch. Register at Events | New Hampshire Fish and Game (s3licensing.com).
. Payment will be collected at the door. Cash or check payable to NWTF-NH.
Saturday, March 28: Raymond Baptist Church, 145 Route 27, Raymond, NH. Class begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 28: NH Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. Class begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.
If you have any questions or need to cancel, email Joshua.mackay@wildlife.nh.gov.
***
Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend is February 14-15, during which time any person may fish without a license.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering a New Instructor Training Course for people interested in volunteering to teach Hunter Education courses.
The training will take place Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Randolph Fish and Game Club, 549 Lefebvre Road, Randolph, VT 05060.
Registration for the course is available online at Event – New Instructor Training – April 11, 2026.
All applicants must complete their instructor paperwork and online homework before attending the course. Instructor application paperwork can be found in the Hunter Education section of Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website, or call 802-828-1193 prior to the course date.
Policies and procedures, field techniques and teaching methods will be covered to give instructors the tools to teach future hunters how to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Lunch will be provided. Be prepared to be outside for at least part of the day.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on February 14, 2016: “Coldest Valentine’s daylight during mildest winter on record; St. Johnsbury only reached 2°F during the day, a record low maximum; -5°F in Island Pond, VT.”
Parting Shots
Moosilauke by Forest L. Acres is a short work of fiction that those of us who love Mt. Moosilauke will find interesting.
The book recounts many of the stories we have heard of the legendary Doc Benton and how he haunts the mountain and the area around Benton, once called Coventry.
Recounted are many unexplained encounters on the mountain, both scary and not.
***
I frequently write about being safe on the ice. This from New Hampshire Fish and Game is worth mentioning. “If someone you are with breaks through the ice, don’t rush over to the hole, keep yourself safe. Look for something to throw or to use to reach out to the person such as a rope, tree branch, or ice spud. Lie down flat and reach out with your tool. After securing the person, do not stand, wiggle backwards on the solid ice pulling the person with you.”
Whatever you choose to do this winter, stay safe.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
I have had little free time as Linda has had four hospital appointments and I three. They were in Newport, St. Johnsbury and Lebanon so we spent a lot of time on the road.
I love to get out on my skis on the area trails but the cold just seemed to make staying home and working in my office a better choice. Perhaps I am getting soft in my old age.
***
Last week I suggested readers head to the Highland Center Saturday February 7 for Curds & Curling. Tuesday they decided to postpone it because of the unusually cold temps predicted for that day. The new date is this Saturday, February 21.
For a unique event and a lot of fun, plan on heading to Greensboro and the Highland Center For The Arts for Curds & Curling.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can watch the competition and even try curling yourself if you wish.
It is a day of cheese. The curling stone is a wheel of Jasper Hill’s delicious cheddar and there will be cheese tastings, warm drinks and live music as well as several warming fires.
Linda and I attended last year and greatly enjoyed the afternoon. Unfortunately we can not this year but hope to next year.
For tickets and more information go to https://highlandartsvt.org/.
***
Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blinds from the waters of Vermont earlier must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
***
The NH Fish and Game Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m. at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, 387 Perch Pond Rd, Holderness. This represents a change of venue.
Meetings of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission are open to the public. As they become available, meeting agendas and minutes are posted at www.wildnh.com/about/commission.html.
***
New Hampshire’s Open Snowmobile Registration weekend is Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, riders from throughout New England, as well as those from all around the U.S. and Canada, will have the opportunity to explore the over 7,000 miles of trails New Hampshire has to offer snowmobilers.
During the 3-day Open Snowmobile Registration Weekend, sleds legally registered to ride in other states and provinces will be able to operate on New Hampshire’s trails without having to register in the state. All New Hampshire laws and regulations regarding the operation of snowmobiles will be enforced, including speed limits, safety equipment, carrying signed landowner permission letters for off-trail riding, compliant exhaust systems relative to noise and decibel levels, and youth operation standards.
***
Heads up, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s popular outdoor festival, Discover WILD New Hampshire Day, is set for April 18. It is a fun way for the whole family to explore New Hampshire’s wildlife resources and outdoor traditions. Mark your calendars.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and local National Wild Turkey Federation chapter are offering a special turkey-hunting program. These workshops are designed for new or novice turkey hunters in preparation for the 2026 spring turkey hunting season, which opens on May 1 and runs through May 31.
The workshop is dedicated to teaching you everything you need to know to have a safe and successful turkey hunt, including choosing a shotgun and ammunition, scouting for birds, how and when to call, what gear you will need, the regulations that apply to turkey hunting, and much more.
The cost is $45 per person to participate. The fee includes course materials, instruction, at least one turkey call to take home for practice, a one-year membership to the National Wild Turkey Federation, and lunch. Register at Events | New Hampshire Fish and Game (s3licensing.com).
. Payment will be collected at the door. Cash or check payable to NWTF-NH.
Saturday, March 28: Raymond Baptist Church, 145 Route 27, Raymond, NH. Class begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 28: NH Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. Class begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.
If you have any questions or need to cancel, email Joshua.mackay@wildlife.nh.gov.
***
Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend is February 14-15, during which time any person may fish without a license.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering a New Instructor Training Course for people interested in volunteering to teach Hunter Education courses.
The training will take place Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Randolph Fish and Game Club, 549 Lefebvre Road, Randolph, VT 05060.
Registration for the course is available online at Event – New Instructor Training – April 11, 2026.
All applicants must complete their instructor paperwork and online homework before attending the course. Instructor application paperwork can be found in the Hunter Education section of Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website, or call 802-828-1193 prior to the course date.
Policies and procedures, field techniques and teaching methods will be covered to give instructors the tools to teach future hunters how to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Lunch will be provided. Be prepared to be outside for at least part of the day.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on February 14, 2016: “Coldest Valentine’s daylight during mildest winter on record; St. Johnsbury only reached 2°F during the day, a record low maximum; -5°F in Island Pond, VT.”
Parting Shots
Moosilauke by Forest L. Acres is a short work of fiction that those of us who love Mt. Moosilauke will find interesting.
The book recounts many of the stories we have heard of the legendary Doc Benton and how he haunts the mountain and the area around Benton, once called Coventry.
Recounted are many unexplained encounters on the mountain, both scary and not.
***
I frequently write about being safe on the ice. This from New Hampshire Fish and Game is worth mentioning. “If someone you are with breaks through the ice, don’t rush over to the hole, keep yourself safe. Look for something to throw or to use to reach out to the person such as a rope, tree branch, or ice spud. Lie down flat and reach out with your tool. After securing the person, do not stand, wiggle backwards on the solid ice pulling the person with you.”
Whatever you choose to do this winter, stay safe.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Deer Project Leader Nick Fortin and buck he took last fall in Vermont.
I wrote about Nick and the interview we did for WYKR two weeks ago. I also saw photos of an impressive buck he took in Maine as well as this Vermont buck.
I wrote about Nick and the interview we did for WYKR two weeks ago. I also saw photos of an impressive buck he took in Maine as well as this Vermont buck.
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